IMO, the SP9000 should not fall in the "maximum performance" category. I have driven on them and they certainly don't have nearly as much grip as most of the others. FWIW, Porsche labels the latest "approved" tires as follows:

17"
Conti Sport Contact: Comfort
Michelin Pilot SX MXX3: Sports
Pirelli P-Zero Direzionale/Asimmetrico: Sports

18"
Conti Sport Contact: Comfort
Conti Sport Contact 2: Sports
Dunlop SP9090: All-around
Bridgestone S-02: Sports
Michelin Pilot Sport SX: Sports
Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico: Sports
Yokohama AVS Sport: Sports

 

Hi again, and thx for all the responses. Since this post turned into a tire discussion and perhaps that's why my C4 hydroplanes. It looks like i wil be in market for tires now, especially in the wet Northeast. What is the "best" wet weather tire in your opinion?

 

I live in the Northwest, and my favorite tire to use up here are the S-02's. They are a premimum all-around tire, and do very well in the wet.

Rick

Webmaster - Oregon PCA Region

 

Given the fact that I have both the Michelin Pilot Sport SX and the Bridgestone S-02 on two of my cars, my vote goes for the Michelin's. It is a better tire in both dry and wet. Also, I think the S-02 is being phased-out pretty soon and you may have trouble finding replacements in the future.

 

I have noticed a few posters refer to SO-2 Pole Position as if all SO-2 were Pole Position. I believe this name is only for 17" or now for SO-3 for 18". Don't take my word for it, just enter your model in trierack.com and see what comes up.

 

i have the sumis on my car. i have not had a problem in the rain but have heard from others that they do not perform well in the rain. your experience seems to confirm that. i like the hrtz 2's. the price is right and lately i don't get much life out of the rears

 

I agree with Viken and Rick that both the Michelin Pilot MXX3s and S-02s are excellent wet weather performers. I imagine the same holds true for the newer Pilot Sport and S-02 PP (or S-03), although I have no personal experience with these.

A C4 should have excellent wet weather handling characteristics, so if you're having a problem and your car is not big-time out of alignment, I'd have to wonder if it's not the Sumis.

 

Actually, I was referring to the newer Pilot Sports and not the MXX3's. I don't think the older MXX3's have similar wet weather performance but are acceptable, nevertheless.

I agree with this statement in terms of the AWD's wet weather handling. My Carrera 4S handled beautifully in the wet on the P-Zero Asimmetrico's and now a tad better on the S-02's. However, I do think that Joe had gone through some serious standing water to have felt the way he did.

 

Guys, thx for all the reply's. Let me a add twist if i may. The car did have eibach lowering springs (previous owner), which i replaced back with the stock springs about 6 mos ago. Car was too low for me. I believe the shocks may be not be the original (I'm not sure). I had a certified porsche mechanic do the work, and also was sent out for 4 wheel alignment. Also, this was not just hitting a few standing water puddles. Its seems everytime i went over 50mph in the wet pavement it became very unstable. Very wierd. I will visit my mechanic this week and well let you all know what he finds. Thx again.