Michelin Pilot Sport 2 and 360 spider | FerrariChat
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Michelin Pilot Sport 2 and 360 spider

Discussion in '360/430' started by acropora157, May 27, 2008.

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  1. acropora157

    acropora157 Rookie

    Apr 26, 2008
    24
    #1 acropora157, May 27, 2008
    I am looking to buy new tires for my 03 360 spider. I would like to get the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires but they do not exactly match the stock 18" size. I want to keep the same wheels. Your thoughts on the size difference for the front tires is appreciated.

    stock sizes
    Front 215/45 ZR 18
    Rear 275/40 ZR 18

    PS 2 sizes
    Front 225/45 ZR 18
    Rear 275/40 ZR 18
     
  2. Derek Trotter

    Derek Trotter Formula 3
    BANNED

    Jul 28, 2007
    1,790
    Cambridge, UK
    #2 Derek Trotter, May 27, 2008
    P-ur-lease!

    Search is your friend.
     
  3. Stew

    Stew Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2006
    547
    Los Angeles
    #3 Stew, May 27, 2008
    What city are you in.

    I went to Hanks Tires in Woodland Hills Calif. today. Besides being great guys and very meticulous, they are family owned and have been in the same location for the past FIFTY years. Here is the good news. They had Michelin Pilot Sport in the correct 360 size !!!

    Regards,

    Stew

    p.s. Sears is also a large seller of Michelin tires. I know it sounds crazy but you can order Pilot Sport tires from Sears. They showed them in stock. You can pick them up and then have you favorite installer put them on.
     
  4. acropora157

    acropora157 Rookie

    Apr 26, 2008
    24
    #4 acropora157, May 28, 2008
    Last edited: May 28, 2008
    Stew, thank you for your response . I am also grateful to the helpful PM's as well. It was not a concern to deviate slightly on some past jalopies :)
    The Michelin PS 2 does not come in the stock front size as per their website. I plan to change the rear tire to compensate, but I will have to research further.
    PS2
    Front 225/45 ZR 18
    Rea r 285/40 ZR 18 ?
     
  5. Stew

    Stew Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2006
    547
    Los Angeles
    #5 Stew, May 28, 2008
    There are different opinions on this. Some are concerned about ABS response and handling differences with different tire sizes. Some are concerned about how fast the other brands wear out. Others have changed to 19 inch tires and wheels etc.

    The Bridgestone Potenza comes in the correct 215 size for the front and 275 in the rear. In any event enjoy !


    Regards,

    Stew
     
  6. Rob in Potomac

    Rob in Potomac Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2006
    454
    Potomac, MD
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #6 Rob in Potomac, May 28, 2008
    You are absolutely correct in questioning the effect that the non standard size tire will have. I switched to 225/40 18 and 275/35 18 Toyo Proxes RA-1's on my '04 360 Spider and it has caused a number of issues. First of all, the car bottomed out often on country roads, at least until I had the suspension tightened up a bit. Additionally, at least at the track, I have to turn off the traction control, as it tends to kick in at very inopportune times.


    The tires are fantastic, but I wish I they were available in the correct size (I have recently been told that Toyo now has R compound tires in the correct size).

    Good luck.


    Rob in Potomac
     
  7. acropora157

    acropora157 Rookie

    Apr 26, 2008
    24
    #7 acropora157, May 28, 2008
    Here is a tire calculator which has helped to configure the front to rear size ratio, height, etc.

    http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

    After all is said in done, I could not work the PS 2 tires with the sizes they have available. The standard Pilot Sport is the corect size and rates slightly better then the Potenza RE050A and S-02A. According to tiretrack testing the Yokohama Advan is the best offered in the stock sizes.

    thanks for the responses.
     
  8. ONEOFEW

    ONEOFEW Formula Junior

    Jan 19, 2006
    835
    LA
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #8 ONEOFEW, May 28, 2008
    What about Pirelli P Zeros??
    They came as original equipment on my 02 360 and still available as OEM replacement.
    I’ve had both PS2 and P zeros on my 911, actually P Zero griped better.
     
  9. THE BEAST 360

    THE BEAST 360 Formula Junior

    Jul 17, 2005
    646
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Nathan K
    #9 THE BEAST 360, May 28, 2008
    Rob in Potomac, I just switched to the new Toyo R888s. They seem to be much better tires than the RA-1's and the car hasn't bottomed out.
    275/40-18
    225/40-18
     
  10. zippyslug31

    zippyslug31 Formula 3

    Sep 28, 2007
    2,075
    PDX
    Full Name:
    Kevin M.
    #10 zippyslug31, May 28, 2008
    Hey guys, BE SURE AND CONSULT YOUR OWNER'S MANUALS ON TIRE PRESSURES!!!
    I don't remember the exact numbers, but I was pretty suprised to see a lot of varation from tire to tire. Some called for more pressure up front, some call for more in the rear. This seams really odd to me that the f-owner's manual would say this, but what do I know about building cars!

    Pretty sure the Pilots are f:26, r:28 since this is what I'm currently running.
    IIRC other brands required more pressure in the front and they varied quite a bit from these 26/28 figures.
     
  11. Rob in Potomac

    Rob in Potomac Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2006
    454
    Potomac, MD
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #11 Rob in Potomac, May 29, 2008
    Thanks, I need to replace my current set. Not certain I will go again with R compound for everyday and track use. I may look for a set of rims to mount the R compounds and use only for the track. Did you get your Toyo R888s at Radial or another dealer?

    Rob in Potomac
     
  12. 68rcodemustang

    68rcodemustang Formula Junior

    Aug 12, 2006
    506
    Houston Texas
    Full Name:
    Mullet
    #12 68rcodemustang, May 29, 2008
    I run the PS2's in those sizes. no problems.
     
  13. acropora157

    acropora157 Rookie

    Apr 26, 2008
    24
    #13 acropora157, May 29, 2008
    I looked further and I see that the PS2 is not made in 285/40-18 which would have been a similar bump up as the front. Just got to read this post now.
    Are you running the PS 2's at:
    Front 225/45 ZR 18
    Rear 275/40 ZR 18
     
  14. acropora157

    acropora157 Rookie

    Apr 26, 2008
    24
    #14 acropora157, May 29, 2008
    I am running P zero's now and looking for a change. Surprised to hear that you found that they had more grip then the PS2. According to some online reveiws and tire rack reveiws, they rate the PS2 a close second to the Bridgstone Potenza pole Position tire. The Bridgstone's were further off stock size.
    Good luck with your 911 an awesome car as well.
     
  15. THE BEAST 360

    THE BEAST 360 Formula Junior

    Jul 17, 2005
    646
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Nathan K
    #15 THE BEAST 360, May 29, 2008
    I got them from Paul at radial tire.
     

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