my rear tires have about 35% thread left while fronts are probably 60%. When I get a new set of rears is it ok to get a different brand?

Say Continentals vs Michelins or Pirellis? Since the car is AWD (i know it changes from 5/95 power ratio F/R to 40/60), will it not matter much or more?

Thanks in advance!

KJ

SY 996 Turbo * 944 Turbo - sold * M3 SMG - sold * Lancer Evo 8 - sold * Boxster S - sold
Misc. Cars Forum

 

not a good idea

 

For most practical purposes I don't think there is any
harm in mixing tire brands front to back if the tires are
all in good condition, except that you are responsible
to ensure that the rolling diameters are as close to
equal as possible. This is done (only) by referring to
the manufacturer's tire spec sheets.
Different tires do behave differently, but not so much
as to make a dangerous handling condition under track
conditions, and maybe not even noticable under normal
driving conditions if they are all in good condition and
at their recommended pressures.
My 2 cents...
Joe Weinstein

 

No.

 

I think people over exaggerate this too much....

If you drive your car on the street most of the time there should be no issue with mixing. The fronts last twice as long as the rears -- I have been running the same fronts for over two years, I replaced the rears over a year ago. The time has now come for all four to be replaced. I have been running Michelin’s in the front and Goodyear F1's in the rear for over the last year and have not had a single issue....

-TS

 

Maybe the lawyers can answer this....... Since Porsche says it's a no-no...IF one had an accident and it was determined loss of traction was the issue and you had mismatched tires...could you be held liable and would this give your insurance company an out? Just a thought.
For me, I wouldn't consider it. I wouldn't run matched but very unevenly worn tires either. If the rears are being replaced and the fronts have less than 50% or so I replace them all.

 

If you can afford a Porsche you can afford to buy 4 matching tires for it, One thing you dont do is neglect tires or brakes. I dont even know why this is in question.

 

If you drive you car sanely then mixing tires front to back is no big deal. If you are squealing your tires EVERY single turn, okay, maybe. If you are not squealing your tires all the time then you are not driving anywhere near the limits of the car, so the mis-match front to rear is not an issue.

Even if you track the car it is not really an issue. The worse that can happen is that you will change the balance of the car. You adjust your driving to the change in the balance of the car.

 

Or, at the very least, buy the same brand tires in the rear (since they wear out more often) when they need to be changed. Why would you want to have different brands of tires on a Porsche or any sports car for that matter.