triode

My OEM "Cup" rear tires are near giving up the ghost at 5K+ miles. I want a better wet tire (much rain here in the sub-tropics) but have gotten tired of paying Michelin prices for a street tire, like the PS2s on my last car (996); I have read recommendations here & elsewhere of the Bridgestone RE11 and like the price (about $1,200 a set versus $2K+ for PS2s).

However, my shop says that (per Tire Rack) the RE11 305/30/19 is not "load rated" for rear use in the GT3; anyone familiar with this issue? It seems that several members are using them with no ill effects...

NJ-GT

If some people are using a lower load rating rear tire in the 911, and getting away with it, they are either lucky, or waiting for something wrong to happen.

The 911 is rear heavy, it requires a tire with a heavy load rating. The OEM PSC are rated close to 1,900 lbs on maximum load, a rear corner of a GT3 already has 1,100 lbs with two passenger and a full tank of fuel. During acceleration out of a turn, weight transfer occurs from the front of the car to the rear, and from one side to another, so you can reach the maximum load rating for a given tire.

The good news is that Porsche already has the specs for the stock tires, so you know that when looking for aftermarket (non-Porsche certified) tires, you need to look at a minimum for a tire with the required load rating by Porsche.

Running a lower load rating is a risk, a tire can explode once you exceed the load ratings.

Also, I would not recommend the RE11 as a rain tire. I have tested mine in the rain (Cayman S) and they are not good at all. I had the Pirelli Corsa System in the rain and I don't like them either. The only good tire I have driven in the rain is the PS2, closely followed by the RE050A.

The RE050A has nice grip in the rain and dry. The RE11 has more grip in the dry and less in the rain, but I use the RE11 as an autoX tire for days I don't want to switch tires, and it doesn't rain much here in SoCal.

MJones

i'd go with the PS2's

C.J. Ichiban

compared to the MPSC the ps2 should be at least 2x the mileage when you've got to replace them if that's any consolation

sws1

RE11s are also several pounds heavier per tire.

Haven't used them, but quoting other posters.

NVRANUF

I had the same response from my tire shop when pricing out Bridgestone RE11's... which were ~$600 less than PS2's (and ~$1400 less than Corsa's) but are rated at 98, or 1653 lbs per tire, while the MPS2 295-19 is rated at 100, or 1764lbs per tire.


FYI..., the Hoosier R6 315/30ZR-18 is only rated at 1356lbs and driven in a much harsher environment on our cars..... Hmmm

BTW, I now have a fresh set of RE11's in my garage waiting to go on once the Pirelli Corsa's wear out.

triode

Thanks to all for their input, my cheap(er) tire search will focus on RE050A for now.

CorsicanBB

Michelin is coming up with the PS3 very shortly, which is reported to be significantly more performing than the PS2 in the dry and the wet. That is what I would take.

There is also news of a 'Pilot SuperSport', but it is further from production.

lawjdc

No problems with the RE-11 after several thousand street miles. Also, they are wearing significantly better in the rear than the MPSC, the R888, or the PS2