So the other day one of my rear potenzas on my 996 blew 285/30/18
The fronts are still good 225/40/18

So after calling around I found a great deal on 2 Michelin Pilots - got them installed and found out afterwards (i know) - that they are actually 285/35/18.

This means that the sidewall height on rear tire is now 15mm bigger than the previous tire. Will this affect handling? I'm not too impressed with the look of the thicker tire,, are there any advantages to having a 35 in the back?

Here are pics of the blown potenza

 

it's only 5mm not 15 and if you are mixing Michelins and Bridgestones you may have other handling issues...at least they are the same on front axle and rear axle...you should check your rear toe alignment or reduce negative camber because the inside edge is completely chorded while the rest of the tire looks pretty good

 

i agree check your toe and camber, other then that is this a C2 or C4? cause the differential in a C4 will not like the tire aspect change....

 

Sorry forgot to mention, it's a 2002 C2.
Thanks for the advice on the toe and camber checking - I'll get them inspected.

I great learning experience for me, from now on I'm going to keep a set of tires on hand, none of the shops here carry reasonably priced 285's on a days notice. [Vancouver]

 

Is your car lowered? seems like its riding on the inside of the tire.

 

Not Lowered, just a stock setup

 

The difference in size is far more important than the difference in manufacturers. I am running 285 35 18 (265-35-18 is stock size) in the rear and 225 40 18 in the front. '01 996 C2. Worked very well at the track, very predictable. If you are running different manufacturers in front and rear, you will need to get used to the change in the tires. Your car can not tell what manufacturers tires you have on the front or the rear. Here is a great link to a tire sizing algorithm. http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit It shows the difference id tire size and the effect on the speedometer etc.
James Greer

 

How is the ride and handling? Did you notice any difference with the mismatched front and rear brands?

I have a C4s, and had to replace the rears after someone left a ladder in the middle of the interstate... I put PS2 N3's on the rear and am running PS2 N2's on the front (about 80% tread remaining). Just from this small change I could feel a difference in handling, and a noticable increase in road noise...

 

The 285/35 is over an inch too tall. Way wrong size for the car. Take it back and make them give you the right size.

I would not call that Potenza a blow out as much as a wear out. Your alignment must be off with that kind of wear.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll contact the tire shop about getting 285/30's.

I don't notice too much of a difference in the handling, it seems like it's grabbing a lot in the rear, more than the potenzas did before.

Any advice on what I should do with the allignment/camber? is this something to go to the dealer for or should a good shop be able to take a look?