Recommended tires for 1995 355 Spyder?

Hi all
I will need new tires and looked at Tire Rack and there are a few nice fairly reasonable tire choices.

My (future) car has 18" factory wheels, with 215 F and 275 R. The current offering seems to be 225/265 on Tire rack.

What are you guys running on your cars?
Thanks
L

 

The 215 is over .6 inch taller than the stock front and the 275 is .4 taller assuming its the 275/40. If its the 275/35 (I sure hope not) then its .7 smaller. People sometimes use that to make the side wall look smaller to look more "modern" all it does it mess things up and widen the wheel gap. Unless you readjust the cars front and rear high via coil over spring perch adjustments Your best bet is keep stock tires.

Run some searches as a first step as your new, you will find many questions already answered. These cars have been around for over 20 years, believe it or not, your not the first one who thought to pose a question about tires.

This may help.
https://tiresize.com/chart/

 

thanks. The reason I posted as the more recent thread was several years old...

 

Yes true the tire sizes and the meaning of the numbers is the same today as they were 10 years ago thus the information is still relevant.

In the end its really preference with size some like 295's... but if you deviate from OEM then it is best to adjust the chassis rake if needed. Most folks don't and that's fine too but be aware is all.

Good luck post it up when you get it! Do you have a link to the proposed car?

 

Again talked about many times, but seeing as half of the current threads on the first page are threads brought back from 10years ago lol, its nice to see a new post.
225 is the best imo for the front, period.
265 is to narrow for a 10" rim, it looks stretched to fit.
A 285/35 is almost the exact same diameter (within 1%). So it looks the same as a 265 from the side, but doesn't look dorky from the rear. It looks absolutely ideal imo.

 

Thanks everyone. Any brand or particular model within a Brand (Michelin vs Bidgestone vs Continental for example) preference?

I used several different brands for different purposes from street to track in the past 17 years but never had an F-car before (mostly Porsche, BMW etc)

 

I understand its subjective I have seen 355's with real thin rubber look a low rider to to each their own. Here is my opinion understanding others have other opinions. Mine is not right or wrong its just my observation.

Stock - 265/40R18 = 26.3 tall
Alternate - 275/40R18 = 26.7 tall
Alternate - 285/35R18 = 25.9 tall
Alternate - 295/35R18 = 26.1 tall

275 is or +10mm difference. It's not that small so rear has to go DOWN 5mm to keep rake which WOULD look better.
285 is or -10mm difference. It's not that small so rear has to go UP 5mm to keep rake which would NOT look better and with the smaller wall you may enter cholo territory

The 295 looks very good but the wide rubber seems a bit much and does have an effect on unstrung weight etc.

Michelin vs Bridgestone tends to be split on preference both work well I have Bridgestone and when I switch will go to Conti DWS.

 

Relative to historical activity is seems that the user engagement in these cars has tapered off quite notably, I noticed that too.

 

Thanks everyone - very helpful and much appreciated.
I will post the car/pictures once I have it in my possession (don't want to jinx it)

 

I run 285/35 rear, 235/40 front. Current tires are Bridgestone S-04 Pole Position. Car is used for touring and general street driving. Been happy with them for 7k miles. Second choice would be Michelin Pilot Sport 4S but I just don't need the extra level of performance.

 

thanks John!

 

From tire rack, 265/40MPSS vs 285/35MPSS

width- tread-dia- revs/mi
265/40ZR18 300 AA A 27 lbs 10.7" 9.7" 26.3" 790
285/35ZR18300 AA A 28 lbs 11.4" 11.1" 25.9" 804

Dia 1.5% difference.

By the way, if you compare a bridgestone 285 vs nito 285, vs Michelin 285 vs continental 285. You will find they vary in their sizes sometimes quite significantly. Ive seen 305s narrower than a 285 in another brand, or a 35 in one brand is the same as a 40 in another. so they fact the MPSS 265/285are basically 1% different is negligible.


285(with spacers) vs 265
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thanks for the cool pics and info!

 

Google this string as well to read all sorts of spirited dialog. "ferrari 355 tire site:ferrarichat.com"

I have read as little as 3mm change in rake can change the cars notable from overseer to understeer. If your just cruising etc it probably makes zero difference.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2’s are my favorite, overkill for a road car but they really stick once heated. Pricey but they’re pretty quiet and last a decent amount of miles. Michelin Pilot 4S is probably a better tire for a road car though.

I remember reading/hearing that the 4S grip at cold temp is very close to heated grip, and the Cup 2’s need a lot of heat before they stick. DId I imagine this or does anyone else recall this?

 

DOT race tires or slicks
All those 50k mile street tires are for mustangs. If you do 5k miles in 3 years the tires will out date before they are even scrubbed






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I agree. I have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (225/40ZR18 F and 265/40ZR18 R) on Challenge wheels that I use for rain tires on the track or for when the temperature is too low to use slicks. The grip was excellent on a 45 degree day at Lime Rock Park last year...


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I have some hankook dot tires for wet that stick like glue I think. Like them more then the michlens. Seem to catch slides better in my head. But never did a scientific apple Apple to apple test.
Big fan of dot race tires

 

now thats the car (Challenge) I would love one day...
The spyder will do for now. Street tires.

 

Challenge cars are around, Laszlo. They're fun to drive on the track. They're relatively safe out there too as the F355 Challenge gives you a bit of time to correct and prevent a spin if you've done something wrong.

I highly recommend the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in the stock sizes for your 18" wheels. I bought my set a year ago when they were first released. They're good in the rain as long as the road is just wet. They wont be good in standing water. You need dedicated rain tires for that. They were so good on that 45 degree day that I forgot that I wasn't driving on slicks. It was also good to know that they would not break traction abruptly as slicks sometimes do. Indeed, I've seen a lot of street cars with 4Ss at track events in the past year.

The way they performed on the track in wet and in cold conditions, I feel that they are an excellent choice for street tires.

Barry

 

Lime Rock Park - October 26, 2018
45F - Too Cold For Slicks


Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss going on...


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I LOVE it! I have to admit that I have a GT4 which I am tracking (after a long line of P-cars for track) but been debating a 355 or 360 Challenge for a year or so.

 

The GT4 with its long wheelbase makes a fine track car.

The F355 Challenge is a bit forgiving on the track giving you a bit of time to correct and prevent a spin if you do something wrong out there.

 

hmmm not sure if I can get the spyder in a DE with Ferrari club? Might just be a weekend driver. But will get the advice and try the 4S.
I will stick to my GT4 for the track.

 

Local track rules take precedence over FCA rules when it comes to convertibles.

See this document...