Ferrari 308 tyres
Discussion
Been looking on Superperformance.co.uk and seems there is an alternative tyre they do for standard wheels that is 205/70HR14.
Has anyone tried these on their car? I got a set of the standard wheels with the car without tyres on as well as the set of aftermarket 16" wheels that most use for the usual tyre cost issue with Michelin TRX's. But I'm not sure I like them as I think they may be causing the steering to be a bit heavy. When I jumped out if the Mondial the other week which has TRX's on and then got in the 308 I couldn't believe how heavy the 308 was in comparison.
I've called my local tyre place and they can get some of the same size in, though they struggled to believe that size could be right for a car so thought I would check with some other owners first?
Cheers
Jonty
Has anyone tried these on their car? I got a set of the standard wheels with the car without tyres on as well as the set of aftermarket 16" wheels that most use for the usual tyre cost issue with Michelin TRX's. But I'm not sure I like them as I think they may be causing the steering to be a bit heavy. When I jumped out if the Mondial the other week which has TRX's on and then got in the 308 I couldn't believe how heavy the 308 was in comparison.
I've called my local tyre place and they can get some of the same size in, though they struggled to believe that size could be right for a car so thought I would check with some other owners first?
Cheers
Jonty
You might be getting your TRX (390 mm) & XWX (14 in) mixed up - I think others have sourced Falken and possibly Avon as alternatives to the XWX
The (unbranded - what does that tell you....) Superformance tyres are probably much like the one for about thirty quid at bestbuytyres or blackcircles
The (unbranded - what does that tell you....) Superformance tyres are probably much like the one for about thirty quid at bestbuytyres or blackcircles
Edited by johnnyreggae on Thursday 23 April 15:18
Are you on 14" or 16" rims?
With the former, you've got a choice of the $$$ Michelins, very good Vredesteins for a bit less and then all the MPV / mini van tyres that are H or T rated. With the 16" there's much more choice.
your differences aren't down to air pressure are they? (always worth ruling out the cheap and obvious first)
With the former, you've got a choice of the $$$ Michelins, very good Vredesteins for a bit less and then all the MPV / mini van tyres that are H or T rated. With the 16" there's much more choice.
your differences aren't down to air pressure are they? (always worth ruling out the cheap and obvious first)
Edited by Behemoth on Thursday 23 April 16:12
Jonty355 said:
The wheels I have are the metric ones on a 308 GTBi. Someone has since told me that they'll have to just be metric ones as nothing else will fit on? I thought I'd heard of people still being able to get normal imperial sizes to fit though?
No imperial tyres will fit your metric wheels. The metrics wheels were a short-lived performance fad, the idea being you had to get special tyres on them and couldn't get away with something from the comedy brands.Your choice will be the $$$ Michelins or a set of repro 16" rims from Superperformance + tyres to fit. Surprise surprise, the total cost is the same for each solution.
Luckily, the original owner specified 14" rims for my 308GTSi. I'm still short of choice (ignoring all the comedy tyres) but at least I'm not forced into one tyre only.
I already have the 16" rims on the car from Superperformance so tyres never been a problem, but steering seem very heavy in comparison to my Mondial that has TRX's on, so I was going to try running the 308 on the set of metric wheels that came with the car to see if it drive better. But I thought it was going to be something I could try cheaply.... I think I'll give it a miss though.
I swapped from 14" to 16" many yrs ago. For looks and better tyre choices. Steering will be slightly heavier as 16" are wider. You might want to check your caster as this can have an effect on steering feel. I dial in slightly more and it's better apart from parking. So another alternative it get down the gym, you'll feel fitter and it will get easier. Also do leg exercises as well for that heavy clutch.
Gavc said:
I swapped from 14" to 16" many yrs ago. For looks and better tyre choices.
I prefer the old skool looks of the 14s. You've a wider tyre choice for sure on the 16s, though. Avon stopped supplying the 14 ages ago and Fulda soon after, too. It's now only the small volume classic tyres from Michelin & Vredestein or an enormous heap of far east minivan boots 
On my 308 Ive just swapped back from the metric wheels with original tyres to 16" wheels with yokahomas and have found the steering more heavy (but I do need to double check tyre pressures).They both have the same tyre width though.I would still like to get some 14" wheels and feel what the difference is.
dudlow said:
Better grip and handling with the 16's but a much nicer ride and lighter feel with the original 14's.
You're not the first to remark this and it's good to hear it confirmed again. I certainly agree on the looks.The 308 was developed with chassis design input from Nikki Lauda. It makes sense that the original 14" setup is the best balanced.
This page should explain and offer you what you want.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/ferrari-308
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/ferrari-308
Please can anyone tell me which tyres they have found satisfactory using the original 14" OE wheels as fitted to the 1974 308GT4? Thinking of something a little less expensive than the offerings from Michelin........Noted some of the comments about certain makes, but had a set of Hankooks on my Alfa Romeo and they were superb...........
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