I am relatively new to the performance car game but I am the happy owner of a 928 S4. I enjoy the car's performance but I am not taking it to its limits. I would appreciate some advice about tyre options.
The car is generally in remarkably original condition. This was one of the reasons I went for it and I would like to keep the car's originality for several reasons. Someone has suggested fitting larger wheels to increase the tyre choice but this not something I would like to consider.
It is currently fitted with 5 year old Continental ContiSportContacts all round. The rears have about 3.5-4.0mm tread left and the fronts 6-7mm. Overall the tyres look in reasonable condition. The wheels are original 16in flat disc (?) design, 7J front and 8J rear.
1. While some way off the legal minimum I wonder when people would recommend replacing tyres, especially the rears which carry the power. It does not seem wise to push them to the 1.6mm limit! I am happy to replace them when appropriate but there seems no point in wasting rubber.
2. ContiSportContacts are no longer available and the choice of 245/45 R16 tyres is very limited. For most options no front 225/50 R16s are available. The only options to fit identical tyres on both axles seem to be Pirellis - P-Zeros or Cinturato P7s. However, what are the pros and cons of mixing tyre types front and rear? Is mixing advisable/safe?
3. Cheaper W+ rated tyres available. Are these a viable/sensible option? Cost has to be one consideration especially if it seems advisable to replace all four tyres simultaneously...£££££! I have experienced the potential costs of Porsche ownership but I need to balance choice and necessity.
4. Finally, is formal Porsche N rating necessary given that this was not applicable when my 1987 928 was built?
Many thanks in advance for any comments and advice.
Mark
The car is generally in remarkably original condition. This was one of the reasons I went for it and I would like to keep the car's originality for several reasons. Someone has suggested fitting larger wheels to increase the tyre choice but this not something I would like to consider.
It is currently fitted with 5 year old Continental ContiSportContacts all round. The rears have about 3.5-4.0mm tread left and the fronts 6-7mm. Overall the tyres look in reasonable condition. The wheels are original 16in flat disc (?) design, 7J front and 8J rear.
1. While some way off the legal minimum I wonder when people would recommend replacing tyres, especially the rears which carry the power. It does not seem wise to push them to the 1.6mm limit! I am happy to replace them when appropriate but there seems no point in wasting rubber.
2. ContiSportContacts are no longer available and the choice of 245/45 R16 tyres is very limited. For most options no front 225/50 R16s are available. The only options to fit identical tyres on both axles seem to be Pirellis - P-Zeros or Cinturato P7s. However, what are the pros and cons of mixing tyre types front and rear? Is mixing advisable/safe?
3. Cheaper W+ rated tyres available. Are these a viable/sensible option? Cost has to be one consideration especially if it seems advisable to replace all four tyres simultaneously...£££££! I have experienced the potential costs of Porsche ownership but I need to balance choice and necessity.
4. Finally, is formal Porsche N rating necessary given that this was not applicable when my 1987 928 was built?
Many thanks in advance for any comments and advice.
Mark