Superformance wheels - Pirelli's or Kumho Tyres? | FerrariChat

Superformance wheels - Pirelli's or Kumho Tyres?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Andy 308GTB, Apr 23, 2018.

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  1. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    Jun 2, 2004
    2,627
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    Andy M
    Yes, there's a load of threads about tyres. Sorry...

    I am about to pull the trigger on a set of Superformance wheels. But what tyres to put on them?
    I spoke to my local shop and they offerred Pirelli's or Kumho's.

    Does anyone have a preference.?
    I was going to just buy the Pirelli's and be done with it but I thought I would consult the masses. I will order the rims tomorrow and the tyres the following day. The intention being to get this done by Saturday.

    Thanks
    Andy
     
  2. Stephen Ayers

    Stephen Ayers Rookie

    Jan 21, 2018
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    Stephen Ayers
    For Street + Track you can’t go wrong with Pilot Sport Cup 2’s.
     
  3. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
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    Sep 3, 2001
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    rick c
    On my second set of kuhmos
    First one lasted ten years
    Good price and good service for normal usage
     
  4. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    I don't know what size you're shopping for but take a look at Riken. Raptor ZR. Company is a Michelin subsidiary.

    https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Riken&tireModel=Raptor+ZR

    I have them on my Mercedes coupe, they are just as good as the Michelin Pilots I had on it before. REALLY.

    I've got a couple thousand miles on them now and I am very happy with them at 1/4 the price of the Pilots.

    Barring that, I ran Kuhmos on a Porsche Boxster S for a while, liked them as well.
     
  5. 19055

    19055 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2014
    493
    Netherlands, Europe
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    Emile
    I fitted the Toyo Proxes R1R. Really nice tyre. I think they also look great. Very good grip and they stay nicely "in shape" under heavy cornering and braking. However when about half worn they can get tricky in the wet.
     
  6. dinoart

    dinoart Formula Junior
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    Oct 30, 2004
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    Here are the 10 year old 4000 miles Kumho ECSTA SPT on my 308 QV. They still look and run good. I was looking for the same tire for replacement but I think they are no longer available.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. dinoart

    dinoart Formula Junior
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  8. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    T1R also worth considering
     
  9. dinoart

    dinoart Formula Junior
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    Thanks MikeTuason for the concours pic.
     
    miketuason likes this.
  10. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    Thanks everyone for your opinions, I am now leaning towards the Kumho's.
    But I'll have another chat with my tyre guy and see what other brands he does. Looking at the various websites it's clear that for each tyre size, each manufacturer offers a range of compounds/treads etc. (and prices!)

    I'm finally ditching my TRX wheels and tyres. The tyres are embarrassingly old and are now a liability & every journey last year felt like a gamble. They have plenty of tread on them but should I have an accident, for whatever reason, the age of the tyres would be seen as a contributing factor. And I don't want that hanging over me any more.
     
  11. Milkshaker0007

    Milkshaker0007 Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2012
    428
    Midlands,uk
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    Paul
    Hi Andy,
    What ever you do decide on putting onto the new rims your ride will be totally transformed for the better.
    I put Toyo compound on mind replacing 11 year old rock hard Pirelli P-Zero's.

    After a half a dozen turns on new rubber I thought I was driving a totally different car.
    New rubber will feel amazing and smoothness/less noise and cornering will deliver a great positive feel.
    Have fun
     
  12. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    Thanks Paul.
    I'm really looking forward to it. I'm hoping that the toil of the last few years on the suspension/brakes/steering rack will pay dividends.

    I've bought Kumho HS51's - the whole set is about the same price as a single TRX tyre...
    My choice was actually quite limited because I wanted the same tread pattern front and back - apparently some makes have different tread patterns for the different sizes.
    But the race to get this done for the weekend has been scuppered, Superformance have sold out of 16" rims and are waiting on a delivery in the next fortnight...
     
  13. George Vosburgh

    George Vosburgh F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Andy, I'm sure you realize this, but the Superformance 16" wheels are a copy of a front wheel. They do not have the correct profile of a period 16" rear wheel. There is a "deep dish" rim on the rears. Once you know what to look for it's very easy to see.
     
  14. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    That's interesting, I didn't know that. Unfortunately my options are limited.
    When I was chatting to Superformance, we got around to the subject of the limited wheel choice which obviously plays in their favour. I suggested that they produce a version of the Compomotive TS17's, they listened sympathetically. Heaven knows how much they would cost but it would be great if they were available.
     
  15. dflett

    dflett Formula 3

    Jun 24, 2005
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    I’ve never driven a set of pirellis I’ve liked.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  16. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
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    Jun 20, 2012
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    Hi Andy,
    I just replaced my 9 year old P7's, which were hard. Just flogged the crap out of them on the track the other day and they barely got warm, didn't wear, and certainly didn't stick! They still look like new, but are positively dangerous in the wet. I've been looking at various options, and you're right about the staggered tyre choice - very hard to get matching F&R tyres. Even harder in Oz. I decided to go up a size (225/50 front, 245/45 rear), and opted for Continentals. Only a brief drive so far, but going on a 3000 km run next week on them. They certainly fill the guards nicely.
    Incidentally, I have a set of TS-17's, which cost me my first borne son and my left kidney. I've been humming and harring over tyre sizes and didn't want to use them on such a long trip without trying them out on shorter runs first, so they stay naked for now.
     
  17. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
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  18. Asmonaco

    Asmonaco Rookie

    Dec 20, 2017
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    Dave Guy Gadbois 75 308GT4
    +1 I recently did the Continental Extreme Contact on my GT4 and am quite satisfied.
     
  19. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    Hi Patrick, there is no 'incidentally' needed. I am well aware that you own a set of Compomotive TS17's. My envy keeps me awake at night!
    You need to press them into service as you are missing out on this:

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  20. Milkshaker0007

    Milkshaker0007 Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2012
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    Paul

    Not sure if this helps Andy but I managed to pop into Image wheels in Tipton, West Midlands a while back and they can do most designs and the two single picture, I think they are about 2K - 2.5K a set.
    The compomotive look alikes are excellent quality, and they can do many different finishes.
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  21. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Hi Patrick! I agree with Andy, you really got to install them. If you ask me, I think the TS17 is the best and most beautiful aftermarket wheels for the 308. Here’s mine with 225/45/17 front tires and 255/40/17 for the rears.
     
  22. StuR

    StuR Formula Junior

    Jun 14, 2005
    561
    UK Buckinghamshire
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    Stu R
    Hi, I ran Pirelli’s on 328 wheels and switched to Kumhos for 17” 348 wheels on my mondi (please don’t swear). I found the kumhos on the street and track day absolutely fine.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  23. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
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    I know, I know. I need to stop working so hard, so I can concentrate on my toys! I promise I'll get onto it when I get back.
     
  24. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    Paul, they are indeed a thing of beauty. If you could pop round and explain the 'Man Maths' to Mrs. 308GTB, I'd be really grateful.
    Justifying the Superformance rims wasn't particularly successful. My statements regarding tyre degradation over time and the history of Metric Tyres was met with indifference.
     

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