According to Tire Rack, the only two tires that have this rating are the Bridgestone Potenzas and the Michelin PS2's.

 

Not very important at all.

 

I was warned by the local dealership that I needed to use N rated tires on my car. I was told that if any problem (e.g. a suspension issue) arose that could be tire related and I didn't have N rated tires, then I could be denied warranty coverage.

There are plenty of people on this forum who don't use N rated tires and they're not having any mechanical issues so it's most likely not too big a deal to go with other tire brands.

As for denial of warranty coverage, I haven't heard on this forum any people mentioning instances of that, so it could have been my dealership being overly **** about it. But if you have a warranty you may want to check into that with your particular maintenance shop.

 

don't think many 996tt have Porsche warranty anymore so it doesn't matter, hey if you ever need to just throw back on stock wheels, this is the advantage to owning two sets of rims/tires.

 

I wouldn't worry to much about potential warranty issues, my recollection is that a dealership cannot deny a valid warranty claim based on aftermarket equipment unless they can actually show a causal connection between the equipment and the failure at issue (I believe the Federal Magnuson-Moss Act dictates this)

As for the value of n-rated tires, I can definately chime in. I have had 4 porsches, some with n-rated tires, others with non-n-rated. I can tell you that I rarely detect much of a difference in grip (depending on the tire), but there is always, and I mean always, a difference in sidewall stiffness. N-rated tires just feel way better in the corners in my experience. I'm running sumitomos right now, and recently switched wheels with a buddy just for fun. His tires were 50% worn msp2's, in the same sizes as my sumi's, and his car felt WAY more planted, which much less percieved "squishiness" when I move the wheel back and forth rapidly. I'm cheap so I buy non-rated usually, but the n-rated are definately nicer in my opinion.

 

Not only that, but a dealer cannot deny warranty coverage for a window regulator or motor issue, because of tires not being N rated. They'd have to prove that the tires caused the problem, they just can't deny any warranty coverage and they won't even try unless you have a very crappy dealership. If they did, just call a lawyer and they'll be singing a new tune in a heartbeat.


N rating doesn't mean a whole lot. Especially since that tire technology is getting old anyways.

 

I just want to add my two cents about the impact of the Magnuson-Moss Act, as I think it can lull people into a false sense of comfort. YES, you are correct, and things will go your way after the legal process is completed. (Probably.) However, if a shop wants to give you a problem, they can. If someone tells you that they won't do something, sometimes even the threat of a lawsuit won't get them to budge. Most people are reasonable but, as always, be prepared for the worst. If you're a first time Porsche buyer in a state with one dealer, if that guy wants to jerk you around, it can get really expensive to get the proper outcome, even if you're right. End of rant.