Planet 9

belong · #21 11-24-2007, 08:27 AM

I have the stock 18" Cayman S wheels and they came with Potenza's

**PistolPete** · #22 11-24-2007, 01:30 PM

Just my luck the same Potenzas came on my Infiniti G35, so I can't even compare them to something else! I have noticed that they are very noisy and my Infiniti dealer confirms that they have hear a lot of complaints about that.

I used the Potenzas for two days at Watkins Glen and they held up fine.

I haven't really pushed them on the Cayman yet since temps have been hovering around 40 deg. F. in my neck of the woods since I took delivery.

**AsterixTG** · #23 11-25-2007, 10:47 AM

My CS has just been delivered with Michelin PS2s. 19'' CarreraSport Wheels.

My Honda S2K had Bridgestone RE050s and they were great tyres.

**HMB-Croc** · #24 11-25-2007, 11:57 AM

One concern I have with the Bridgestone's is that they have a significantly worse (ie, lower) tread wear rating...140 vs 220 for the PS2's and 280 for the Continentals. I don't intend to track, but I'd like to get a lot of mileage out of a set and not have to pony up $1200+ every year in tires, especially when my CS is not a daily driver...

**Krokodil** · #25 11-25-2007, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by JML42

How are the RE-050A's because I can not get the PS2's...

IMO, the Bridgestones are a much better performance tire.

I have a set of both the PS2s and the RE050s on two sets of wheels and switch back and forth regularly. I run the RE050s on the track and the PS2s on the street.

The PS2s are quieter, provide a smoother ride, and are rumored to provide better wet traction (no much rain here in SoCal).

The RE050s are louder and provide a rougher rider, but provide much better turn-in, are more predictable, more consistent and outlast the PS2s on the track by a large margin.

Also, the PS2 will absolutely delaminate on the outer edge if run hard on the track or AX (maybe I am over driving the tires, but still).

So, for a daily driver street car where ride is important, get the PS2s, but for better handling/performance go with the RE050. I will not buy the PS2s again.

Cheers,

Westby · #26 11-25-2007, 12:40 PM

Well I hope I don't end up with Potenzas when I pick mine up ( woohoo 1 week ) I had a 350z with a set of reo50 and I don't know if reo50a is different but I really really didn't like those tires. They broke free and regained traction with a snap, were piss poor in the wet and well I just plain didn't like them. Pity is I see that a lot of manufactures don't have factory sizes for porsche (BFG for instance darn it) I believe out of the choices I would prefer the ps2s but we'll see.

Take it easy.

Fredyy · #27 11-25-2007, 12:50 PM

My Cayman, with 18 inch wheels, came with Continentals in August. I only have 1800 miles on them, and they seem fine and quiet.

j.edwards · #28 11-26-2007, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Krokodil

IMO, the Bridgestones are a much better performance tire.

I have a set of both the PS2s and the RE050s on two sets of wheels and switch back and forth regularly. I run the RE050s on the track and the PS2s on the street.

The PS2s are quieter, provide a smoother ride, and are rumored to provide better wet traction (no much rain here in SoCal).

The RE050s are louder and provide a rougher rider, but provide much better turn-in, are more predictable, more consistent and outlast the PS2s on the track by a large margin.

Also, the PS2 will absolutely delaminate on the outer edge if run hard on the track or AX (maybe I am over driving the tires, but still).

So, for a daily driver street car where ride is important, get the PS2s, but for better handling/performance go with the RE050. I will not buy the PS2s again.

Cheers,

Totally concur!

My CS came with 19" Continentals. I used them until they corded (10 track days 7800 miles). RE050's are a major improvement on the track. I have had PS2's before but not on the CS. They were excellent road tires.

There are a number of Caymans on the track here in So Cal. Those that have used PS2's have "chunked" the treads. I'm very happy with my Potenzas.

Jim Michaels · #29 11-26-2007, 08:11 PM

I didn't realize that the Potenzas were so good on track compared to the PS2s, so I went to TR to check their specs. The downside is that the Potenzas weigh 14# per set more than the PS2s (18" sizes). But the Potenzas are $200 less, and they are actually in stock. Both have 10/32" tread depth and are steel belted, so I don't know why the Potenzas would be so much heavier (3# each front, and 4# each rear), except Michelins are often lighter than comparable makes of the same size.

**Krokodil** · #30 11-26-2007, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Michaels

I didn't realize that the Potenzas were so good on track compared to the PS2s, so I went to TR to check their specs. The downside is that the Potenzas weigh 14# per set more than the PS2s (18" sizes). But the Potenzas are $200 less, and they are actually in stock. Both have 10/32" tread depth and are steel belted, so I don't know why the Potenzas would be so much heavier (3# each front, and 4# each rear), except Michelins are often lighter than comparable makes of the same size.

It could be a thicker/stiffer sidewall that provides both the better turn-in/stabilty and the added weight.

Jim Michaels · #31 11-26-2007, 08:36 PM

Krok: If the Potenza sidewalls are thicker/stiffer, it may also account for your experience of less wear at the outer edge. Although I usually run Michelin Cups at autocross and on track, I've run the PS2s at about 6 autocrosses, and two days on track without excessive outer edge wear. I didn't drive the PS2s as hard on track as I do the Cups, however.

DJRob · #32 01-12-2008, 09:03 AM

While my '06 CS with 19" PS2s was at the dealer, the loaner car ('07 CS 19" RE050s) seemed to ride smoother (i.e. less jarring). This observation is contrary to the many posts here. Both cars have the Sport Design wheels and standard suspension (practically identical cars, only mechanical difference is the tires). In addition it seems to rid a tad higher since I have not scraped the chin pulling out of the same driveways that have caused me trouble before.

Any thoughts? Is it my imagination? Perhaps it has to do with the mileage- the loaner has ~100 miles on it (new) and mine is closer to 20K. Suspension compression with miles, thus making the ride slightly lower and the springs less compliant?

Jim Michaels · #33 01-12-2008, 09:39 AM

The suspension does settle a bit, but if the Potenzas have thicker sidewalls, that could also contribute to less compression and scraping at driveway transitions. Approaching a scary looking driveway transition, I sometimes press the PASM sport mode to firm up the suspension a bit; that seems to help some.

gmsracing · #34 01-12-2008, 02:53 PM

My car was built on 11/16/07 with the 18" standard wheel option. It was shipped with the PS2's.

I bought another set of 19's and ordered the RE050's since the PS2's aren't available. I drove home from the dealer in Portland and put on the 19's as the daily wheels. 18's are going to be for the track. PS2's were great on the way home through rain and under 30 deg temps. RE050's have been great too and the ride is not noticably worse than the 18's. Even driven through some snow with them!

Punta339 · #35 01-12-2008, 07:40 PM

My 2008 has 18 inch SportContract 2's

**rcr** · #36 01-12-2008, 08:56 PM

I purchased my 08 Cayman on December 28th. It came with 18" Michelin PS2s.

**jim@tirerack** · #37 01-16-2008, 11:09 AM

Those are the three suppliers. I have driven on all of them and they are all excellent handling tires. I don't think you would be dissastified with any of them. I do think the PS2 has a little more grip at the limits than the other two tires.
As far as what is different from the N0 and the N1 or N2 we don't know. It is a secret between Porsche and the tire mfg's. It could be anything from longer wear to better ride quality to better wet traction.
If I can help let me know.

FastCroc · #38 02-01-2008, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by HMB-Croc

I don't understand the diff, if there is one, between N0 and N1 rated...

FYI from the sponsor's site:

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.

philipwitak · #39 02-01-2008, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by HMB-Croc

Note that Tire Rack sells the Bridgestone Potenzas for significantly less than the Michelin PS2's.

Bridgestone's: $237 front/$265 rear (both N0 rated)
Michelin PS2's: $315 front/$352 rear (both N1 rated)

I don't understand the diff, if there is one, between N0 and N1 rated, but both listed above are considered OEM.

BTW, the Continentals (ContiSportContact 2) are a little cheaper than the Bridgestones.

my 07 cayman came with 18" s wheels and michelin ps2s but my vintage boxster [with the optional 17" wheels of the day - 16" wheels were standard during the first year] arrived with bridgestone so2s - both n-rated tires - and i found the potenzas not only a little less expensive but also a little more durable. the michelins seem to be somewhat softer. and stickier.

jpccarguy · #40 02-01-2008, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by rrosen

According to my salesman, Porsche has 3 suppliers, Continental, Michelin, Bridgestone. What tires you get is the luck of the draw. It was not possible to request a specific tire brand.

Precisely what I have heard from two sales consultants at different dealers. What's interesting, though, is that I've also seen three PDE 1's in three different dealerships, and all three came with PS2's on the Turbo wheels. Coincidence?? I think not.

John Cuellar