Tires

Is this a trick question ? Its written on the sidewall

 

Well, there are already numerous threads on the subject. The consensus seems to be Michelin Pilot Sports or Pirelli P-Zeros.

 

OK, P-Zero or Pilot Sport, but may I offer an alternative?

My other two passions are BMW motorcycles and... hot rod pickup trucks. I run Pilots or Pilot Sports on my Beemers, but my lifted RAM 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 is a Nitto Only Zone.

IF you can get NT's in the sizes and speed ratings you need, they truly rock.

Here's the deal: Nitto spent a LOT of time developing truck tires with aggressive off-road tread patterns that... do not sing. That's right, a set of Terra Grapplers or even Mud Grapplers run as silent as Red October. NO OTHER TRUCK TIRE CAN TOUCH THEM.

As a result, their car tires are dead, solid silent, and they do rain better than anybody.

I plan to give them a shot on my 456M, so I'll be sure to post a report (It came with P-Zeros).

Cheers,

George

 

Michelin Pilot Sports .


size... 255-40-ZR-18 FRONT
295-35-ZR-18 REAR

cheers,

bill

 

My last car (an Aston DB7) I decided to try something a friend told me about. He is a racer in the U.K. in the Falken G50 Ginetta series. He said "Try a set of the soft, street Falkens". I did and now I am a believer. They wore as well as Pilot Sports and Portenzas but 2/3 the cost. The road noise dropped as an added bonus. Any tire you use will only go about 15 to 18 thousand miles if they are a decent semi soft tire. Give them a try, I think you will be surprised.

 

Not available in 255-40-ZR-18

bill

 

In the famous words of General Bradley, "Nuts"

 

Actually that was Gen. Anthony McAuliffe.

 

I've got Nitto 555 extreme contact ZRs on my 456m. They stick well in the dry but they aren't particularly quiet, that's for sure. I hope you post your experience, especially re wet traction, which I'm not too thrilled about and, in Oregon, it matters, though probably not in San Antone.

 

Bill,

according to the owner's manual, page 1.9, Michelin FRONT tires should be 235/45 while for the other brands it's 255/40.

Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of having narrower front tires?

Stefano

 

Don't know, Had Pirelli's that size when I got the car.

This is from Tire rack,

Search for Tires by Vehicle
Original Equipment Sizes for 1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello

Description Size
Original Equipment Front Size 1: 255/40-18

TIRE DECISION GUIDE
Original Equipment Rear Size 1: 295/35-18

 

Same decision here.
Currently running the Michelin Pilot Super Sports with 300 treadwear rating.
No complaints with the Michelins; Good traction, good in the rain, never had a flat spot after sitting for 30 days at a time.
The treadwear was reasonable; the tires actually aged-out. My only concern was I could over-power the tires.

I'm considering going back to Pirelli for the P zero compound with the 220 treadwear, a bit softer.
Or the P zero (pz4) with 280 treadwear.
Any experience with these?

 

Narrower front tires should give better steering sensitivity. I switched to Michelin after several years with Pirelli, from 255 to 235 front. The only difference I notice is that the Michelins grip better at lower temperatures. The ASR kicks in much less than with the Pirellis under acceleration. As for improved steering, I can't really tell.

Stefano

 

Regarding the 550, I am also I'm in the process of sourcing new tires ASAP. I don't drive too hard, don't track the car, and looking to go on longer relaxing trips with my wife. 12 yo Pirellis are on the car now, and almost down to the wear marks. They are hard as rocks and very rough harsh ride. With all this in mind, between the Michelin and Pirelli (and possibly the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02) - which gives the softest, smoothest ride and best longevity? Thanks, AT

 

I just ordered 19" Continentals for my 2002 575. For whatever reason I have an aversion to Michelins and Pirellis. Probably bad experiences with them many years ago. Continentals are replacing Hankooks which are 7+ years old and have quite a bit of tread left. I had purchased the Hankooks as they were highly rated for both wet weather and quietness at that time. Continentals not going on until 1st week of April so will be quite some time before I know if I made a good choice.

 

AT- The Continentals will work fine for what you want. Pirellis tend to get hard fairly quickly on Maranellos. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are an excellent all-around tire and very highly rated, but they do not make them in Maranellos 18" sizes. Michelin Pilot Super Sports are one generation older than the 4S but are an excellent choice if performance driving is the goal for 18" tires. Sounds like the Contis are your best choice. My 575M has MPS4S tires on her, which I love, and am hoping the new Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 that replaces them comes in our sizes.

 

I agree, Terry. I have Michelin Pilot Super Sports in Factory tire sizes on my 550 now. They're excellent tires.

 

Hi Terry, I'm a little confused. Do I have it right that these Michelins are no longer made for 18" wheels? I'm including 3 picts - 2 of are the Pirellis on the car now front and rear. Then a screenshot of what I thought I should be getting (the Michelin Pilot SS). I'd like to PM you on this but I do not know how. Thanks Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I just ordered MP sport 4S for 18” wheels for my 456.
If we’re not just talking about a reeeeally loooong time (like a decade or more) then heat cycles, and drastic temp changes, and even unopposed exposure to sunlight, produce eventual tire degradation, cracking and hardening. Like your battery tires should not only be monitored but also changed every 5 years or so. (This is not a hard rule like an oil change, just a rule of prudence for the discerning car custodian). Although certain tires can give ride-feedback like ‘bumpy’ or ‘smooth’ those descriptions are much more indicative of suspension; meaning you might fix a ‘bumpy’ ride by 10% by changing tires, but by 90% by altering, fixing, or lubricating your suspension.

Born with racing blood I have intuitively sworn by Pirelli’s in the past, but did in fact notice more rapid tread wear with the softer compound of the P-zero. For now i’ve switched to Michelin, but price should play a role since the difference in performance is negligible at traditional ‘highway speeds’.

for the record…none of my tires ever make it more than a few years!

 

The Tire Rack screenshot you posted shows the Michelin Pilot Super Sports I have on my 550 right now. Disregard the Mercedes notation for the front tires. These are the tires I mentioned and recommend.

I have Michelin slicks and rain tires (PS4s) for my F355 Challenge. I don't understand your aversion to Michelins.

 

^

Sorry, AllTwelve. It was someone else who had an aversion to Michelins.

 

No problem, thought that might have been for someone else. and thank you for your feedback on the topic.

 

Thank-you for understanding. I highly recommend the Michelin Pilot Super Sports for your 550. I replaced the Continental Extreme Contacts with the Super Sports last year and I'm very happy with them.

Tire Rack hasn't raised their price on them. That's what I paid last year.

Over the past two years, I've been using Michelin slicks on my F355 Challenge instead of Pirellis. Other Challenge car drivers I know have been doing the same.

Barry

 

AT- Nope, what I said was the MPS4S are not available for 18" Maranello sizes. My next choice would be the MPSS, which are available in 18" sizes, but that seemed at odds with your description of what you were looking for in a tire. Sounded more like Contis fit what you wanted. Either is far superior to the Pirellis to me.