Since I see various questions on approved tires....this is the latest list that Porsche published, dated January 2005. The 'N' designation represents a tire approved by Porsche (there have been articles in Christophorus on the process). There is no differentiation between a tire with a higher or lower 'N' number, that is, an N3 tire is not better than an N1 tire, it's only an indicator.

16":
Bridgestone Expedia S-01 N2
Bridgestone S-02 N3
Continental SportContact CZ91 N0
Continental SportContact N1
Michelin MXX3 Pilot SX N1
Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico N2
Toyo Proxes T1S NO

17":
Bridgestone Expedia S-01 N2
Bridgestone S-02 N3
Bridgestone Potenza S-02A N4
Continental SportContact CZ91 N0
Continental SportContact N1
Continental SportContact2 N2
Dunlop SP Sport 8000 N0
Michelin MXX3 Pilot SX N0
Michelin MXX3 Pilot SX N1
Michelin Pilot Sport N2
Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico N1
Pirelli P-Zero Direzionale N2 / Asimmetrico N2
Pirelli P-Zero Rosso N3
Toyo Proxes T1S NO
Yokohama A008P N0

18":
Bridgestone Expedia S01 N0
Bridgeston e S-02 N1
Continental SportContact CZ91 N0
Continental SportContact N1
Continental SportContact2 N2
Michelin Pilot Sport N1
Pirelli P-Zero N0
Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico N1
Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico N2
Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico N3
Pirelli P-Zero Rosso N4

 

Just remember that there is no significant meaning to NOT haveing an N rating. That is, it doesn't mean that the tire didn't pass Porsche's testing, as they don't test many tires. Porsche tests their best commercial deal offered by manufacturers and stops when it "passes" whatever requirements they are using for OE tires at that time.

The different numbers reflect a sequence of testing. As you can see, some of the N0 and N1 models for a manufacturer are out of production now, while the N4s and N5s are new models.

 

I note there are no winter tires on the list - like Dunlop M3's for instance

 

It's too bad the Michelin Pilot Sport II is only available in the front approved 225/40/18 size, not the back. Which is why I am on my second set of upsized 235 front and 295 rear. You just have to tell the Tire Rack website you own a GT3 when you order.

 

Bill: I have a Porsche approved tire list from 2004. Many of the tires you've listed are on my older list as only Boxster/Boxster S approved tires and not 911 tires. Does your list differentiate?

David: Porsche does have an approved winter tire list as well. I once read an interesting Christophorus article about the testing process. At the time the Dunlop M3 was listed.

 

Darrell,

Unfortunately, I don't have the source list...I copied this from a PCA post by Joel Reiser, specifically responding to a 993 query.

 

I went with 17" Kumho MX's this time around and very satisfied with the value and performance.