My Michelin Pilots have been on my 355 for 4 years now. They are in excellent condition...not many miles driven. I have been told that after some time the rubber loses its stickiness...whether the car is used much or rarely at all. So how long should these tyres be kept on the car before it is necessary to put new ones on all round? Howard
Howard as usual this data is all over the internet and all over this site and is affected by the date code on your tires (whose decoder is also all over the internet and all over this site) But in the spirit of Christmas : 7 years
Besides the date deal if you have cracks in the sidewalls or between the treads think about changing the tires out. Yes they do get "cured" with age making the rubber harder. Depends on how much you like to change your drawers
I hate to admit it but I did 135mph with front tires that were 8 yrs old. Thats before i knew any better, I wouldn't do it again.
When I bought my F355 it had Michelin Pilot Sports. I changed the backs since they were low to Pilot Super Sports. Around 1 year later I changed the fronts to PSS, but had I known that the current tires were over 9 years old and the belts on the non-visible side starting to show, I would have done it when I did the back tires. The front wandering at speed, lack of adhesion and instability that I had before are now gone after putting on the new tires.
When I bought my 355 it was 15 years old, and had 124 miles (total). The original tires looked perfect, and the dealer assured me that there weren't any flat spots. I drove 1,700 miles before I finally gave up on the flat spots working themselves out. I have to say, the traction was surprisingly good. I've got a fresh set of PS2's on now, but you'd be amazed how good old tires can be. Unless I'm going racing, I'd feel comfortable leaving my new set on for 10 years.
I remember being at a Track day at TWS about 8 years ago. There was a F355 with about 1000 miles on the clock and the original tires (over 8 years old). Not only did he spin the car 3 times, but I passed him twice every 20 minute session in my (completely stock right down to the air cleaners) F355 with modern street tires (not r-compounds).
My 355 was slipping badly at the rear Tyres had only done 4000 miles...looked brand new... But were 8 years old Replaced with new and...what a difference.. Bloody dangerous to have old tyres on such a powerful motor They harden and dont stick Howard
Probably depends a lot on how the car was stored too. Mine was stored dry for 15 years. Apparently in the dark, since none of the vents had gone sticky, and all of the leather is perfect. I definitely wouldn't have done a track day on those tires, but nowhere near as bad as I expected. (When I raced motorcycles, I changed my tires every race weekend)
My '05 430 had the original rears changed last year (3800 miles) and since the fronts are now 8 years old (4300 miles), I'm getting new fronts installed this week. The original fronts still look great with no cracks and lots of tread left but I would feel a lot better with new fronts. Depending on how you use your car, you should be okay at 4 years. Enjoy your 355 ... it's a great car.
