N Spec Tires
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Nordschleife Master
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From: Toronto & Mont Tremblant
N Spec Tires
This is worth a look since the issue is debated here from time to time.
Why Porsches are better with N-Spec tires | Tech Tactics East | The Porsche Club of America
Why Porsches are better with N-Spec tires | Tech Tactics East | The Porsche Club of America
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Portland, OR
The video is instructive, and the presenter well-credentialled. It's marketing genius, something bath companies have done for years, No argument with N-tires. They're good, but that began decades ago when other tire brands for sportier cars, were probably less efficient. In these times, plenty of comparables. But, co-branding Michelin and Porsche, like in this video and like they also do often at Rennsport Reunions, auctions, Parades, etc., brings in the buyers for the "M" tire for the "P" car- my opinion.
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Hi Ronnie,
My 993 Carrera is a daily driver.
I think the Porsche compatibility designation is most likly co-branding where Porsche certifies certain tires for a licensing fee. It doesn't mean other brands or classes of tires have inferior performance on our cars.
Tire quality is highly regulated and controlled. For me, the lower the UTOG rating, the better the tire grip, and the higher the UTOG rating, the longer the tire life. The other issue is the application. A performance tire tends to have better grip but a shorter life. An all-season tire gives up some grip for longer life and good grip below 40 Degrees F.
I would not pay a premium for a tire because of brand or Porsche testing.
Others, I am sure, will not agree with this.
I developed this opinion over decades of Porsche ownership and experience with all different brands and ratings of tires.
Andy
My 993 Carrera is a daily driver.
I think the Porsche compatibility designation is most likly co-branding where Porsche certifies certain tires for a licensing fee. It doesn't mean other brands or classes of tires have inferior performance on our cars.
Tire quality is highly regulated and controlled. For me, the lower the UTOG rating, the better the tire grip, and the higher the UTOG rating, the longer the tire life. The other issue is the application. A performance tire tends to have better grip but a shorter life. An all-season tire gives up some grip for longer life and good grip below 40 Degrees F.
I would not pay a premium for a tire because of brand or Porsche testing.
Others, I am sure, will not agree with this.
I developed this opinion over decades of Porsche ownership and experience with all different brands and ratings of tires.
Andy
Last edited by pp000830; Apr 2, 2025 at 04:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Toronto & Mont Tremblant
I have no idea if it's worth it or not Andy, but I always go for the N rated Michelins....and I'm one of the most skeptical people I know. Just catch my posts om climate change! I've used all the big brands on SUV's, the Z over 50 years and the tt over 15 years and I'm a died in the wool Michelin fan. Great grip and ride with low noise.
Last edited by ronnie993tt; Apr 2, 2025 at 08:34 PM.
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Just put on a whole new set of PS2 Michelin “Porsche” Rating on my 993. Night and day from the Pirelli P Zeros I have been running. Ride quality is quiet and grip Is awesome. Tread wear is 220 so pretty much in line with P Zeros at 200 tread wear. I will say though they wear smaller than the P Zeros. I kept the stock 285-30-18 and 225-40-18 in front. Just seem smaller in size than the P Zeros. Would have went up to a 295 and 235 F if I would have known.
Last edited by Gbos1; Apr 2, 2025 at 09:57 PM.
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I think this is the deepest of all rabbit holes. I agree with Andy on this in that tire and compound technologies are dimensionally different from 30 years ago. I ran Michelins exclusively on my 93 964 which were great but rears lasted 5k miles (200utqg). My 95 993 (which i still drive) came with Dunlop sp 8000's which were great but skittish in the rain, once worn I replaced with 9000's that were phenomenal. I recently rehabed the car and ultimately went w/ Continental extreme a/s, Dunlop Azzuras were hard to find and given i don't track it and use it as a daily driver it made the most sense, Great in the rain. Have run them on multiple vehicles never an issue. Couldn't justify the summer version (DW) treadwear and the testing i read revealed little difference from the A/S. The Conti's are phenomenal, and allow me to push the seasonsa bit..
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From: 1222
I think this is the deepest of all rabbit holes. I agree with Andy on this in that tire and compound technologies are dimensionally different from 30 years ago. I ran Michelins exclusively on my 93 964 which were great but rears lasted 5k miles (200utqg). My 95 993 (which i still drive) came with Dunlop sp 8000's which were great but skittish in the rain, once worn I replaced with 9000's that were phenomenal. I recently rehabed the car and ultimately went w/ Continental extreme a/s, Dunlop Azzuras were hard to find and given i don't track it and use it as a daily driver it made the most sense, Great in the rain. Have run them on multiple vehicles never an issue. Couldn't justify the summer version (DW) treadwear and the testing i read revealed little difference from the A/S. The Conti's are phenomenal, and allow me to push the seasonsa bit..
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Good post and thoughtful responses. I personally "read" N-spec like ad copy, a carefully crafted marketing tool to create a niche which makes the buyer feel special. Sure, maybe "back in the day" the spec made sense ...maaaaybe. And like many here, I've formed my Porsche thoughts over decades of ownership in tracking, DDriving, and DIYing these air-cooled wonders. With today's tire options, manufacturing, and heady brand competition, I place the N in the same column as the Porsche "Classic Oil." Now that's gonna get me ignored, for sure! 
BTW, another user of the Conti ExtremeContacts for a superb balance of performance-price-wear. A 993 that has 192k blissful miles has helped form some good data on which to draw conclusions. For me.
Edward
BTW, another user of the Conti ExtremeContacts for a superb balance of performance-price-wear. A 993 that has 192k blissful miles has helped form some good data on which to draw conclusions. For me.
Edward
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