Hi folks... so my TTS with centerlocks needs new tires, likely alignment too.

Any recommendations for a good tireshop in GTA that has experience with centerlocks? Will stick with OEM 19" 235/305's and Michelin Pilot 4S's for now unless someone convinces me that PS2's are better.

 

Braiden tire. Local to you.

 

Agreed

 

I had a good experience with Tires 23 at their Mississauga location, but they also have a location in Markham. I can't speak to centrelock experience, but they do have a fair number of Porsche customers. I got a set of tires for my Boxster, and they took pretty good care of me, including after sales support. Their prices were very competitive, and they have multiple bays, and a crew of about a dozen or so guys running the shop, getting customers in and out in about 30 minutes or so. I thought the place was a bit of a hack job at first, but after going there and seeing the shop in action, I was impressed.

Having spoken to Brad @ Braiden Tire, he steered me away from the PS2, and recommended the PS4. Unfortunately, I could not buy from him as he could not get the tire sizes for my Boxster. Having said all that, my shopping experience was only limited to a phone conversation, but it was pleasant dealing with him.

 

Would Braidan also have experience installing a set of lowering springs (god knows many P-cars need it!).

 

Based on my phone conversation with Brad, yes.

 

Braidan Tire's sister company is Braidan Motorsport. Brad has full mechanical & service operations at the shop in Markham as well as track-side @ Mosport. He preps and supports several Porsche race cars, mine included. If Braidan is local to you, taking it there for tires & suspension / performance upgrades would be a no-brainer. He carries just about every top-tier aftermarket product line for Porsche cars and his technicians know their stuff.

 

I've used both Tires23 and Braiden and they're both great. Tires23 has no problem working on centerlocks - they have the right torque wrench for the job and have changed tires on my RS multiple times.

PS2 are good, but PS4 is a much better tire.

 

I recently got a pair of PS2's at Advan Tire in Scarborough. I went with the lowest bidder as they are all coming from the same manufacturer. Smooth transaction and good service. I ordered them on Thursday and had them installed Friday, in and out in 30 min. Despite being lowest bidder they had all high end cars in the lot (E63s, GT3 etc). The owner drives a 991 targa and advised me that he has the tools needed for centerlock wheels too.

PS4S are two generations newer than PS2s... so no brainer there if you want to stick with Michelin. I would have gone with them if they made them in my sizing... other brands are worth a look too. Tire shopping is fun if you have lots of options.

 

PS2's are N rated and are on the 4th gen if I recall correctly. I have PS2 N3's. I don't think the PS4S are N rated and I only use N spec tires. That's me. Many don't.

 

Yes, mine are N4. I believe the only difference between N3 and N4 is mfg dates. IMO the N-rating is the equivalent of the porsche tax. Unnecessary... If money isn't a problem, great... but I had PS4S on my other car and they are definitively better than PS2s... PSS were as well. Paying so much for "old" tire technology sucks... but really only 4-5 tires to choose from for my car (996 c4s) and I didn't really have any interest in running Pirelli, General or Sumitumo...

OP - not sure if they have sizing, but I've had good experiences with continental, hankook, toyo and yokohama ultra/max performance tires.

 

Ilker Starck at Sportscar Boutique is amazing. They prepare race cars (Porsche cup cars etc) and tune anything. VERY professional and know all things PORSCHE. They did tires and HREs for my 911 and S5 as well as suspension on old SQ5. 401 and 400.
ilker@sportscarboutique.com

 

Thx everyone, just catching up to all the responses. Will give a few shops a call.

I'm aso thinking of getting lowering springs done at the same time, best to buy myself and bring there, or just let the shop handle ordering too?

While at it, it's starting to bug me that I've never done a turbo boost leak test, any idea what such a diagnostic would cost? Like any new owner of a PO'd car I'd like to reset a few things and rebaseline so I can maintain the car properly into the future.

Thx!

 

I talked to Michelin, PCNA, etc. tech folks and a couple of tire dealers. The fairly detailed input I got is that they are significantly different. Based on this I'd only put N spec tires on an expensive car. Be interesting to see something in writing from Michelin on what the differences, if any, are.

 

Out of curiosity, I sent this to Michelin and will post the answer.....What are the specific technical differences between an "N" spec Michelin tire vs. the same non "N" spec Michelin tire? I know they're Porsche approved but this could simply mean there's a fee attached to the tire and no real technical benefit to me. Thanks.