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Tires for a 355 Spider

Discussion in '348/355' started by notoboy, Mar 8, 2006.

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  1. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #1 notoboy, Mar 8, 2006
    Hey guys, I know this question comes up every year, but a few of the companies have changed their tire compounds so the preference changes every year (well, almost).

    I need new shoes for my 355, and I do drive the car at its limits, and I do drive it in the rain.

    What are the best tires, Michelins, Pirellis, Bridgestones, Goodyears, etc.? And many people have discussed putting larger tire sizes on the stock rims - this a good idea?

    And just for the heck of it, why would I choose a Z rated tire over a Y rated tire or not and whats the difference?

    I would appreciate any factual input or personal experiences.
    Thanks,
    David
     
  2. TimsBlack16M

    TimsBlack16M Formula 3

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    #2 TimsBlack16M, Mar 8, 2006
    I had the same question for my 355. After much research, I settled on the PS2's. I could not have been happier. Highly recommended! Tim
     
  3. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #3 DIGMAN52, Mar 8, 2006
    I put new Bridgestone SO3's on a year ago and like them very much. Was told they were softer than some others, but handling is more important to me than mileage from the tire.
     
  4. 1Turbo

    1Turbo Formula Junior

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    #4 1Turbo, Mar 8, 2006
    I agree with PS2s.
    Z Rated = 150+ MPH
    I don't remember the Max for Ys. Stick with the "Z".
     
  5. DMOORE

    DMOORE Formula 3

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    #5 DMOORE, Mar 8, 2006
    Y rating is for 189mph. many of the new high performance tires are going to this rating.
     
  6. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #6 notoboy, Mar 9, 2006
    I've heard great things about the Bridgestones, but I put the Michelin Pilot Sports on my TR and they're great. Then, to mix it up a bit, someone sent me a TireRack test that said the Goodyear Eagles were even better. Dunno still.

    Thanks for the input!
     
  7. dougburhyte

    dougburhyte Karting

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    #7 dougburhyte, Mar 9, 2006
    I'm also in the process of going to Michelin Pilot Sports from the Bridgestones. And do get "Y" rather than "Z" rated, as they're good for higher speeds as another person already noted.
     
  8. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #8 notoboy, Mar 9, 2006
    Thanks for the input on tires.

    I talked to everyone who I could find, and it looks like the only viable alternative is the Michelin Pilot Sports, bc very very few companies produce 265/40-R18s anymore - you cannot get Pirellis or Bridgestone S03s in this size anymore. I'm getting the tires mounted on Saturday ;)

    And for those who care, I'm told after several calls with experts that Y rated tires are as good or better than Z rated tires.
     
  9. 1Turbo

    1Turbo Formula Junior

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    #9 1Turbo, Mar 9, 2006
    Last year i replaced my Z06 Tires with Speed Rated Zs.The Boys from Discount Tire recommended Z over Y. Are Ys now considered Superior to Zs ?
    I hope i wasn't given Bogus Info. For those that Purchased Ys, how do they compare to Zs as far as Handling,Ride etc.
     
  10. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #10 notoboy, Mar 13, 2006
    Well, I just got new Michelin Pilot Sports for the car and the rears look awefully skinny compared to the Pirellis they just replaced.

    They have easily 3 cm less tread width touching the ground than the Pirelli P-Zeros they replaced - WHAT GIVES???

    This can't be good! Would love some input.

    David
     
  11. TTG

    TTG Formula 3

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    #11 TTG, Mar 13, 2006
    Interesting David...I would not have thought that. I have P Zeros on mine and I am due for new skins by next year...I was toying with the idea of different rims and tires too. We should talk...shoot me an email with your # [email protected]

    Todd
     
  12. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    #12 LetsJet, Mar 13, 2006
    These were Sports or PS2s?
     
  13. bst1

    bst1 Formula 3

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    #13 bst1, Mar 14, 2006
    I have driven my new Michelin PS2's a couple hundred miles and they stick like glue to the road. Very pleased with their performance. Mine are replacements for the original SO1's.
     
  14. shawsan

    shawsan Formula 3

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    #14 shawsan, Mar 15, 2006
    PS2s. And you can put 295s on the rear w/o any adjustments whatsoever. Ride is wonderful and grips like a claw.
     
  15. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #15 notoboy, Mar 15, 2006
    To the best of my knowledge, Michelin PS2s are not currently offered in stock 355 wheel sizes. There are the 295s, but the tire diameter is a bit different and I wasn't sure about non-stock size rubber. And to add to this, Pirelli P-Zeros Nero/Rosso and Bridgestone S02s are not available either anymore.

    For those of us with stock 355s, we're just plain SOL for tires.

    Currently, the only tires that fit 355 wheels are regular Y-rated Michelin Pilot Sports (not PS2s), and that is what I put on my car - not very happy about this, but that was the best option currently available. Bill at Eurotire in NJ tells me that there are Dunlops as well, and I know that there are also BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDs and Yokohamas, but no one highly recommends any of these over the Michelins.
     
  16. tstafford

    tstafford Formula Junior

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    #16 tstafford, Mar 15, 2006
    Why don't you like the Pilot Sports on your 355? I put a set on mine when I bought it because I had the same on my M3 and loved them. Really grippy but wear fast. Only get 7K-10K per set on the BMW. But that's my only issue.
     
  17. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #17 notoboy, Mar 15, 2006
    I have the Michelins on my TR and I love them, so I didn't think twice about putting them on my 355, but the tread width was very similar to the OE tires on the TR.

    I only put 40 miles on the 355 with the new tires so far, so I can't really tell how they perform, but the tire footprint is measurably and visibly smaller. I will put the car through its paces as soon as I get a chance, and I will report my seat of the pants impression. Unfortunately, I don't have a set of OE Pirellis to compare them to on a track/slalom/skidpad.

    For what it is worth, Bill at Eurotire strongly recommended that I not use the 295/35R18 PS2s on my stock rear wheels due to poor fit - I do not disbelieve any of you and I cannot comment on this from personal experience, just an FYI from the tire guy who mounted my tires.
     
  18. 1Turbo

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    #18 1Turbo, Mar 15, 2006
    You can order PS2s from Discount Tire in OEM Size !!!
    265/40 ZR 18 = $ 280 ea. The PS2s are Superior to Pilot Sports & are a little Cheaper to Boot.
    The Fronts; 225/40 ZR 18 are about $225 if i remember correctly.
     
  19. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #19 notoboy, Mar 16, 2006
    THANKS! However, ****, bc I basically just threw away $1300+ on new tires.

    Anyone interested in a set of Michelin Pilot Sports for a 355 with 40 miles on them? REAL CHEAP!
     
  20. bst1

    bst1 Formula 3

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    #20 bst1, Mar 16, 2006
    I got my PS2 Original size through tire rack.....on line it won't show for the F355, but if you go directly to Michelin, will find 265's , which are OEM's for Porsche 997
     
  21. bst1

    bst1 Formula 3

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    #21 bst1, Mar 16, 2006
    Tire Rack price, front and rear shipped was $1020
     
  22. bst1

    bst1 Formula 3

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    #22 bst1, Mar 16, 2006
    Notoboy,
    As a consolation, the Pilot Sports tread pattern is nice looking!
     
  23. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #23 Steve R, Mar 17, 2006
    Read these words.....

    On the rear: 295/35 18's
    On the front: 225/40 18's

    Michellin Pilot Sport 2's The fit is perfect, the speedo is still accurate, the size of the tire/wheel remains stock....it just looks awesome & works perfect!

    The Pirelli's will turn rock-hard & crack the day after 5 years go by....
    Any other brand is a compromise in performance UNLESS you run competitively at a dry track...then the B/F's are killer, but they won't last long and you'll be slick as snot with any moisture on the road.

    Any questions? re-read the above.......
     
  24. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #24 notoboy, Mar 17, 2006
    Thanks for the advice guys. I greatly appreciate it, but unfortunately, I now have to throw away $1300 in tires :(
     
  25. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    #25 LetsJet, Apr 2, 2006
    I thought I'd post this in case someone does a search.

    I've done some over analysis on the Michelin PS2 and the Bridgestone Expidia S-01.

    The Bridgestones are Ferrari Std. on the 355. The figures are as follows
    ..............................Diameter......RPM.......Load.....Width
    Front 225/40 18
    Bridgestone s-01.......25.0...........833........88........9.1
    Michelin PS2..............25.1...........829........92........9.1


    Rear
    265 / 40 18
    Bridgestone..............26.3............792........97.......11.2
    Michelin PS2.............26.3............790........101......10.7

    295 /35 18
    Michelin....................26.1...........797..........99.......11.9

    So, because the 355 is a mid engine car the rear load index is an important check for your tires. The Michelin exceed the Bridgestones so that should make the PS2s just fine. As you can see, the 295s are just a tad shorter but provide about 2 extra inches width over the 265s. That is a plus in my book esp. with an fchater stating that fitment isn't an issue.
     
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