Tire choices - Pirelli or Michelin? | FerrariChat

Tire choices - Pirelli or Michelin?

Discussion in '348/355' started by mike_747, Aug 30, 2010.

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  1. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    Curious as to the prevailing opinion for these two tires for a 355, etc.

    Pirelli P-Zeros or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2.

    Cost is probably fairly close, what about mileage, handling and noise?

    thanks, Mike
     
  2. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,980
    MD and NE
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    Robbie
    I love my PS2's
     
  3. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
    Full Name:
    Rick
    I love my PS2s...but they are "French tires". :D

    If it weren't for the fact that the rears need replacing and fronts still look brand new, I might give the Pirellis a shot but instead I'll probably just buy 2 new rear PS2s.
     
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,756
    www.tirerack.com
    click on ->products->tires->tire survey
    choose any of the top 3 in extreme performance summer
    choose any of the top 5 in max performance summer
    That are available in the correct sizes.
     
  5. BOKE

    BOKE Beaks' Gun Rabbi
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 13, 2009
    33,965
    600 East Fremont Street
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    Lucky
    I just put a set of Kumho Ecsta LE Sport tires on my 1998 355GTS F1 just to try something different. After playing with the tire pressure a little bit, I am pretty impressed at half the price of the Michelin PS2.

    I'm sure I'l have to replace them before I wear them out just like the Goodyear Fioranos that came with the car and the Pirelli and Michelin tires I have had on my car. The heat kills tires in Las Vegas.


    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=Ferrari&autoYear=1998&autoModel=F355&autoModClar=&frontWidth=225/&frontRatio=40&frontDiameter=18&frontSortCode=53650&rearWidth=265/&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=18&rearSortCode=54350&tab=All
     
  6. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
    2,398
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I like the PS2's. I just put a set on my F355 Spider. I've also got a set on my 2003 Boxster S. I would expect that they're a lot quieter than the Pirelli tires
     
  7. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran

    Aug 4, 2006
    8,329
    Palos Verdes
    Full Name:
    Vince V
    PS2's for me! Although I have PZero's on the 355 wheels until they are replaced - soon!
     
  8. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    I've decided to go with Pilot Sports ultra performance all season. Using these because my tires are slightly wider than stock (Speedline wheels) and my size wasn't available in the
    other Michelin tires mentioned - pilot sport PS2 or PS2 ZP.

    If interested,the cost installed - balanced and valve stems will be $1564.00

    Felt the Michelin's "less noise" and longer tread life were more valuable the extreme dry performance of the Pirelli tires.

    thanks for the help guys.
     
  9. Labman

    Labman F1 Rookie
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    Jun 25, 2010
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    Steve
    I have Bridgestone Potenza on my 355...are these crappy tires? Should I change?
     
  10. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,789
    Ontario, Canada
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    Mike
    I have Pirelli P Zero's, I like them.
     
  11. GerryD

    GerryD Formula 3

    May 5, 2010
    2,448
    North of TO
    Full Name:
    Guido
    The Bridgestones are fine tires and the PS2 are awsome. The pirrelli would be my last choice of the 3
     
  12. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
    2,398
    San Francisco
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    Paul
    I'd only change them out if they're old or worn. My Bridgestones were in perfect condition with 1800 miles on them... but were 15 years old and flat spotted from sitting, so they had to go. Huge huge improvement going to the PS2's, but mostly because the PS2's were much rounder than the tires I took off!
     
  13. Labman

    Labman F1 Rookie
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    Jun 25, 2010
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    Steve
    They have some dry rot splits in the tread but not on the sidewall. They may be original tires from 1998. Probabaly a good idea to upgrade.
     
  14. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,056
    USA
    #14 f355spider, Sep 1, 2010
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2010
    Do it sooner rather than later. Old tires can be very unsafe if driven agressively.
     
  15. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,056
    USA
    As long as you are comfortable with the decision. Just understand that oftem times there is some loss in dry and wet performance in order for a tire to achieve a "snow" rating and be considered "all season".
     
  16. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    A slight reduction in total cornering grip is no big deal to me in that the tires are already wider than stock and the car has much more potential than I'll ever utilize. ON a good day I maybe take corners at 70% of the cars potential.
     
  17. Simba

    Simba Formula Junior

    Oct 24, 2006
    779
    New York
    PS2s are about the best overall street tire to be had for the car. Great in the dry, superb in the wet, they don't pick up every little rock like semi-slicks, and the wear is quite acceptable.

    There are better dry tires, but none that I'm aware of that are as good in all conditions.
     
  18. Franck

    Franck Rookie

    Jan 7, 2006
    24
    Paris, France
    I changed from Pirelli P Zero to Michelin PS2 on my Ferrari F355 and I'm really pleased with it. As already said, they're better on all weather conditions, make less noise and last longer (not as soft as the Pirelli). For a track day with a good weather, Pirelli tires might be better.
     
  19. race850i

    race850i Karting

    Jan 6, 2010
    132
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Themis
    I drive the Bridgestone Expedia S01 since years and I love them.The Grip is just Perfect the wear is acceptable and on wet you can drive with over 100miles with no worries!
     
  20. JSBMD

    JSBMD Formula Junior

    Mar 17, 2007
    454
    The OC
    Full Name:
    John
    PS2's on my '98 now for 9k miles. Love them, great grip, low noise, good ride. Just replaced the rears with roughly 50% wear on the fronts, fyi. This includes an autocross day with 15-20 runs on a tight course, so fair wear imo.

    Your mileage may vary, of course, but I would vouch for the Michelins.

    John
     
  21. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    I have PS2s and they have performed flawlessly .............. though I do like that little red sidewall logo on the P-Zero tires ...... :eek:
     
  22. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
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    Rick
    Does anybody know if there is a big difference on the PS2s between the "BMW" spec and the N4 (Porsche) spec?

    I checked my rear tires on the car right now and I have the 265/40/ZR18 - N3 101Y Extra Loads...which I can't find the match for on TireRack (closest are the N4s).

    This is for a F355.

    Thanks.
     
  23. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2006
    10,476
    DC Metro
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    L.C.
    I have had both. My current 355 wears the Pirellis. I prefer the Michelins however.
     
  24. troppoveloce

    troppoveloce Formula Junior

    Jan 25, 2006
    268
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Why? Can you describe the difference? I'd be interested to hear your impressions of how they compare.
     
  25. Loser

    Loser Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2008
    791
    Gilroy, CA
    Full Name:
    Tom
    I have the Bridgestone Expedias on my F355 right now.
    On my TA WS6, I had Michelin Pilot Sports, then went with Pirelli Pzeros, then switched back to the Michelins. The Michelins performed much better on water for me as far as starting and stopping grip. They were also slightly less noisy.
     

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