Tire matching for a 996

[WeakestLink]

I'm trying to sell my 02 996 C2 coupe. A prospective buyer drives the car (with me in it) and apparently hit a pothole or something b/c it ripped the side of the tire. I know I should replace both rear tires so they will have even wear. The questions are:

1. Would you get a different brand tire for the rears than what are on the fronts? I don't mind getting the same brand but I would like to have it done tomorrow and NOBODY carries the right size in a Continental. VERY FEW places carry the size at all even from other manufacturers. (285-30-18)

2. Would you replace all 4 tires? Since I'm selling the car, I'd prefer not to spend another $1300 to replace all the tires.

Thanks

 

[len3.8]

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[NSXaholic]

I'm trying to sell my 02 996 C2 coupe...

Mail me the specifics of your car, or a link to an eBay auction. I know somebody who is looking for an '02 C2.

...Would you get a different brand tire for the rears than what are on the fronts? I don't mind getting the same brand but I would like to have it done tomorrow and NOBODY carries the right size in a Continental. VERY FEW places carry the size at all even from other manufacturers. (285-30-18)

I would never get different tire brands for the front versus the rears. Any savvy car buyer will automatically start thinking bad thoughts if they see that, as each tire brand has it's own handling characteristics and attributes. You should never mix-and-match.

I'm surprised that you are having difficulty finding the right size. I used to own a 996, and I never had any problem getting rear treads -- they are generally available at reasonable prices from Tirerack.com and other reputable tire sellers.

Are the 285's a non-stock size? I can't remember off the top what the standard rear tire size is? If they are stock, they should be easily available. If not, ask the person/dealer that you bought the car from where they got the tires from and get it from that source. Or take the time to search a little bit till you find a seller who has them in stock. Worst-case, if you can't find Conti replacements, you should replace all four tires with a different brand that does carry the sizes you seek. P-Zero's are very popular tires for the Porsche 996.

2. Would you replace all 4 tires? Since I'm selling the car, I'd prefer not to spend another $1300 to replace all the tires...

If only one of the rear tires is damaged, there is no need to replace all four tires. You should however, as you correctly note, replace both rear tires. The only reason for you to replace all four tires, as I note above, is if you cannot find Conti replacements for your rears, but do find another manufacturer that has the appropriate tire sizes for both front and back.


I would also ask the person who was driving the car to chip in for the replacement cost, or provide renumeration is some other way (like buying the car ). Since they were driving, it is the least they could do. Any courteous, and responsible buyer would not have a problem doing this. I certainly wouldn't. It would be painful, but it is the right thing to do.

Hope that helps. Send me that link.

Regards.

 

[WeakestLink]

If your friend is interested, he can see the details of the car at http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/...l.jhtml?paId=122280250&aff=national&src=&cid=

Thanks!!

285-30-18 is the standard size for the rear wheels for 2002+ models. What you described was exactly the situation. I wanted to take care of this immediately and no one had Continentals in the rear size. So I replaced all the tires with Pirelli P-Zero Rossos. I kept the 3 old tires b/c I can use them one day on my other 996.

I thought about asking the guy to help pay for it but I rode with him on the drive and he didn't do anything stupid. I'm pretending like it would have happened anyway. Maybe he will buy the car. It does have a brand new set of $1200 tires. (and I thought NSX tires were expensive)

One thing that really sucked (and this applies to the NSX as well) is that after I changed the flat, I couldn't fit the original tire in the trunk. Poor design or just a fact of life for driving a performance car. I had to drive the 996 home on the spare, get my wagon and go back to pick up the tire. (Yes I could have put the tire in the front passenger seat but there was no way to do that without getting brake dust and grease all over the tan seats) And what if you have a passenger? Anyway....car's for sale. Wish me luck.

 

[Jimbo]

A tip...

Always keep a couple of heavy-duty trash bags tucked away in the car.

That way you can use them to bag the flat tire and put it on the seat.

-J

 

[Enzo]

Re: A tip...

Always keep a couple of heavy-duty trash bags tucked away in the car.

That way you can use them to bag the flat tire and put it on the seat.

-J

LOL ! I thought first that the bag was used to bag the guy who damaged the wheels ! OK, I think it's time for me to stop watching movies like Casino, Goodfellas, etc...

 

[NSXaholic]

...I wanted to take care of this immediately and no one had Continentals in the rear size. So I replaced all the tires with Pirelli P-Zero Rossos. I kept the 3 old tires b/c I can use them one day on my other 996.

Seems like you did the right thing.

I thought about asking the guy to help pay for it but I rode with him on the drive and he didn't do anything stupid.

That's a mature and sensible response. Will create a lot of goodwill with the buyer, which will (hopefully) pay dividends later on.

Good luck selling the car. I have passed on the information to my friend.

Regards.