NewArt

Walked into the tire section at Costco the other day and what should I see on the rack? A set of Potenza RE-71Rs! Not my size but I inquired about the price and was surprised. Today at Touchette, getting my alignment done, I asked them to price the same set. $170 more! The fellow said to me that even though Touchette was a major retailer, they couldn't compete with that price. I was surprised to find an extreme performance street/track tire at Costco. For those who, like me, want a tire that they can track and still use on the street, this is a good deal!

Gregster

Costco will sell the tires at break even or take a slight loss as chances are you'll be waiting in the store shopping buying up 200-300$ of goods.

Matt Lane

They have Michelin Supersports too. If the price was right, great.

And I doubt they are losing money on anything they sell. They just run a really good business and have the volume to offer good prices. Why not hold their suppliers feet to the fire to get a fair shake for customers?

M

Gregster

They have a ton of loss leaders in store. It's the Costco model to get people in!

Matt Lane

You mean like when Dwane buys a gallon of Nutella for 8 bucks?

gcurnew

I picked up a set of Pilot Super Sports for our 2012 Cayman S and a set of RE-11s for my 911 GTS from Costco in April. The price was hundreds lower than shipping up form TireRack to Canada, and about $100 less on each set compared to 1010 Tire.

Gregster

Real Nutella can only be bought at Berchicci

Matt Lane

No doubt.

But Dwane and I know who actually makes the Berchicci Salciccia.

And Rennspooners know, it's ALWAYS about the sausage.

NewArt

Well, there's proof: another thread hijacked! Get a room, you guys!

crocman

I priced both Pirelli & Michelin. Agree the Costco prices are much better than touchette but Costco tires are not N0 rated. Are N0 spec tires really required for 981?

Dwane

First rule of fight club....
Too much info already....

Matt Lane

I would suggest no. Not to suggest there aren't some minor differences, but would anyone notice what they are?

Are N tires quieter?
Louder?
Stiffer?
Softer?
More grip?
Less grip?
Better in rain?
Better in dry?
Who knows.

Driving sensibly on the street - you'd never know. In fact you may not even tell the difference from one brand/model to another.

Driving on track - you wouldn't be running N tires anyway.

Lots of posts on N rated tires. Not something I would be even remotely thinking about.

M

NewArt

There's a whole lot of marketing going on here. N** rated tires are just tires that have been approved by Porsche because A: they are probably good tires, and
B: the tire company probably recieved the benediction of Porsche for a certain "consideration".
Cruise the P-car forums and you will find lots of informed opinions on various tires, be it for street or track. Don't buy in to the propaganda. Just my opinion.

Gregster

I got these Michelin's a few days ago. They neatly fold into a box for easy transport . I will say that the Conti's my buddy has are much quieter though

NVRANUF

Matt, I agree completely and suspect the "N" designation appeals to the OCD predisposition Pcar owners tend to suffer from.
That and a longing to feel special!