CSbox03s

So here's the deal . . . .I am about to buy tires for my 986S that do not have an N spec rating for the side walls. The tire shop I have chosen has mentioned that I would have to sign a waiver in order to purchase these tires. Apparently, after further discussion this waiver is simply a hand written document that states the shop has mentioned these tires are not N spec tires and clears the shop from any liability. The shop is not being pushy about it, but just saying they need to do it. What I don't understand is why they have to clear their liability for a tire that is DOT approved.

Simply put, the N spec sidewall rating that Porsche has devised is essentially only given to a couple of tire manufacturers who have worked with Porsche through R&D. Therefore Porsche only allows these certain tires to be installed on their cars. Tirerack has an explanation posted on their website.

Bottom line, does anyone see any issues with siging a waiver to have non-N spec tires that are DOT approved installed?

Thanks,
CSbox03s

LVDell

I would find another tire dealer.

gota911

+1 find another tire dealer

SH || NC

Agreed. Just order from T/R and have them sent directly to an installer. Done.

Ray S

+ 986

Find another place to buy the tires.

I'd suggest

www.tirerack.com

cdodkin

I laughed out loud when my local stealership gave me the disapproving stare for having tires fitted without the N rating.

Ordered tires from Tirerack and had my local indy Porsche shop fit and balance them - saved a fortune and very happy with the tires.

Tippy

Here we go again.............

buy N tires and forget about it. You are hampering the handling capabilities of the car if you dont buy N spec.

Just read the load ratings between an N spec and a non-N for the same exact tire.

BIG difference!

cdodkin

like most drivers could tell the difference......

Not saying you couldn't Tippy - but the other 99.9%

Tippy

True, cdodkin but imagine this.

I was doing 90 MPH around a turn. Bored that the car was not at its limit, I decided to whip the wheel harder to disrupt the rear.

Boy, was I in for it! The rear started to come around and the tires were howling really loud. I almost **** myself.

It recovered (not as quickly as I wanted being used to forward engined cars) and I understood what the rear weight could do like the classic 911's when the rear comes out.

So, in that instance, I could of put the car in the guardrail at 90 MPH if I would of had non-N spec tires. Every little bit counts in safety

Jus' sayin'...............

CSbox03s

Points taken and I appreciate the input . . . On a side note I didn't want to open the N spec debate up, mostly just the deal with the waiver.

LJpete

Hmm. This has always been an interesting debate for me to read about. Me personally, I have driven 996's with and without N spec tires (PS2's to be precise) and felt that the non N spec tires actually handled better. Granted the cars where set up differently, as mine (the one with non N spec tires) had a more aggressive alignment and both cars had modded suspension 1 with x74, GT3 bars and one with PSS9s, GT3 bars and control arms (mine). Overall grip in that autocross, mine felt better. I understand that my car had slightly wider tires and a better alignment which could contribute to the better grip but I wouldn't say that N spec tires will be the difference to loosing it or saving yourself in a drift. In fact, I found that feed back was just as good as was turn-in even though the N Spec tires have stiffer sidewalls.

Perhaps at the track the difference is more noticeable?

zroadhouse

In one of my Porsche books, they discussed N-spec and gave the rear weight bias as being the main factor here. i.e. most cars don't have 60% of their weight over the rear tires and thus the side walls have to be stiffened to support the extra weight.

jyoteen

Do Hoosiers have N rating?

SH || NC

Check T/R or the Hoosier website

LVDell

Don't take this the wrong way, but is that a serious question?