The definitive Vantage tyre thread.

[quench]

MG142 said:

I was wondering if anyone is running a 305/30/19 rear on their V12VS. Michelin discontinued 295/30/19 for Cup 2s and I was able to get one of the last sets in the US but now I am worried once I've run through these tires....

Yes, have already gone through one set. No issues at all with the slight width increase, even with HRE wheels of different offset (sitting out slightly more than OEM).

[telum01]

Nbgring said:

In 2017 Michelin had commented that those tyres available in the US would not conform to EU legislation. But hopefully they change that.

They have ECE codes, which means they have been approved for use in the EU.

[telum01]

MG142 said:

I was wondering if anyone is running a 305/30/19 rear on their V12VS. Michelin discontinued 295/30/19 for Cup 2s and I was able to get one of the last sets in the US but now I am worried once I've run through these tires....

I am on my V8V, which has a 19x11" rear wheel:

telum01 said:

255/35R19 overall diameter: 26.2" (OEM V12V, Pirelli P Zero)
295/30R19 overall diameter: 26.0" (OEM V12V, Pirelli P Zero)
265/35R19 overall diameter: 26.3" (Widepants fitment, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S)
305/30R19 overall diameter: 26.3" (Widepants fitment, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S)

[MG142]

quench said:

Yes, have already gone through one set. No issues at all with the slight width increase, even with HRE wheels of different offset (sitting out slightly more than OEM).

Did you also increase the front width to 265 or kept the OEM 255?

I'm taking it out to the track this weekend and I have another event lined up for the next month. I'm curious to see if there would be any difference in performance with the wider set all around 265F/305R

[quench]

MG142 said:

Did you also increase the front width to 265 or kept the OEM 255?

I'm taking it out to the track this weekend and I have another event lined up for the next month. I'm curious to see if there would be any difference in performance with the wider set all around 265F/305R

I kept 255s on the front.

BTW Telum's math is slightly off: the overall width of the 305 rear setup is 26.2" not 26.3". The figures for the front are correct.

When I switched from the OEM PZero Corsas to the Cup2's I noticed there was a mild improvement in traction at the rear end under power. However, I suspect this was from the change in tire compound, rather than the negligible increase in width. I have a hard time believing such a tiny change would result in a noticeable difference when using the same compound.

I found the Cup2's quite sensitive to pressures on track - it was quite easy to get them over 40 psi if you weren't watching carefully, and the performance/durability really degrades past that point. If you are going out for any extended lapping, make sure you keep an eye on those pressures. You'll have to let some air out, so don't forget to top them back up before you drive home at the end of the day!

[telum01]

quench said:

BTW Telum's math is slightly off: the overall width of the 305 rear setup is 26.2" not 26.3". The figures for the front are correct.

Which tires are 26.2"? The Cup 2's, PZeros, or PS4S? Each is a different tire, so each is likely to have a different measurement.
This was in my first post at the beginning of the thread:

telum01 said:

One last thing: there are differences in actual sizes between two different tires, even if they have the same size on paper. This is due to tire manufacturing, construction, design, etc. The differences are slight, but they are there. So if you look at two tires of the same size from two manufacturers, you may see a 0.1" difference (maybe even more).

[quench]

I stand corrected; you are quite right, Telum. Tire Rack does indeed list the PS Cup2 305 size with an overall diameter of 26.3".

[Big E 118]

OP here, I can now post an update.

My preference was to move to Michelin PS4S's but as they don't supply the UK market with 245/40's (V8S front tyre) I was hesitant about changing the profile out of spec.

After reading as many reviews as possible I settled on the Continental Sport Contact 6's in the correct sizes. The bonus is they are a fair bit cheaper than Michelins and most reviews are very positive, the only down side I've read is that they appear to wear quickly.

Well the sun is shining today so I have had the first enthusiastic drive on the Conti's and will report that they are very good. I always found Bridgestones give a very harsh ride and the Conti's take the "crashyness" away, similar to my experience with PS4S's. I only drove on the road so didn't push too hard but the point where the Bridgestone shod car would start to push on corners the Conti's definitely gave better turn in grip. Difficult to compare directly to the PS4S's as I had those on a 911 so a different feel.

I'll update on the wear and impressions over the summer as the car has two Euro trips planned so far, a long weekend in France then 10 days exploring northern Spain.

[GT3hopeful]

Have given up on finding Michelin 4s in 245/40/19 size so got Conti sportcontact 6 instead which On first impressions I am very happy with. Ride comfort is noticeably improved which is what I was hoping for.

[shinjuku]

Thread resurrection, but this is the definitive tyre thread.

Two parter:

1) I have the stock 18" alloys on my Vantage, with the following:

235/45 R18
275/40 R18

and I would like to turn these into my winter wheels.

It seems there's a recommended size, but is narrower better in winter? Is a deeper sidewall? On the 18s I am happy to have a large sidewall to fill out the arches a little more.

Winter spec is quoted as:

225/45 R18
255/40 R18

Wheels are 8.5J and 9.5J x 18

2) I have a set of the 19" sport pack wheels ready for summer. What are the best tyre sizes for these?

245/40 R19
285/35 R19 ?

Happy to listen to any wisdom/advice. I might attempt the Michelin PS4s next summer...

[chalkyrabbit]

Just collected my V8V and will be changing tyres as the Bridgestone tyres are ste, and Blackcircles do Michelin P4S in correct sizes at £190 each fronts and £220 each rears, FYI

[cypriot]

shinjuku said:

Thread resurrection, but this is the definitive tyre thread.

2) I have a set of the 19" sport pack wheels ready for summer. What are the best tyre sizes for these?

245/40 R19
285/35 R19 ?

Happy to listen to any wisdom/advice. I might attempt the Michelin PS4s next summer...

You can’t get PS4S in these sizes in the uk. Next best is sport contact 6.

[V8V Pete]

cypriot said:

shinjuku said:

Thread resurrection, but this is the definitive tyre thread.

2) I have a set of the 19" sport pack wheels ready for summer. What are the best tyre sizes for these?

245/40 R19
285/35 R19 ?

Happy to listen to any wisdom/advice. I might attempt the Michelin PS4s next summer...

You can’t get PS4S in these sizes in the uk. Next best is sport contact 6.

But you can get them in the standard sizes that were fitted to the Sports Pack wheels which were 235/40 R19 and 275/35 R19.

[shinjuku]

cypriot said:

You can’t get PS4S in these sizes in the uk. Next best is sport contact 6.

I’m in Germany

[V8V Pete]

shinjuku said:

cypriot said:

You can’t get PS4S in these sizes in the uk. Next best is sport contact 6.

I’m in Germany

So can you get those sizes in Germany?

The only consideration then would be compatibility with the rim widths. I'm pretty sure the Vantage S (and 2012 onwards standard Vantage) wheels are a little wider (maybe rears only) for the 1cm wider tyre sizes. Probably not critical but worth checking before committing I suppose.

[TR-Spider]

shinjuku said:

I’m in Germany

Still you cant get the PS4s in 245/80 19.
Not in Europe, only in US.

[shinjuku]

TR-Spider said:

Still you cant get the PS4s in 245/80 19.
Not in Europe, only in US.

I guess you mistyped the sidewall?

I'm a little confused...

cypriot said:

You can’t get PS4S in these sizes in the uk. Next best is sport contact 6.

245/40R19:

http://bit.ly/2pZXuRh

285/35R19:

http://t.ly/ZwNke

Am I missing something?

Edited by shinjuku on Sunday 10th November 12:14

[EVR]

shinjuku said:

245/40R19:

http://bit.ly/2pZXuRh

285/35R19:

http://t.ly/ZwNke

Am I missing something?

Edited by shinjuku on Sunday 10th November 12:14

I believe your first link is a Pilot Sport 4, non-S.

[TR-Spider]

shinjuku said:

I guess you mistyped the sidewall?

Sorry, yes of course I ment 245/40 19

And there's a difference between PS4 and PS4s, the later generates more grip.
I read from a BMW driver who used the PS4 as front tire ( due to temporarily unavalability of the PS4s)
The PS4 front tires resulted in strong understeer.
When he changed back to PS4s front tires the understeer was gone.

[UncleStig]

I’d like to add to this topic. For the past 4 years I’ve run the Vantage on Bridgestone tyres on the standard 19” wheels. I’ve read over and over about how bad the Bridgestones were, but until you actually make the change and experience the difference yourself it’s all subjective. Last week I purchased a set of Virage 20” wheels and shoed them with Michelin PS4s 245/35/20 & 295/30/20. Because the tyres would be lower profile I was really hesitant in going up a rim size, especially due to the poor quality of the roads here. However after much research I took the plunge.
OMG! What a difference! The car is totally transformed for the better, it is 100% more comfortable and it just drives 100% better, not jittering about like it did on those awful Bridgestones. I know there are size issues with the Michelin’s for 19s, but for 20s they’re available. This might be old news, but don’t buy Bridgestones they are crap, obviously this is just my opinion, but they are awful in comparison to the Michelin’s. Get them this month (Nov 2019) and there’s £100.00 cash back on a full set. Mine came to a smidge over £700.00 in the end.