N Rated! Yeah right!
07-22-2015, 06:19 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Just remember my comments above. The Goodyear Eagle LS-2s on the Q5 in the review above are different than those made for the Macan. Not only does the Macan use staggered sizes front and rear, but the N spec tires of the same nominal size has a different listed tread width and weight. This indicates a different mold, construction, etc. He may well have been just as impressed sticking the N spec LS2's on as the Michelins. In this case N spec makes a big difference.
Another anecdote- I know a development engineer for a big 3 manufacture who was doing tire testing for new car setup. They tested Michelin Pilot Sport 2s in various sizes, including the then current BMW M3 and M5 BMW spec sizes. The M5 tires were significantly larger, but the M3 used a different, stickier compound and sportier construction. They gripped better despite being far narrower, against his expectations. Bottom line once manufactures start tuning tires the name means far less than you'd expect.
Goodyear/ Dunlop is capable of making near best in class tires- Asymmetrics had some of the very best wet performance for their time. Wear rate seems to have fallen slightly behind Michelin recently, but then most performance Michelins tend to harden at half life, so in terms of usable treadlife the gap is probably smaller.
Another anecdote- I know a development engineer for a big 3 manufacture who was doing tire testing for new car setup. They tested Michelin Pilot Sport 2s in various sizes, including the then current BMW M3 and M5 BMW spec sizes. The M5 tires were significantly larger, but the M3 used a different, stickier compound and sportier construction. They gripped better despite being far narrower, against his expectations. Bottom line once manufactures start tuning tires the name means far less than you'd expect.
Goodyear/ Dunlop is capable of making near best in class tires- Asymmetrics had some of the very best wet performance for their time. Wear rate seems to have fallen slightly behind Michelin recently, but then most performance Michelins tend to harden at half life, so in terms of usable treadlife the gap is probably smaller.
07-22-2015, 06:54 PM
#17
I'm confused as to what the complaints are. Porsche cannot possibly offer the exact tire that is perfect for all customers. So they give customers two decent choices: one summer tire for people who are lucky enough to live in regions with nice asphalt. For the rest of us who encounter crummy roads and go off asphalt frequently, all-season tires are indeed the better value. Neither tire is appropriate on the track, on ice, in serious off-road conditions, etc. Doesn't everyone already know this?
You have to buy the tires that are appropriate for your driving circuit and style. Some people actually prefer a harder compound that wears longer -- it makes drifting an AWD car possible. Since Germans started taking away the manual rear handbrake, it's impossible to manually kick out the rear end on tight corners. But with lower grip tires (or low friction surface), a Swedish flick will reposition the car. Harder to do that with sticky tires on clean asphalt.
You have to buy the tires that are appropriate for your driving circuit and style. Some people actually prefer a harder compound that wears longer -- it makes drifting an AWD car possible. Since Germans started taking away the manual rear handbrake, it's impossible to manually kick out the rear end on tight corners. But with lower grip tires (or low friction surface), a Swedish flick will reposition the car. Harder to do that with sticky tires on clean asphalt.
07-23-2015, 12:10 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
The Dude knows a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff. He is a famous guy. Look him up.
07-23-2015, 01:31 PM
#19
