Porsche wheels and tyres
Porsche Tyres
Manufacturers Continental, Bridgestone provide tyres marked with a N rated number to meet Porsche tyres factory specification (e.g. N1, N2, N3). To fit tyres without the N rated number may compromise the vehicles insurance – best to check with the insurance company (older vehicles may not be affected and same size will make do and work out more cost-effective). 911s benefit from the same make tyres fitted front and rear all at once, and depending on the model, the handling may be compromised if a mixture of brands and/or tread pattern are fitted front and back. As do Boxsters and later 911s – 996/997 models.
The 911 Carrera and SC models handling are very much affected by correct tyre fitment – a new set of premium brand Porsche tyres all round will have a great effect on the cars handling to the positive.
For track use the sticky toyo R888 is much talked about – this is a great tyre but compromised in the wet for road use due to its tread pattern which is not designed specifically to disperse standing water, and not as hard wearing as a road tyre. Whatever tyre your car is running the one unknown factor most over looked on the road is; has the road surface been contaminated with oil/diesel etc. Drivers who push their car hard on the road should stop and think carefully about this point – the last thing one wants in a 1980’s 911 turbo is to plant ones foot after the apex of a bend and deliver a sudden 300 horses to a surface that is contaminated with diesel!
Braunton Engineering welcome customers of sports cars who would like to supply their own Porsche tyres. Owners can buy their preferred tyre choice online and have the tyres shipped to Braunton for fitment. Braunton charge £15+vat per tyre - this involves, cleaning the rim, fit new valve, balance and dispose of the old tyre. Please check you order the correct tyre sizes and if you have a Porsche, that you have bought N rated tyre as recommended by Porsche (fitment of non N rated tyres may invalidate warranty or car insurance on later model Porsches - please check if this is of concern). Please inform Braunton Engineering that you propose to supply your own tyres at the time of booking.
Buying tyres online? Here are some useful links:
Vintage tyre Co online for rare / original tyre supply for classic and vintage cars
Longstone Tyres online tyres for vintage, classic, rare sports car tyres
