Tire Reviews: Summer
From Boxster Tech
Which tire is best? Ask that question in a room full of 10 Boxster owners and you'll get 10 answers. Below are user reviews of tires:
Contents |
Bridgestone
Continental
Kumho
I'm quicky wearing out a set of Kumho Ecsta MX's I bought from Tire Rack 18 months ago. The grip was good, but they're cupping now and must be replaced after just 11,000 miles.
These Kumhos lack traction in cool weather (55 degrees Farenheit or colder). I slip and slide all over the place when it's cool here in sunny Houston. If it's raining and cool, the car is downright dangerous, even with traction control. When they say "summer tire" they really mean it! <p> I am not planning to buy another set. I'll try Sumitomos as they're inexpensive and grippy from what I hear... and at the rate in which I wear them out with normal, non aggresive driving, I need inexpensive rubber!
Michelin
Sport Pilot 2 for 18" wheels
Pilot Sport Ribs for 17" wheels Been using Michelins for 35 years on multiple cars (currently on 5 cars). No bad experiences. Current set of Ribs, when compared to Pirelli and Yokohama ES100s, are clearly superior even after around 15k miles (which is a lot of miles for rears on a Boxster). Alignment matters a great deal as does tire pressure and driving style. Ribs are very very good in handling and road feel in both dry and wet. As with any summer ultra-high-performance (SUHP) tire from any maker and of any model, they should never be driven when the road surface is below 45 degrees F. Ribs are a very quiet tire when new, as used they become only quiet (same as with most tires).
Pirelli
Pirelli P Zero Rosso "N" rated tyres on standard 17" Porsche wheels will -in my experience- give you around 6000 miles on the rears and a little less on the fronts before you feel they will get away from you. My tyres have plenty of tread left, probably another 5-6000 miles but the tyres feel a little skittish now. When newer they gave good grip in the wet and dry and I felt I could trust them when pushing on. Just bought a set of Yokohamas so we'll see how they compare.
Sumitomo
Toyo
Proxes T1R
Yokohama
Goodyear
Ultra-high-performance Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 delivered superb wet and dry grip.
Are not Porsche N-Rated but are a more fitting tire, offer outstanding hydroplaning resistance and dry weather performance.