Moving from a E class 944S2 to a G class 993 and am looking for 18" r-compound tires other than Hoosiers for DEs. The car will be driven by two drivers so the longavity is the important consideration.

I have looked at the usual suspects (Michelin pilot sport cup, Nitto nt01, and Toyo 888). I am leaning away from 888 because the feed back is that they fall off fast. Does any one have any experience with any of these tires on a heavy car like 993?

 

If not driven to the track...BFG R1s, great tire. Arguably as fast as a R6, lasts longer and also arguably less fall off late session.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup. Good in the dry and the damp, last forever and are very consistent. These tires work well on heavier cars since lighter cars don't get them hot enough. I have been running them for almost ten years.

 

Nitto NT01 is a fantastic tire. You can run them till they cord, very much like a Toyo RA1.

 

I have run the MSPC's on my car and my wife and I drive the car at DE's. I typically would get about 3/4's of a season out of them - about 10 track days. I moved to Hankooks last year and really like them, but they do not last as long.

 

I ran Hankook tires for the first time on the Friday practice day for the 48hr. Sebring race, was surprised at thier stick will need to run more laps on them before I switch or recommend them. Ran Hoosiers the rest of weekend as always, can save almost $400 a set if I go to the Hankooks.
Rich

 

I switched to hancook Ventus 214's last year on my 993. I like them much more than MPSC; they're sticky as heck, last a reasonably long time if you drive smoothly, and are darn cheap. I'm sticking with them this year.

 

More track than street, NT01
More street than track, Dunlop Direzza Star Spec

 

What size stagger do you guys run? I see the following

235F, 285 or 295R for Michelin
225 or 245F, 275R for Hankook and Nitto

FWIW, the car came with 245F, 295R Hoosiers. I like the price of Hankooks, but wished they had 285 or 295 rears.

 

I ran the 235/285's with the MSPC's and 245/275 with the Hankooks.

 

Nader,

I share my car with my Dad. I run in Black and he runs in White and we have used MPSCs and I'm happy with their longevity and grip. I can't remember exactly, but think we got 4-6 weekends on the last set. I use 225 and 265 for the 964 on 18" rims.

-Skip

 

That's another issue not all of the tire makers have all the sizes we might wish for

MPSC
225/40 & 265/35 x18 is the base setup and works well, not the fastest and it has it's quirks but it lasts a long time
235/40 & 285/30 x18 is the 1st upgrade the issue here is that the front is taller than is desirable, yes it works but it's less than optimal

Hoosier R6
245/35 & 280/30 x18 perfect sizes great tire that just doesn't last as long as one could hope

Toyo RA1
the only 18" RA 1 is 275/35 x18

Nitto NT01
235/40 or 245/40 are tallish compared to 25" 225/40 x18
275/35 x18 is also tallish compared to 265/35 or 280/30 x18

Ventus Z214
245/35 x18 nice front size but 275/35 x18 is tallish for the rear

 

I've been running the Nitto's for a while now in 235/40 and 275/35. I really like them and don't think they can be beat in terms of value for money. Run them until they cord just like RA-1's. Dunlop Star Specs are also extremely impressive for a street tire, don't think they give much up to the R-comps.

 

+1, also Z1 star specs work as rain tires pretty well.

 

In my 964 I run the 235/40F 265/35R MPSC in 18" which works well for me. Diameter difference is only .2" but as Bill points out with the 285 it goes to .3" difference.

Cheers, James