I currently have Michelin PSS. 2 almost new front tires. The rear PSS were 3 years old, with some tread left before the inner side started showing cords. I had fairly low rear end grip on a tight autocross track.

The PSS is 300 treadwear rating. I would think that a 200 treadwear RE-11 would be stickier. I've had the RE-11 on a 400rwhp Z4M, and it hooked well.

For 500-600rwhp, it sounds like most of you prefer the R888, but I don't want a really loud tire that's also bad in the rain. I also don't see R888 in stock sizes.

Am I downgrading by going from PSS to RE-11? Should I cancel my RE-11 order and look for R888? I want something that can hook up to 600rwhp. Or hell, the RE71-R

 

I would get Pilot Sport 4S (successor to the Super Sport) for that power level.

The new R888R is probably overkill. I had way better luck with the Michelins vs the RE-series tires myself.

 

When it comes to tires, there is always a compromise. Tread life, wet/dry hot/cold traction, price and noise. You first need to determine what is most important and try to pick the tire that allows you to achieve the most important aspects of your goal.

I've had the mss tires on my 700rwhp bmw and I thought I was going to die at 35psi. But the tread life was good, the wet traction was excellent and the sound was quiet. Not to mention the price was good. But I needed more dry traction. So I went to the msc2. Wet traction decreased, price increased and tread life significantly decreased. But the dry traction significantly increased with a minimal increase in noise. When I purchased the TTS it still had the original tires on it. (Only 18K miles) Originally I ordered the new mps4s but later decided that I would be modding this car. Although they are an upgrade to the mss, they are not sufficient for a modded 997.2 TT imho.

From the choices you listed, I would go with the r888's. If you want less noise and a little more tread life with a little less dry traction and more wet traction, try the msc2. I'm very happy with the 245/325 set up...

 

Agreed. 100%.

 

Has anyone here specifically drove the Pilot Sport 4s vs a lower treadwear tire like the RE-11 or R888r?

My priorities are dry grip, wet grip, and then tire noise as last priority. Other things aren't important

 

I have run R888Rs and most recently Michelin PS4s. For track day events my preference is R888R. For street use PS4 is a much better tire. I had no problem driving R888R in the rain, traction was actually not bad but I would not drive with them in heavy rain for risk of hydroplaning. R888R are noisy. I think you get that with any R tire. PS4 grips well, is smooth, quiet and wears a lot longer. R888Rs do come in stock 997.1 TT sizes but they seem to sell out quick with a long wait for new stock.

That's my .02.

 

You're talking about a rear drive 700whp setup vs an all wheel drive Porsche at 600whp. Pilot Sport 4S will dead hook in every gear with AWD. No need for more compromises. If he really wants more grip I agree with the Sport Cup 2 suggestion.

 

From Rennlist:

Multiple failures of R888R tires during DE

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Tire rack recommends I run the RE-71R since I autocross the car sometimes. They say the RE-71R is stickier than Pilot SS and 4S, substantially.

I will try the Sport Cup 2 next, if the RE-71R doesn't live up to the hype, but at 180 treadwear it would put me in the race tire class

 

Thanks for posting this. I was not aware of this. That might explain why R888R rears have been out of stock for months. Mine are going in the trash.

 

What about NT01 or RE71R?

 

I have MPSS on my 997.1tt and RE-71R on my S2000. Obviously the S2k is a lighter car, but even so, the increase in grip is really incredible. The RE-71R are quite a bit noisier and wear much faster when you're autocrossing and such on them (especially with a street alignmnet), but boy do they grip. They're also fine in the wet as long as there's still some tread on them. Drove it through the most intense rainstorm I've ever experienced soon after I bought the car, and they handled it no problem. For a street tire I'd go for the MS4S; if autocross or track performance is the priority though, I have to think the RE-71R is better. Can't speak to other tires.

 

I've run the Michelin PSS, PS4s, PSC2 and RE-11 (have not run the R888). If your use is mostly street with occasional track, I would go with the PS4s as it is simply the best all-around tire for the 997TT IMHO. If your use is pretty even btw street/track and you want to maximize grip the PSC2s is for you.

The RE-11 is a very nice tire, but I found it slower than the PSC2s at the track and not as well-refined on the street as the PS4s. So while it was a nice serviceable tire, it wasn't the best in either category. Given my current use, I run PSC2s (I have a brand new set of PS4s that I might switch to after the track season). Hope this helps.

 

What's your address and what days do the trash people collect your trash?

 

Yea, just kidding lol.