Need to replace back two tires for Porsche 911 Carrera. Any recommendations?
While it's true that all four tires should match - have similar characteristics - be aware that sometimes different tread designs from the same manufacturer are ok, if both fronts treads are the same and both back treads are the same. Porsche specifically develops tires for each of their 911 models in conjunction with tire manufacturers. Brands that are certified are indicated by N0, N1, N2, etc. molded on the tires (N0 was original equipment; N1 is the first tire certified for replacement use; etc). Example: you can buy Michelin Pilot Sports either with or without the N designator. The certified Porsche N tires cost more though they may look identical to the non-certified ones. That said, I've recently been running tires on my 911 Turbo that I can recommend for both street and track. I've been using them both places and I'm amazed at the all-around performance. They're not Hoosiers, but the track grip is impressive and they wear wonderfully on the street. I've had them at 110 mph on a wet track and they felt good (rain tires!). And they're not as loud as the Bridgestone Potenzas that came on the car; I put those on its dress wheels, and now I'm wondering if I'll ever use those tires and wheels again. These are Kumho Ecsta SPTs. They have heat and wear ratings like a street tire, yet perform well on the track. Some people have suggested to me that there are even better Kumho models I should try. An upscale tire store sales weeney suggested I should be ashamed of putting cheap tires on such an expensive car. (They run about a quarter to a third the cost of Pirelli PZeros, Michelin Pilot Sports, etc).
It's not a good idea to mismatch tires - ie, the tires in the back should be the same kind as in the front. So in this case, the best tires would be determined by what you have on the front of the car. Beyond that, which tire is best will largely depend on what you want in a tire. It would be easy to say, for example, that a Hoosier A6 is the best tire. there is no other road legal tire that can offer the same grip. Of course, the fact that driving it on the street would likely see it wear out in a couple hundred miles, that it would be very rough to ride on and loud, and would be like driving on ice if you came across even small amounts of water are all fairly major drawbacks (as is it's cost). In order for any tire to do something well, it has to do something else less well. Do you want comfort? Performance? All weather use? Longevity? Low Cost? And which of those are you most willing to sacrafice? Bridgestone R11 or RE050A Pole Position, Michelin PS2; Khumo Ecsta MX, and simialr tires will likely be the ones you would be choosing between for a Porsche (if replacing all four).
