GT3 RS tyres - supersports, pilot sport or pilot sport cups

[pistolp]

I just got supersports for my 997.1 RS and they look odd on it, the fronts have a very square profile and aren't rounded at all like Cups or Pilot Sports?

It's only really an aesthetic issue but a shame none the less. Anyone else had experience of this? I just got fed up with the whole grip and then suddenly no grip issue with the cups at this time of year. Also aquaplaning on the M4 for 30 miles was no fun a couple of weekends ago in the 4.0 - I need to find a good tyre for all conditions that also looks cool!

[ttdan]

Not a lot of choice out there if you want an N rated tyre. Can you get the MPSC2's yet in RS siszes? To clear water you just need some tread depth but there in lies the issue, deep treaded tyre can be challenging in the racer aesthetic dept.

[arcamalpha]

I know what you mean. The tyre shoulder is a very different shape. Almost as if the cups are wider like-for-like than a Supersport.

From what people say about the performance that wouldn't bother me though. Cups are fine in this weather, until they're not!

[pistolp]

Not that worried about N rated to be honest. Should I be? If porsche warranties are anything like Ferrari ones then I'll be paying for future issues whatever tyres I choose so I might as well have what I want...

Thanks though. Got to burn my way through this set anyway!

[PorkaFly]

pistolp said:

I just got supersports for my 997.1 RS and they look odd on it, the fronts have a very square profile and aren't rounded at all like Cups or Pilot Sports?

It's only really an aesthetic issue but a shame none the less. Anyone else had experience of this? I just got fed up with the whole grip and then suddenly no grip issue with the cups at this time of year. Also aquaplaning on the M4 for 30 miles was no fun a couple of weekends ago in the 4.0 - I need to find a good tyre for all conditions that also looks cool!

Pete - they have a much more square shoulder profile. It's to do with different design of these more modern tyres and the belt they use...very different construction from PS2s, but also means greater contact patch. I actually like the look of them and have had them on my 7.2 GT3 and now on my 7.2RS (rears from USA). I also have them on my RS6.

HTH

PF

[BMCG]

PorkaFly said:

Pete - they have a much more square shoulder profile. It's to do with different design of these more modern tyres and the belt they use...very different construction from PS2s, but also means greater contact patch. I actually like the look of them and have had them on my 7.2 GT3 and now on my 7.2RS (rears from USA). I also have them on my RS6.

HTH

PF

Ahhh you imported the super sports rears.....was contemplating such...as Michelin uk was out and porsche uk unable to source.

May I ask where stateside you sourced ? Tirerack?

[NBTBRV8]

BMCG said:

Ahhh you imported the super sports rears.....was contemplating such...as Michelin uk was out and porsche uk unable to source.

May I ask where stateside you sourced ? Tirerack?

From what I am reading on the net they are out of stock in the US too.

[pistolp]

I guess they'll look better with a few miles put on them! Thanks all....

Interestingly Michelin have just replaced the front tyres on the Ginetta G55 to a more square shouldered front tyre! Guess its a recent discovery.

[V8KSN]

pistolp said:

I just got supersports for my 997.1 RS and they look odd on it, the fronts have a very square profile and aren't rounded at all like Cups or Pilot Sports?

Do the rears look like this with the pronounced sharp edge? Almost like a wheel rim protector.

I love the look.

[pistolp]

From memory yes although it's the look of the fronts that I'm not so into!

[PorkaFly]

BMCG said:

Ahhh you imported the super sports rears.....was contemplating such...as Michelin uk was out and porsche uk unable to source.

May I ask where stateside you sourced ? Tirerack?

Yes - pretty sure it was Tirerack. They were great and very efficient to deal with. I had them delivered to my business out there but they could have also been delivered to a hotel. I then took them to UPS and had each one boxed and took all 4tyres/boxes as my 4bag allowance (Club) and just had a carry-on in the cabin. Worked great.

They will also ship them to UK for a bit more and I can imagine this service is straightforward. I haven't looked recently at these so no idea on supply. I speak to Michelin regularly, some will have seen my posts about Cup2 and future of MPSS last Summer, and they said they understood that only providing 325 section in USA was pissing people off and would try and rectify this but stated that the Cup2 would be N-rated in 997 GT3 sizes by mid2014....which now seems to be likely. If this is the case it will be last time I go through the hassle of bringing MPSS to UK to fit the RS. Cup2 with more tread and better MPSS like wear is good enough for me if n-rated, in time for next warranty extension next March.

PF

[Jimebobbler]

Anybody know if the new pilot cup 2 gives better cold weather grip than original sport cups ? have a 997 Gen 2 RS and have given up below 8 degrees

[PorkaFly]

Jimebobbler said:

Anybody know if the new pilot cup 2 gives better cold weather grip than original sport cups ? have a 997 Gen 2 RS and have given up below 8 degrees

Appear to do so...read the postings since mid-Dec over on "Prospective 991 GT3 Owners" thread....Macca's posts doing 2-3km after pick-up across Southern Europe inparticular. Most seem to comment that traction and control is far better compared with Cup/+ in similar environments. There is a suggestion, although not experienced by UK guys fully yet, that new Dunlop equivalent performs even better.

PF

[Jimebobbler]

thanks - will check out the dunlops

[mikem7709]

Are these the sport maxx Race ?

Getting pretty frustrated waiting for 996.1 GT3 sizes.