991 tyre supply issue: Clarkson in Times today

[Fpaskell]

So no points for the 991 due to the flat tyre and no replacement avialable? Is that correct or is this hype? The article is in the "in gear" section of the Times today and basically complimentary to the 991 but what size wheels have no tyre supply? according to him a friend with a 991 had to wait 2 weeks for a tyre.

[jon-]

I've not done any research, but Michelin now keep the big Porsche sizes in France instead of the UK, so I'd imagine the wait from the letter in the article was due to his specific garage ordering them in from Michelin, rather than none in the country?

ETA: Just read the article. I know loads of people with 997 rear sizes in, not sure what's so special about the 991. I know there are already 991 winter tyres approved and available (Michelin Pilot Aplin PA3 and Pirelli Sottozero) as I've driven 991 C2S on both!

Edited by jon- on Sunday 18th March 17:39

[Bill Stein]

Fpaskell said:

So no points for the 991 due to the flat tyre and no replacement avialable? Is that correct or is this hype? The article is in the "in gear" section of the Times today and basically complimentary to the 991 but what size wheels have no tyre supply? according to him a friend with a 991 had to wait 2 weeks for a tyre.

It's because Porsche want to control the tyres. In other words Porsche are having tyres produced as a Porsche part by Michelin with the aim of them only being available through the POC network and not your corner garage or local quick fit. No prizes for guessing what that means!

[///ajd]

Is the size unusual, or is this about being n rated?

[Manks]

Bill Stein said:

It's because Porsche want to control the tyres. In other words Porsche are having tyres produced as a Porsche part by Michelin with the aim of them only being available through the POC network and not your corner garage or local quick fit. No prizes for guessing what that means!

Is this an extension of the daft GTS wheels thing? Ensure that Porshce are the only tyre supplier?

I always enjoy booking my car in for a service because I know that I am going to endure a tyre-related sales pitch. On one occasion my tyres had done 3k miles and the girl from the OPC phoned me and said, "your tyres have started to wear would you like us to quote you for replacements". I said, "just how worn are they?" To which she replied, "oh hardly at all but I was just asking".

[Maersk]

Option size of 20"........

[SonnyM]

Porsche have widened the options by giving their approval for Continental, Goodyear and Pirelli as well as Michelin.

[Raitzi]

Why would one have to use one specific make of tyres on 991? Warranty? I think it is illegal to void warranty if wheels are not what the make dealer demands. Of course size and speed rating will have to be the same but not the make.(one make demand can be called cartel)

Pirellis,Nexens, Michelins etc... will match 20" rim specification on 991.

[DiscoColin]

Raitzi said:

Why would one have to use one specific make of tyres on 991? Warranty? I think it is illegal to void warranty if wheels are not what the make dealer demands.

This one really does come up every week doesn't it On the first 2 years of the warranty (the manufacturers bit) then this is correct, however the third year and any further extensions to it are under an extended warranty, on which they can legally make the stipulation requiring N rated tyres with non-compliance providing grounds to void the entire thing.

Having not read the article, the Clarkson thing is most likely due to the car he was testing being on 20" rims if I were to take a guess - supplies will be sparse with those N labels on them so early in the model's life. It does highlight to me though quite how absurd the N stipulation is - frankly if Porsche are going to insist on N then they really ought to be legally compelled to guarantee supply at all times for the duration of any model's warrantee-able life (i.e. all sizes for all models 10 years beyond when they ceased production).

[jon-]

DiscoColin said:

This one really does come up every week doesn't it On the first 2 years of the warranty (the manufacturers bit) then this is correct, however the third year and any further extensions to it are under an extended warranty, on which they can legally make the stipulation requiring N rated tyres with non-compliance providing grounds to void the entire thing.

I know this comes up a lot, but I recently had this debate with the chairman of the Porsche owners club. Short version was he was convinced Porsche can insist on it in the first 2 years too.

I left that discussion more confused than I went in.