Hi guys, would just like to share an experience from the last week or so. Will try to keep it brief as poss but alot to explain
First day back at work after Xmas - got a puncture on exit from a roundabout. Drove on tyre for less than a mile to someplace where i could safely fit the spare (space saver)
Took wheel to a local tyre fitter and asked if it could be repaired (dont like the idea of repaired tyres but was massively skint after Xmas so was only option) but it couldnt be so asked for a price of a replacement. The original Continental SportContact 2's had done 8k but still have plenty of tread so wanted like for like. Their quote was competitive so gave them the go ahead, after warning them that the rim was perfect and that i expected it back that way.
Collected rim and was happy with the tyre, which appeared to be identical to the SportContacts i had on other corners. Over the next few days i really felt a difference in handling, obvilously i had expected a slight different from the greater tread but it felt, especially at high speed, that the rear was a bit unstable and a bit harder. Obvilously checked all tyre pressures and they were fine.
Anyway, today i decided to inspect the rim again upon discovering that the SportContact 2 tyre had been discontinued and was interested in finding the manufacture date. The tyre was idenitcal except for a small marking which read N2 Got straight on the conti website and found out that this refers to Porsche specific applications. After speaking to a rep at Conti found that the compound is completely different as well as the stiffness etc and he didnt recommend fitting it to anything but a porsche.
Popped down to garage who fitted the tyre and explained. He was honest and said that he didnt think you feel the different and said he struggled to find any non N type sportContact 2s and thought it would be better than fitting the new SportContact 3s with a different tread pattern. He managed to track down a SportContact 2 and will be fitting it tomorrow.
Will update you with the results in a few days but it does seem to make sense about the handling now. Just wanted to share this experience with you lot so no-one else get caught out with this. I mean, i was close to booking it in, having suspension/tracking looked at which could have left me even more out of pocket.
