Any input on using "SUV" marked Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 (instead of "NF0"/"NF1" marked)?

[Emm]

I just bought a set of used 20" Tequipment rims with used Pilot Alpin 5 tires on them (as winter wheels), but instead of the Porsche specific "NF0" (or "NF1") marking these tires are marked "SUV" (i.e. generic, not Porsche specific). Is there anyone out there that has any experience from driving these "SUV" marked PA5 tires on their Taycan, and if so, what did you find to be disadvantages (and/or possible advantages)?

I'm located in Stockholm, Sweden, which is a coastal city where the winters are pretty mild (for a Nordic climate :–). For most of the winter season (early November–late March) I'll probably be driving on wet asphalt, although in January and February the roads could very well be completely snow covered. I'm used to manage just fine with the Pilot Alpin tire over the years, but I'd like to know if the generic "SUV" marked version differs a lot from the Porsche specific "NF0" marked version on the Taycan in terms of grip and handling (this will be my first winter driving the Taycan)?

On a side-note, the previous owner bought this wheel configuration brand new from the local Porsche dealer (when he did I don't think the PA5 were available as "NF0" yet), so hopefully they won't be a complete mismatch with the Taycan .

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[MHC]

I had the Michelin Alpin 5,s on my Tesla model x EV . They were great under dry and wet conditions. Shouldn’t be an issue for the Taycan .

 

[tigerbalm]

If your insurance is happy (mine would not be) I think you'll be fine. I am getting a Michelin Alpin 5 NA2 set installed on my 911 on Friday – its first set of winter shoes! Looking forward to seeing how they compare to the Pirelli PZero Winter NF0 I've used on my Taycan's over the last few winters in Norway.

 

[cityhpper]

Should be no problem at all. The PA 5 is on my shortlist as well, when replacing the current Pirelli Scorpion Winter.
Happy to hear your opinion after you have driven them a while.

 

[prj]

NF0/NF1 is really not important unless you want to pass the 111 point check to extend the warranty at Porsche.

In all other cases just look at:
1. The load rating.
2. The speed index.

You want a load rating of at least 102 and the speed index depends on what the maximum speed you are going to be driving for extended periods of time.

Btw, I would not seek out EV tyres specifically, especially if they are significantly more expensive - they have lower rolling resistance (which btw matters extremely little for consumption, it's <1% difference), but this lower rolling resistance comes at the price of having smaller initial tread depth, measurably worse handling and faster wear.
So you usually end up paying more for worse grip and less lifetime with a negligible difference in range.

Hence the SUV option tends to be the better handling one.

 

[BjörnfromHamburg]

I might add, that EV specific tires usually have foam inlays internally, that are supposed make the tire more silent.

 

[Scandinavian]

If your insurance is happy (mine would not be) I think you'll be fine. I am getting a Michelin Alpin 5 NA2 set installed on my 911 on Friday – its first set of winter shoes! Looking forward to seeing how they compare to the Pirelli PZero Winter NF0 I've used on my Taycan's over the last few winters in Norway.

I have heard many mention this in the UK and Ireland, but never encountered this in Sweden nor here in France.

The only thing the insurance companies have stated when I have asked has been to have a reputable tyre manufacturer (well known brand), correct size, correct speed ratings and correct load ratings. I did not specifically ask BMW M5 recommended tyres but since they knew my insurance policy and car, they have the information.

Could this be dependent on insurance companies ?

 

[tigerbalm]

Could this be dependent on insurance companies ?

Here in Ireland, I've only ever heard it a stipulation with my own insurance company (CHUBB) and not the more "regular" insurers like Axa and Allianz, etc.

Even then it was an "additional" clause to the standard policy on my Taycan:

"At the time of any claim, the insured car must have manufacturer approved tyres fitted."

FWIW, when I moved to the 911 with the same company, that clause was dropped, but a further one was added:

"Throughout the insurance period a remote trackable with certified monitoring centre must be fitted, active and operational."

In my Taycan, it had a similar clause but this new one has ... "and operational" tacked on the end of it. I wasn't delighted with that, because I have no control over PVTS+ actually working outside of making sure I have paid the yearly subscription. But in recent years and always on the 911, it seems to be fine. My 2021 Taycan definitely had its moments with it – related to general connectivity issues.

In general, the cover that CHUBB provides is excellent and the vast majority of Porsche's here are insured by them. They are happy for any repair, including windscreens to go back to Porsche Centre, etc, with no questions asked.

 

[Scandinavian]

Sounds like a good balance then for the tyres clause in Ireland.

I had the tracker requirement once on my Aston Martin, but that was not with AXA. I have not had any reason for repairs under the insurance cover so do not know how repairs would be handled.

 

[prj]

I might add, that EV specific tires usually have foam inlays internally, that are supposed make the tire more silent.

On the Taycan there is not much tyre noise, so I think it makes very little difference. Maybe more prominent in other makes.

 

[Emm]

Thanks everyone for positive feedback—sounds like it won't be an issue with the generic "SUV" marked PA5's then, although specific NFx's would have been the preferred choice.

I'm having the silver 20" Tequipment rims repainted in satin platinum right now (just like I did with the satin black 21" Spyder RS rims; see photo below), and hopefully will have them on the car (along with the PA5 SUV's) by the end of next week.

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