| Author | Message | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 242 Registered: 2-2002 |
here they are:  BTW when you edit, I cannot add a picture? | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 241 Registered: 2-2002 |
Here they are: |image{wheels} | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 238 Registered: 2-2002 |
Branko et al, I spent at least a month going over my choices and decided on Bridgestone S02 non pole position. I never drive in the wet and they were highly recommended by a lister here. They are practically giving them away on tirerack as they are discontinued. I think they are the best tires I have ever had, great turn in and ride tons of grip. I am running stock sizes on Daves "old" QV rims. I also like the tread design although modern looks somewhat vintage compared to the s-03's big blocks and I especially like the lack of gaudy graphics on the sidewall. FWIW, Rob | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
Member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 389 Registered: 8-2002 |
Branko To try and answer your actual question..................... I tried Khomo Ecsta 712's. They are pretty soft, give a decent ride, and work well for me so far. FWIW, I have only used these and the Avon CR 28 TRX's so I don't have a lot of experience with different tire manufacturers. On my old Corvette I used Dunlop and BFG which were big improvements over the Goodyears. I think next set for my 308 I will try another brand to see the difference. On this board I have seen good recommendations for the Michelins and Perelli's. I hope this helps. | ||
| Charles Brading (Austin308)
New member Username: Austin308 Post Number: 41 Registered: 6-2003 |
I put the AVS 100's on mine. but have 14 rims. (see profile) handles great. Bought them at discount tire. | ||
| Oldslow308 (Djparks)
Member Username: Djparks Post Number: 494 Registered: 2-2003 |
I switched from the 14" Michelin XWX's on my GTS to the Yokohama AVS ES 100's. 225/50-16" front and 245/50-16" on the rear. Before the switch the car felt unsafe (literally) when pushed in the corners and in the words of a NW region member, "the car handled like it was on clown tires." I thoroughly researched the specs, tests, charts and consumer responses on the Michelins, Bridgestones, Pirellis and Yokohamas provided by the Tire Rack web site. After adding up the numbers and considering the type of driving I was going to do with the car the Yokohamas won out. The Yokohamas performed about 3 to 4% below the So3's on the street (wet and dry) and about 10% below the So3's on the track. The wear rating on the So3's was 220 wereas the ES100 were rated at 280 (hence the poor track rating). The price for the entire package was roughly 40% less than the So3's. Besides that, they are a better looking tire (if it matters). Speed rating is 168 MPH. The tires are quiet and the steering response is tight. Like a whole new car! Any concerns about abnormal stress on the suspension doesn't jive with me. The loads on the suspension during a full, locked up sideways slide or a 1G plus turn is going to be the same regardless of the type of tire, clown or otherwise. These conclusions are based on MY type of driving which would include the normal club related activities as well as some 'spirited' excursions but no track time. I drive on these tires with complete confidence. DJ | ||
| Darryl - TR&328 (Tr328)
New member Username: Tr328 Post Number: 24 Registered: 6-2003 |
I like yokohamas over michelins. I ran both on my 308 and like the yokohoma better. Just my opinion. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2818 Registered: 9-2001 |
Mike, yes I have those wonderful TRXs on my old Fiat Boxer. They are loud, but they fit the wheels and look good. A modern low profile car just wouldn't look as good on a Boxer IMHO. As to the better handling of modern rubber, I agree. but, how many of us drive our cars at 10/10ths on the track ? When I do a track event in my Ferrari I usually drive about 7/10ths or so and in my over 15 years of Ferrari ownership I dare say most of the other owners I have seen at tracks over the years do about the same. Except for the occasionally 10/10s hot shot that ends up having his car flat bedded to the shop after a mishap on the track. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 956 Registered: 4-2002 |
"First, it keeps the car original." Its your car, do with it what you want. "Second, modern tires may handle better but they put extra stress on the suspension" This much is true; "that the car was not designed to handle." This is False. The suspension mounting brackets, arms, and (ball)joints are designed not to collapse in (at very least) 3G (and probably closer to 5G) curbing events. The difference between 0.8G original equiptment and 1.0G modern equiptment is INSIGNIFICANT compared to the design spec! In addition, people have been putting race rubber on these cars for a long period of time and getting 1.2G-1.4G performance out of the suspension system. 1.0G is childsplay compared to racing stresses. "Better tires on an older designed suspension can cause failures that cost big bucks." I disagree. When PROPERLY mounted with correct offsets, the added loads on all the suspension parts is only a little higher than original specifications. "And third, the stock tires will perform better than most drivers can drive the car anyway." I actually agree with this, however, this is taken in the light that most people will learn the signals their car is tryiing to communicate with street tires on a race track faster than that same person will learn with race rubber. "Keep it stock like Dino intended." Ferrari desinged the cars to be driven hard and long. Dino has been dead longer than Franks prattle has drummed on. Why do you so love Dino, Frank? | ||
| Vince Canipelli (F308vc)
Junior Member Username: F308vc Post Number: 79 Registered: 2-2002 |
I replaced my original 14" wheels with 16" QV size wheels, 80 308 GTBI, and Michelin Pilot Sports. It is like driving a completely different car. THAT'S HOW MUCH IMPROVED THE HANDLING AND RIDE IS !!!! Frank...Get your head out of the sand. put down the pipe. | ||
| John_Miles (John_miles)
Junior Member Username: John_miles Post Number: 96 Registered: 7-2001 |
There is absolutely no basis for what Frank says below. I've run nothing but 16" Goodyear Eagle GS-Cs and Michelin Pilot Sports on early 308s for years. Never had a problem; never heard of anyone, anywhere having one either. | ||
| mike 308 (Concorde)
Member Username: Concorde Post Number: 271 Registered: 8-2002 |
I definitely agree with Dave H. I have had Pirellis, Bridgestones or Yokos on my 308QV for years, mostly in upsized, and put on plenty of track time. No suspension problems in the 30k miles I've had the car. Even in concours, they don't care if you have a different BRAND of tire as long as it's the same size as the original. The Goodyear Gatorbacks haven't been available for several years, though I guess I could go with Goodyear Eagle F1's, but then that wouldn't be "right". Frank, are you really still running the original brand and model of tire that originally came on your 1982 Boxer? And what kind is that? | ||
| Russ Turner (Snj5)
Member Username: Snj5 Post Number: 363 Registered: 2-2003 |
I would personally agree with Dave. The Ferrari suspension is well beyond the capabilities of the earlier tires, especially for street use. The best thing I ever did was get rid of those godawful Goodyear Gatorbacks and go to Pirelli: Better ride, better handling, better response and quieter. Upgrading tires is a far better bang for the buck than most everything else (even tubi exhausts). Lord knows I've done about everything else as well.  I think that best tire choice depends on how you intend to use the car. The tirerack website has some great comparisons to help. If you want absolute grip at expense of ride and wear, then a Pirelli P-0, Dunlop Sp 9000, Pilot Sport or something in the Max Performance category. I tend to favor the ultra high performance summer tires or Max performance all-season (P6000, AVS 100 ES, P7000 Supersports, Pilot Sport A/S), but I tend to grand tour and travel vs track and do not need to maintain maximum G forces pushing the envelope on the street. Need to determine what your personal requirements are. JMHO - hope this is a helpful data point. Would say that $ spent on good tires is one of the best $ you can spend on your car for performance and safety. rt | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1583 Registered: 5-2001 |
Frank, I have heard this arguement before, that newer tire technology outpaces older suspensions....I would like to see this proven on any car built since the early 70's. Where are the failures? Can you document any? Heck, in the 308 series, Ferrari constantly improved the tires throughout the series, w/o changes to the basic suspension. They started with 14" rims with Michelen XWX's then went to the TRX metric system, the on to 16" rims with Pirelli P7's in Europe and Goodyear NCT's in the States. Plus, you are not going to find original Goodyear NCT's any longer...they have not been made in years, I would think the same for the P7. I believe the 308 suspension can handle any legal street tire w/o problems...racing with slicks? that's another story.... | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2807 Registered: 9-2001 |
I would use the stock brand and size tires for three reasons. First, it keeps the car original. Second, modern tires may handle better but they put extra stress on the suspension that the car was not designed to handle. Better tires on an older designed suspension can cause failures that cost big bucks. And third, the stock tires will perform better than most drivers can drive the car anyway. Keep it stock like Dino intended. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 883 Registered: 8-2002 |
I'm another Yokohama guy. Great value for the dollar spent, for both street and occasional track. And I did go one size larger all around... 245/45-16's on the rear and 225/50-16's on the fronts. I did the rears first, but found the more noticeable difference at the track when I upsized the fronts... I could really push it harder in the turns. | ||
| Mike Florio (Mike_in_nevada)
New member Username: Mike_in_nevada Post Number: 22 Registered: 6-2003 |
I have had Yokohama AVS Intermediates on my 308 for some and I was so happy with them when it came time to re-tire my BMW 850i I went with Yokohama AVS 100 ES. They replaced Michelin Pilot Sports, cost half as much and are twice the tire. Go to TireRack and check them out. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 952 Registered: 4-2002 |
I really like my B S03's; the first set lasted 17 track days and 5,000 street miles; stick like glue, quite. However, I would like to caution the thread initiator not to mismatch the tires on his car. Putting a really sticky maxperformance tire on the rear with a old-but-useable tire on the front is asking from massive understeer. This matter is the car is ever tracked or taken to the edge of the performance envelope. | ||
| Branko Medenica (Branko)
Junior Member Username: Branko Post Number: 114 Registered: 3-2003 |
Thanks for the input guys. | ||
| Vince Canipelli (F308vc)
Junior Member Username: F308vc Post Number: 78 Registered: 2-2002 |
Michelin Pilot Sports.... | ||
| myles kleinfelter (Gonzo350)
Junior Member Username: Gonzo350 Post Number: 58 Registered: 8-2002 |
P-Zero's make me happy | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1577 Registered: 5-2001 |
Dave, have you tried it? I did on my previous 308 and you only noticed the higher steering effort in parking. I checked the Tire Rack site, and the factory wheel sizes are right in the middle of the size recommendations for the tires I mentioned. That is 7" for a 225 and 8" for a 245 (using the Bridgestone RE750 as an example). Yes, a slightly wider rim would be preferable, but these are NOT going to be in the minimum acceptable limits or anything. | ||
| Darrell Pardy (Dpardyferrari)
New member Username: Dpardyferrari Post Number: 22 Registered: 8-2002 |
I use Pirelli P7000 Supersports. Great tire!! | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 654 Registered: 1-2002 |
I have used Bridgestone S03's on my previous QV and now my 328 in both 16 and 17 inch sizes. I would get them again for sure. Compliant ride and they are STICKY. Check tirerack.com for comparison tests. IMO putting 225's and 245's on stock wheels is not necessary, leads to higher steering effort, and the wheels are not wide enough to really handle them without undue flex. Dave | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1575 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well, your picture shows 16" wheels. Best would be to got to www.tirerack.com and you can surf for all kinds of information. The site can help you select based on driving style, what is most popular, etc. FWIW, one of the most common upgrades is to go to a 245-45-16 on the rear. Really looks cool from the rear. Will fit with no rubbing or problems. You can eventually upsize the front too, to a 225-50-16. | ||
| Branko Medenica (Branko)
Junior Member Username: Branko Post Number: 113 Registered: 3-2003 |
Does anybody have a tire brand they like on there 308? My rear tires are getting close to replacement time. |