My 08 cab has developed a vibration above 80 mph. Took it to local P dealer this AM who now says the rear tires are at 3/32 and need to be replaced, and that should take care of the vibration. He's quoting me about $1200 for Pirelli Pzero replacments for the 19" Lobster Forks. Sounds high to me. Any input? Exactly what size should I be looking at to replace these rears, assuming they need to be replaced?

 

Tire Rack is a good source for tires, and their pricing is normally very competitive (if not the best). They'll also have information about sizing, but also check your owner's manual and the sticker on the fuel filler flap for size and air pressure specifications.

 

Yeah, the problem is that the car is at the dealer as we speak...I wasn't expecting this so didn't check exact size before I took it in.
Tire Rack is at about $415 per tire. So the question is how much is shipping, mounting, and balancing worth?
And should I be considering something other than the PZero Rosso whcih might be less expensive?

 

A dealer will charge about 1 hour for rear tires. So figure $150-200 for m&b. Insist on Road Forced Balanced. Also, ask for the tires to be balanced to the gram.....not fraction of an ounce. More accurate.

Order the tires from Tire Rack or Tread Depot (better pricing than TR). You'll have 'em in a day or two. Then deliver to the dealership, and have them installed. You may save about $100-200.

Make sure the tires are matching (brand and model). Also, take high quality, time & date stamped pictures of your wheels, if you are concerned about any potential damage to your wheels prior to the install. Pictures are your proof.

Your tires should be (need to confirm) 295/30/19 rear and 235/35/19 front.

 

If you have XRR wheels then the rears are 305/30-19.

 

If I understand you correctly-the rears are gone. If that is correct, you should keep the same type of tires all around. I have lobsters. You can use 295s in the back if the 305s are too big/much.The dealer might/should match the TR price, if not have them shipped in. If you need/want to replace all four you have a lot of choices. I have always used Michelins. Many here like the Bridgestones. I was going to try the Hankooks (?) as they are dirt cheap and not that bad. All the best.

 

Also, keep in mind that Porsche is fairly serious (and you should be too) about not mixing the N numbers on these things. (E.g., having N1s all around and replacing just the rears with N2 version Pirellis can wind up causing some significant handling issues).

 

Tire Rack is PCNA's tire distributor in North America.

 

Call Damon at Tire Rack...ask for him...he is really really good and will get you the correct tires from which ever manufacture you want that makes the sizes you need.

997S Lobsters are 8x19 and 11x19. OEM sizes are 235/35/19 and 295/30/19...305/30/19 will fit on the rear but you do not need them and they are not really much wider.

A lot of guys around me are now using Bridgestone RE11's on there (997S Porsches and really like them plus the cost is nice too.

 

I got my Bridgestone Potenzas (RE050A) from Tire Rack. I think I paid about $1300 for all 4....this includes 305s in the rear, which I highly recommend. Not only does the extra width give you some protection against curb rash, it makes the back look a lot beefier, IMO.

 

selo just go to discount tire if you dont want to mess w/ the mail order thing. they will match TR price w/ shipping fees. Dealers usually arent to pleased about having tire shipped in from another vendor.

 

This has NOT been my experience with two different Porsche dealerships (Motor Werks and Westmont Porsche) in the Chicago area. You can ask to have the tires dropped shiped or hand carry in.

 

I think it depends on the dealer.

 

FWIW, my dealership price-matches Tire Rack so I just order through them when it's time to replace OEM (I suspect they're a TR wholesaler). I did go through Damon for my winter wheels/tires/TPMS.

 

Porsche of the Village in Cincinnati stocks some of the more popular sizes. They price them competitively with the Tire Rack when you consider shipping plus tax.

I used RE-11s on my Cayman S and I had good results/life with them. 16,000 miles with 3 DE weekends and there is still tread left.