Best tires for F8?

There was a thread about exactly this last week as I recall

 

With everybody agreeing the Pirelli tyres are crap () the choice is between the K-marked (Ferrari specific) but outdated Michelin PSS, or standard (not Ferrari specific) new generation Michelin PS4S.
General consensus (backed by Michelin representatives advice) is that the PS4S are the best choice.

 

The MPS4S set off of the 991 GT3 which are the same size as the F8 set, runs really well on both the 488 and F8. You are better off getting a matched set of N spec shoes than mixing K spec with general purpose.

It is also worth noting that K spec is not of a higher quality nor is it for all Ferraris. They model specific, and can vary quite a bit. For this reason is it good to use the type of car it is made for as a guideline. A tyre made for a GT3 is more likely to be a good match for an F8 than a tyre made for a Cali or Lusso, especially when there is no matching rear.

Lastly the MPS4S run a bit narrow. The N spec has a wider tread and that means that the tread width of the MPS4S N0 in that size is pretty much the same tread width as the MPSS K3.

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Why in the world would you put Porsche spec tires on your Ferrari? The K1 and K2 spec tires are readily available, or available after a brief wait

 

Generic MPS4S.

 

Actually there are no MPS4S specific tyres for the 488 / Pista / F8 since the Ferrari dimensions combination on these cars only exist on this aged platform and the specific tyres exist from the introduction of the 488 on the now old Michelin PSS - so neither Ferrari nor Michelin is bothering to make specific MPS4S tyres for these cars.
The K1, K2 and K3 are model specific, one should not mix K1 with K2, nor K2 with generic if the right dimension only exist for one axle - the correct set of MPSS for the 488 is marked K3.
Since it is definitely not recommended to mix different specifications tyres on the same cars, for MPS4S the only possible options are going generic or selecting a consistent specification, e.g. Porsche as suggested (although in this case it has to be validated, whereas the generic option is risk-free).

 

What do you think that would do for you? The K1 is for the Lusso, and the K2 is for the Cali T and now Porto. K spec does NOT mean general Ferrari spec, they are model specific. If you get the N0 GT3 set, you not only get tyres that are a matched set, you get shoes for a car that is a sports car, not a GT. After you then get either the Lusso or Cali fronts, you have to pair them up with a non-OE specific rear it was never designed to run with. The GT3 has been tried by others including me and it runs very well and was designed for a car with similar weight distribution and weight, not to mention intended usage.

 

Getting the generic set is by no means less risky than say a matched Porsche set. In fact, more often than not, Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren specific tyres for the sports cars, are created to be more progressive and deliver a bit more understeer. If you put a tyre on that is more neutral, you have a car that is less forgiving. Going with generic tyres can easily be as risky as going with another model specific tyre. This is something I have been talking to my contact at Michelin about over and over through the years, and the answer is always the same. Get a matched set if possible, and look for cars that are of similar type i.e sports car, GT etc. If it works on a McLaren or a Porsche sports car, chances are that it will work well on a Ferrari sports car too.

 

I read an article recently that the generic often outperforms the brand specific in independent testing.

 

True. But more often than not, that also makes the car more difficult to drive. When Ferrari puts a car on the street, and Porsche for that matter, they do a lot to make it safe for inexperienced drivers. Part of that is to make sure it's progressive and forgiving, but that will of course deduct from performance.

 

Are you certain K1 and K2 are NOT spec for the F8?

 

The K marking is specific to a car model and a tyre type - K1 for the Sport Cup 2R is for the Pista, 488 and F8, and as such exists in the correct front / rear dimensions.
However K1 and K2 MPS4S only exist for the front 488/F8 tyres dimensions and not the rear 488/F8 dimensions, since they are for other models they are associated with different rear dimensions.

 

Yes. The K1 245/35R20 was developed for the Lusso and matches the 295/35R20 K1 rear. The K2 245/35R20 was developed for the Cali T and goes with the 285/35R20 K2 rear.

 

Ah! Sorry. I didnt know you were talking about PS4S. I would only put PSC2's on my cars... because, well, Texas heat.

 

do you still recommend the MPS4S 245/35R20 K1 and 295/35R20 K1 for the 458?

 

Yes. It works, and it works well.

 

On a 458 you can use the 245/35/20 and 305/35/20 MPS4S regular non K.

 

Except for the fact that those rears are currently not being produced. Besides, the 458 greatly benefits from running the 245 with the 295 instead of the 235.

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I ordered the rear’s 305/35/20 months ago. Back in Mid March and still waiting. Over 5 months..

No one knows when they will be available. I called Mechelin and not to much assistance at all.

 

There was also a video test of brand-specific vs general, and the BMW M3-specific tires were materially better. Worth a few seconds a lap and more easily controlled. So as with most things, it depends.


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Having read all your replies,you really solved all my puzzles regarding to ps4s, so could I say that the reason to choose N0 version of Ps4s on F8, is that N0 Ps4s was originally made for 991GT3, and f8 and GT3 are both RWD and their engines are in the back side, which makes their layout very similar.Much appreciated

 

Thank you- Thus is ver helpful- Going with PS4S's on my 458 Spider in Spring-

Cheers