Porsche approved N-rated tires

[Arctic 3.2]

I've got 17" RUF-wheels, 8" front and 9" rear, on my '86 Carrera. I'm looking for new tires and want to go for some N-rated, but these are hard to find in 225/45/17 for the front. The only N-rated tire that I can track in this dimension is the Michelin SX MXX3, which also seems to be a hard-to-get item for dealers - both in the USA and over here in Europe. Tire Rack does not have the rear 255/40/17 in stock, and just might be able to get hand of these in 4-6 weeks. Meanwhile, many dealers in Europe seem to have the 255/40/17 in stock, but can't get hand of the 225/45/17 at all...

Of course I can wait and see if Tire Rack is able to deliver the rear tires in a while, and purchase both the rears and fronts from them. Or I can buy the fronts from Tire Rack and the rears from a dealer at home. But since the MXX3-tire is hard to get today, I guess it'll not be easier in the future. Maybe production of this tire has seized? So now I wonder if I should go for a different tire, since I most likely have to do so sooner or later. But as mentioned above, I can't find any other N-rated tires in 225/45/17. Since the front wheels are 8" wide, 205/50/17 will not fit very well. I also want 225/45's to fight under-steer.

For instance, the Michelin PS2 seems like a very good tire - but not N-rated in 225/45/17... My demands for the tires are that they offer good handling for aggressive street driving and occasionally track days. Should I go for the N-rated MXX3, or will I most likely be satisfied with the PS2 (or any other high-performance tires from Bridgestone, Continental, Yokohama etc.)?

[Bill Verburg]

JMO, I wouldn't worry overly much about N* spec. First there is no N* for 17" on a 911. Second the N* is as much about marketing, ride and NVH as any thing else

928 & 944 N3 spec is those sizes included B.S. S02 & Michelin PS2

959 N0 spec in 235/40 & 255/40 x17 was B.S. RS71

964 N2,3,4 spec in 205/50 & 255/40 was Pirelli P0 Rosso, ContiSportContact 2,BS S02 & S02A & Mich PS2

Just buy a good quality max or extreme performance tire, there are plenty of them out there

just a ps, I've been using Dunlop9000 & Pirelli Pzero, no N* spec for the past 10yrs, no track on them but they are great street tires.