mdrums

I need a new set of tires for my 997S and my local tire stores nor Tire Rack or any other internet dealer other than my local Prosche dealer can get 235/35/19 Porsche N spec tires. After being very persistant and calling tire stores all over the USA, calling tire manfucatures direct and PCNA I have learned the following:

Porsche has worked a deal with the N spec tire suppliers to lock up any tire store or dealer from selling tires to consumers unless we buy direct from the Porsche dealer! There is a lock on these tires right now in contract until at least September 7th and then Porsche will tell the tire manufactures if they can announce if tire dealers can sell direct to consumers.

I'd like to know how the heck this is legal?

I know this would NEVER work in my industry and as I understand it a company can not legally tell is dealr net work what they can sell for on a face to face basis and can not only tell it's dealer network what the MAP (min advertised price) should be.

Damn, I am pissed!!!!!

Bob Rouleau

Perhaps they are reserving the tires for the GT3 that uses the N spec tires.

mdrums

Bob oh they are reserving tires...that is for sure!!!! according to Reggie at Tire Rack they have them in stock but can only sell direct to Porsche dealers per some sort of a deal Porsche has worked out with the tire manufactures. Completely illegal and a crock of BS in my book. My local Porsche dealers buy there tires direct from Tire Rack not direct form Michelin or Bridgestone.

mglobe

Are we sure this is a conspiracy, or is it a very small market for these particular tire sizes, and Porsche is making sure their customers can always have access to tires by keeping a supply on hand. The reason I ask this is that I find it odd that at TireRack you can buy PS2 rears, but not fronts, and pZero fronts but not rears. It kind of looks like to me like supplies are low on the N-rated tires in general. Do these tire sizes fit on anything other than a 997/996?

Leader

I had no problem buying a full set of four PS2s about three weeks ago at America's Tire Company, a retail outlet of Tire Rack here in Los Angeles. It took them five days to get the tires in, but they got 'em.

greenie

When I buy tires for my BMW, the dealer places the order through Tire Rack and passes on a substantial discount. The trick here is to see what you eventually pay for these tires. Is Porsche making a "handsome" profit or are they just "handling" the transaction for the consumer?

seattle_sun

I was told that the PS2 tires were on backorder. The first x amount of tires were promised to Porsche and after they fill the allocation to Porsche, the rest can be sold via the other outlets.

I personally have no problems with it. Porsche speced out the tire and did the research and michelin promised them x amount of tires. I don't buy the conspiracy theory. You can buy N-spec Pirelli or the N-spec Sport Cup tires right now at tirerack

jrgordonsenior

Did anyone try Wheel Enhancement? They usually carry PS2's in stock.....

http://wheelenhancement.com/

nkhalidi

I don't think you really need N-spec; any tires that match our fitment will likely work without any consequences.

Reggie at Tire Rack is terrific to work with, isn't he? I've been buying tires from him since 2003 - very professional, very knowledgable, and gives great recommendations.

mdrums

Maybe my post was confusing or to lengthy. What I found out is for example from a call to Tire Rack is Tire Rack has Bridgestone RE050A Porsche N spec 235/35/19's in stock but they are not allowed to sell them to consumers and can only sell them to Porsche dealerships due to some sort of deal Porsche and the tire manufactures have worked out. the Porsche dealerships mark these up sky high compared to the tire rack price. To me that does not seem legal.

seattle_sun

So, why can you get Pirelli or sport cup?

Pugnacious P

I would say buy non "N" tires if it was for street driving. The only way to deal with business practices that you find unsavory is to act with your pocket.

AndreCT

Agreed

MrBonus

I don't run N Spec tires. I can't say that I notice a difference.

mdrums

I got a reply back from Suncoast Porsche and I think they are going to come through for me by Friday on the Bridgestones. Same price as Tire Rack but more in shipping than Tire Rack and mounting than local tire dealers.

Seattle Sun, the Pirelli's are expensive and there is an issue with the rears I need too and the Sport Cups are not really a everyday driving type of tire being that tye are a R compound and will wear out fast on the street.