I have a 2 month old 997 with 2500 miles on it. Today my rear tire blew out...not sure how or why, but it's done. So I barely make it to the nearest Tire Kingdom, where they give me some BS that this particular tire is on national backorder. So I call the only 2 Porsche dealerships in Tampa and both don't have the tire, and tell me it will take 3 days to get one in. So, everyone's telling me there is no Continental 265-40-18 Tire within 3 days of me. After weighing my options (either put 2 new rear Pirelli Tires (same size) or wait three days to drive my car, which is my daily driver) So, it's now been 5 1/2 hours in the Tire Kingdom, and I decide to call my Porsche dealership and ***** about how I just spent $70K + on a car and there's no tires for it within 300 miles of me. Anyway, to make a long story short, he's going to overnight one (Continental) to his dealership tomorrow. So I had the 997 towed (broke my heart to see it on the flatbed) to the dealership and will hopefully get it back tom. evening. Just giving a head's up to everyone, that the same situation could happen anywhere and it *ucks!

P.S I feel better now that I vented.

 

I can understand your frustration, but sometimes tyres blow, it happens. Did you drive to the dealership with a blown tire?

 

No, I drove less than a mile to Tire Kingdom and then had a flat bed tow truck take it to the dealer.

 

Poor baby.

 

Hang in there. Everything will be O.K.

 

Here's your answer: www.tirerack.com

In stock on their website right now. $276. And a board sponsor too.

What a dumbass idea for Porsche to delete spares in their newest models. Really stupid.

 

no loaner car from the dealer ?

 

Eric's right Red Blur, I ALWAYS have that tire in stock and could have overnighted it to you.

Remember me next time.

 

Yep, the no spare idea is just a blast, isn't it? It'd still be a major PIA even if they did have one in stock. We went through that horseschit in our old E46 M3 (it was my wife's car who was pregnant at the time) when they actually did have the tire in stock (of course WHATEVER they want to charge for it you will be paying - ie: no TireRack options here). The old 911 spare cost a whole 25 lbs in extra weight (tools included). Was this really the most productive way to save the 25? For a car Porsche tries to deny warranty claims on if you attend PCA sponsored parking lot autocross events, what's the point of sacrificing safety and convenience for 25 lbs on a street car?

 

Can you use a spare from a 996 for the 997?

 

What happens if you are going 120 and this happens? Frightening. I take my car to 100 almost every day. Risky?

 

Continentals are the ****tiest tires EVAR. I would remove the other three and get some PS2's.

 

Here's the kicker to the story...they charged me to overnight it, etc. etc. and the bill came to $430 for one freaking tire. Thanks for the help so next time this won't happen again.

 

That's pretty wild. You should have just went thru Tirerack to start with.

 

It wouldn't have been a whole lot less given the overnight charges. It's just ridiculous to have to have the car towed, be without it for who knows how long (if it happened on a Friday afternoon the tire wouldn't even ship until Monday), and then pay full retail plus expedited overnight fees (or be without it longer) for a fricken flat tire! If he'd have had a spare, he'd have been on his way in less than a 1/2 hour and could have taken care of the replacement tire at his convenience and at considerably less expense (time and money). Great idea to ditch the spare Porsche! Your customers are really enjoying that decision.