DMD

After only 10K miles it's time to replace my tires (yikes). While there has been a lot of discussion about winter tires, I've not seen much on summer tires. What are the best tires to put on on my CS with 19" rims? I drive fairly aggressively, but I also don't want a tire that is so soft it'll only get 10K miles.

Brent 89-GT

I have 20's for the summer but they are pretty well worn after about 12k miles as well. You don't mention what was on the car, I have the Michelin Diamaris 4x4 which have a treadwear rating of about 140 I think. I plan to go to the Pirelli P-zero Rosso (I think that is the name) which has a treadwear rating of 220. Somebody else here was running them in DE events as well as the street and was getting pretty decent milage from them. I know they come in both the 19 and 20" Cayenne sizes.

ajauch

I wasn't aware that the P-Zero came in an extra load version. I have P-Zero Rosso's on my Boxster and they've been great.

Alex

Texas993

My CS came with the Pirelli's (19") from the factory. Don't remember which model. I experienced "chunking" which is the term for chunks falling off the tread. Chuncks about the size of a small jelly bean.

When I asked the dealer about the problem, they replaced the tires with Continentals. For free.

My Pirelli's had 5,000 miles on them and looked like they had more than half of the tread left. I was fine with the feel of these tires.

My Continentals are good tires too, but they ride a little firmer than the Pirellis.

Brent 89-GT

I went to tirerack.com for the following info.

The Pirelli P-zero Rosso Assimetrico is Porsche approved for the Cayenne. It is an XL rated tire with a 2094lb rating per tire just like the comparable models from Michelin(diamaris 4x4) and Continental(sport contact 4x4). The difference I found was that there is now a N0 and N1 version of the Michelin. The N0 has a 140 tire wear rating and 8/32s deep tread and the N1 version has a 220 rating and 10/32's. The Pirelli is at 220 and 10/32's and the Conti is a 280 rating at 10/32's.

Looks to me like the Michelin was altered due to high rates of wear, rightfully so IMO. These were all 275/40-20's but I suspect the same follows for the 19" versions. Looks like there are a few choices now anyway.

I might look at the Conti just for tire wear reasons. The size of the tires means to me that there is plenty of traction with any of them. If I can hustle the truck around in the winter on 235/60-18 AT tires, any of the above should offer plenty of performance. I will be looking for a longer wearing set.

Cayenne Austin

For what it is worth, the 19" Conti's on my CS have almost 11k miles on them and look to be good for another 5-7k

k2kv

I keep Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico tires on my CT in the summer, 285/45ZR19. They are a little hard to identify correctly on most tire sites (when I bought mine, they were listed incorrectly under Scorpion Zero on the tirerack site, and may still be), but they are rated "standard load" of 2149 lbs, and I believe a wear rating of 350 (you can check with Tirerack about this, as my eyes seem to be rapidly losing the close-up battle these days!

These are great summer-use tires, and are even M&S rated. I don't believe they will outperform the Diamaris or other "ultra hi-performance" tires when it comes to taking those steep exit ramps at 60-mph+, but you will hardly notice the difference. Except, of course, that you will only buy them half as many times in your life, and if you happen to get caught in a sudden light snow come late October, they will get you home without effort.

Really, an unusual tire. I guess you could say they are mostly intended for summer, with a little all-season thrown in.

Cheers,

Jeff

DMD

First of all, thanks to all for your valuable input, very helpful. Once I figure-out what the best summer tires are, what is the best place to buy them, (i.e. internet sites, etc.) and what should I expect to pay for them?

k2kv

DMD -

I recommend tirerack.com, the biggest and the best. Completely reliable, deep inventory, well-priced. All tires are different. Some cost more, some less. Look over their site, read the tire reviews, decide on a set of tires, and pay the asking price. Tirerack's prices are very fair, and service is peerless. But, only you can decide what's right for you.

Best of luck,

Jeff

thecleaner

I currently have Goodyear Syncrone 4x4 tire and love the ride and the road performance is fine they stick to the pavement and take sand and rocks off road great

skl

I also recommend tirerack highly- bought many wheel-tire combos over the years with very good service. I read somewhere they are UPS's biggest customer in the midwest. I believe it.

Brent 89-GT

Looks like the Pirelli and Conti are about $250 a tire, the Michelins are $315, all from the Tire Rack. I also have bought tons of tires from these guys over the years and never had a problem. I've never had a set come via UPS though, all mine have been shipped Fed Ex, and I prefer it that way.

DMD

So which tires are the best for S. Cal summer driving on pavement (no off-roading), the Pirelli's, Conti's or the Michelins?