ScootsS

I have a 2009 997S Cab that I purchased from the original owner 9 months ago. The car had low mileage and the owner took good care of it.

The rear tires are the original Michelin Pilot Sports that came with the car and they need to be replaced. The fronts are Michelin Pilot Super Sports that were replaced a few years ago due to a bad flat.

This was a bad idea, right? I thought fronts and rears should be the same and N numbers should match...

Regardless, now I need to purchase Super Sports for the rears...but can't seem to find an N number on the fronts...and I don't see an N number for this model on tire rack (despite the original Sports having N numbers).

Can I order these from tire rack with confidence?

thanks!
-S

Shred

No need N rated.
Michelin Super Sports is great for streets. Get them again for the back or the new Pilot 4S.

ogun228

Michelin Super Sports were never N rated but became the de facto go to tire until the 4S.

BillNye

FYI



N-rated isn't really special in its own right. It's just the designation for the particular specifications that Porsche requests in order to meet their design goals. These specs could comprise a slightly different rubber compound, but from my research N-spec frequently have a tread pattern with more grooves and a deeper tread depth. I've read Porsche has a higher requirement for wet performance than other vehicles, thus they don't frequently fit their cars with a "cheater"-tire that is nearly slick.

Compare a TPC (Chevrolet) spec Pilot Sport Cup2 to a N-spec Pilot Spot Cup2 and you'll see immediately how much different they are.

This doesn't necessarily mean that one tire is better or worse than the other. Pilot Super Sports are great tires (from what I hear) and you would be well off to put a pair on the rear. The previous owner likely replaced the front with non-matching Super Sports because they are much cheaper than the N-spec Pilot Sport PS2, not to mention they have a higher tread-wear rating, supposedly superior grip, etc.