I had a slow leak in a rear tire for the last few weeks and finally went to a shop to discover an embedded object somewhat close to the sidewall. I did not have the tool to measure the wear but at a minimum I will need to replace the rear tires on my 2010 C4S cab.

Currently I have the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 on the car and have been happy with the performance and sound with the top down. Upon my internet search I have noticed many variants of these tires such as:

Sport PS2 (current set)
Sport 4S
Sport Cup 2

Has anyone tried any of these tires and have any feedback to share?

 

The Pilot Sport 4S are generally regarded as the best tire in it's category (Max Performance Summer) as it is more comfortable, greater longevity and higher performance than the PS2 so as long as you're fine with the cost, you should go with these.

If you're looking for something cheaper but good, there are some very good options out there in the Ultra High Performance Summer category like the General G-Max RS or Falken Azenis FK510

 

I have PS4S on my 997.2 C2. Could not be happier.

 

Since you are only replacing the rear tires, you need to match the current fronts. So, stay with 2 new rear PS2. Don't mix & match tires on a 911.....especially a 4/4S variant.

What are the DOT code dates on the remaining front tires? If 5 years old, just replace all 4 now with your favorite choice.

 

^^^^^^ this.

I didn't read your entire post. Rear tires better match the fronts for sure.

 

[flame suit] Perhaps there is a consideration with a C4, but I just replaced my worn out rear PS2s with new 4S and I am very happy with them thus far (only about 300 miles). I still have PS2s up front with a good bit of life left in them. I will plan to replace all 4 with a set of 4S when these rears need it in 12-15k miles. I noticed a big improvement in rear tire noise and improvement in ride quality with the 4S, but it's hard to say how much is due to the tire compound etc and how much is due to just having new rear tires. I'm sure I will be chastised for mixing and matching. [/flame suit]

 

Michelin has a tire sale going on right now. $120 off when you buy two. That may help you decided. Not sure which tires apply though.

 

It would be perfectly fine to mix tire models--even brands--front to back. When you own a car that goes through rear tires much faster than fronts, this issue comes up all the time. I have done it on more than one occasion when I wanted to switch to a different tire and I still had plenty of tread on two of them.

I've even run two different brands front-to-back and my car didnt burst into flames, I didn't cause any damage and it didn't kill any puppies.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Michelin PS4S. I am currently running them on my car and they're great tires. And that is coming from a guy who generally runs much less expensive Hankooks (which I also like very much).

 

Go with the Conti ExtremeContactSport. I personally run the Conti ExtremeContactSport over the 4S. I have tested them back to back at a track and on the road and it is very hard to tell any real differences between the tires. Plus, it will save you about 10% and provide a better overall warranty.

 

My vote goes getting the PS4S for the rears and replace the fronts with them when they're ready. Although all matching tires is ideal, for general street driving it's not an issue with having a different pair of tires per axle if they're in the same tier of performance.

 

Some reviews and comparisons, I am rocking Michelin 4S but had great results with Contis. But will try Vredestein Vorti Rs or Kumho PS91 as they are 1/2 the price in Canada and give up very little based on all reviews I have seen.


https://alltyretests.com/michelin-pi...s-test-review/

https://alltyretests.com/michelin-pi...2-test-review/

https://alltyretests.com/michelin-pi...t-test-review/

 

The Vredestein perform well and make little noise in my testing a customer's Volvo S60, although a month later he opted for PS4S due to tire size fitment with his setup. As a guinea pig I've purchased a brand new set of the Kumho PS91 for my M3 and was very surprised at the comfort it was giving. Highway driving was a pleasure. I've done 3 track days (Thunderhill East, Laguna Seca, and back at East) and the rear tires lasted until half way into the 3rd track day. The tires initially were not up to par with grip until they were fully warmed up. Don't want to hijack the thread so I'll leave it at that.

 

The problem with mixing brands or models front to rear won't show up in normal driving. It shows up at the limits or in adverse weather where one end let's go sooner than the other and potentially unpredictably so, like if hydroplaning.

Replace all 4 and sell the current fronts on Craigslist. Someone will buy them.

My go to tire on my 928, 914, and 997 is Nitto Invo. Good life, tons of dry grip, decent wet grip, good tread wear, and quite a bit less expensice than the Michelins with 95% of the performance.

 

No to Cup 2, unless you track a lot. PS2 is just as good as 4S in the dry, but 4S much better in the rain. Pick whichever is cheaper for the rears, then when time to replace all, either get 4S or something else like Conti, etc...

 

When all 4 tires are new, they don't grip the same front to back. They are different sizes, they carry different weights, they have different forces exerted on them and two of them steer and two of them don't.

There is no unpredictable or dangerous loss of handling when you replace two tires versus four, neither is there any danger in mixing brands as long as both brands are quality performance tires. Replacing 4 tires when only 2 need replacing is both wasteful and silly.

In many racing series it is common to mix tire compounds and types front to rear and even side to side, often changing the combinations mid-race. It was only phased out in F1 the 80s and 90s to cut costs and to level the playing field--not because the cars were losing control. If it didn't kill puppies at the limit on a Formula 1 track, it's not going to kill puppies on a street driven 997.