993 tire conundrum
 

My 993 came to me with mismatched Mich Pilot sports, 205/50/17ZR and /255/40/17ZR.
Fronts are wore out and the backs are nearly new. But very different tread pattern.

I can get a pair of fronts, Mich Pilot sport but at $500/pr approx.

I can also get 4 Sumitomos in the correct size, speed rating, for less than the pair of pilot sports.

I think I'm going with the Sumos, what do ya think? Will I be turned away at Porsche rallies? Pics follow.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1440511331.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1440511356.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1440511455.jpg
Last pic is the Sumitomo

I had an older version of the Sumitomos on my SC and they were great tires. Went with Yokahama S Drives last time and they were even better. No grip in temps under 35 degrees, though.

if you can get away with 3.5 season tires buy a complete set of dunlop star spec II, or bf goodridge Rivals, or perhaps hankook rs 3s

You will be in for 600-700$ but such a fine automobile deserves to have max grip as well as a safe and newish set of UHP

A real first world problem.

My tire problem is tougher. Try to find any decent street tire that can handle rain that will fit the 15 inch 7&8s wheels on my 85 Carrera. That is a real challenge.

I personally would spring for a set of 4 matched tires if you want to drive it even a little aggressive. Mismatched tires just scare me.

Yeah, me too! BTW I have a set of Dunlop Sport Signatures on a set of 16" Fuchs
on 6 and 7's (I think), on my "86 Carrera. Those tires I like.

I've been using Sumitomos on my 993 and am extremely pleased with them. Michelins used to last around 5k miles. These are lasting double that. I don't AX, though. Just spirited mountain road driving and they're fine.

sumitomos on my BMW. 2nd set. Quiet, inexpensive, responsive, love them.

Those are A/S on the back of your current ride. Swap them.

Thanks guys, Sumitomos it is, then.

will you ever do any autocross or HPDE type events, if so I would go a little different direction

Even if you do a performance driving event, the tires will be fine for a beginner. I'd rather have 4 new tires from the same make / model budget brand than a mixed bag of new / old performance tire. If you get serious about track driving, get a set of R compound mounted on track wheels.

G

No. It's just a touring car for me. Sumos should be fine. The car is capable, but competition driving is not for me.

I'll be the dissenter, Sumitomos are crap. They are ok when new but get very hard and loud when they age. I would pay for two Pilot Sports, which are great tires, long before I would put Sumitomos on a car. I won't even put Sumis on cars that I intend to resell where I am very price conscious. There is a reason why they are so cheap. Btw, if you read Tire Rack reviews they are in full agreement with my opinion, the Sumi survey results stink. There are much better options in a cheap high performance tire.

I have them on two of my cars and so far, they are great. Very pleased with them. There are quite a few people going in that direction because of cost.

Dissenter #2 here...
Had Sumi all-seasons on the wife's DD. Downright dangerous in bad weather.
Had to toss them and replace with Michelins. Knock on wood, no issues yet & much better.
Fwiw, Sumi's are a good tire to put on if you want to get rid of someone... permanently...

My 993 has seen Nokians, Pirelli's & Bridgestone run flats. The Pirelli's were by far the worst.
Bridgestone the best - YMMV.

I have to agree with Matt. Like anything you get what you pay for.

Sumitomos go hard with age. That's why they last so long and once hard they have reduced grip.

Yokohama!!! I'd look for something in their range.

I had Sumi III's on the back of the 993 with something different on front - they were fine. When I got the 996, it had newish PS2's. Loudest tires ever. Deafening on some pavements. Luckily, I snagged a rear on something. Now I have Sumi's on the back and PS2's on the front. It act perfectly fine. I'll never spend double for a Michelin.

One thing I'd like is a tire with the rim protector sidewall, but seems from the pictures the cheaper tires don't have them.. The Michelins have them but man those tires are pricey. Maybe I'll go with the Sumos 'till I win the lottery

Check out the S Drives as they have the rim protector.

I have the best wear #'s out of any summer tire with Sumis. On my car they feel a bit vague going off center but otherwise, they wear well, quiet and great over 100MPH. I use about 35PSI all the way around, no squishy feel.

Currently on fronts with 23K and they look awesome, just swapped the rear for my 2nd set- Got almost exactly 20K out of the rear.

I had Sumis and they were a decent DD tire. They did get hard and tend to flat spot in the garage. I prefer, Star Spec, RS3, Continental DWS, in those sizes. Mich PS2 are good tires but crazy $$ for no better performance.