New tyres

[huesey1974]

Hi,
Im looking to ditch the Pirelli tyres that came on my recently purchased DB9.
I’m looking to fit PS4S but struggling to get the rears in 295/30/20 without them being designed for Porsche/ Bmw etc. everywhere seems to have zero stock and i would prefer them to be standard. So im looking at alternatives and the Falken FK520 seem to get good reviews, has anyone any experience with these? Comfort is main priority as the Pirellis are awful. Any thoughts/ info appreciated.
Thsnks

[AdamV12V]

Google is your friend

https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pi...

or

https://www.tyres.net/michelin-pilot-sport-4s-295-...

or

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/tyres/michelin-352870835...



I wouldnt put cheap tyres like Falken on an Aston personally - but each to their own.

[LTP]

As well as the size and speed rating, I’m sure you know you need to make sure any new tyres meet the load rating requirement of your DB9 - it’ll be given in your Owner’s Manual. Tyres for VH Astons tend to be XL or “Extra Load”, but just because a tyre is XL doesn’t mean it necessarily meets the requirement of your car. For my V8V the specified ratings are 94Y front and 99Y rear - your DB9 will probably have different requirements.

Any value greater than the specified rating will be fine, but as comfort is a requirement for you try to get as close as possible, as higher load ratings tend to have stiffer side walls.

[Import]

I’m running extreme contact sports…and I am liking them..

[huesey1974]

AdamV12V said:

Google is your friend

https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pi...

or

https://www.tyres.net/michelin-pilot-sport-4s-295-...

or

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/tyres/michelin-352870835...



I wouldnt put cheap tyres like Falken on an Aston personally - but each to their own.

Hi,
The 1st two are B rated for wet so will be branded for specific makes. Autodoc though have them. I managed to find them somewhere else also but need to find somewhere that will fit them. Thanks for the info

[reddiesel]

huesey1974 said:

Hi,
Im looking to ditch the Pirelli tyres that came on my recently purchased DB9.
I’m looking to fit PS4S but struggling to get the rears in 295/30/20 without them being designed for Porsche/ Bmw etc. everywhere seems to have zero stock and i would prefer them to be standard. So im looking at alternatives and the Falken FK520 seem to get good reviews, has anyone any experience with these? Comfort is main priority as the Pirellis are awful. Any thoughts/ info appreciated.
Thsnks

What do you mean by the phrase " designed for Porsche/BMW " ? I am assuming you are referring to the Aston insignia on the tyre wall ? I mention this as last year I was doing exactly the same thing with a 2021 Vantage . I was being quoted one price for the "Aston " labelled PS4S and a lesser price for the "Standard" PS4S with the former being at the time unobtainable . I spoke with HWM who told me as I suspected that both versions were the same tyre and whichever version I fitted would have no effect on any Warranty .

[huesey1974]

reddiesel said:

What do you mean by the phrase " designed for Porsche/BMW " ? I am assuming you are referring to the Aston insignia on the tyre wall ? I mention this as last year I was doing exactly the same thing with a 2021 Vantage . I was being quoted one price for the "Aston " labelled PS4S and a lesser price for the "Standard" PS4S with the former being at the time unobtainable . I spoke with HWM who told me as I suspected that both versions were the same tyre and whichever version I fitted would have no effect on any Warranty .

Yes, They come with certain codes such as NO, this is for Porsche. From what i have read these are designed on certain models, i watched the BMW being tested on Michelins designed for that car. Again from what i have read the compounds can be different as they are made for dry conditions for ultimate grip hence the ones i am seeing on most websites have a B rating in the wet. The ones with no codes are A rated. If you got to blackcircles for instance you will see the PS4S in 295/30/20 will be listed 4 times. Prices vary and it will say designed for Porsche/ Mercedes or BMW.

[reddiesel]

Personally I would be with HWM in taking this with a pinch of salt especially where an Aston is concerned . Please don't take my word for it and give Lee Cunningham a call at HWM in the morning . The idea that Production of Michelin PS4S for Aston starts between say 8am and 9am then someone jumps up into the vat and alters the compound to switch to Porsche between 9am and 10am is in my humble opinion a complete nonsense . Its shrewd marketing for the gullible nothing more . I can also tell you something else , no Aston Dealership in my experience will pay more for or indeed pay less for an Aston because it doesn't have this marking on the PS4S and you as the driver will be completely oblivious to any difference in your driving experience because there is none

Edited by reddiesel on Monday 17th July 19:56

[Simpo Two]

reddiesel said:

The idea that Production of Michelin PS4S for Aston starts between say 8am and 9am then someone jumps up into the vat and alters the compound to switch to Porsche between 9am and 10am is in my humble opinion a complete nonsense

On this we agree!

You make much more sense when you're sober

[Davil]

As an example, the star spec (BMW) Pilot 4S is a completely different tyre to the standard PS4S. Much stiffer, different compound and closer to a Cup 2 Star spec tyre. They were designed for the latest G series M cars in conjunction with Michelin. They are also different between front and back in how they are made, tuned to that particular car. They have completely different wet weather and comfort to the standard 4S.

So, lets you found a star spec front that fits your rear and standard 4S on the front you’d have quite a handful when driving it.

Personally I’m happy with the new Potenza Sport. Lovely tyre. The standard 4S is an old tyre, just about to be replaced. Still a very good tyre though if you prefer comfort over driving feel.

[reddiesel]

Davil said:

As an example, the star spec (BMW) Pilot 4S is a completely different tyre to the standard PS4S. Much stiffer, different compound and closer to a Cup 2 Star spec tyre. They were designed for the latest G series M cars in conjunction with Michelin. They are also different between front and back in how they are made, tuned to that particular car. They have completely different wet weather and comfort to the standard 4S.

So, lets you found a star spec front that fits your rear and standard 4S on the front you’d have quite a handful when driving it.

Personally I’m happy with the new Potenza Sport. Lovely tyre. The standard 4S is an old tyre, just about to be replaced. Still a very good tyre though if you prefer comfort over driving feel.

I think People believe what they want to believe but this idea that something is designed for a particular vehicle where tyres are concerned is more often than not a nonsense . Inevitably what you have is a marketing tie up between two manufacturers that is mutually beneficial to both . Obviously nobody makes money supplying one manufacturer so the same tyre is stamped for different makes of vehicle and people like you do the rest . Tune a Tyre to a particular car ?? Simply laughable . Its a bit like those Porsche Sunglasses my old shyster friends at Porsche Silverstone shift by the ton each year to the gullible . " Designed for the Porsche Driver sir " and they fall for it every time .
The 4S is indeed a relatively old Tyre but unfortunately the latest Pilot Sport when I looked don't come in the correct size for the Vantage . Perhaps Stroll has received more money from some other manufacturer .

[Jon39]

reddiesel said:

Personally I would be with HWM in taking this with a pinch of salt especially where an Aston is concerned . Please don't take my word for it and give Lee Cunningham a call at HWM in the morning . The idea that Production of Michelin PS4S for Aston starts between say 8am and 9am then someone jumps up into the vat and alters the compound to switch to Porsche between 9am and 10am is in my humble opinion a complete nonsense . Its shrewd marketing for the gullible nothing more . I can also tell you something else , no Aston Dealership in my experience will pay more for or indeed pay less for an Aston because it doesn't have this marking on the PS4S and you as the driver will be completely oblivious to any difference in your driving experience because there is none

Agree. The conclusion about this is rather too obvious and amongst several manufacturers. Achievement being, higher priced replacement tyres.

I expect we have all noticed the line used by AML staff, in video launches for almost every new model. It happened yet again at the DB12 launch.


Ref. DB12 and AML tyre markings;

"Yes, yah, so this has been ay ay bespoke tyre programme together with the development of the car, so erm and we are really excited to have the the PS5s on there, it's a real step forward, erm huge amount of difference a tyre can make ..."


Off camera - "You should have filmed me when I was selling that erm batch of refrigerators to the Eskimos.
I was awarded the 'Salesmans Nonsense of the Year award' for that. I hope to win it again for this tyre sketch."

[LTP]

I do believe there are differences and I'm confident AML and others work with a tyre manufacturer to "tweak" the tyre to optimise it for the car. AML's problem is volume - the potential aftersales of a Vantage tyre are small compared with, say, a BMW M3-specific tyre - Aston have to find manufacturers even willing to work with them for their paltry volumes, which is one of the reasons why the camo on the later AML models had a tyre manufacturer's name incorporated (Pirelli, if memory serves) - it helped defray the cost.

Tyre Reviews (the guy who runs it posts as jon- on here occasionally) ran this video on this very topic for a PS4S on a BMW M3



Now you can all say it's still marketing, but I think jon- is fairly independent - I'd take his word
You can all say "Ah, but that's BMW - no manufacturer would do that for Aston's volumes and I'd have no hard evidence that could correct you.

What I will add is that I'm in no way advocating using the OE Bridgestones (for V8V - other models might vary) over fitting something like Conti SportContacts or Michelin PS4S's - there you're looking at the difference created by something like 12 years of tyre technology development, as AML obviously haven't further developed the OE tyres since the vehicle model launch.

[john ryan]

The old OE Bridgestone Potenza (RE050) was replaced several years ago by the Potenza Sport, which has much newer tech and favourable reviews. I have the latter on my 07, and am quite content

[LTP]

john ryan said:

The old OE Bridgestone Potenza (RE050) was replaced several years ago by the Potenza Sport, which has much newer tech and favourable reviews. I have the latter on my 07, and am quite content

Technically John the OE Bridgestone wasn't replaced - it's still available if you really wanted a set, and some main dealers might even comment at service if you didn't have them fitted.

The Potenza Sport is a later-generation tyre by Bridgestone to try to keep up with and use evolving tyre technology, but it is not an officially-endorsed AML OE tyre. It's just way newer (and better) than the RE050 Potenza.

I personally run SportContact 6's on my V8V

[LordBretSinclair]

Would an insurance company consider a tyre without the AM marking on the sidewall to be a modification from standard???

[john ryan]

Mmmm. I wonder what date code you would get if you asked for RE050s.

[reddiesel]

LordBretSinclair said:

Would an insurance company consider a tyre without the AM marking on the sidewall to be a modification from standard???

Unequivocally not would be my reply to that . As long as a comparable tyre was fitted there would be no issue .

[Dewi 2]

LordBretSinclair said:

Would an insurance company consider a tyre without the AM marking on the sidewall to be a modification from standard???

99.99% NO.

Let alone AM markings, I, along with so many other owners, no longer even have OEM Bridgestones on my car.
I have completely disregarded the manufacturers original choice.

It is probably the case, that a huge percentage of all cars on the road, are no longer fitted with the original make of tyre.
We selected a tyre that is considered better than the OEM, but many motorists would buy their replacement tyres on a lower cost basis.
We would have heard about a peasants revolt by now, if insurers were refusing claims due to the make of tyre.

[nickv12]

huesey1974 said:

Hi,
Im looking to ditch the Pirelli tyres that came on my recently purchased DB9.
I’m looking to fit PS4S but struggling to get the rears in 295/30/20 without them being designed for Porsche/ Bmw etc. everywhere seems to have zero stock and i would prefer them to be standard. So im looking at alternatives and the Falken FK520 seem to get good reviews, has anyone any experience with these? Comfort is main priority as the Pirellis are awful. Any thoughts/ info appreciated.
Thsnks

Had my PS4S fitted at AM Bristol last month. All in stock and very competitive price.

Must admit, a month later after driving in many conditions (apart from sub 4°C) and at a wide range of speeds and road types, I still don’t think it’s night and day from the original P Zeros. Call me a heretic.