the'N' rating...
 

what is the difference with N rated tires? i see michelin PS2's with all the same #'s but no N, and of course a price difference as well, i'm guessing inner construction but what do i know, can someone break it down?, thanks

I'm curious why you are looking at "N" rated tires because that speed rating is only 87mph/140km/h. Our cars can exceed that without too much effort on a daily basis...according to Tirerack's link below, an N rating is only one level above a temporary spare.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...&affiliate=BF7

interesting, i am under the impression that here in germany if you do not use Nrated tires, the insurance co's can refuse you coverage in case of a claim, i could be wrong, i will find out cause there are many tires available that aen't N rated and they are cheaper as well... maybe N rating means Nsurance companies own 'em...

I think the N rating the OP is referring to is not a speed rating but rather the Porsche approval stamp. Tires approved for Porsches have N0, N1, N2. BMW and Mercedes also have approval codes for tires ( stars, etc.). The N versions are more expensive than standard versions but reportedly comply with certain behaviors or characteristics ( unknown to me) that Porsche specifies.....

Mine are/have the N1 designation. Porsche Approved Tires that Michelin makes. I probably will never track my 997, and I will probably never go over 150mph, or take a corner where I will need that tire. My next set will be the Regular PSS's.

I put PSSs on my 08 997S this time last year. No N rating at that point in time. Those tires felt as if they had NO grip compared to my PS2s. I'm back with PS2s again on my 09 and thankfully now have grip again. The PSSs were absolutely dangerous on worn roads. Realize too though that Texas roads are less grippy than where you are, but I know from experience the two do not perform the same, or even very close.

I thought about the insurance issue and decided to buy the N-spec Bridgestone tires last year. I have 14k miles so far and quite happy withe the Bridgestone.

John

N means $$$$. not a better tire....

that's not the general consensus
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=MP

People believe what they want and I too wanted to justify my nearly $2000 purchase. But back to back on the same roads I know quite well there is a measurable difference. The PSS would never hook up the same under acceleration and the front end lacked significant grip on turn in. I had to baby them comparatively. And I'm not one to deviate from recommended tire pressures and that's something I maintain religiously as I have my own air compressor. Every time I visit the Porsche dealer I end up having to drop the pressures back to normal. For some reason they like +5 psi all around. I seem to forget to tell them to leave my pressures alone. On a positive note for the PSS is they last forever. I had 16,000 miles on mine and they looked new. Again also, on new/grippy asphalt they were fine. Not as good as PS2s, but fine.

don't get to hang up on recommended tire pressure. Porsche can't possibly know how much you weigh, how many passenger you carry, how aggressive you drive, if you use them mostly for highway, or weekend trips at Nurburgring. and all these on OEM tires.

People have a tendency to over-inflate. I don't. Recommended pressures are fine for every day. I would probably go down a PSI or two for better grip if not concerned about bent wheels. Where I live are a lot of sunken manhole covers with drops of several inches. Speaking of Nurburgring, I moved from Germany in 2009. I found OEM pressures fine there too. At least when I visited the dealer in Germany, they would set the pressures to recommended, as opposed to over-inflation as here. I use the setting for a less loaded vehicle.

PSS's are reportedly going to get N spec soon; no change in compound, only change in $$ *such is the price for "Porsche Exclusive"