I need to change my front tires right now Im running continentals 235/35/19
I also had the same brand in the rear. To many canyon roads and chew throw them in 45k miles I switched to hankook's they last a lot longer but I don't get the same grip with that I had with the continentals. For the front I would like a similar softer rubber as the continentals.

What do you guys recommend? Would you guys run a softer rubber on the front compared to the back?

 

You should always match front and rear tires. They should be the same brand, same model, same series, etc. Mixing tires will adversely impact handling, and it can be a significant impact.

You should also use Porsche recommended tire sizes in the front and rear to optimize performance. Obviously this won't happen in your case since Porsche doesn't recommend a 19" tire for the 996, but that's a topic for another thread...

Finally, if you're getting 45K miles out of a set of tires on a 996, then you are already getting 3x the normal life expectancy of tires for your car! There's always a trade off with every decision you make. Softer tires will generally provide more grip, but they wear faster. In my opinion, this is a good trade off for a 996.

 

Dennis your right on the same brand and tire sizes for front and back. I had to change the rear to a slimmer tire brand cause the continentals were rubbing over bumps in the back and at the time the front tire showed almost no wear. So I was not going to change them. I could go to hankook for the front they are a little bit cheaper then the cont. I just don't like the way they handle.

 

I just went with the Dunlop Direzza Z2s and if grip is what you are looking for, I would highly recommended then. They performed exceptionally well at the track last weekend. The only knock I would give them is they are a bit loud on the highway.

 

Whats the price for them?

 

Bought them for around $1k for all four checkout tire rack.

 

Lots of people like Sumitomo HTR Z III tires on the 996. They are under $1,000 installed. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is also getting good reviews.

 

As mentioned, same brand type front and rear. 45K on a set...wow.

 

I put a set on my c4s. On every hard turn the PSM turns on. Maybe when the wear a little they will get some grip.

JB

 

I tried a set of the Sumis. I hated them and I'll never buy them again. However, lots of others seem to like them.

 

This is good advise. Porsche cars are so well engineered that they don't behave well when tires are mixed. Slight changes in rubber compounds, interior constructions, and tread designs result in unfavorable response and tires that always feel a bit "off" of what they should be.

Please give me a call if you would like to discuss further or pick a set out. Thanks.