Michael S.

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum, as I just bought my first Porsche yesterday. It's a Silver 1998 993 C2S with the factory aero kit, 18" turbo twist wheels & black leather. I love it! I've never seen a more beautiful automobile!

Only one problem... it desperately needs new tires! I drove it home (over four hours) yesterday in the rain and the rear end was dancing around (hydroplaning) at anything over 55mph. The previous (original) owner says I can expect maybe 12-13k out of the rear tires. The fronts are still the original P-Zero's (33k miles).

Thus my question. What tires are best loved on a 993 widebody? Here are the tires I'm considering:

Pirelli P-Zero's. The original P-Zero's seem kinda hard to me. They are really flat spotted for the first five minutes, but then seem to be just "ok".

Bridgestone S-02 or S-03's. I have expereince with Bridgestone S-02's on a 93 RX-7 Twin Turbo and I like them well enough, but threads here suggest they are very noisy (never noticed that on the RX-7). Have no experience with the S-03's.

Michelin Pilot Sports. My wife's 99 M3 has these tires and they perform fairly well. I don't think they are as stiff as the Bridgestones though.

Prices at the Tire Rack are all pretty much the same, so I'm looking for the best performing tire. I don't want them super noisy, but the car is a toy, not a daily driver so that isn't critical.

Please let me know what you guys think!

Viken

The condition and/or the performance of the original used tires are no indication as to what they'll be like when new. All performance street rubber gets noisy and harder as it gets old. Especially, if the car is not driven frequently. If you are at all interested in maximum dry street performance, you can't beat the P-Zero Asimmetrico. The S-02 doesn't even come close in that respect but is slightly better in the wet. I don't know about the S-03 but it was designed for greater comfort rather than more performance. I believe, it is more suited to newer chassis designs.

The Posrche approved S-02A is much better than the S-02. You can find these at the Tire Rack (not on their web site). You also have the choice of running the newer Michelin Pilot Sport "Rib" as the Tire Rack is calling it. I've heard, it has good performance dry and wet.

DJF1

[quote]Originally posted by Viken:
<strong>You also have the choice of running the newer Michelin Pilot Sport "Rib" as the Tire Rack is calling it. I've heard, it has good performance dry and wet.</strong><hr></blockquote>


On the website it says that the Rib is an OEM N1 tire. Do you know which Porsche used this as OEM? As I'm interested mostly on wet performance it looks like a good candidate. the only problem is that the only size I see on 18's are 285's which may require fender rolling on my narrow body...
What do you think?
I loved the Assymetricos but I was horrified in the rain with them!

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by DJF1:
<strong>On the website it says that the Rib is an OEM N1 tire. Do you know which Porsche used this as OEM?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, Porsche installed this tire on 9x6 cars as of MY 2002.

[quote]<strong>I loved the Assymetricos but I was horrified in the rain with them!</strong><hr></blockquote>

They've been good to me. You just have to take it easy when it's raining.

JohnM

Danny, the Pilot Sport N0 18" were (are?) available in 265/35 as well as 285/30 (and 225/40 of course).

richard glickel.

Michael,

I think that you'd be well-pleased with Bridgestone SO3's or Expedia SO1's, also Dunlop SP Sport 9090 and Continental Conti-Sport contact 2 are decent performers in the rain.

Richard
'87 Carrera-3.6L (w/ bridgestone SO3's)

DJF1

Thanks John and Viken, I just purchased from tirerack a set of 18" Pilot Ribs 225/40 and 265/35 along with a set of Sport Cups on 17" 225/45 and 255/40 for the track.
It is curious that they did not have 265 Ribs on their website. I told them about it and did not have a decent explanation...
In any case I will report how I like the Ribs for future reference...
thanks again! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Matt Vaughan

DJ, let me know how you like the "Ribs" as I'm considering them for my street tire setup.

DJF1

[quote]Originally posted by Matt Vaughan:
<strong>DJ, let me know how you like the "Ribs" as I'm considering them for my street tire setup.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Will do Matt! I really hope they are as good as they look in the rain...I got them as well for my street setup and they were reasonable priced...
Hope to see you at the DE in Feb!