New Tires for my 04 360

I'm just about to change from tried and trusted PS2s to the new version Pilot Super Sport. I've had to change front 215/45 to 225/45 and rear 275/40 to 265/40 as the stock sizes aren't available. The reviews seem good and I understand the grip levels will be significantly superior to the standard sizes on PS2.

Agree that it's probably not a good idea to use to sticky string method from the outside but the internal plug is far superior and I, personally, would have no qualms about using that method.

 

I've been wondering about this myself, but can't quite figure out which sizes to use. The stock tyres on my car are Bridgestone S-02 which have the following specifications for diameter:

Front = 215/45ZR18 (diameter = 25.7")
Rear = 275/40ZR18 (diameter = 26.7")

The closest sizes in the Michelin Pilot Super Sport seem to be as follows:

Front = 225/45ZR18 (diameter = 25.9")
Rear = 265/40ZR18 (diameter = 26.3")

So it seems to require a plus size at the front and a minus size at the back. Is this going to upset the handling, plus, are the new sizes close enough to the originals in terms of diameter to be acceptable?

Are there other choices that offer a closer match to the original sizes, also, what about run flats -- i.e., are there any good choices out there?

 

I received advice from an F-Chat user who gave me a lot of his personal time and was very helpful in assisting me and answering my many questions. I don't yet have any personal experience of the tyres yet as they're due for fitment tomorrow but this user has experimented with Modena, 430, Scud (and other cars) and has tried multiples of tyre brand and sizes on them all. I felt very comfortable following someone with such extensive experience and was very thankful for the advice.

I was concerned about the very same issues you mention. Front/back balance. Excessive differential of circumference resulting in ABS/ASR systems getting upset. The advice was that the combination works and works better than stock and works much better than PS2.

I should add that the following are the only sizes of PSS that are available to me in Europe......

225 45 R 18 95 ZR(Y)
245 45 R 18 100 ZR(Y)
245 40 R 18 97 ZR(Y)
265 40 R 18 101 ZR(Y)

If you have access to other tyres in PSS (e.g. 235/40 for front, 275/40 for rear) that would make a better combination again.

 

I would not recommend run flats bc of harsh ride. I went up one size on front with my 430 to 235/35/19 and rear stayed the same 285/35/19. No problems. I went with Bridgestone RE-11. Very happy so far. Lots of people on here swear by Michelin PS2.

Personally I would not drop a size on the front or especially the rear. I did this once on my 911 and the difference in appearance was noticeable.

 

Try giving TireRack a call and ask for Damon....... see if he can fit you into the Michelin SuperSports (which are an outstanding tire seeing some reviews on the other forums).

 

I hope you get someone different at Tire Rack than me. I told the guy what I wanted to do and he would have no part of it. See above post.

He was either inexperienced or afraid to recommend anything other than stock tire sizes. No help at all. F of Ft Laud ordered and installed tires with no qualms.

 

Yes, that was my experience also. My supplier has no problem selling anything you want but please don't ask them to recommend anything other than stock sizes - "cover my a$$" seems to take over very quickly indeed!

To the OP - yes, the RE11s are highly recommended also if you are allowed to use them in your locale. I'm not and tire rack wouldn't supply as they said they'd tried before and had them returned by customs.

Good size for your 360 on standard rims would be 235/40 front and 275/40 rear.

 

Interesting. What's the deal about not being able to use RE11s in Ireland?

 

I merely asked if the 235 would fit the front without problems.

(crickets)

 

This was the response from TireRack when I found I couldn't obtain the tyres anywhere and I thought what the hell, I'll ship 'em from USA if necessary.......

Sorry for the delay. I'm afraid I ran into a snag. The RE-11's do not have what is called an ECE Code. Basically meaning they weren't tested for the European market. Ireland actually checks and refuses the tires when the come in so I can't ship them there. Sometimes people arrange the shipping with a freight forwarder but that's something you would have to arrange. Sorry for the issues. Let me know if there is another tire you would want or if you have a freight forwarder.

Bottom line is that just about everything in the EU needs a CE stamp which is certification that it's been passed for safety. We're talking babies bottles to cars and everything in between. Sadly the RE11s aren't passed or haven't presented themselves for certification maybe due to cost and perhaps limited market appeal.

 

They show the Super Sports on Michelin UK's web site. Doesn't this imply that they might have CE approval?

 

Try yokohama advan sports. They come in the exact size that the car requires/ Have unbelievable grip (I have used several other brands and these are very good). they are very well priced...just over $1000.00(4tires) delivered to your door (discounttiredirect.com). I have 11mm and 15mm spacers with stock tire sizes, and believe me when I say they grip- I drive the car pretty aggressive. Good luck

 

Yes, the PSS are available in Europe (in more limited sizes than you guys in US seem to have) and they are in fact the tyres I've selected on this occasion.

 

I'm sorry, I wasn't concentrating hard enough. It's the RE-11s that you can't buy over there.

 

While I have no clue why z rates tires can't be plugged (sounds like a crock- maybe the dealer you went to just doesn't want to plug the tire for some reason), I'd recommend you get new tires ASAP just given the age of your tires (7+ years). My car had original fronts when I got it (they were about 9 years old) and one went totally flat one day in the garage- when I inspected it I could see the dry rot cracks and checked the date code and sure enough they were original! The rear tires were essentially new and for some dumb reason I assumed the fronts were newer as well! I had the car for not that long at that point but had been to high speeds with it on those old tires- glad it went flat and not a blow out!

I replaced all the tires with the RE-11s (and posted a message on here for anyone interested in like-new rear tires to pick up for free from the tire shop -there was a taker who picked them up). You will notice a better/quieter ride and maybe even notice better handling even with street driving vs. your old tires. Tires need to be replaced based on wear and/or age, whichever comes up first. I've heard people use 7 or 10 years as a rule of thumb (and I suppose the rubber breakdown/dry out depends on the climate where you live), but I'd say 6-7 years is the max I'd want to go.

-Andrew

 

Good spot Andrew, I missed the fact that the OP's tyres are original (i.e. '04).

They must be absolute solid-as-a-rock rubbish at this stage and are years and years overdue for change. Getting this slow puncture was probably a luck event!

 

Yes- As was my finding of a completly flat tire in my garage vs. blowout!

 

I put a set of Pirelli P7000 tires on my 308 in 1994'ish and they were still reasonably soft and usable in 2011. Yes ~17 years.

The rears had almost no tread left after the staggering 166 miles / year I averaged. They did flat spot because it was only driven about once every 6 months or 6.43x10-8 Hz. Interesting enough the tires remained soft enough that they would un-fat spot in <1mile! Yes I know Ferraris need to be driven more, but I was busy chasing women and stuff...

 

Got some Hankooks for my 360 about 3 months ago from Tire Rack. I'm very happy with them.