CAVU

Did do a little forum searching and found a few things to think about but still wanted to hear other ideas.

I am leaning towards going ahead and replacing all 4 tires but wanted to get some of the forum member's thoughts. The absolute most I'll ever do is a DE...maybe

Tires are Bridgestone Potenzas RE050A N1, as installed at the factory. Car has 13,000 miles. Tire date code is 4408 (Porsche manual cautions against using tires greater than 6 years of age) so their 5 birthday is coming up. Tires ride well with no vibration. It looks like I am averaging about 6000-7000 miles per year in my first year of ownership.

Fronts (new 10/32) each have 7/32

Rears (new 9/32): left 5/32. Right 4/32 with cupping on the inner edge and on the cupped part you can see the next layer of rubber compound. No cord showing

So Rears are a must and I need the dealer to investigate the cause of the cupping, 2 new TPMS 'cause I can't imagine these will last much longer and of course an alignment

Safety, low road noise and comfort are priorities over cost. So I am left with two choices:

1. Replace only the rears with RE050A N1, 2 new TPMS, balance and alignment. I think the age difference in the front and rears might be something to think about from a traction standpoint.

2. Replace all 4 with probably Michelins PSS or Falken Azenis FK453 , 4 new TPMS, balance and alignment. Maybe sell the fronts.

Are there other considerations that I am missing?

LexVan

Cupping= improper tire inflation.

Buy the Super Sports. Done.

Yes, get an alignment to protect your tire investment. If the front tires are 5 years old, they are worthless regardless of the tread depth.

Save one front and one rear tire. Store in your garage,basement, crawl space as an emergency spare.

jcnesq

There is always a lot of discussion in 356 circles about tire life (as the cars typically aren't driven a lot so tires get old). It is pretty well accepted that after 5 years there are plenty of risks from tires, no matter the tread depth. I'd say it's time for a full new set of shoes.

Mumbles

Send e-mail to tire rack, see what they say

lawjdc

As LexVan said, buy 4 Michelin Super Sports and you're done.

CAVU

Thanks for the ideas. Regarding cupping, this is the cupping I speak of: http://www.procarcare.com/includes/c...dtirewear.html

If it was inflation, wouldn't the abnormal wear pattern be more even vice this repeating pattern? This is not an area I am strong in so I am looking to learn more.

Hella-Buggin'

Go for a whole new set and sleep well. I love my super sports.

Edgy01

It's a rare Porsche driver who can claim they got "5 years out of a set of tires." Tires are a very critical element to the driving performance of these cars, and as tires age from a chronological age, as well as suffering from heating and cooling cycles, they will get brittle. They become less forgiving on the street.

Keep in mind a couple of things. First, once you put the rears on you will next year have 6-year old tires up front. Second, the AWD Porsches suffer more from a difference in adhesion and performance between front and rear axles (if we had axles). When you drive a Carrera 4S you shouldn't put too much thought into $1200 worth of rubber. Just do it.

Lvt19672

What would be the lifespan of a tire using time and not mileage?

LexVan

Oxidation, mainly.

Edgy01

We've learned that the heat-cold cycles take a toll. Even if a tire sits on a wheel, on a car, sitting in a garage for 6 years, it's going to take a toll because when the rubber heats up and then cools it affects its life. When enough of those cycles take place the rubber loses much of its resilience and the symptoms are a harsher ride and a better chance of failure of an internal component like a critical cord.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone complain about the handling of a car one day, and the next the thing performs like a race car--all with the change of tires. Always be wary of the shelf life of tires, too. The clock is always ticking on these things. Ozone typically attacks rubber and shortens its life. About 24 months ago there was a highly publicized case of a woman buying 'new' tires for her daughter's vehicle and they later, after a subsequent failure and crash and death, that the tires had a mold date that was many years earlier than the purchase date. The dealer ripper her off, and ultimately was found responsible.

sixgun95

Based on the age, replace all 4 with PSS.

rvp325carrera

I would think 2x about just getting the PSS. I too drive a C4S. 2007, 56k mi, 6 speed. Daily driver. No DE or auto-x. After my PS2s wore out, chose the Falkens. Incredible tire. A tad softer which is actually nice. It's still a max performance tire but just more usable day to day. Highly recommend. As the underdog tire manufacturer -- compared to Michelin, Bridgestone -- they produced a comparable tire at a lesser cost. People are afraid to take a leap of faith. I get it. But I did. And happier for it. $ is $, regardless.

91469972

OMG just get some new Super Sports!

BIG smoke

Buy all four new. You'll be amazed at the improved ride quality, and reduced cabin noise. As above... If you have the space, keep a front and back tire for a spare. Or keep all four.

You'll never need a spare, if you have one!