Tyres - Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S on V8V
Discussion
I've wanted to replace my tyres since before Christmas - the Bridgestones on the car were comfortably legal, but 6 years old. The main reason to change being tramliniing which was shocking - I'd be lying if I said it was my decision where the car was positioned on the road.
Two weeks ago, Michelin still hadn't made these new tyres in the correct sizes (19" wheels) - this week they became available and I had a set fitted on Friday. One point of interest - when I initially gave the size for two fronts, I was told : Michelin say these must be fitted as a set of 4. I always do fit the same kind of tyre on all wheels, but never been told that before.
Anyway - how are they?
Decided to give them a bit of a run today - went out purely for a drive. Only about 30 miles, so really just enough to scrub them in - and the roads were wet, and it's February. So this is just first impressions for now and I'll update in a few weeks.
So far - very impressive. Tramliniing has disappeared, but obviously would with any new tyres.
Wet grip though is very impressive. Moderately hard acceleration - which definitely would have had traction control kicking in with the Bridgestone - didn't even give a hint of wheel spin. Braking was also a big surprise - I braked pretty hard at one point, definitely hard enough that I expected the ABS to kick in as the car slowed down. It didn't - I came to a very quick stop with no ABS and if I didn't know better I'd say I'd just braked on a perfectly dry road.
Weather is supposed to dry up this weekend I think, so I may yet have a dry run in the car. It was actually very nice to give it a decent run out of town although the opportunities to open it up were few (seriously, if you are too scared to take your mini over 37mph on a 60mph road - and you don't have L plates - you really need to give serious thought to using public transport....).
Overall, first impressions very positive.
(Not too expensive either - 4 tyres fitted were about £875).
Two weeks ago, Michelin still hadn't made these new tyres in the correct sizes (19" wheels) - this week they became available and I had a set fitted on Friday. One point of interest - when I initially gave the size for two fronts, I was told : Michelin say these must be fitted as a set of 4. I always do fit the same kind of tyre on all wheels, but never been told that before.
Anyway - how are they?
Decided to give them a bit of a run today - went out purely for a drive. Only about 30 miles, so really just enough to scrub them in - and the roads were wet, and it's February. So this is just first impressions for now and I'll update in a few weeks.
So far - very impressive. Tramliniing has disappeared, but obviously would with any new tyres.
Wet grip though is very impressive. Moderately hard acceleration - which definitely would have had traction control kicking in with the Bridgestone - didn't even give a hint of wheel spin. Braking was also a big surprise - I braked pretty hard at one point, definitely hard enough that I expected the ABS to kick in as the car slowed down. It didn't - I came to a very quick stop with no ABS and if I didn't know better I'd say I'd just braked on a perfectly dry road.
Weather is supposed to dry up this weekend I think, so I may yet have a dry run in the car. It was actually very nice to give it a decent run out of town although the opportunities to open it up were few (seriously, if you are too scared to take your mini over 37mph on a 60mph road - and you don't have L plates - you really need to give serious thought to using public transport....).
Overall, first impressions very positive.
(Not too expensive either - 4 tyres fitted were about £875).
Quick update since I've had them a few weeks now.
Generally, they've made a huge difference to the car - the Bridgestones clearly needed replacing more than I'd realised. No more tramliniing, and the steering feels like it has sharpened up noticeably.
I don't usually treat the Vantage as if it's a sports car, but it's a dry mild day so I figured I'd see how the new tyres did down my local twisty road.
Very well in fact. I've never felt it was perfectly suited to that type of driving and that is still the case - it just feels like it lacks any urgency as you come out of a bend and accelerate. However, at the end of the drive, the one conclusion I came to was that I simply wasn't cornering hard enough - lots of grip and definitely far more than I was using.
Overall, very happy with my choice. Don't know how non worn Bridgestone compare but they are in a different league to my old ones.
Generally, they've made a huge difference to the car - the Bridgestones clearly needed replacing more than I'd realised. No more tramliniing, and the steering feels like it has sharpened up noticeably.
I don't usually treat the Vantage as if it's a sports car, but it's a dry mild day so I figured I'd see how the new tyres did down my local twisty road.
Very well in fact. I've never felt it was perfectly suited to that type of driving and that is still the case - it just feels like it lacks any urgency as you come out of a bend and accelerate. However, at the end of the drive, the one conclusion I came to was that I simply wasn't cornering hard enough - lots of grip and definitely far more than I was using.
Overall, very happy with my choice. Don't know how non worn Bridgestone compare but they are in a different league to my old ones.
huntsen said:
Costco only seem to list Pilot Super Sports on their website, and then not in our sizes.
I shall ask for a quote the next time I do a shop there, not with any great expectation.
I'd only be interested if they could supply the tyres unfitted, for me to get my local Aston agent to fit them. Costco's price would have to be astronomically cheaper to make it worthwhile, though!
I called them before I got mine. They could get them but at that time were not cheaper. However, when they have offers on, they are - I got quotes before Christmas (PSS then I think) and at that time they were under £800 for 4 but couldn't get all 4.I shall ask for a quote the next time I do a shop there, not with any great expectation.
I'd only be interested if they could supply the tyres unfitted, for me to get my local Aston agent to fit them. Costco's price would have to be astronomically cheaper to make it worthwhile, though!
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