UCrazyKid

So I have seen so many tire threads here where Continentals are dismissed and people simply say "they suck".

Why?

When I bought my 996 C2 it came with a new set of Continental ContiSportContact 2 N2 on it and I really don't have any complaints. Of course I don't have anything to compare it to though. (on this car).

What are peoples reasons for not liking this tire?
Wear?
Noise?
Traction? Dry or Wet?
Street vs DE?

etc.

Other max performance tires i have used on other cars have been Bridgestone S0-2s, RE070s, S0-3s.

Thanks for your objective input.

Oh and I do have the x74 suspension on my car that might be improving the performance (but not ultimate grip).

Riad

Um, I would never say that. My Conti Pilot-Sport's were/are fantastic.

McGarrett

+1

UCrazyKid

Unfortunately the two above responses don't help with any insight as to WHY. Can you quantitate why you you feel this way? Please elaborate.

This type of response is all that I have seen on rennlist so far.

Any other help?

Riad

They lasted much longer than my Pirelli P-Zeros.

They work very well on the dry.

They aren't as noisy as my Pirelli's.

They work pretty well in the wet, not perfect but good enough.

After they wear out you can remove them and burn them on your front lawn as they are made from biodegradable rubber that smells like pine trees when on fire.

That's all I got... go buy a pair and judge for yourself.

UCrazyKid

Thanks riad, that's the kind of review I was looking for. Your experience sounds like mine (I currently have the Conti's) with the exception of burning them and they smelling like pine trees.

Tippy

Why I cant leave the 996 forum...........

Patrick E

I had them on my Audi and they were fine around town. However, the few times I used them on a track, they had lousy grip and made lots of noise without being pushed hard. The S4 is an understeering pig on the track anyway, and the Conti's made it worse. Big improvement when I went to F1-DS3s (although still a nose-heavy pig!).

pat056

I hate the thought of using those high priced street tires on the track! Every time I did, I just "chunked" them up.
Since all I do w/my 996 is daily drive it, I need to find some cheap hard tires. I mean, I hate to think of getting these super performance, soft tires, that I can go into corners at 100 mph just to drive a straight line on the interstate and wear them out. My street driving isn't Z rated driving.
When I go to the track, I put on Hoosiers or Kumho 710's. I can assure you, there's no economy in those tires but they are fast...

brad@tirerack.com

Kid, keep in mind that all you are hearing is opinion. Unfortunately you have heard more bad than good. All OE tires have both good and bad reviews but the Sport Contact 2 in my opinion gets better overall reviews than the other OE tires do.

UCrazyKid

I know the opinion is the hard part. I am hoping there will be some evidence.

How about The Tire Rack does a tire shoot out for the 996? Seems like they only use a BMW 325i for all testing. How about a 996 with 18" wheels. N2 rated vs. others? Am I dreaming?

pat056

I know advice can be good or bad, but how can someone's opinion be bad?
Guess that's your opinion
I run Conti SC2 (bought from Tire Rack, I might add) and am pleased with them. No noise, good handling, and the normal wear expected in a Z rated tire on a Porsche; good in the front and not-so-great in the back. All I can recommend is work w/your shop to reduce the negative camber in the rear to minimize. That's been a fact in every 911 I've had.

Riad

Don't encourage me

Ray S

Michelin makes Pilot Sports

Conti makes Sport contacts

Which do you mean?

Riad

Damn, I always do that... I've had several sets of both I currently have the Michelin PS, but have had several Conti Sport contacts and Pirelli P-Zeros.

And for what it's worth I like the Michelins a bit better than the Conti Sports but would never say the Conti Sports were terrible tires, and I think they are better than the Pirelli's.