The thing that makes the XWX so good is the very soft compound. It's TWI is only 100. Just stick your fingernail into the tread blocks on a fresh set! They do have a slightly odd characteristic however. At about 60 km/h they hum slightly, you won't hear it in a 308 but in say a 1980s W126 Mercedes it's quite noticeable. It's due to the symmetric tread blocks. The other aspect is that because they don't feature a continuous unbroken band of rubber like most modern tyres, they do feel slightly slow on initial turn in. This is because the tread blocks move around (As they are not supported on any side) as the tyre is loaded laterally. As you wind on lock, the tyre keeps gripping and gripping after this initial movement which to most people feels very surprising. You'll be surprised how much grip you'll get from a fresh set. If you go for a very hard drive have a look at the tread blocks afterwards, you can see how they've distorted and will be feathered about half way up the block of the tread, very nice! Finally, the curve of the sidewall just looks so right. I have no idea about your Falkens and therefore cannot comment with any authority, the only way to decide is to try a set of XWXs back to back and see if they work for you.
I tried to answer my own question through research and found a great thread on all the variants for our 14 inch wheels. Still, I'm left with the question of whether or not there is any real difference with respect to value, function, construction, etc. Basically all I know now is that they look very slightly different and were made by different companies. Is there any evidence that one wheel is better than another? I have the 7.5X14 Cromos with raised cast lettering... Ciao! Hannibal
I personally would not buy the BBS owing simply to its weight. However, I've had about 40 14" wheels and of those, 12 of them were cracked and would not hold air. You need to be very careful with this old magnesium content rubbish! The correct ones for an early car seem to be the Campagnolo and Cromodora (Have seen both on 1976 308s from new) of which the version with the hard edges/stickers seems to be mixed with the soft edges/raised cast lettering. Annoyingly, Ferrari provide the same part number for all variants, just differ with 6 1/2 and 7 1/2 versions. I know if no reason to use a Comodora over a Campagnolo and vice versa except for personal preference.
Thanks, Carl! Appreciate the background info on our 14s and, particularly, on XWX performance. I'm actually excited to beat on some new ones! Ciao! Hannibal
Well they don't work for all people, but when making a comparison, it's obviously important to make sure that what ever you are trying, is fresh. If you come from an old and hard tyre, then anything new will be better. Good luck!
Mainly weight I guess. The Campys are indeed lighter. I also personally like the cleaner look of the design of the Campys. There are detail differences.
Thanks again, Carl! With "these European 4 pipe exhausts" I was referring to the 308 GT4 and GTBi / GTSi mentioned in the sentence before. I've personally seen (modified?) Euro 308 GT4 exhausts on Euro carb 308 GTB. Has anybody tried the US carb 308 GTB / GTS four pipe exhaust on a European carb 308 GTB / GTS?
7.5" X 14 " hands down; but I might be biased. I stacked my factory OEM 16" wheels away in the garage at least 10 years ago, seriously doubt I will use them on the car again.
I think you might be biased!! As I've said, I like both. The car has a classic look with the 14s and then looks like a more modern model with the 16s.....and either way, the cars still look magnificent.
Whoops, I'll have to drink less before I consider being insulting again, my apologies! I think what probably happened is ANSA just decided to make replacement 308 carburettor exhausts in 4 pipe. You'll certainly see a lot of single pipe European cars with a 4 pipe exhaust, often still with the single pipe cutout still present in the rear valence. The dealers just did the upsell and sold 4 pipes claiming a better exhaust note (True) and 150 more HP (Untrue). Note, I'm referring to what happened outside the USA, I have no experience of what went on in the USA during this time. As the exhaust system was part of the emissions system, perhaps the chance of fitting a European style freer flowing 4 pipe exhaust was not an option, I don't know. ANSA clearly got into making these 4 pipe exhausts very early days, 360C will know for sure as he has a one owner car, I bet you could buy an ANSA 4 pipe almost immediately after the introduction of the GTB in 1975, since they already had most of the work done as they were manufacturing the 308 GT/4 4 pipe exhaust by this time. Remember the 2Vi exhaust is different again from say a 308 GT/4 style exhaust (Not to mention the different mounting points) and unless the exhaust is specifically for a carburettor 308 GTB/S it's not a bolt on job. Additionally, USA cars use a different mounting system again, so you can't just bolt a European aftermarket 4 pipe exhaust on a USA specification car. The USA version 4 pipe exhaust to which you refer is one of the most disgusting pieces of engineering I've ever seen. It's extremely heavy, and large. There is no worldly reason to ever fit one to a European car, you'd have to change the mounting points for a start, and why strangle the performance with such an act? The USA 4 pipe exhaust should be cut in half and used as a planter box, or BBQ.
Scored! Found a couple 7.5 14" to match the rears. I currently have a pair of 6.5's on the front. These were tough to find in the original style and in good condition. The wheels that have the more angular lips between the wheel bolts I found are much harder to come by. By the looks of the pictures, I won't need to restore them! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Carl- I can guarantee the four pipe exhaust was available on Euro carbed 308s. My old 25125 with factory four pipe exhaust, deep spoiler and 16" wheels. Built Sep/Oct 1978. Photos from 1981 in the UK. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Oh great, another version, the Campagnolo version that's lighter than the Cromodora? (Unless I miss read your post?) Here's the problem trying to source 14 X 7 1/2 wheels for your 308..... (Note, there are the variants of which are known to me, chances are, there's more) From 1976: Picture 1 Cromodora wheel lettering cast into rim Spokes and hub area "Soft" edged or rounded in profile. Picture 2 Campagnolo wheel lettering applied via transfer (Note, transfers missing on this wheel) Spokes are "Soft" edged as per above but hub section more "Angular." Picture 3 Campagnolo wheel lettering applied via transfer Spokes are "Hard" edged and hub section "Angular" (Note, I have also seen this version but manufactured by Cromodora, sorry no image) Picture 4 (LH wheel) BBS wheel No lettering or transfers Spokes are "Hard" edged but the recesses are quite deep within the spokes. Note, this wheel is noticeably heavier compared to the Cromodora and Campagnolo variants. So there you have 5 versions from three manufacturers that 360C, Robert Retzlaff and myself have tripped over in the last 10 years. How many more versions are there? Additionally, these variants I have also sighted with the 6 1/2" wheels. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Terry thanks for the pics. Is there any chance it was added after delivery? The reason I ask is that I see plenty of UK cars running around with the 4 pipe exhaust, but I've never seen one delivered as such. Even in 1978, the single pipe is the only one that appears in the parts book.
Yes indeed the Campagnolo's are lighter than the Cromodora's. I have a couple of Cromodoras as well and weighed all of them. I found the Campys were about 600 grams lighter overall than Cromodora's..... That all adds to unsprung weight I guess. How much however you will be able to "feel" the difference though is anyones guess.
I don't know exactly how early the ANSA exhaust was available as our car S/N 21027 was delivered in 1978. I do remember Ron Hodgson had the full performance kit, including the ANSA exhaust fitted to his fairly early production car S/N 20035 . So did Tom Hillardt on S/N 19395.
Don't forget the difference in weight between the various types either. That rusty, crusty old Speedline wheel weighed twice what an early magnesium Campagnalo wheel does. Perfect boat anchor that bloody thing was.
Wow, do I really love the look of the sidewall on a 14" wheel, they work so well with the lines of the car. When I had my previous 2V, it came to me with brand new TRXs, before she arrived I ordered 16" Superformance wheels figuring I would save the new tires and refinished wheels. Once the car came off of the transport truck I fell in love with the look of the tread and sidewall of the car....so vintage. I then sold the brand new-in box 16" Superformance wheels to another F-Chatter.
16 inch all the way, 14 makes the car look like an antique. I will bet money that there is a large age differential between those of us that like 14 vs. those that like 16s. LOL
It is a 37 year old car after all, so quite appropriate I reckon. I am 51, Carl is a fair bit younger. You ?
