PS2 have Porsche N designation.

 

I'll join Martin S. with the Kumho experience. I've done one AX and one DE with the Ecsta's so far and am very happy. The AX was done with only 50 miles on the tire and it was really rough on them. I thought I had made a mistake. Then I put about 1,500 miles on after the AX and did a DE at Sebring on them this past weekend. They held up extremely well (34 front/38 rear). Lots of tread left and they still ride great on the road. Excellent rain tire (South Florida!) and I don't think they're any noisier than the Continentals the car originally came with. On top of this, when you consider I paid almost half of the what the S-2/3's or the Michellins cost, they're really incredible.

I would really urge you to try them unless you just feel like you have to spend a lot of money!

 

Jonathan, no particular reason to stick with Porsche OE if only to say you are staying with OE. I've been very happy with Michelins in general and used up a set of PS2s with no problem at all. In fact, Nelson has my old set.

 

nah....certainly would never do anything just for the pure saking of saying i was doing it....

there are several threads where members have suggested that the 993 handles best and wears best with the OE size tires, and in terms of specific tires, that its best to go with something Porsche has extensively tested and put an "N" on.... i am sure this can be a point of debate, but it intuitively makes sense to me also. Viken, who seems to be somewhat of an authority on tires/wheels, holds this position.

I really didnt think that PS2 fell into this category, but if they do, probably the set I will get, because I loved them on previous cars...

 

Jonathan, the PS2s are OE on the GT3s in 235/295

 

There seems to be a consensus to stay with N rated tires. However, the Continentals are N rated and I have never read a positive comment about them. So I am not real sure that the N rating necessarily indicates a better tire choice.

 

It's may be different for you, but here (Belgium and France at least) if you have an accident with tires not approved (N rated) by Porsche, the insurance could give you a hard time!

 

I have Pirelli Rosso's 225/285 18's right now. They seem to be OK. Quiet at least. As a newbie can't say much at the limit, as I'm being careful and taking the long learning curve. I feel the grip is good and the breakaway is smooth but sudden. Hard, but I guesss with 30 profile rears its the price you pay for 18's.
I will move to Toyo's on my next set and will report diff.

Orc

 

I have the Mich Pilot Sport Rib (N2), and I'm impressed with their cornering grip and minimum noise characteristics.

 

Another happy camper with the Michelin Ribs here. They replaced the horrid SO-2's that I had on the car and the difference is night and day especially in the rain.

 

Yes these are great tires if you are not concerned that they may be a bit on the noisy side and not the best for wet weather. The KDW or KDW-2's might be a better choice if you drive in the rain much.

Either of these would be a perfect choice for someone that wants a dual purpose tire (street and track) or just one of the highest performance tires (non-R compound) around.

 

The SO-2a's are currently OEM on the GT-3 and tire manufactures are required to produce tires at least 7 years after they are installed on new vehicles.

Tom

 

FWIW... I was in the process of replacing my S02s last summer, and thought I might be able to defer until next spring. I asked Michelin customer service if they intended to make a PS2 in OE 993 C4S sizes by spring 2005. They said no. Thus I opted for the Pilot Sport Ribs. I find the car tramlines less, and I 'think' it is grippier, but it is hard to say since some autocrossing wore the S02s bald, past where the good rubber is and by the end I had no gryption at all. I have not had a chance to autocross or track the Michelins, but for a street tire I am very happy with the choice. Interestingly, the talk on pistonheads.com suggests the Conti to be the supreme tire.

 

I've been doing quite a bit of research on this and I have come to the conclustion that for the most part it comes down to a matter of personal preference and what's "affordable" depending on your driving style. To me it's like a hair cut, if you want a change from something you don't know, you're taking a chance. Of course if you don't like the hair cut you know it will grow back and you can try again. In the case of tires, they're going to wear out, so just put a set of tires on, drive your car and enjoy. If you don't like you're new tires, just drive more, wear'em out and go though the process again. I guess the only difference here is; a hair cut cost 15-20 bucks and a set of new rears cost 6 hund.....ouch!

 

They are?? Not according to the latest information I have. Where did you see that they've been added?