Cbst09

I recently traded my 997.2 C2S for a 997.2 C4s, the C2S had Michelin Pilot sport tires 295s on the rear and the C4S has Bridgestone RE O50A tires on it and 305s in the rear. Both had approx. the same amount of tread left and were within a year apart on production dates.

Previously with the Michelins when driving through my neighborhood the tires would pick up sand and fine gravel spit it up into the wheel wells and the sound drove me crazy. I even considered spraying some type of rubberized undercoating on the plastic wheel well liners to help deaden the sound but read on the forums that it doesn't help much. When I pulled into the garage I would also notice road sand stuck all over the tires. With the C4S and it's wider tires I imagined it would be even worse but to my surprise I no longer have the sound of sandblasting my wheel wells as I drive through the neighborhood.

In my highly un-scientific test I conclude that the Michelin Pilot Sport tires are much "gummier" than the Bridgestone RE 050A. Not sure if the quiet ride through the neighborhood and cleaner garage are worth having less stick on the road for my driving.

997_Toronto

Could it be the tread pattern that is not spitting the gravel directly up into the wheel well?

rvp325carrera

So I felt the same way re: my PS2s. For a daily driver, it was unbearable at times.

Switched to the Falken Azenis FK453. 305/35 19 rear / 295/35 19 front. Much, much quieter. Far less gummy. A bargain at 880$/set, too. At high speed, the Pilot felt stiffer, more taut especially when cornering.

Michelin makes an outstanding tire, 100%. Would never argue that. But your observation is spot on.

997.1 Carrera 4S
62k miles.

Philster

Great... I had the Pilots in an on-line cart... but I am not using my P as a daily driver. Now I must mull this over, because I do drive where it can be pretty sandy, given that I spend a fair am't of time along the DE, MD, NJ and NE coast...

Amrit997

Definitely true. I went from PS2's to RE050's and there is significantly less sand/rock noise. I did enjoy the PS2's though.

GermanCarSpecialists

There are cheaper tires you could put on btw....

malexgcab

Please elaborate which ones and comparable to michelins?

wheeler

The PS2's are soft and after a hard drive you can push your fingernail into like a Conti track tire. The little bit of sand pick up is a small price for such an awesome tire.

Anyone chime in on the Pilot Supersports? I'm guessing they're just as gummy? But these may be my next tire.

Cbst09

The supersports are going to be my next tire as well when it comes time to replace. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the Michelin PS2s I think they are the best when it comes to a performance street tire I think they are just too gummy for my use. I like the fact that the supersports are about $600 cheaper for a set and I'm guessing that the compound on the supersports is a bit firmer since the treadwear rating is higher when compared to the PS2s.

Mumbles

OEM tires are N rated. Most alternatives do not carry the N rating

Lance-AR

Just switched over to the super sports and the first thing I noticed was the sand sound as I was driving out of the parking lot.

rvp325carrera

Please no one bring up the N rating. It's utter nonsense. I love all things Porsche, but some "recommendations" are excessive. My Falkens were literally derived from 911 testing via the Falken ALMS racing team. Exhaustive testing and racing. No N rating.

Some companies, Porsche included, have created fancy ways of generating kick-backs and/or schemes to perpetuate business for "friends".

wc11

Went from the PZero Rossos to the PSS and then promptly put on 1600 km from Toronto to Hershey and back for the swap meet.
Super quite in comparison and great grip.
We'll see over time what the wear comparison is like but all reports out there say it's good.

gota911

I have the Pilot Super Sports and love them. Good grip, nice ride, long wearing, and cheaper than the PS2. Got 26K miles out of my first set of rear PSS tires.

Luxter

The same here and we get A LOT of gravel on roads in winter.
Yet the PS2's are absolutely stellar in every aspect. Love them.
I've got about 33 T kms on them since new. All four evenly worn front and rear almost to the minimum thread marks inside and just a bit more thread on O/Sides.
Nothing like a smell of rubber in the garage after a good drive.



=L=