The definitive Vantage tyre thread.

[BigMig]

Just wondering about tyre pressures everyone is running? If you switch from the OEM tyre i.e. Bridgestone on the V8, do you stick to the same tyre pressures as standard with the new brand, be that Conti or Michelin?

[LTP]

BigMig said:

Just wondering about tyre pressures everyone is running? If you switch from the OEM tyre i.e. Bridgestone on the V8, do you stick to the same tyre pressures as standard with the new brand, be that Conti or Michelin?

Running Contis here. Use same pressures as recommended for the standard Bridgestones

[EVR]

LTP said:

Running Contis here. Use same pressures as recommended for the standard Bridgestones

Same here with my Pilot Sport 4S. Only thing that has changed is nitrogen instead of air.

[Nigel_O]

Quick thread resurrection. The front tyres on the V8 Vantage I bought yesterday are eleven(!) years old so I've trawled this thread and settled on PS4S in 235/40 and 275/35 sizes.

I was about to order from Camskill (just under £800 delivered) and decided to have a quick look at KwikFit - they have an offer on Michelin and I've just booked in for next week to have all four fitted for £715

Happy bunny

Yes - I know - KwikFit aren't famed for their car care, but I know the team really well at my local depot.

Just got to check the jacking points so they don't try to jack on the sill covers....

[cypriot]

Has anyone fitted GT8 sized tyres on V8S wheels? So 255/35/19 front and 295/30/19 rear on standard V8S rims? Is this even possible?

[geresey]

Need to get new tyres as current ones cracked (2009 V8) So looking back at older threads, any recent updates or deeper research anyone has done on Conti sport contact 6 (or 7 now?) vs ps4S (or 5 now), and are latest P0 still a non runner? Also from one I read, why could you NOT go for the Porsche NAO suffixed Michelin vs standard one as It’s the same tyre just approved by Porsche, or isn’t it, is it an adjusted compound or something??

(Preference is comfortable ride on uk roads and longevity over absolute sport/track potential)

Edited by geresey on Thursday 19th May 11:09

[Finding Neutral]

geresey said:

Need to get new tyres as current ones cracked (2009 V8) So looking back at older threads, any recent updates or deeper research anyone has done on Conti sport contact 6 (or 7 now?) vs ps4S (or 5 now), and are latest P0 still a non runner? Also from one I read, why could you NOT go for the Porsche NAO suffixed Michelin vs standard one as It’s the same tyre just approved by Porsche, or isn’t it, is it an adjusted compound or something??

Ps5s aren’t a thing yet, just the ps5 (different tyre).

My vote would be the ps4s. Tried. Tested. Just works.

[Speedraser]

Damianos said:

Hi all,

Just changed the tyres on my 4.7 Vantage, and went from the OEM Bridgestones (Potenza AM9) to the new Potenza Sport.

I only drove a short distance with the new tyres and at slow speeds but the difference in ride quality is quite remarkable.

Note that the OEMs where less than 4 years old and had around 10.000kms (6k miles) on them. Also the car is always parked on tyre cushions, so it's clear that the difference lies on the tyre quality and not due to the old tyres being worn etc.





Also did an alignment while at it



Also a bit irrelevant since i'm abroad, but if anyone here is based in Greece, i could not speak highly enough for the shop that did the job! Amazing level of service and attention to detail!

Does anyone have any updates or additional input about the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport? The Tyre Reviews test (https://www.tire-reviews.com/Article/2022-Tire-Reviews-UHP-Summer-Tire-Test.htm) says the new Potenza has a more responsive, sharper, sportier feel than the PS4S (which will be superseded soon), which I like. Since the new Potenza should ride better and be quieter than my current RE050s, I won't mind if they don't ride as well as the PS4S or are somewhat noisier if they're more "fun."

Can't get the new (and seemingly spectacular) Conti SportContact7 in the US.

[geresey]

Finding Neutral said:

geresey said:

Need to get new tyres as current ones cracked (2009 V8) So looking back at older threads, any recent updates or deeper research anyone has done on Conti sport contact 6 (or 7 now?) vs ps4S (or 5 now), and are latest P0 still a non runner? Also from one I read, why could you NOT go for the Porsche NAO suffixed Michelin vs standard one as It’s the same tyre just approved by Porsche, or isn’t it, is it an adjusted compound or something??

Ps5s aren’t a thing yet, just the ps5 (different tyre).

My vote would be the ps4s. Tried. Tested. Just works.

Went for PS4S in the end, as you say lots of good reports. Also couldn’t get the Contis anyway…. After reading all the horror stories about incorrect jacking, I used my local indie to take the wheels off when it was in for its service, and they had the local tyre place they use and trust to fit the tyres. Managed to get them to price match to the best price online too, so effectively cost me an extra hours labour compared to doing it myself or hoping the tyre fitters could jack correctly!

[johns355]

I had the awesome PS4s tyres on my 08 roadster that I sold in April to get a 14 V8s that needed a set of tyres- nightmare to get sorted but managed to get a set of sport contact 7’s, too early to tell but I’m on a 300 mile trip tomorrow it’ll be interesting how they compare to the Michelins once I’ve scuffed them up a bit!

[Davil]

I just got the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport on my AMR V8 Vantage. I’ve only done 80km so far but here are some initial observations. They replaced the original factory fit Bridgestones.

The car now rides like, well, an Aston Martín. It is actually a bit gob smacking. If you have man boobs then they will no longer jiggle . Those old tyres were like run flats in comparison.

It’s early for other observations but steering feel is delightful. I mean, it was already great even with those old tyres but it is even nicer now. Sharp and a ton of road feel.

They are a slightly wider fit, look more “beefy” and have considerable kerb protection.

I’ll report back in a few more 100kms.

Oh yes. The tyre shop experience in an Aston is really something else! The boss got me to drive the car in as he appeared mildly terrified of any potential damage. Got his best guy to fit the tyres and said this will take longer than usual as he’s going to do this really slowly. Then when finished and I fired up that glorious V8 the installer came running out with a huge smile on his face, said he is in love with the car and will one day own one. Then proceeded to carefully direct me out and even waving goodbye. Blimey.

[EVR]

Nice!

So now the pantheon of tyres for our cars is Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Continental SportContact 7 and the soon-to-be Michelin Pilot Sport 5S.

Eager to see the outcome of tests from the popular reviewers.

[Bumcang]

I desperately need some help, hope you guys are willing to assist! Totally new to supercars (got my Vantage N430 last month) and the importance of tires. I cannot make sense of it.

I'm on Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires now and they are quite uncomfortable. What I found out from a quick Google is that these tires are "superb in the wet" while I am located in Dubai So, looking at the popular opinion here, I would say I go for the "safe" option of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Or would you recommend the Cup 2s since it never rains anyway ?

Attached are photos of my current setup, what size would I need if switching to Michelins ? With all of the varying opinions on sizing up/down I'm too confused at the moment. Any help is greatly appreciated!


High res images (probably needs a download):
Front: https://ibb.co/7CPG2bB
Back: https://ibb.co/Pj9JF9W

[LTP]

Bumcang said:

I desperately need some help, hope you guys are willing to assist! Totally new to supercars (got my Vantage N430 last month) and the importance of tires. I cannot make sense of it.

I'm on Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires now and they are quite uncomfortable. What I found out from a quick Google is that these tires are "superb in the wet" while I am located in Dubai So, looking at the popular opinion here, I would say I go for the "safe" option of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Or would you recommend the Cup 2s since it never rains anyway ?

Attached are photos of my current setup, what size would I need if switching to Michelins ? With all of the varying opinions on sizing up/down I'm too confused at the moment. Any help is greatly appreciated!


High res images (probably needs a download):
Front: https://ibb.co/7CPG2bB
Back: https://ibb.co/Pj9JF9W

From your pictures you appear to be on 245/40 ZR19 98Y on the front and 275/35 ZR19 100Y on the rear.

Now the reply I'm going to give you is strictly in line with the manuals, but there is always a little leeway in tyre size, so I don't want to alarm you. Technically, the two sizes on your car were never specified together on a Vantage.

The earlier Vantages had 235/40 ZR 19 on the front and 275/35 ZR 19 on the back; when the Vantage S was introduced they were fitted with slightly wider rims (8.5J and 10J) and had slightly wider tyres at 245/40 ZR 19 front and 285/35 ZR 19 rear. At 2012.25MY the larger rims and tyres were standardised across all Vantages. All Vantages had a slightly unique variety of Bridgestone tyres from the factory, but the technology in these tyres is now regarded as outdated, so most people recommend fitting newer-technology tyres for improved grip and/or ride.

As far as I'm aware the N430 used the later tyre sizes, so that would be 245/40 ZR 19 front and 285/35 ZR 19 rear (if I'm wrong on the N430 tyres I'm sure someone will step in and correct me).

One of the problems with replacement tyres is that many manufacturers in different markets sell maybe the exact front size and not the rears, or the exact rear size but not the front - an example of this is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for later cars: in Europe Michelin do not market a PS4S in 245/40 ZR 19 (which is why I'm running Conti ContactSport 6's) but they do sell them in the USA. To get around this some people will fit a tyre 10mm wider or narrower on one end - it looks like on your car, to fit the Dunlops, someone has gone slightly narrower on the rears.

One more very important point is the tyre load rating (this is more important than exact sizing). Your car has 98Y rating on the front and 100Y on the rears, which looks fine. My Owner's Guide for my 2015 Vantage says I need a minimum 94Y front and 99Y rear and you should never go below these numbers - you should confirm your numbers in the back of your Owner's Manual. Most tyres for Vantages are marked "EL" for Extra Load, to reflect the high load rating of the tyres.

As far as the tyre choice goes then a lot will depend on what sizes you can get in your market and what you want from the car. Because I'm slightly anal, if I were in your position I'd be looking to go back to the original sizes of 245/40 and 285/35 (assuming I'm right - you should check). As far as I'm aware, the Cup 2's are more of a trackday tyre, so they will have better ultimate handling, slightly lower ultimate wet grip (not a factor for you, as you've said) and could be noisier and harder-riding to get the track performance and turn-in. The Pilot Sport 4S is more of a fast road tyre, so may be slightly softer-riding and quieter at the expense of ultimate lap times.

Hope this helps and I'm not teaching you to suck eggs!

edited to add
If you're interested in the difference between Pilot Sport 4 (now being replaced by Pilot Sort 5), Pilot Sport 4S and Cup 2 tyres have a watch of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMv64liOqIE
the video is on a front-wheel drive sports hatchback, so not exactly a Vantage, but it does compare the three tyres on one car. (Kudos to jon- from here on PH for doing these videos and reviews - always worth a watch imho
)

and typos fixed

Edited by LTP on Tuesday 5th July 13:35

[alabbasi]

I'm here in the US, my 2007 V8V has only 15300 miles and runs Michelin 19" tires, 245 front and 275 rear. I believe that this is factory spec on the cars as I just checked the date code the other day and it turns out they must be the original tires that came with the car, dated 2006.

I'm probably going to go with cheaper tires like Nexen or Yokohama this time. I have more than 20 cars on my policy so rarely do they go more than a couple of thousand miles / year, and I drive like an old granny for the most part so it's unlikely that I will wear them out before they age out.

[LTP]

I also found this slightly older video on Cup 2's vs PS4S's on an M3 as everyday drivers in a cold, wet climate like UK, also by jon-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovwopvZLuNc

Some interesting comments on handling, noise, ride and temperature sensitivity.

[Bumcang]

LTP said:

From your pictures you appear to be on 245/40 ZR19 98Y on the front and 275/35 ZR19 100Y on the rear.

Now the reply I'm going to give you is strictly in line with the manuals, but there is always a little leeway in tyre size, so I don't want to alarm you. Technically, the two sizes on your car were never specified together on a Vantage.

The earlier Vantages had 235/40 ZR 19 on the front and 275/35 ZR 19 on the back; when the Vantage S was introduced they were fitted with slightly wider rims (8.5J and 10J) and had slightly wider tyres at 245/40 ZR 19 front and 285/35 ZR 19 rear. At 2012.25MY the larger rims and tyres were standardised across all Vantages. All Vantages had a slightly unique variety of Bridgestone tyres from the factory, but the technology in these tyres is now regarded as outdated, so most people recommend fitting newer-technology tyres for improved grip and/or ride.

As far as I'm aware the N430 used the later tyre sizes, so that would be 245/40 ZR 19 front and 285/35 ZR 19 rear (if I'm wrong on the N430 tyres I'm sure someone will step in and correct me).

One of the problems with replacement tyres is that many manufacturers in different markets sell maybe the exact front size and not the rears, or the exact rear size but not the front - an example of this is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for later cars: in Europe Michelin do not market a PS4S in 245/40 ZR 19 (which is why I'm running Conti ContactSport 6's) but they do sell them in the USA. To get around this some people will fit a tyre 10mm wider or narrower on one end - it looks like on your car, to fit the Dunlops, someone has gone slightly narrower on the rears.

One more very important point is the tyre load rating (this is more important than exact sizing). Your car has 98Y rating on the front and 100Y on the rears, which looks fine. My Owner's Guide for my 2015 Vantage says I need a minimum 94Y front and 99Y rear and you should never go below these numbers - you should confirm your numbers in the back of your Owner's Manual. Most tyres for Vantages are marked "EL" for Extra Load, to reflect the high load rating of the tyres.

As far as the tyre choice goes then a lot will depend on what sizes you can get in your market and what you want from the car. Because I'm slightly anal, if I were in your position I'd be looking to go back to the original sizes of 245/40 and 285/35 (assuming I'm right - you should check). As far as I'm aware, the Cup 2's are more of a trackday tyre, so they will have better ultimate handling, slightly lower ultimate wet grip (not a factor for you, as you've said) and could be noisier and harder-riding to get the track performance and turn-in. The Pilot Sport 4S is more of a fast road tyre, so may be slightly softer-riding and quieter at the expense of ultimate lap times.

Hope this helps and I'm not teaching you to suck eggs!

edited to add
If you're interested in the difference between Pilot Sport 4 (now being replaced by Pilot Sort 5), Pilot Sport 4S and Cup 2 tyres have a watch of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMv64liOqIE
the video is on a front-wheel drive sports hatchback, so not exactly a Vantage, but it does compare the three tyres on one car. (Kudos to jon- from here on PH for doing these videos and reviews - always worth a watch imho
)

and typos fixed

Edited by LTP on Tuesday 5th July 13:35

Thank you LTP, this definitely helps a lot. I agree that going back to the regular size would be the best choice to make - I'm quite particular myself. I'm assuming wider tires means more grip ? I'll probably go for a new set of P4S, was the reason you went with the Continental ContactSport 6's the unavailability of the Michelin ones are is there a distinctive feature of the conti's that made you go for those ?

Final note on the load factor: is there a downside to going for a higher rating ? For example, I can buy the P4S front tires in either 94Y or 98Y. Again, sorry for the barrage of questions but I have a long way to catch up in knowledge!

EDIT: just spoke to the local aston martin dealer and he confirmed that both sizes are actually usable, but advised me to go with the sizes you suggested. Another mystery solved.

Edited by Bumcang on Wednesday 6th July 11:00

Edited by Bumcang on Thursday 7th July 06:52

[LTP]

Bumcang said:

Thank you LTP, this definitely helps a lot. I agree that going back to the regular size would be the best choice to make - I'm quite particular myself. I'm assuming wider tires means more grip ? I'll probably go for a new set of P4S, was the reason you went with the Continental ContactSport 6's the unavailability of the Michelin ones are is there a distinctive feature of the conti's that made you go for those ?

Final note on the load factor: is there a downside to going for a higher rating ? For example, I can buy the P4S front tires in either 94Y or 98Y. Again, sorry for the barrage of questions but I have a long way to catch up in knowledge!

The choice of the Contis was purely because I couldn't get PS4S's in the correct sizes. They still transformed the ride compared to the original, old, hard Bridgestones my car came with - it was as if I'd put new, softer bushes in the suspension over small, sharp road imperfections.

As far as load factor then I'm no expert but I'd expect a higher load factor tyre to be slightly stiffer in construction, as implied by this BlackCircles post
https://www.blackcircles.com/helpcentre/tyres/shou...

I'd go as close to the recommended load factor for your car that you can (but never lower).

[LTP]

At the risk of confusing this thread, a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to have a short drive in another V8 Vantage. The car was a couple of years older than mine and higher mileage and was shod with Michelins. As it was the same basic spec as mine and should have had the 245F/285R combination I was curious, as I chose Contis as I couldn't get the correct size PS4S for the front.

Turns out the car had 245/40 ZR19 PS4 on the front axle and 285/35 ZR19 PS4S on the rear. To be honest, it was only a short drive and in the dry, but I did push on a little bit and the car rode and steered just like mine - if anything I'd say the ride was slightly better and the rears seemed quieter than my ContactSport 6's, although maybe with just a little bit more sideways squirm at the rear powering out of a roundabout. It certainly braked fine, as I did a couple of nearly-on-the-ABS stops. It'd be interesting to try it in the wet, but if anything I'd expect mild understeer on the limit with the more "touring" PS4 on the front than any nasty, end-swapping behaviour. Anyone have any experience with either?

When it comes to replacing the Contis, I could go PS4S all round, with 10mm up 255/40 ZR 19 on the front, or try PS4S on the rear and PS4 in the correct 245/40 ZR19 on the front. (all this before the new PS5 and ContactSport 7 further confuse the issue, of course).

typo fixed

Edited by LTP on Saturday 9th July 10:06

[jon-]

Did you see if that front axle was an OE marked tyre for another manufacturer?