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Which tyres should i buy ?

Guest

New member
I'm stuck and going round in circles now. I had decided 4 Bridgestone S03's but then looked into it further and thought the SO2's a better tyre (same price). Then i read a few comments all pointing towards Pirelli P zero Direzionale for the front and P zero Asimmetrico for the rears. And then i read another set of comments saying the Continental 'something' sports, so now i'm just confused. I seem to read as many good and bad reviews for every tyre.

I've done 2 car control courses and knocked off 3mm of tread and the shoulders of my Bridgestone S01's and i'm doing a Bedord day at the end of Feb, to use up the last of current tyres. I will be doing more track days with the new tyres but not that often as i'm not flush enough to keep having to buy new sets of tyres so they've got to last too but also give me enough grip for enthusiastic driving in our wet climate. Any preferences between the Pirelli P zero's or the Continentals (not sure which version just now) Then again there's always the Eagle F1's doh!

Del.
 
Del,

My sport had new P zero Asymetrico's on the back and part worn Direzionale's on the front, when I bough it about 3 months ago. So far I've no complaints at all.

I was thinking of changing to Pzero Rosso's next as I think they're newer and use better compound / design. They're supposed to be a bit quieter too which would be nice[:D].

On a related note, one tyre supplier told me that you'll invalidate your insurance if you don't use N rated tyres. Is this true, or is it a rouse to make me spend more cash[:mad:]?

As far as I know, Eagle GSD3's aren't N rated, otherwise I'd go for them. I used them on my last car and was very imprssed.

Chris
 
Yeah, that's what I thought.

I guess the best way to check would be to ring my insurers and ask them...

Chris
 
... so I did.

Chris Kontt say that as long as the new tyres are the correct size, there's no problem, N-rated or not.

In that case, I'll probably swap to GSD3's when the time comes.

Chris
 
If I were doing lots of track days, (which I'm not) I would be very tempted to get a second set of wheels, and use cheap tyres just for the track, Kumhos spring to mind. This way you are not obliterating an expensive set of road tyres every track session.

For what it's worth, I am a fan of "budget" tyres, and think the big names are way overpriced for what tlittle advantage you get.

I also think the whole N rating thing is pointless, as Porsche have long since stopped bothering about keeping their ratings up to date for the 968. Important perhaps if you have a GT3, but tyre technology is now way ahead of the 10 year old designs which are still rated for the 968.

JH
 
Not comparable but I use GSD3s on my Passat (sorry!) - the best tyre I've ever used on 17" wheels! Loads of grip wet or dry.

FYI: The Sussex Region get good prices from Elite Garages in Horsham. They are good region supporters and do mail order. Looking at my the price list they publish GSD3s in 968 sizes as follows:-

Front 225/45 x 17 £96.83 each inc vat
Rear 255/40 x 17 £117.31 each inc vat

If you're interested in them (or any other make at decent prices) call Dave Blackley on 0845 4581080 and tell him you're from the Porsche Club.

He also showed us a pre-production version of the Avon ZZR on Saturday - it looks a very impressive track day tyre....available in most Porsche sizes upto 265x18 - again details from Dave.

regards

Peter Skelton
Regional Organiser Region 23 (Sussex)
 
Colway have also brought out a new track day tyre - soft compound / minimal tread, and here's the good bit, about £60 a tyre. I'd be tempted to go for a bit of a compromise and get a good, yet cheaper road tyre eg Toyo T1s / Fulda Extremo / Kumho Excsta and then get another set of wheels for trackdays with the new Colways. After all plenty of space in a 968 to get the track wheels in for the journey.
I'm currently thinking of going for a similar set up on my 911.

Jamie
 
I ran Michelin Cups on my 993 (18") last year but the Avon ZZR looks like a better tyre and a few hundred quid a set cheaper. As soon as it's released I'll try a set. The Colways don't come in my size so that rules them out!
 
I just looked on the Colway website and couldn't seem to find the tyres I was refering to. I'm sure I remember seeing a tiny article in 911 & Porsche World a couple of months ago and that they appeared to be available in 'normal' Porsche sizes (not just the 15" 924 lot) ??? Might be worth further investigation - I'll see if I can dig out the article.

Jamie
 
Type "Colway Traxstar" into your browser and see what comes up. This is what I did, as I was surprised that Colway themselves seemingly weren't advertising the range. Pretty sure that a third party tyre dealer are doing the marketing.
Good luck.
 
ORIGINAL: 968Sport
.......
On a related note, one tyre supplier told me that you'll invalidate your insurance if you don't use N rated tyres. Is this true, or is it a rouse to make me spend more cash[:mad:]?

Chris

I too had this warning given to me by a tyre supplier, i felt certain, because these tyres where their main products and probably a better source of profit for them? I replied "Nothing that an insurance would do, to invalidate a claim, would surprise me but i doubt in reality that not having the 'N' rating would infact invalidate my insurance and thanked him for the info."

What i really wanted was to find another set of wheels with some tread left on the tyres and to take them with me and use them at the track day and change back to my current road wheels to drive home on, this would also postpone my getting a new set of tyres until later this year, spreading the cost out.

Having a set of track day wheels would have been great with the intention of putting on a set of those £60 track day tyres, advertised in P&911W, for later track day use. But as yet i haven't been able to source a set of wheels and tyres so now it looks like i'll have to use my current road wheels and tyres and get new tyres fitted to my existing road wheels by Hutchinsons, the onsite tyre supllier and fitting service, after the event at Bedford as my road tyres will be shot, assuming it's a dry day, with only 3mm of tread left on them now.

Del.
 
For the Colway Traxtar (note odd spelling!) tyres go to:

tyres direct

or speak to Greg Thomas on 0845 600 8206 or e-mail via gregoryt@tyresdirect.uk.com

remember these tyres are not for road use -- prices are cheap 16" about £50 and 17" about £60 each -- you can have them with 6mm tread depth or buffed down to 4mm which is said to be optimum for track use. You can also choose your own original carcass supplier for your mixed set of 4.

For road use my SO2's are good, cannot fault them -- next time though I will try TOYO's as the importer is in my county and my local tyre man loves to do deals!

paul
 
Toyo proxy's are one of the best in terms of value vs performance they just need a few miles on them to scrub in as the tread blocks are quite pliable and soft initially but improve once a couple of mm down. In terms of handling they are a very progressive tyre and don't give you any nasty surprises [;)] I tried Kuhmo Ecsta's and didn't rate them, the best I've had were the Michellin Pilots on my trackday wheels even with 1mm of tread they grip like crazy, shame they cost a mint.
I've Got Pzero's Asymms at the mo' and can't really fault them other than they don't seem as tight in the wet.

As for comparing performance its worth noting that a big difference can be noticed when playing with pressures, I found that when I fitted the P Zero's that the car tram lined but with the pressures upped 2 PSI on the front it dissappeared, this was never an issue on the Pilots.

Mike



Mike
 
Damn those Colways are cheap - £38 and £43 for my car. All I've got to do is find a spare set of wheels now !

Jamie
 
ORIGINAL: Jamie Summers

Damn those Colways are cheap - £38 and £43 for my car. All I've got to do is find a spare set of wheels now !

Jamie

Have you got a URL for them ?

cheers

Del
 

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