Nazz

I looked at Discount Tire and found 2 tires. I looked at TireRack and found about 8, none of which I was excited about.

I really want to run Dunlops, preferably SP9000's but can't find them in either 225x40x18 or 285x30x18. Are there any alternatives? I don't really want to go back to the P-Zeros, but will if I have to.

Thanks,
Nazz

kurtv

Michelin discontined the Pilot Sport in 285/30-18. You can still get Michelin Pilot Sport Ribs with the Porsche N1 designation. I recently put a pair of 295/30 Michelin PS 2s on my car to replace the Pilot Sports on my 1996 993tt. I haven't experienced any problems. The tread is not as radical looking as the previous Pilot Sport. They weren't cheap at $350 but are used on the GT3. Michelin typically makes big improvements in each new ultra-high performance tire they make in performance and treadlife. My Pilot Sports lasted 20,000 miles on my car including several DE events.

Other good alternatives include the Bridgestone S-02s and S-03s, Continental Sport Contact 2 which are available in 285/30-18 as Porsche OE N designations.

User 462021

My vote would go for the Bridgestone S-03s...close second would be the Goodyear F1 GS D3.

Nazz

What other sizes can I put on that are close to these?

User 462021

What kind of year/model Porsche?

Viken

If you like the Dunlop's so much, why not go for the OEM SP9090 N0? They come in 265/35, however, but I don't think that's a big deal. Otherwise, consider the S-02A's or the Pilot Sport Rib's. Both are great and even better than the Dunlop's.

Nazz

I've been looking at the S-03's that seem to be a better performance tire and a little bit quiter. TireRack rates them as a much better tire than the P-Zeros which I'm not really fond of and they have a nice aggressive tread pattern.

S-03's a good way to go?

Viken

Actually, it is the worst of all tires discussed above.

Nazz

Really? Why is that? TireRack rates them higher than the others. I don't want the P-Zeros again, they don't offer the Dunlops in the right size. I'd like an aggressive tread pattern that isn't too noisy.

Viken

Because Tire Rack tests these tires on a BMW. A BMW is not a Porsche. Do you consider your Porsche a sports car? If so, do you drive it as such? If so, the S-03 doesn't have good dry handling characteristics. But, if you drive your 996 like any other car, you pretty much can use any tire.

As to noisy tires, you need to compare them with equal tread life back to back. Any high performance tire gets noisy as it wears down. As such, no matter what new tire you get, it would be a lot quieter.

MitchB

"If so, the S-03 doesn't have good dry handling characteristics..."
Says who?
Viken, most of your posts have been spot on, IMHO - but where's that come from?
I won't pretend to be a tire EXPERT, but I've been on a few - on Porsches, and I think my SO3's are superior to anything I've tried. Dry or wet. Enough that I'll be buying another set for my 951.

Some issues with Tire Rack perhaps?

yetis

Can anyone tell me why no one uses BF Goodrich tires either the KDW or the KDW2's?

Is there anything I should know about these?

I am also noticing that options are pretty light thin.

yetis

I guess I answered my own question, they not on the "approved" tire list? Does Porsche really spend all the $$$ on tire testing or is it really Porsche being paid $$$ to put certain tires on the list. I have an Exxon Mobile 1 sticker in my car but there are several other "approved" engine oils.

Alon

I have to agree with Viken on this one. The S03 is one tire that I will never, ever purchase again. The dry handling was ok at best, good in the rain and it was noisy as hell. As the tire wore out, traction was greatly reduced and noise increased. Let's not forget that the S03 is probably the heaviest of all the other tires in its size as well. You may not care, but it's not "n" rated either. The S03 may work well on other cars but the 996 is no place to mount them in my opinion.

That Goodyear F1 GS-D3 should be available in 285/30-18 very soon if not already.

Viken

Well, either you haven't tried enough of the really good tires or you're not driving hard enough. But, if you like the S-03 on your car, you might just continue using it. I wouldn't mount them on any one of my cars for free.