Porsche tire spec

[RDM]

While browsing approved Porsche winter and summer tires at Tire and Wheel Approvals - Porsche Service - Service & Accessories - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, I came across the Porsche tire specification. Evidently there are currently 5 levels (N0 through N4) for summer tires. For '69 to '83 911s with 15 inch wheels, there are tires with N2 spec approved, and for 16s, there are N0, N1, and N3 spec tires approved The pdf doesn't clarify what the differences are between the spec, and why you would choose one spec over the others.

Anybody know what the specifications mean?

And beyond that, is there a reason to prefer an N-spec tire?

Thanks.

[RDM]

Anyone?

[ganun]

I have the Michelin PE2 N0 on 16s, very smooth, quiet, and top rated by tire rack. Good question though, I'd like to know that also.

[redridge]

N specs are a waste, I think they are used mostly for marketing and sales.. todays tires are so much better than it was back when Porsche spec'd out those so called special tires. Just call tire rack and ask them for suggestions.

[RDM]

Originally Posted by redridge

N specs are a waste, I think they are used mostly for marketing and sales.. todays tires are so much better than it was back when Porsche spec'd out those so called special tires. Just call tire rack and ask them for suggestions.

Redridge,

Do you have experience with N-spec versus non-N-spec tires? I would find that helpful.

Just a note- the document above is from May 2013, so it's not from way back. Porsche is still in the business of recommending tires for cars built 50 years ago or more.

[PCA7GGR]

I heard that if you use different number "N" spec tires front and rear, your Porsche will handle like it as rear wheel steering but with a mind of its own - ;>)

[Trackrash]

Here is Tire racks explanation. Probably worth a read.

I'm surprised that the older cars have an N spec.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=26

My experience is on an older P car with 15 or 16 inch wheels the most important consideration is having the same tire on the front and rear.

[Arne2]

N-spec is not much good for those of us who require all-season tires due to cold weather use. There are no all-season N-spec choices, and I'm not willing to run full-on winter tires for the half of the year when I drive in temps in the 40s (°F) or lower, but with no snow or ice.

[trond]

the thing about N marked is you will be fairly certain these will work fairly well with your car. There are tires on the market, from all brands that don't work on the 911 at all but ruin the handling and make the car dangerous. For all season I loved my Michelin Pilot A/S Plus but had clearance issues in the front with 7" rims. Unfortunately not available where I live

[KNS]

I haven't bought Michelin tires in years and have never bought N spec tires. I recently put N spec Pilot Sports on my 993 and am amazed at how well the car rides on these tires (cornering as well as ride comfort).

[RDM]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

Here is Tire racks explanation. Probably worth a read.

I'm surprised that the older cars have an N spec.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=26

Thanks; this answers some of my questions. Like this:

Production tires that have passed all of the tests and received the engineering department's release can be branded with an N-specification. The N-specification brandings include: N-0 (N-zero), N-1, N-2, N-3 or N-4. These markings on a tire's sidewall clearly identify them as approved by Porsche for their vehicles. The N-0 marking is assigned to the first approved version of a tire design. As that design is refined externally or internally, the later significant evolutions will result in a new generation of the tire to be branded with N-1, N-2, N-3, etc., in succession. When a completely new tire design is approved, it receives the N-0 branding and the succession begins again.

So there are not multiple N specifications, only multiple non-simultanteous approved tire designs.

Originally Posted by Arne2

N-spec is not much good for those of us who require all-season tires due to cold weather use. There are no all-season N-spec choices, and I'm not willing to run full-on winter tires for the half of the year when I drive in temps in the 40s (°F) or lower, but with no snow or ice.

This is the boat I'm in. While I need cold-weather and wet-weather tires with the snow badge on them for legal reasons, snow is not part of the driving plan. And though there are no N-spec winter tires, Porsche does make winter tire recommendations. I wonder which would handle better, the tested, approved winter tires or all-season tires without their approval.

[darrin]

Dru -- I've been running the nokian wrg2 tires on my '86 targa since before they were recommended by Porsche -- Here in Denver, CO, our winters are too cold for summer tires (I run dunlop extreme contact dw in the summer) but, surprisingly, we don't get TOO much snow. I've been very happy with the handling, ride and general winter responsiveness of my nokians. I just wore out my rear tires after 4 winters and can confirm that my replacement nokian wrg2 tires ARE N0 certified (For whatever that's worth) -- I previously ran 225/50-16 in the rear (205/55-16 up front) but an now running 205/55-16 on all 4 corners and honestly can't tell the difference. SO, I can wholeheartedly endorse the nokian wr-g2 for cold and wet (even snow-free) driving

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by RDM

I wonder which would handle better, the tested, approved winter tires or all-season tires without their approval.

I suspect the better all-season tires would handle better, but I don't know if any of the good ones have the snowflake logo you need. You might be stuck, legally.

[RDM]

For completeness sake...

Developing Porsche Original Equipment Tires
A look at what goes into the creation of the automaker’s ‘N-Spec’ rubber

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/developing-porsche-original-equipment-tires/