Gents - on my last set of rears, I plus sized from the OEM 295's to 305's. I got ~ 10,000 miles on my first set of rears, and on these, only 5,000 or so. Granted, I made my alignment a tad more aggressive when I switched rears, but other than that, should it have shaved off 50% of the life of the tire? or, are the 305's prone to a quicker wear than the 295's given the smaller profile? Thanks much

 

No. It's your driving, and your alignment.

 

OK edgy Thanks I feel better now I sure do like to drive this car for what it's worth, so if rear tires are the price, oh well

 

I too switched from 295's to 305's in the rear when the P-Zero's needed to be replaced. This time, I went with Bridgestone RE050A's N0 spec.

So far, so good, but I'll see come spring/summer as I get more time on the new tires and see how they wear.

My alignment was off when the dealer did the replacement.

I now stress to new owners to have their new cars aligned as soon as they get the car from the factory. Most dealers do this at prep/delivery anyway.

Regards,
Deanski

 

You are getting a little more miles than I am. Let's see, my car has 8k miles and I have already replaced one full set, and one rear set and the current set is more than 50% worn. Pirelli P Zero.

 

I have 305's mounted on my new C2S. I must admit the reason I went to them is that they were already mounted on the BBS forgedt wheels I took off my GT3 and saved for the C2S. The fit is great and so far no issues. With only 500 miles on the car I have not "played" with it but have driven both highway and bumpy city streets with no issues.

 

At 200 or so miles I had my 2009 997S aligned. The stocl alignment was way way off...especially the toe.

It is not the negitive camber you need for the track that so much wears out the tires it is toe. I have around zero toe in front for quicker turn in and only a little negitive toe in the rear.

My indy Porsche shop did this same alignement on my 07 and at 9,000 miles the tires front and rear had 70% or so tread left. This was only street driving.

 

Is there a noticeable difference in braking / accleration/grip when you go from a 295 to a 305? -- I was considering dong that when it came time for new rears

 

I personally did not find that much of a handling difference, as the 295's are also so darn wide I mainly did it for looks as the dealer had some take-off's that were cheaper

 

No difference on the street. You would have to be top pro driver on the track driving at the limit to maybe tell if there was a diference.

The 305 is a bit bigger diameter so I will stay with my 295's when it come tiem to relplace. I've had 295 and 305 Michelin PS2's on my last 3 997S cars.

 

I would like to know if you went from 295 to 305
on 11" wheels. My wheels came from the factory with
305's on 11.5 inch tires.
If you look close to the valve stem on the tires, it will say 11 x 19
or 11.5 x 19.
Could this half inch make a difference in performance and looks?
Paul

 

Paul a 11" wide wheel will support a 305 tire just fine. A 11.5" wheels is the limit for a 305 tire. I don't think there will be much if any difference at all in performance as a 11" wide wheel supports this size very well. As far as looks it could make a difference as it would come out to the fender that much more.

If I of course had a choice I would take the 11.5" width wheel

 

I just wanted to know if stock 997 wheels are 11" or 11.5".
Paul

 

Most stock wheels are 11" with 295 tires, but the Carrera Sports and Turbos are 11.5" with 305 tires, and the GT3 wheels are 12".

 

On my 2007 Carrera S I had the narrow body Turbo wheels whch are 11" in the rear. I went from 295 to 305 on those with out a single issue.