Guys, I have to let you know I know nothing about tires other than they are black and round and are a really important part of the car.

I have a 07 CS with 18's. I am thinking of Bridgestone RE-01R or RE050A (Pole Position). These both have been recommended by a) dealer and b) a friend.

Any thots from you guys who know what you are doing about tires to help out an old guy?

Thanks in advance

Ole Joe

I have the RE050A N-spec tires and am very happy with them. I'm not sure what the exact differences between the N-spec (Porsche-recommended) and the RE050A Pole Positions are, but it looks like the Pole Positions don't come in the standard 18" OEM sizes, nor does the RE01R (going by the spec charts on Tire Rack - no 265/40-18). I would recommend checking out the recommended choices for the Cayman on Tire Rack, if you haven't already.

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2006 CS Tip (Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
2005 Ford Expedition (to haul the CS)
2006 Lexus RX400h (wifey's)
Gone, but not forgotten: 2002 WRX, 2004 MINI

You didn't mention if you had read the several related threads or not but I encourage you to do so for the valuable information that they contain from experienced Porsche owners. Also there is a FAQ that you may not have read The Cayman Club - FAQ: Questions & Answers that will point you toward some more information.

Thanks Santa Fe:

I did check. and KS-CS is also right. The tires That are being recommended really dont' come in the proper specs. Pending other comments, I'll probably go with the N specs that he recommends.

Thanks

Ole Joe

I personally think the "N spec" is overrated, it supposed to be Porsche Approved. I think its just a marketing thing, to make Porsche owners pay extra money for the "N spec" letters on the side of the tires.

I had Bridgestone RE050A on my bimmer, its not bad tires. But I find the Michelin PS2 grip a lot better for aggressive street driving, the Goodyear F1 GSD2 tires, they are great, feels more stable in heavy rain then the PS2 and superb dry grip. I would recommend looking at the Goodyear F1 GSD3 tires, they are cheaper then the PS2 and grip level is about the same if not better.

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07 Cayman S - 6 Speed l 03 M3 - SMG l 07 Ridgeline

The Goodyear F1 GS-D3 does not come in the correct rear size (265/40/18), but the Goodyear F1 Asymmetric does, and it beat the PS2 (and others) in TR's comparison test.

N-spec tires sometimes cost less; sometimes more. TR lists three different 235/40/18 PS2 versions; the non-N spec version is $270, the N2 version is $267, and the N3 version is $265. Prices flip in the PS2 265/40/18 size, however; $326 for the N3 version and $315 for the BMW spec version.

I've run more non-spec tires on my Porsches than N spec tires, but I'm convinced that there are Porsche-mandated differences between the N-spec versions and the non-N spec versions. Michelin got it's N-spec PS2 version for the CS up to specs early, but BS and Conti were slow.

And why do you really think that? What stake does Porsche have in this other than working closely with tire manufacturers to produce tires that work better with their cars than off-the-shelf models? Porsche makes no money frm the tires they spec for the cars... As Jim mentions, it's not just a marketing thing - several models of n-spec tires have used different compounds and even very different tred patterns than their non-N-spec counterparts of the same model from the same manufacturer.

From what I've read, the Good Year F1 Asymmetric tire was rated higher because of a slightly higher wet-surface grip. In most of not all the other categories the PS2s were still rated as good or better.

brad

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21-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

Beez: The PS2 beat the GY F1 A in overall road rating 7.04 to 6.94, but the outcome was reversed in both overall dry and wet track ratings, with the greater difference being on the overall wet track ratings.

I'm thinking GY F1 A as a replacement for the PS2, even though they're not N-spec tires. At least TR has the right sizes for both ends in stock.

But if the OP's description of his tire expertise is correct (zero) and Porsche knowledge (first time owner?) then the original tires are a good bet for replacement unless experimentation is something fun for him.

I'm running Bridgestone Pole Position's and I'm very happy with them. I don't use them on the track. I would purchase Michelin PS2s N spec if money isn't a concern.