Need help - is the dealer being honest with me?
Discussion
Can anyone help re tyres on a 996?
My car is in for servicing and the dealer tells me that one of the rear tyres has a slow leak (nail apparently, although handling seemed fine to me and the last time I check the pressure was over a month ago).
However, despite the fact that both rear tyres are 6000 road miles old (as opposed to track) and therefore have lots of tread, he is recommending changing both. Spending over 400 quid on replacing both rear Michelins seems pretty hefty for a nail in one of them.
Service dept reckons the car will not be stable at around 90-100 mph even in a straight line if the tread is even slightly different.
Should I resign myself to replacing a perfectly good tyre?
My car is in for servicing and the dealer tells me that one of the rear tyres has a slow leak (nail apparently, although handling seemed fine to me and the last time I check the pressure was over a month ago).
However, despite the fact that both rear tyres are 6000 road miles old (as opposed to track) and therefore have lots of tread, he is recommending changing both. Spending over 400 quid on replacing both rear Michelins seems pretty hefty for a nail in one of them.
Service dept reckons the car will not be stable at around 90-100 mph even in a straight line if the tread is even slightly different.
Should I resign myself to replacing a perfectly good tyre?
For sure you have to replace both tyres at once, don't even think of not doing so.
Whether you nedd to replace the tyre or not is another question. There are some pretty good adhesives around these days for plugging up holes but whether they'd be OK for high speeds I don't know and maybe they're in the wrong place ?
911newbie
Whether you nedd to replace the tyre or not is another question. There are some pretty good adhesives around these days for plugging up holes but whether they'd be OK for high speeds I don't know and maybe they're in the wrong place ?
911newbie
I'd keep checking the tyre pressure every week, and check the tread for uneven wear. If all looks OK, I'd keep using the tyres. If you can't spot anything untoward with tread or pressure it's unlikley you'd notice anything over 100, unless the nail has caused an imbalance - manifested byt vibration through the wheel at certain speeds.
Porsche main dealers tend to err on the side of caution and feel that if you run a 996 you have unlimited funds. Whether you take their advice and give them your money is a personal choice, but unless there is vibration or any other ill effects I certainly wouldn't bother.
Porsche main dealers tend to err on the side of caution and feel that if you run a 996 you have unlimited funds. Whether you take their advice and give them your money is a personal choice, but unless there is vibration or any other ill effects I certainly wouldn't bother.
Please spend the money, decent tyres on a performance car are essential (and they are all that will stop you hitting that truck on a wet greasy roundabout)
If it makes you feel better I had to replace a set of rears on a TVR after only 800 miles due to a nail and the fact that the tyre was no longer available (I had bought one of the last pairs in the country)
Repairing Z rated tyres can also be dodgy. If you've forked out for a 996 then really you shouldn't be quibbling over £400 on some tyres, or is your life worth less than that????
davidy
If it makes you feel better I had to replace a set of rears on a TVR after only 800 miles due to a nail and the fact that the tyre was no longer available (I had bought one of the last pairs in the country)
Repairing Z rated tyres can also be dodgy. If you've forked out for a 996 then really you shouldn't be quibbling over £400 on some tyres, or is your life worth less than that????
davidy
Thanks for the replies.
Whilst I have a healthy suspicion of main dealers who think buyers have unlimited funds, on balance I guess I should take no chances.
I'd only consider a repair if the car was a shopping trolley, so that's out of the question.
I'm miffed that a marginal difference in tread necessitates changing both. (The dealer just told me the car was not perfect above 90 with one new tyre). This is the fifth nearly-new tyre I am changing in a year (my wife has nailed three on her car). Oh well. Such is life.
Whilst I have a healthy suspicion of main dealers who think buyers have unlimited funds, on balance I guess I should take no chances.
I'd only consider a repair if the car was a shopping trolley, so that's out of the question.
I'm miffed that a marginal difference in tread necessitates changing both. (The dealer just told me the car was not perfect above 90 with one new tyre). This is the fifth nearly-new tyre I am changing in a year (my wife has nailed three on her car). Oh well. Such is life.
Lots of companies now do "tyre protection" that covers nails etc.
Perhaps you should ask your dealer if they do such a thing, and if they don't, find a specalist that will.
A quick "google" seems to point that most of these type of policies are underwritten my Motorway Direct plc (www.motorwaydirect.co.uk) - they might be able to tell you a specalist that will do it for you if you ring them.
Perhaps you should ask your dealer if they do such a thing, and if they don't, find a specalist that will.
A quick "google" seems to point that most of these type of policies are underwritten my Motorway Direct plc (www.motorwaydirect.co.uk) - they might be able to tell you a specalist that will do it for you if you ring them.
I had a p zero repaired for just this on a Subaru a year or so ago, The tye was almost new and the tye repairs said they could repair which they did and its been fine ever since.
If you do go for 2 new tyres keep the old ones both for spares. I would check to see if it can be repaired first.
If you do go for 2 new tyres keep the old ones both for spares. I would check to see if it can be repaired first.
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