Warren Wang

Don't count on seeing them this year. Tirerack says they won't be available this season.

fyi,
Warren

Sharon

And they were supposed to be offering them in 18" too.

ryan@s4.org

Just think, now you're stuck with Hoosiers for twice as much...Hmmmm

jyoteen

This I copied from the Tracquest message; an email exchange between Kumho and Armando Ramirez:

-----Original Message----- From: Rudy Consolacion [mailto:rconsolacion@kumhotech.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 1:12 PM To: Armando Ramirez Subject: Re: Ok What is the story on the 18's

Armando, The 18" V700's will arrive sometime late-April or early-May. The sizes will be 225/40-18, 265/35-18, and 285/30-18. Tires will be comparable in performance to the Hoosier R3S03. Price will be in line with the currently available sizes of V700. Thanks for your interest in Kumho tires! Rudy Consolacion Motorsports Kumho Technical Center Akron, Ohio

Armando Ramirez wrote:

> Hi, > Are you going to make the 700 in the 18's? > If so when? > If not, why not?! > How would these tires compare to the P-zero-C ? Besides being less money I > hope :-) > > Many Thanks > Armando Ramirez > > Owner of a Porsche 996 with 18's and in need of new track tires!!!!!

jyoteen

Yeah, but what about us camber-deprived folks?

ottobahn

I am curious about running that tire on the 996, because the oil starvation problem. Porsche has specifically said not to use stickier tires on that car unless you get the motor "upgrade" which has a major difference in oil flow. The reason I mention this, is my father and I can get the oil idiot light to come on under nominal conditions on the stock tires. We have had many conversations with the dealer and as of yet, they have no solutions.

Warren Wang

Or maybe they just fixed it in the Boxster. I know that was a major problem for the older Boxsters, but it's been resolved in the Boxster S and the 217hp version of the Boxster engine.

They do have a tendancy to starve on turns though. There were reports of people seriously damaging/ruining their engines w/ really sticky tires.

I can't believe that's an issue with the 996 though. Call up Fred Baker Porsche and ask them what they do to their T1 car to keep it from grenading.

Warren

D.C. Lee

Porsche Motorsport and/or Andial will modify the lubrication system on any 996 to handle the rigors of track driving and solve the oil-starvation problem. Cost is upwards of $1,000. Forget the dealer--they will not do this fix.

Re the Kumhos-- Personally, I am not shedding any tears for the non-appearing 18s. Compared to Hoosiers, the Kumhos are outclassed. Yes, there is a big price difference, but if you're on the track driving on a the edge and on a semi-slick tire, why settle for second best? Just my opinion...

Lee in D.C.

Sharon

It's mostly a cost issue. I go through lots of tires. Depending on the track, I could burn through a set of tires in a weekend. I'd hate to do that at nearly $1K/set. Occaisionally, there are times that I'd prefer a nice new set of Kuhmos (like those first two races this season at Candlestick) for autocross. Usually that's a weather-related preference, though.

I really just want the option to use the tire appropriate for my needs.

Audiboy

Curious, how many Hoosiers have you gone through yet?