355 TIRE PREFERENCES

Hola fellow F-Chatters,

I need to get new set of sneakers for my 1998 355 F1 Spider. I am not one for the track but do enjoy a bit of canyon driving once in a while. I have the original P Zeros and they are hard. Time for new ones,

What have you guys replaced your tires with and why?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

I have had Bridgestone SO3's on for a year that I bought from Tire Rack, and have been very happy with them. Old tires were worn out.

 

I put Pirelli P Zero Asametricos on the 355 and the TR works fine on both cars like you I dont track the cars .

 

BF Goodrich KD. Amazing grip, and good wear.

 

What about Pilot Sport or PS2s. The P Zeros are well behind several tires in grip and are noisy. I have bought two cars with PZeros as OE and pulled each set of tires off within a matter of weeks. I went to PS2s on both cars.

I just put AD07s on one of my cars and those tires grip like crazy. I have gone through 2 sets of PS2s on two cars in the last two years and I have PSs on my Ruf. I think the PS2s and AD07s are definitely the best handling tires I have used. AD07s seem very close to some R Compounds I have used and may ride better and grip better than PS2s. Have not tried them in the rain yet. BTW, I think the AD07s are OE on Elises. They should be decent for grip. The AD07 is between PS2s and Pirelli for noise.

 

Check out this link for Tire Racks testing of AD07s. Wish they had PS2s in head to head comparison as those would be very close to the AD07s. Looks like the AD07s edged out PS2s in slalom if look at times for other comparison test including the PS2s.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/yo_advan_neova_ad07_c.jsp

 

Azenis 617. They are between R compounds and street tires. They stick like glue.

 

I'm in the market for new tires as well. My research suggests that the Michelin PS2's might be the best choice. Tire Rack indicates the following survey results for the PS2 characteristics that I desire (ratings are on a scale of 10): dry traction 9.5, cornering stability 9.2, steering response 9.2. Tim

 

i don't see the ad07 as made in size to fit 355 ie 265/40 or 293/35.

 

I'm leaning to the PS2's also.....they are newly available in OEM sizes for F355....
I have SO3's on my E430 and Boxster and am happy with them also....

 

Tire Rack ratings say the P zero's suck

 

I have used S03s on more than one occassion on couple of different cars. The PS2s are much better. I think they weigh a heck of a lot less which gives you some advantages of less unsprung weight. They definitely have more grip and I like the way they feel on the road. I have used PZero, Dunlap, Conti, BF, F1, S03, S02, PS and Rib. Pretty much tried everything and the PS, PS2s and the AD07s are by far my favs. These AD07s are truly close to a R compound.

 

Put on a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE050, 03/04, They are great. Great traction and handling.....Tire Rack

 

Just ordered Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's from Tire Rack......

Was a nice day yesterday (cold but clear and dry) so went for a drive in my
F355 Spider. The car had only 5400 miles on it when I bought in September, and I broke 6000 yesterday, with only nice weather driving, I think I will put 2000 + miles on per year, which I think is what I read the Ferrari techs recommend....I also start it once a week and let it run until warmed up.

The tires on this former garage queen look like new...not a blemish or crack in sight. BUT THEY ARE TEN YEARS OLD!!!!!

Got REAL squirelly on a twisty and lost control for a second (seemed much longer) powering out of the curve.....NO DOUBT ten year old tires in the cold SUCK!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to try the new tires after they are mounted....the new one will actually weigh 14 pounds less (total) unsprung weight....that certainly is a plus.

 

B,

I'll be ordering the same set. Did you stick with stock sizes? Do they have the same load rating as the S01?

You need to do a search about the tires........ Cold = no good........... I did the same thing last yr.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=134577255&postcount=4

 

I kept stock size....advised not to change diameters...adversely effects handling....load handling is better, speed rating better, wear better, quieter, lighter, wet and dry better, definitely seems like much better tires....

 

Recently put them on my 355, replacing S01's. The owner's manual ('97), shows vastly different inflation pressures for different brand tires--Bridgestone Expedia S-01, 37psi front, 32 rear. Michelin Pilot SX MXX3 28 f/31 r.

I communicated with both Tire Rack and Michelin, and still don't have 100% confidence in the answers. As I remember, both said 36/36 on the PS2's. I am running 37 f/35 r., but those may be refined in the future.

Anyone have any other info on inflation?

 

If its not an 19" Wheel i would go with Bridgestone RE55S.
________________________
Samy
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how about the Kumho Exsta MX? I have these on my 97 355 and love them so far. Chaa has a lot of experience with these as well. You may want to contact him. Good price good performance
gordon

 

I have ps2 on my 911 c4 and LOVE them. Never broken loose once, but it also is a c4 so not the best example.

I also have had the OEM Bridgestones on my 97 355 spider and they DO break loose too often for my tastes and going to switch over to the old reliable PS2 with all the others saying good things above.

Someone mentioned to me a S. Korean brand called Sumitoro or something like that that are cheap and great for track, but will let someone else take that leap.

I figure the PS2s will last me the life of my ownership of the 355 since I cant drive it more than 3k a year no matter how hard I try....(unless I track it then I know they will be toast in one day)

Brent

 

PS2's arrived, they are indeed light for large tires....pretty interesting tread pattern, very assymetical.....
need to get the old wheels/tires off now and get them mounted.....
I'll report on the ride soon, hopefully

 

First chance to go for a long drive with my new Michelin PS2's. Weather was great for January....60 degrees and sunny. Drove highway,neighborhood roads and twisties. These new tires are SWEET!!!!
Quiet, smooth, and stick like glue.....no hint of losing grip accelerating out of curves (unlike my SO1's). They look good and don't see any reason to upsize from the OEM sizes. I had front and back at 36 pounds and the pressure seems right, although it might be hard to tell if a pound or two difference would change anything.
Bought the tires at TireRack (I've been a regular for many years) and ran a bit over $1000 and my regular tire guy (Ye Olde Wheel Shoppe) expertly mounted and balanced them for $90.
I did the replacement of the tires myself since I'm pretty anal when it comes to jacking the car and taking off the centers. The jack placement was to the jack point (2/3rd's back under the door back),a low profile hydraulic jack fit under fine and I used Ralley 6 ton jack stands ($19/pair at Kmart) without the rack tooth/saddle column, at the front (near front of door) and the rear jack points (inboard from the wheels). The jackstands fit into the square area perfectly along the side of the car, so there was no bending of the metal with improper jacking. It is amazing how little the car has to be jacked to change both side tires and put the stands under. The jackstands are 10 inches high without the inserts. Car was quite stable on the 4 stands. The wife's Escalade ESV comes in handy for tire hauling.
Thank you FChatter's for jacking tips, tire advice, etc.

 

That's good news. We recommend the PS2's for these cars and also the Kumho Ecstas for those who wish to spend a little less. The Michelins seem to be a favorite of most of the car crazy crowd around here.

-Peter

 

Put Michelin PS2s on my 98 355 F1. Put 295s on rear with NO ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED, and 235s on front. Rear end grip was awsome and ride was as good or better than former Pirelli's.