New Tyres Required

[Phil Tudhope]

Tuscan S Convertible 2006.

Time to replace my aged tyres. Only done ~20,000 miles and have 6mm to 7mm tread left on all of them but they are 8 years old !!

I am thinking of going for Michelin Pilot Sport 3.
Tyre size is 255/35 x 18". I can get Pilot Sport 3s in 255/35 ZR 18 94Y locally.

Anyone got any experience and views on these?

Phil.

[Phil Tudhope]

glow worm said:

get new 225s or 235s for the front. ( .

Interesting you suggest narrower tyres for the front. I have been toying with this idea and really don't know whether to try it out or not. Reportedly tramlining is eased by putting narrower front tyres on. Is that the reason for your suggestion?

[Phil Tudhope]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I am now thinking I should be trying to get Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres rather than the Pilot Sport 3s.

Trouble is you cannot get Pilot Super Sports in 255/35 18" in the UK.

Anyone have any ideas on this? Should I change the tyre size or should I try and get the tyres from abroad?

[Phil Tudhope]

Well, I've done the dirty deed and have now got Michelin Pilot Super Sports on in size 245/40 R18 97Y (front and rear). Have only driven it back home so far but initial feel is good and the slightly higher side wall (compared to my previous 255/35s) seems to be a bit more pliant over the potholes. A wee bit less crash it appears as you negotiate the high quality road surfaces the Gov't has provided from all the road tax and petrol tax they have pinched from us.

97Y sounded a bit stiff to me as I don't need a load rating that high but I'm not sure if there is actually a direct correlation between sidewall stiffness and load rating.

I'll report back in a while after I've had some more miles on these tyres.