997 Tyres and Alignment
Discussion
I got a puncture in a rear tyre in my C4S. Very frustrating as it needs replacing and may have to replace both rears. I have only had it a couple of months so I wanted to get views on 3 things.
1) If changing both rears then this may be an opportunity to transition to an alternative brand. Currently have Bridgestone Potenzas all round. What are the views on Bridgestone vs Michelin Pilot Sport vs Pirelli PZero for mainly road use with the odd track day?
2) Apart from camskill.co.uk any other recommendations for cheap tyre suppliers?
3) I will probably get a geometry check done once the new tyres are on. Anyway recommendation on Porsche specialists for geo check around Hertfordshire / Essex / north london?
1) If changing both rears then this may be an opportunity to transition to an alternative brand. Currently have Bridgestone Potenzas all round. What are the views on Bridgestone vs Michelin Pilot Sport vs Pirelli PZero for mainly road use with the odd track day?
2) Apart from camskill.co.uk any other recommendations for cheap tyre suppliers?
3) I will probably get a geometry check done once the new tyres are on. Anyway recommendation on Porsche specialists for geo check around Hertfordshire / Essex / north london?
Bridgestones have a very stiff sidewall and are slightly noisier than Michelin et al; Continentals are the cheapest of the branded /N rated usually
For a general Wheel Alignment an OPC will have the correct tools and specifications (awaiting the usual C at CG shout out)
Black circles are a good shout for price comparison but try 'grouptyre' if they sell to the public (OPC Swindon are supplied by them)
All IMO obviously
For a general Wheel Alignment an OPC will have the correct tools and specifications (awaiting the usual C at CG shout out)
Black circles are a good shout for price comparison but try 'grouptyre' if they sell to the public (OPC Swindon are supplied by them)
All IMO obviously
as an example, after bit of webbing: Michelin 295 30 18:
Oponeo: £578 plus fitting at say £15 each: £608 (You find fitter)
Camskills: £503 plus fitting (£15 each): £533 (You find fitter)
Event Tyres: £605 all in (hand keys out kitchen window)
Camskill cheapest if your prepared to do bit of tyre transporting to a fitter or for an extra £70 have whole lot done on drive or work place.
Oponeo: £578 plus fitting at say £15 each: £608 (You find fitter)
Camskills: £503 plus fitting (£15 each): £533 (You find fitter)
Event Tyres: £605 all in (hand keys out kitchen window)
Camskill cheapest if your prepared to do bit of tyre transporting to a fitter or for an extra £70 have whole lot done on drive or work place.
jilap said:
I got a puncture in a rear tyre in my C4S. Very frustrating as it needs replacing and may have to replace both rears. I have only had it a couple of months so I wanted to get views on 3 things.
1) If changing both rears then this may be an opportunity to transition to an alternative brand. Currently have Bridgestone Potenzas all round. What are the views on Bridgestone vs Michelin Pilot Sport vs Pirelli PZero for mainly road use with the odd track day?
2) Apart from camskill.co.uk any other recommendations for cheap tyre suppliers?
3) I will probably get a geometry check done once the new tyres are on. Anyway recommendation on Porsche specialists for geo check around Hertfordshire / Essex / north london?
Porsche guidelines are both tires have to be replaced if the remaining tire is worn 30% or more from new.1) If changing both rears then this may be an opportunity to transition to an alternative brand. Currently have Bridgestone Potenzas all round. What are the views on Bridgestone vs Michelin Pilot Sport vs Pirelli PZero for mainly road use with the odd track day?
2) Apart from camskill.co.uk any other recommendations for cheap tyre suppliers?
3) I will probably get a geometry check done once the new tyres are on. Anyway recommendation on Porsche specialists for geo check around Hertfordshire / Essex / north london?
You'll have to have a tech use a tread depth measuring tool to know if this is the case.
Even if you replace both rear tires you are venturing into rather uncharted regions by mixing tires even rear to front.
Some drivers have reported no problems (though one suspects shopping cart wheels would work just as well for these, umm, drivers).
Other drivers have reported quite unsatisfactory results. These are obviously intelligent and astute drivers.
Seriously if you mix tires you pays your money you takes your chances. I'm not saying the car will spit you off the road quicker than a horse with a sunburned back I'm just saying some owners have reported the car's handling/feel was less than it was before.
Rockster said:
Porsche guidelines are both tires have to be replaced if the remaining tire is worn 30% or more from new.
You'll have to have a tech use a tread depth measuring tool to know if this is the case.
Even if you replace both rear tires you are venturing into rather uncharted regions by mixing tires even rear to front.
Some drivers have reported no problems (though one suspects shopping cart wheels would work just as well for these, umm, drivers).
Other drivers have reported quite unsatisfactory results. These are obviously intelligent and astute drivers.
Seriously if you mix tires you pays your money you takes your chances. I'm not saying the car will spit you off the road quicker than a horse with a sunburned back I'm just saying some owners have reported the car's handling/feel was less than it was before.
Thanks Rockster. Figured the better to go for the exact same Bridgestone N0 spec tyres again as luckily still available. Does anyone have a link explaining what the difference between N ratings are for when I am in the unfortunate position to have to change all 4 tyres?You'll have to have a tech use a tread depth measuring tool to know if this is the case.
Even if you replace both rear tires you are venturing into rather uncharted regions by mixing tires even rear to front.
Some drivers have reported no problems (though one suspects shopping cart wheels would work just as well for these, umm, drivers).
Other drivers have reported quite unsatisfactory results. These are obviously intelligent and astute drivers.
Seriously if you mix tires you pays your money you takes your chances. I'm not saying the car will spit you off the road quicker than a horse with a sunburned back I'm just saying some owners have reported the car's handling/feel was less than it was before.
In the end I purchased from Camskill who I have been using for years. No one mentioned in this thread came close apart from Warfield Tyres who were recommended by a friend. Warfield tyres quoted me £2 more than Camskill but including fitting which was a great deal but they were too far from me.
Also when I went to a local tyre centre to investigate the puncture they said balancing would cost most than normal wheels as these extra wide wheels needed a "precision balance". Sounded a bit strange to me. Is there any truth in this or where they just trying to charge me more because I had a Porsche?
jilap said:
Thanks Rockster. Figured the better to go for the exact same Bridgestone N0 spec tyres again as luckily still available. Does anyone have a link explaining what the difference between N ratings are for when I am in the unfortunate position to have to change all 4 tyres?
In the end I purchased from Camskill who I have been using for years. No one mentioned in this thread came close apart from Warfield Tyres who were recommended by a friend. Warfield tyres quoted me £2 more than Camskill but including fitting which was a great deal but they were too far from me.
Also when I went to a local tyre centre to investigate the puncture they said balancing would cost most than normal wheels as these extra wide wheels needed a "precision balance". Sounded a bit strange to me. Is there any truth in this or where they just trying to charge me more because I had a Porsche?
About all I have bothered to gather is that as an N rated tire is revised the N rating number is bumped. Look upon a tire's N number as a version number with newer being better just like with software. J/K!In the end I purchased from Camskill who I have been using for years. No one mentioned in this thread came close apart from Warfield Tyres who were recommended by a friend. Warfield tyres quoted me £2 more than Camskill but including fitting which was a great deal but they were too far from me.
Also when I went to a local tyre centre to investigate the puncture they said balancing would cost most than normal wheels as these extra wide wheels needed a "precision balance". Sounded a bit strange to me. Is there any truth in this or where they just trying to charge me more because I had a Porsche?
Seriously, if N1 tires were ok to use before, even with N2 (or higher) tires available now there's no reason to move to N2 tires.
Well, except there might be a reason. If one buys a set of 4 new tires and has a choice, going with the higher N number probably means (no guarantee!) when you have to replace the rear tires or even one tire due to damage the odds are higher you'll be able to get the *exact* replacement right down to the same N number.
Thus you are less likely to get to find out if mixing N1 and N2 or any other combination of N numbers causes any problems.
Porsche tires are wide and have the potential to be run at high speed. The best balance job is done using a load force balancing machine. After the tire is mounted to the wheel the wheel/tire is put on the balance machine that spins the thing up to some speed while pressing the tire against a free running drum. Heavy/light areas are indicated and the proper weight attached and the process is repeated until the tire/wheel combo is balanced to Porsche guidelines.
This load force balancing is supposed to result in better balancing.
If the other static balancing method used the results might be equally as good but maybe not.
The problem is you'll not know until you have a chance to drive the car and then it might be some time after the balance job and you may be some miles away from the shop.
If you have a choice, all other things being equal (save of course the cost will likely be more), opt for load force balancing.
Regardless of which method is used, be sure when you pick up the car you give the car a shake down drive and try to drive the car in a way that gives you some confidence the tires are mounted/balanced ok.
Of course obey all traffic laws.
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