Mixed Bridgestones and Michelins ?

[rbryant]

Hi guys, I have just acquired a 2006 Vantage (19" wheels), and have a tyre question:
It is on Bridgestones all round, fronts only 2-3000 miles old, rears 15,000 miles old and need replacing soon.
I see from comments here that Michelins are the way to go, but I don't want to throw the fronts away. Anybody here with experience of doing the same and any comments on effects on the handling with Michelins rear, Bridgestones front for a while?

[BravoV8V]

The car is going to understeer slightly more. But only when really pushing on.

For 90% of road driving, you will struggle to tell any difference.

[BravoV8V]

Actually, I would personally get a full set of the Michelin Pilot Supersports and then sell the Bridgestones on eBay.

[Phil74891]

If it was me I'd put new Bridgestones on the back and see how they drove compared to the worn ones, then try four new Michelins once all four Bridgestones are done.

[Phil74891]

If it was me I'd put new Bridgestones on the back and see how they drove compared to the worn ones, then try four new Michelins once all four Bridgestones are done.

[KarlFranz]

Nothing wrong with doing what the OP is proposing. I drove my V8V for a year with a mismatched f/r set until the fronts finally wore out and I was able to replace them as well.

[Jon1967x]

KarlFranz said:

Nothing wrong with doing what the OP is proposing. I drove my V8V for a year with a mismatched f/r set until the fronts finally wore out and I was able to replace them as well.

My experience too on a number of cars. There's a lot of talk if the tyres are different the car will handle oddly, but then the difference between a worn set and a new set of the same tyres is pretty significant so its going to be different whatever you do.

My rules of thumb are the same tyres and the same amount of wear on a given axle.

[divetheworld]

I've just worn out my backs and took the opportunity to fit Michy Super sports. They are better than the Potenza, quieter, grippier. Doesn't upset the balance at all. Just a little less step out at the back when the fun button is lit up.

[rbryant]

Thanks guys, new Michelin PSS at the back soon, and then new fronts in due course for me.

[Laser Sag]

Exactly how mine is being run currently and I haven't noticed any problems at all.

[Goose74]

Bit of a bump to see if anyone has an answer for me...

My V8 MY07 is in for a bit of warranty work and I'm advised that there is a nail in one of the rear tyres - both quite worn at 3.5mm so will need to get both replaced. Dealer quote is far too high so am sourcing elsewhere.

Seems that the Michelin PSS are preferred to the OEM Potenzas - I know that that the OEM Potenzas come in an Aston-rated flavour (stronger sidewall I think). Question is whether the Michelin PSS need to be similarly Aston-rated? Or is standard OK? Is the vote still for PSS over Potenzas?

Many thanks!

I owe a photo after much help with my original purchase, I just never seem to be near the car when (a) it's not filthy, and (b) the sun's out. To be rectified...

[Ken Figenus]

Just match the load rating - the 'Y' number. The higher the number the higher the rating. Had to put 99Y on the front of mine when only a 95 was needed as there were no 20" PSS in required flavour. It will be very slightly stiffer sidewalled. Zero issue.

[kensilver]

I'm really wondering about the advice being given here, and feel I have to speak up in defense of the car manufacturer's considerable expertise.

In my DB9 manual (12.14) it says that using tyres with mismatched tread wear is downright dangerous (my words). It also says that "tyres of the correct size and type but different brands have widely varying characteristics." In other words, if it's not OE it won't work properly.

This means you can't mix and match tyre brands or tread depth, and I can give the perfect example because when I bought my DB9 a few months back it had 7 year-old Bridgestones rear with only 3mm left, and new Pirellis for Porsche on the front. A nightmare.

I spent the first week of ownership wondering why the car performed so badly, losing traction on take-off and getting poor cornering in the wet. I knew in theory what was wrong but didn't realise how very sensitive the car was to the wrong tyres. I'd never previously owned a performance car with anything but new tyres.

After several weeks waiting for the correct 'AM9' tyres to be imported and fitted, the difference was immediately noticeable.

I really don't know why many Aston Martin owners want to ignore the considerable research and development AML put into matching the suspension with purpose-built Bridgestone/Pirelli tyres using matching compound and sidewall stiffness attributes, and put on Michelins because they're quieter or something. Do they know something that Aston Martin don't?

[JS1500]

I'm replacing all 4 Bridgestones with Michelin PSS tomorrow. £640 for the 4 from Camskill (delivered, not fitted).

My rears are well worn but the fronts had plenty of tread left on initial inspection - a closer look revealed that they had started cracking between the treads from age, so they had to go too. Maybe something to look out for on these types of cars.

Really, I was looking for an excuse to get the PSS on all four corners anyway.

[Ken Figenus]

I get what you are saying Ken but there are many more variables than that (and on moving ground!) and you don't actually mention the type of tyre you had issues with - you don't mix a Hankook on the front with a hard stiff old Pirelli Corsa on the back for e.g! Also you have to consider the commercial implication of some of these 'approvals' - I can categorically tell you that ditching the AMR approved Bridgestones in favour of PSS absolutely transformed my Rapide and is the best possible decision made on so many levels - including grip, comfort and safety. One tyre is cutting edge the other was designed and did an approval deal over ten years ago... It really was night and day.

You are right to be wary and I think I have always avoided mixing and matching brands personally but I don't think its that complex and owners will realise that the car may have changed grip characteristics to previous. Thats all.

[Goose74]

Thanks all for your feedback, very interesting. I am also seeing some cracking on the front, so may well replace all 4, in which case I may go for PSS to ameliorate any issues with different brands etc.

[cayman-black]

All the new high powered Astons now come with Michelins so they must be ok.
Always thought the Michelins where French , looking at some the other day i was surprised to see they where made in Italy.

[KarlFranz]

I always thought Apple was an American company, but the back of my iPhone says it was made in China.

[cayman-black]

syncii said:

Tyre manufacturers (all but) give tyres to automobile manufacturers to put their tyres on production models. Presumably on the understanding that owners will replace with like for like when the time comes.

So Aston using Michelin is no absolute guarantee of quality..............

Maybe I was just unlucky, but I was disappointed that the PSS tyre came off the wheel completely. The sidewalls on modern tyres are supposed to be strong enough to keep them in place for at least a short distance.

Fully understand your point, i had Continetals on my RR after two burst i have changed to Pirellis (allround).