Tires

[Wwabbit]

^^^ +1 ...and, they still offer the N0 at the same price as the N1. Which is preferred and why?

According to Tire Rack, "The N-0 marking is assigned to the first (Porsche) 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."

The Germans are a curious breed, they love specificity and their lawyers enjoy it even more. The N designation is purely a Porsche deal and nearly meaningless to any of usunless you own a Porsche and want to make a warranty claim for a drive train issue, before you take the car in you would want to have the tire recommended in the car's manual. It simply allows Porsche to assign a specific tire to a car for liability and warranty matters. Logic would presume that progression in the series means better and better tires, but not necessarily, the changes can be slight, anything from small compound or ply changes or maybe just the size of the font on the sidewall - something or nothing.

 

[Indy GT]

Thanks very much Andy for doing the research for all of us.
Uh, and also thanks Frank!!
I'll go to tirerack

jtjim-

Thanks very much for the lengthy write up on your warranty experience with Tire Rack. Perhaps I was a bit hasty at saying I would go there for my next set of FGT tires.

As others have posted, I too have used Discount Tire for my daily driver auto tires. They are a short distance drive away, appear to have a fairly large national footprint and have always given me very good service both on buying new tires and claims when they arose. I do purchase the individual tire insurance which is basically an all perils except wearout. I experienced a sidewall puncture on one expensive tire and it was replaced without any question or hassle.

Perhaps I will quote out Tire Racks price and let Discount Tire see how close they can get knowing I get service after the sale, mounting/balancing included and free future rotations if I choose to execute.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with our Forum members!

 

[Specracer]

Again the Porsche spec according to Bridgestone, is a stiffer inner sidewall, which makes sense with negative camber and the extra weight in the rear because of the engine. Tread and compound are the same across the entire RE050A family supposedly.

I ordered the tires from a local shop (large local chain), as this time I didn't want the extra handling. Turns out they are getting them from Tire Rack, and they guaranteed a recent date code. Im paying a few bucks extra because the local shop could not eat the sales tax.

 

[stumeat]

I just purchased a set from tire rack. Date code was recent...only six months old. Very happy with tires and transaction. Bridgestones are the way to go. Make sure to find a good shop to mount them. Higher end shops have the equipment that never touches the rim....that is what you want. To refinish a wheel is 300 bucks!

 

[gtjim]

My pleasure, Indy. I will be interested in how you do getting Discount to match the price. If you're successful, I may try using them with the next set I purchase.

 

[SteveA]

The local Discount Tire Store has a policy to match any Tire Rack pricing. They usually just swap me the sales tax that I don't pay from Tire Rack for the shipping I do pay from Tire Rack. Then they keep them balance and rotated for the life of the tire.

 

[Ed Sims]

Another tire thread? Lot's of detailed, exhaustive threads on tires for the GT on this forum. Just do a search. If you don't believe me ask Dr Frank!

Ed

PS Get the Hoosiers & you will be happy.

 

[Indy GT]

Love to Ed, but it rains here in the Midwest...

 

[Xcentric]

I envy the western states people who have a Les Schwab store in their area. IMO they set the standard for quality service.

 

[FikseGTS]

I have the Scuderia tires, they hook great, street and track.... ran a 10.6 with them at the drag strip...

 

[SSRob]

I finally had mine installed today. Love em so far!

 

[nota4re]

Sorry to hear of your poor experiences from Tire Rack. I've been buying about 150 tires a year fronm them for the past couple of years - perhaps half or more for the GT. I've always had very fresh tires and never had a single problem.

 

[33Bravo]

I assume the minor difference in the smaller overall diameter of the Bridgestones rears (.5") is not aesthetically noticeable?

 

[fjpikul]

Naw, just pump extra air into them and they look the same size.

 

[FENZO]

I assume the minor difference in the smaller overall diameter of the Bridgestones rears (.5") is not aesthetically noticeable?

I'm pro Bstone, but the shorter sidewall is noticeable.

 

[peiserg]

guys which of all those bridgestone fronts are best for the high speed events? I had issue at GT speed event because my bstone fronts turned out to only be 186mph tires vs the higher mph, despite being the size and model specified here on the forum. i'm going to mojave magnum and don't want any hassles there

 

[BlackICE]

guys which of all those bridgestone fronts are best for the high speed events? I had issue at GT speed event because my bstone fronts turned out to only be 186mph tires vs the higher mph, despite being the size and model specified here on the forum. i'm going to mojave magnum and don't want any hassles there

You need the (Y) speed rating on the sidewall, not Y without the ().

 

[Indy GT]

(101y)

peiserg-

You must have been mistaken as to the "Forum recommended" Bridgestone front tire for our FGT's. You have to be careful. There are 5 different 265/40ZR18 Bridestone offerings to select from. Two carry a 101Y speed rating (up to 186 mph), one with a 97Y rating (up to 186 mph) and two carrying a (101Y) rating.

As ICE correctly points out you want the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A "N1" version which carries the (101Y) with parenthesis indicating the tire has a speed capability greater than 186 mph. The devil is in the details.....