What size tires are you guys running?

Steve986 · 11-07-2012, 12:31 PM

I need new tires.

I've got a 2001 2.7L with 18" rims (porsche sport package rims, just like the ones on the yellow 986 on the front of Wayne's book). The old tires are 225/40 18 on the front and 265/35 18 on the back.

My confusion is that discounttiresdirect is showing 215/40 18 on the front and 245/35 18 on the back as the recommended "plus 2" size.

Not sure what size to order. I'm also considering the Hankook V12, if you have an opinion on that I'd like to hear it.

Thanks

tonythetarga · 11-07-2012, 01:37 PM

It is helpful to know the wheel widths not just diameter. You don't want too much rubber cantilevered beyond the wheel.
How do you plan to use the car? (street only, DE, AX )

ronster · ronster's Garage

I run 17's on my '99 and the 18" sizes that were recommended to you seem the correct widths unless you AX then you will have a small advantage in staying with the 225's in the front.
I recently put a set of Hankooks on the rear after my second set of Sumitomos wore out in 10K miles. They started off feeling a bit greasier than the Simis did but after a few hundred miles they seem to be holding traction very well and I don't notice any more noise or roughness from them than the Sumis.
I do need to figure out the correct air pressure for them when Axing as I started with what I ran the Sumis at and the Hankooks roll over at that pressure.
If the Hankooks work out I'll probably go all four when the front Sumis are gone.

BYprodriver · BYprodriver's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve986

I need new tires.

I've got a 2001 2.7L with 18" rims (porsche sport package rims, just like the ones on the yellow 986 on the front of Wayne's book). The old tires are 225/40 18 on the front and 265/35 18 on the back.

My confusion is that discounttiresdirect is showing 215/40 18 on the front and 245/35 18 on the back as the recommended "plus 2" size.

Not sure what size to order. I'm also considering the Hankook V12, if you have an opinion on that I'd like to hear it.

Thanks

Your current sizes are the Porsche recommended size & discount tire is wrong to show a undersize tire that may have inadequate load carrying capacity. I have the same size on my Box but will replace the front with 235/40/18 Michelin Pilot SuperSports next time to try & minimize understeer. I have MPSS on the rear & love them. People always say the Hankook V12 is a great tire "for the money".

Steve986 · 11-07-2012, 01:58 PM

Well, I'm no expert, that's why I need a little help! It appears that the tires that are on there now are a good width for the rims. I have one rear rim without a tire and it appears to measure 9.75" from edge to edge.

Steve

Steve986 · 11-07-2012, 02:02 PM

Also, I have no plans to ever go to "the track", although I do get-on-it once in a while. For the most part it's just normal street use. I do drive in the winter cold, but rarely in the wet, and never in the snow.

Steve

Steve986 · 11-07-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

I have MPSS on the rear & love them.

Are they any good in the wet? Do you have an opinion of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, since I do mostly normal driving, they might be a better choice... and cheaper too.

Steve

smygolf · smygolf's Garage

Boxster S 2000 and im using Michelin Pilot Sport (never gonna change)
Front 225/50-17
Back 255/45-17

Standard size for us in Europe i guess

The Radium King · 11-07-2012, 03:57 PM

i have 18"x8.5" on the front and went to the 235 to reduce understeer and am VERY happy with the result.

regarding pressure, i run the factory 29/36 on the street, but go to 36/38 once hot on the track.

Fly911 · Fly911's Garage

I run 235/40-18 front and 285/35-18 rear. I have also had 295/30-18 at the rear, but that fit is very tight, but still works.
My 2009 Boxster came on 17" wheels with 205 front and 235 rear Michelins, and the lateral grip is inadaquate, especially on the rear.
The Boxster (and all Porsches) are set up to understeer from the factory, get a more agressive alignment, 1.5 degrees of negative camber on the front and 2.5 degrees in the back, and the car will turn in like an F1 car (kind of, lol). The increased tire wear will be minimal, but way worth it for the increased fun driving!
The Hankook Ventus V12 are good street tires, I have had several sets. But the new Hankook R-S3 is even better, the grip is close to R-compound tires!

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

I normally run 225/255 17s. The 215/245 18s will fit and work fine for a daily driver. Hankook V12 are a very nice tire and excellent in the wet. They are not recommended for temps below 40F so you may need an AS tire to run winter in KS.

mikewood · 11-08-2012, 08:09 AM

If you can wait on tires, a whole new generation of high performance street tires will start rolling out (no pun) Q1 2013. For an all arounder, the new Dunlop Star Spec ZII may be the ticket and they are going to be releasing more sizes than were available with the first series, so optimizing Boxster fitment should not be a problem. TireRack is already accepting orders by phone for the Dunlops.

The Hankook RS-3 is a very good tire, but limited in temp range (it needs heat to work even acceptably) and horrible in the wet. The owner of the STX car I drove at Solo Nationals this year had run them with good success, but ultimately went to the Toyo R1R to avoid having to deal with the 'kooks limitations. The R1R is a good tire, but performance drops off significantly once the primary compound is worn (around 3/32").

Steve986 · 11-08-2012, 11:29 AM

Gee, thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help.

I'm more likely to drive in the cold (it gets real damn cold here) than I am the wet.

Does anyone run any all season tire they like? I'm considering the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, but the MPSS is pretty tempting.

BYprodriver · BYprodriver's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve986

Are they any good in the wet? Do you have an opinion of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, since I do mostly normal driving, they might be a better choice... and cheaper too.

Steve

MPSS are good in the wet but like any UltraHighPerformance tire they are dangerous @ 40 degress or colder. I do like the MPS A/S which came on a car I had, but really not needed here in SoCA.

Great multi-pupose tire. I have heard nothing but great things about the Dunlop Direzza also.

Steve986 · 11-09-2012, 03:05 PM

OK, just went with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, 225/40/18 and 265/35/18 at Tirerack. There's even a $70 rebate right now!

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Steve

Miguel Antonett · 11-20-2012, 11:18 AM

I'm running 9 & 11 x 20's with 235 and 305 Hankook V12 . No rubbing, good grip and great stance. Lots of value for the price.

Steve986 · 11-22-2012, 12:04 PM

So far I like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S a lot. The ride is soooo much nicer than the Continental run flats I replaced. Installed was about $975. Plus there's a $70 rebate card coming my way.

I was very tempted to go with the Hankooks V12 considering the good reviews and reasonable price, but after a lot of consideration and research these Michelins made more sense than a summer tire. I don't do track days or anything like that. Besides, in Kansas we only drive in straight lines... two turns maximum for every trip!

I wanted a tire that would last a long time and drive well and safely in the cold, that is, under 40F. I plan to drive this winter, so an all-season tire was really the only choice.

Steve

dbarks · 11-27-2012, 07:45 PM

I put a set of Continental DWS's on my '01 986. They work great. Quiet, smooth, nice ride and very good traction in the rain.

mikewood · 11-30-2012, 05:06 PM

The Conti DW is a fantastic tire, particularly in the wet. The STR S2000CR I ran last summer at the SCCA Solo Tour in Washington state (poured down rain both days) had a set fitted and they were amazing. If you track your car, beware, they will overheat and have issues.
They are at the top of my list for when I have to replace my current Bridgestones.