jordanturbo

Just thought I would poll and see here who actually uses N-rated tires and if you think they are worth it. I saw an old thread about N rated tires and whether the op should stick with them, but I was more interested in seeing what the ratio of owners is like.

Also I was wondering how many users have tires that are not an N rated version of a tire that comes in an N rating. Like the PS2 that you can get in N rated or non N rated.

Personally I could care less about the N rating. I care about putting the best tire suited for my driving versus what Porsche approves, as long as it is the proper size, speed rating and load rating I dont worry about the N.

Right now I am running the Pilot Super Sport which has been the best summer tire I have driven on yet and it doesn't have an N rating, earlier this summer I was using a Dunlop Sport Maxx GT which again was an awesome tire that lacked N rating

I have in prior years used the PS2 and bridgestone RE050 in both N rated and non N rated, and the P Zero Rosso in an N rated only, I was able to tell the difference between an N rated and non N rated in the same model, but even the N rated was not as good as other product offered without an N rating imo.

Dennis C

I am currently running N-spec Michelin PS2s on my C4S. I'm not opposed to trying non N-spec tires. I'd try the Pilot Super Sports if they were manufactured in the appropriate sizes for the C4S, but they aren't at this time. In my opinion, the N-spec PS2 is the best tire I've ever had on the C4S. Until they make the Super Sport in my sizes, I'll keep buying the PS2.

FWIW, I am running a non N-spec tire on my Cayenne in the summer. On that vehicle, I run the Continental ExtremeContact DWS. I have found it to be vastly superior to the OE Continental SportContact 4x4 that came on my vehicle from the factory. I'm running N-spec Michelin Latitude Alpin tires in the winter.

jordanturbo

I personally run incorrect sizing on my C4S on the factory turbo twists. I run a 235/40R18 in the front and a 285/35R18 in the rear, the difference in overall diameter is about 0.4 inches, but when the rear tire is slightly stretched on the rim the roll out diameter I my alignment machine calculated was almost bang on and with having the car lowered and the spacers I run, the 285 actually fits a little better than the 295 I believe.

wwest

Since this is a 996 forum I will assume your C4S uses a VC, Viscous Coupling. Even a relatively small variation in tire circumference front vs rear will cause the VC to unduly stiffen and that might well result in premature failure of driveline components. Chrysler discontinued the F/awd (VC coupling to the rear) T & C minivan since owners would unknowningly install tire chains only on the front. PTO failure results, often in less than 50 miles.

Dennis C

The 996 C4S does, in fact, use a viscous coupling in the AWD system.

dotframe

Sumitomo htrz3 here I dont think they are n rated. I don't care.

Dennis C

They aren't N-spec. They certainly are inexpensive compared to PS2s!

Divot

I have n-spec on the 996 and the Cayenne. I have no idea why I have them on the Cayenne, but the discount tire chain carried them in stock when I needed new shoes.

rpm's S2

I believe N-rated tires are specifically designed to match the rear weight bias of the 911.

Tire Rack has a good overview.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=26

I ran the Sumitomo HTRZIII on my old 968 and was very happy with them. Since buying the 996 I have stuck with N-rated Contis.

Byprodriver

Excellent idea for a poll/thread! I am the non-N Porsche brand that starts with M.
I would like to try some Nspec M tires again maybe our esteemed sponser TireRack would do a non-N vs. N test on a modern Porsche to show what the differences are.

Barn996

Same tires, same feeling.

autobonrun

I ran N spec when my cars were stock. Now that both cars have been lowered, shocks, springs, and other suspension components changed, I don't see any value in getting tires tested with the original car.
If I happen to choose tires that are N spec then fine.

Here's an article on the subject.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?&techid=26

jordanturbo

Actually the difference in diameter between the 295/30R18 and 225/40R18 is a larger spread than the 285/35R18 and 235/40R18 when fitted onto my rims when I measured the roll out on my alignment rack with I put the tires on.

ivangene

+1000!!
this is your answer

You might find the Sumi good and cheap but your car is bias rear weighted and N specs address this issue - If I had a 996 street car I would 100% get N spec tires

my 3.2 I run Toyo R888's $ Conti DW's (not DWS's) so like WTF do I know

tooloud10

I run the same Continentals on my X5 and really like them, especially considering how much less expensive they are as compared to everything else available in a 315 series tire.

+1

I totally believe that this is true, but what it doesn't consider is that the non-N spec tires of the same model meet the same criteria. That is, are there any actual differences besides the "N" stamp on the side of the tire?