I just bought my first Porsche. It's a 2008 Carrera S and I was wondering what the widest tire I can put on the rims would be. They are 19" x 8" front/19" x 11" rear Carrera S aluminum wheels. Thanks!

 

My car came with P-Zero Rosso, I replaced them to PS2. Then replaced them again with Nitto invo. I have to admit that there r no comparsion. Nitto's r the best for my driving

 

My question is, what is the longest-wearing tire I can get for the 997? I don't track my car and I don't care about performance handling. My daily commute is 15 miles r/t over flat, smooth, straight suburban streets at 30-45 mph with year-round temperature averaging 75-85 F.

 

I`ve heard that RE-11 potenzas are much quieter and soft compared to PS2s and have very comparable grip plus they stay alive a bit longer than PS2s.
But for grip alone it seems PS2 are one of best tires out there. Nitto Invos are not in same league at all, but for price alone if it makes sense - why not. I will most likely try RE-11 as my next tires after PS2s will be gone.

For tires longevity I would say most prper thing to do is to get car alignment done properly with minimal toe. Toe is what eats tires badly. 0.02 toe will limit tire wear to normal grade.

 

After a trip to Dallas and back for the holidays I've got about 800 miles on my RE-11s now. I'm still very happy with them.

 

RE11 has the lowest wear rate in Bridgestone range of tires, so I disagree, it will wear MUCH QUICKER than RE050.

To OP, probably best bet is the cheapest tire you can find for your car, as some tires cost 50% more than others but definitely won't last 50% more.

 

We're happy with the PS2's on our 997.2 and they were markedly better on our NSX than the Bridgestones, but when Cindy had a stroke and I had to make the NSX ride better, I tried the Michelin Pilots Sports A/S model. The difference would have been obvious on the track, but I was more concerned with making the ride comfortable enough to keep using a sports car instead of going to a bloody Lexus or something. The A/S compound and deeper tread provided a real improvement in comfort and with a custom seat pad made of wonder foam (or whatever they call it) she was quite comfortable again. Well, nothing was really comfortable until she recovered further and the phantom pain and touch-sensitivity went away, but with the tire change to A/S her beloved NSX was tolerable once more. Even if only as a passenger of course.

When we wanted a 911, we tested 996's and 997.1's and found them not to be tolerable for her. And honestly they were unpleasant for me as well. Wimpy I know, but at our age you accrue aches and pains. When we were about to give up and buy a sedan, the dealer trotted out a 997.2 with PASM and that changed the story completely. We decided to buy it within the first mile of testing.

Nevertheless, if things get worse for one of us, I'll keep in mind the option of using A/S tires. They wouldn't be suitable for track days, and they certainly wouldn't reach the handling limits this car is designed for, but as someone else said, you're going too fast for public roads if you take this car to its limits very often. If forced, I would certainly prefer a Porsche with A/S tires over some lesser car.

The A/S tires have the side benefit you're looking for in a commute car: they last much longer. The NSX is notorious for eating tires, even when you back down the suspension settings from their full performance level, so it makes an acid test. We used to figure two sets of front tires every year and three sets of the rears. That was before Cindy's stroke and we were driving about 20 to 21 thousand a year. Ten thousand on the fronts and seven on the rears in other words.

The PS A/S tires immediately jumped to 15,000 or better on the front and about 12,000 in the rear. Comfort was the goal, but I admit that saving an extra $1500 tire change each year is better than a stick in the eye. Basically, I think you can look to double your tire life going to A/S tires derived from a sports line like the Pilot Sports.

We will be sticking with PS2's for the Porsche of course. Cindy is better, and the PASM does a great job. I know it's preaching to the choir, but I am seriously impressed with the way it rides so well normally and then stiffens up immediately when I need more taut handling.

Gary

 

The Pirellis look like crap after a track day, not so much with PS2. Yes I have them.