Bad handling Yokohama A008P tire

[Horch]

Advice needed!

Ordered 4 new tires for my 930. Fronts 225/50/16, rears 245/45/16. I currently have Continental Sport Contact which I really like, but are old (6 years old).

Based on reviews here on the forum I ordered the Yokohama A008P's, which are specially designed for the classic 911.

It drives horrible. No direct feeling. Feels sloppy, almost dangerous, like I'm driving on bubble gum. Tire pressure is correct (2,0 bar front, 3,0 bar rear as with the Conti's).

Anyone with the same experience? I did contact Yokohama, because the rears do have the N0 code on the tires, but the front don't... They will look into it and contact met next week.

[reclino]

Following, i had planned on buying these tires. Interesting that the fronts are not marked N0.

[Mr Beau]

3,0 bar (45 psi) in the rear? Isn't 2,0 to 2,4 a more normal range?

[Horch]

It’s what the sticker in the rear and the manual indicates. Worked fine with the Conti’s…

[patina]

You need to run those tires at 29F 33R cold. 45 is insane.

[Horch]

Yokohama contacted me this morning:

205/55ZR16 = N0 rated
245/45ZR16 = N0 rated

225/50ZR16 = NOT N0 rated

Going for a different set of tires...

[908/930]

I would not worry about the N-0 (Porsche rated) part, I do not think that even existed when the 930 was available, just a proper speed rating listed on the tire.

In the owners manual Porsche does call for 44psi in the rear tires for the 930, also says it is valid for snow tires.

No experience with the A008p, but surprised they do not feel good, possibly need some miles on them? Years ago I had some Bridgestone re71 that has a soft sidewall and responded very slow, possibly similar problem.

[dos531]

It sounds like you're complaining that a vintage style tire drives like a vintage tire?

[Jeff NJ]

I found that 44psi is too much for my RE11s.
That pressure was for tires from the 70s and 80s. Current tire tech doesn't really need that much pressure and I find my car is more neutral handling with about 36 psi cold in the rears. I run 29 in the fronts.
Based on patinas suggestion, maybe I'll try 33 and see if it's better. I think I dropped it and liked what I had at 36, so I left it.

[908/930]

That Yokohama A008p is a W speed rated tire, far from vintage.

Porsche likely had a reason to suggest 44psi, possibly to make the rear end traction more forgiving?

[Horch]

All tires were sold to me as N-rated (also stated on the invoice), but fronts were not, so returning them. Just ordered the Pirelli p zero rosso asimmetrico's front and rear.

Maybe I expected too much from the A008P's, but compared to the Conti's, cornering is vague and high speed stability.... well, it's not there. Definitely not the right tire for me. Hope the Pirelli's suit my 930 better.

Thanks for all the suggestions/advice.

[stownsen914]

Tire pressure is very specific to tire brand. If you use the value from the sticker, you can easily see wide variation in performance from one tire brand/model to another. Incorrect pressure can easily result in the poor handling and feedback you describe. Contact Yoko and see what they recommend for that tire on your car.

[bleucamaro]

Are 6 year old tires really that old? On a garage kept car that's seasonally driven, I don't think its too old. . . on a highly loaded trailer that gets parked in the sun, maybe.

[Horch]

New Pirelli's installed! What a difference. Next month 5 days to the Alps to test them...

[james6speed]

Horch, is that the Pirelli 205/55r16 and 245/45r16 combo in Rosso? How are they working out?

[james6speed]

Also, are those the Group 4 Campy's in 16x8 and 16x9?

[Horch]

Front 225/50/16, Rear, 245/445/16 and yes Campy's in 16x8 and 16x9. Like the Pirelli's! Tomorrow for 5 days to the Alps trying them out... ;-)

[james6speed]

Originally Posted by Horch

Front 225/50/16, Rear, 245/445/16 and yes Campy's in 16x8 and 16x9. Like the Pirelli's! Tomorrow for 5 days to the Alps trying them out... ;-)

Awesome! I just bought a set of the LMZ's in that exact spec for my next project and was wondering which tires will work best with it. Give us a full review after your trip. Cheers!

[infraredcalvin]

Car looks amazing, I love those wheels!

[Horch]

Back from the Alps. It was amazing. Car did very well, including high speed on the German Autobahn (> 200 km/h), as well as quick driving on the mountain passes. Love the Pirelli's. Stick to the tarmac like glue. I have 225 in the front and did find it more pleasant to drive with a litte more tire pressure in the front.