For the Boxster - which I've never driven, of course - I'll agree.GG. wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2019 6:06 pmNo - not unless you have a Porsche extended warranty and don't want to risk jeopardizing it. Otherwise there is no point buying tyres based on an decade old design on the basis that Porsche may (or may not) have specified some slight tweaks to the design to make it suit their purposes. The modern tyre is still going to outperform it.Explosive Newt wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2019 3:23 pm Thanks - I think I will go with the PS4S... is it necessary to slavishly adhere to the N rating stuff?
For a mid-engined Boxster there is particularly no reason as you couldn't even argue that Porsche might have stipulated changes to try and cater for some peculiarity that the manufacturer wouldn't adapt for, i.e. the odd weight distribution of a 911, for example.
On my 996 (and I'm assuming by extension other 911s) I'm convinced some consideration needs to be given to the unusual weight distribution. Mine came with some ancient P-Zero on the front and mismatched Contis on the back so almost immediately I fitted a full set of Falken FK452 based on previous good experience with Falkens on a BMW and general good reviews of them. They gripped OK but the back of the car always felt "floaty" like the tyres were too soft and squirming around. Upping the pressures helped but made them wear quickly in the centres. After those I got a full set of N-rated Contis and the floatiness was completely gone. Later and in parallel to the Contis I got an extra set of rims for track use and fitted Federal 595RSR because I could get substantially different load ratings front/rear. 88 front and 97 rear. That seems to work (IMO, for me, not a driving god, etc.)