Topic: Tire size/durablity options for a Porsche car.

[123berliner]

I just purchased my dream car - 2001 Porsche Boxter S.  I am told that the rear tires will need replacing before long.  I am told that these high performance tires use "soft" rubber, and therefore may only last 30,000 km.

The tire size using Yokohama is 265/35ZR18 and Michelin was recommended as 275/35ZR18

I won't be going 260 km with this car, especially since the speed limit is 100 km where I live.

What are my options in terms of buying tires which will last longer ?  If they cost less, that would be a bonus too.

Thanks in advance.

[a_n_other_one]

You may not drive 260km/hr but to appreciate the Boxter S for what it is, in my opinion you should buy the best tire that you can afford. If you use the car as a daily driver 30K will come very quickly but if you use it occasionally then 30K may take a while.

For Porsche boxter S info check out this site.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=67

[tpl]

How many KMs on the current tires and exactly what are they now?

I have YOKO AVS on a bmw 330xi, similar power but much more weight and a smaller section width ( 205/50vr17)  I expect about 3 summers or maybe 35,000kms only and that with no autocross or track days.

You, in Victoria, will presumably just leave the car at home on the one snow day per year!.

I agree with another_one that it would be somehwat pointless to move down in tire performance on a Boxster. Why have a Boxster if you are going to slow up for corners!
 
On Monday I bet that Mort will be along to make suggestions from Kumho or Falken.

[davidm]

Falken 451 would be an excellent "budget" choice in a high performance summer tire (only thing worth putting on a Boxster S).  Scrimping on tires on this thing is a crime against humanity.

Tires that last longer will be less sticky - pretty much directly proportional.  I would plan on getting no more than 40,000km out of any half decent tire (and that's double what I plan to get out of a good tire).  Part of owning a vehicle like this is putting tires that match its handling abilities - otherwise, why did you bother buying the car in the first place.

Just the tire size is going to make these very pricey tires.  The 451 is one of the cheapest tires available in the 275 size (by the way, the two sizes you gave are not equal, one or the other will be correct, but not both) at C$345 a corner.  By contrast the good Michelins are C$499 per corner.  The Yokohama ES100 is supposed to be pretty good and is C$369 per corner - personally I'd take the 451s for combo of price and performance.

On the flip side, welcome to the forum, congrats on the brilliant car choice - show us some pics.

Enough from me, let someone else talk ...

(Message edited by davidm on January 01, 2005)

[ghost]

Bridgestone S-03. Anything else is like Donald Trump wearing Batas.

[safristi]

Welkommen two newbie Porschephiles in one blow...ooohhh here comes another one...!!...did the Porsche sites kick ya out fer having "old" machines?
            Retired in Victoria wif a Porsche...add a blonde and you have every Albertan males wet dream.......
             Pics and stories...and yes shoe it with Manolo Blahniks......

[davidm]

Lots of things compete at the SO-3 performance without the SO-3 price.  I agree a tire in (or near) this category is a must, but that's a little narrow-minded Ghost.  For instance, most people agree the Falken Azenis is a better tire in all conditions except standing water.  Far cheaper as well, just limited by sizes and tire wear.  T1-S or now T1+ is an excellent tire that I feel outdoes the S0-3 in the wet and is much cheaper.

The 451 is the next step down in tire, but given the phrasing of the question, this is plenty enough tire for the owner until he learns how to push the car.  I have the 451 on my Bimmer and its not a T1-S, but its very good given the price difference.

(Message edited by davidm on January 02, 2005)

[ghost]

hahaha... of course david. I've used up my s-03s and i'm no longer gonna get them. instead azenis sport here i come!
but, since one has a porsche boxster and there are various 'other' cars that can beat it in terms of performance for lesser price hence we know it's part badge snobbery. and in that same light, would you want to have ur shiny new porsche shod with some korean make whereby most likely your pooh-pooh buddy would look at you funny. Hence I recommend the S-03s.

Since one has already bought an Armani suit, would one match it with something from Zellers?

***if you haven't figured out the satire in all this, then u need to watch Monty Python.

[davidm]

[wing]

From what I've read on the S2000 boards I wouldn't go with something other than OEM or maybe those S03's.  Everyone that changes tires on the S2000 feels it is MUCH worst afterwards T1-S included.  S02 and S03's are the choice unless going for R compounds.

If you don't drive too hard your tires should last.  30,000KM is a lot if it's your weekend car.