Tyre recommendations for 987 Cayman S

colin129 · Oct 9, 2023

I certainly can't!

I'd lose my bottle long before the car does, although, in all my years of ownership, I was always a little bit scared of what might happen if I got the 964 out of shape. Would I have the commitment to keep my foot in and ride it out? Only once on a track day at Curborough, a bit of snaking and no damage done.

Motorhead · Oct 9, 2023

colin129 said:
Thanks Andrew and Jeff.

Are you saying you get through a set of tyres in 10K or so miles?

I don't think you can get PZeros in the correct size with N rating.

Looks like MPS2 are available in both sizes N4 rated.

Yes, about 10k miles for the rears Colin, but that was with a few track days included, and the current set are lasting longer because I’ve not been on track for a while now with all the lockdowns. Also I had a geometry reset at some time when on the original tyre set which probably helped reduce wear. I think the original fronts lasted for more than 20k miles.

Strangely enough N-rated P-Zeros are available for my 19” wheels but not for the 18”. Maybe it’s a supply issue? It looks as though if you’re after an N-rated tyre the choice is MPS2 [N4] or Bridgestone Potenza [N1], both of which were OE when the 987 was in production [I think Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin and Pirelli were available back then?]. Of course, N-rated tyres are only essential if you have the Porsche Extended Warranty, which I doubt is a consideration for you.

Jeff

Wollemi · Oct 9, 2023

AndrewCS said:
The PS2`s will be fine, I would dismiss the `theory - opinion` that their perceived `old` technology is a real world detriment

Can any `mere mortal` with that opinion actually outdrive this tyre []

It would be brillianr to see a proper tyre test done comparing the N rated tyre (eg PS2N2) with a modern but generic alternative (eg PS4S) on a 987. To see how what the differences between the older tyre optimised for the car against a newer tyre but in it‘s “suit all cars“ version. As far as I know this test has never been done. The results would be fascinating.

colin129 · Oct 9, 2023

Jeff, the N rated tyre is about a tyre optimised for Porsche

In over 25 years of Porsche ownership, I've always used N rated tyres.

Motorhead · Oct 10, 2023

Yes, I appreciate that Colin. The Porsche development engineers do a lot of work with every tyre supplier to optimise construction and compound for each car, so you’re getting a well-sorted tyre.

However, tyre technology has moved on significantly since the MPS2 was introduced - carcass, compound, tread design, etc. - and you have to wonder if any of this finds it way into the earlier tyre. As Graham has said, it would be very interesting to see a rigorous test comparing a 987 fitted with N-rated MPS2 and non N-rated MPS4/MPS4S/MPS5 tyres.

Jeff