Since one year I am running Michelin Pilot Exalto PS2 after FChatter 'nerofer's ' recommendation. . Imho a reasonable compromise regarding looks and costs. But performance wise it's the best tire I had during the quarter century I own the car. And the best; not the slightest flat-spotting even after the months long winter break. The Pirelli P Zero Nero I had were the worst. Flatspots after two weeks. Image Unavailable, Please Login Best from Germany Martin
Question: Can you spec different width XWX tires front/rear on original 14" wheels? Thanks in advance.
You could fit a 215/70-14 on a 7 1/2" rim on the rear if you wanted. However that tyre is exclusively for the 450 SEL 6.9 and rear only on the LP400. Ferrari never fitted a staggered 14" fitment. In any case, the circumference is too big.
With the factory size, no reason not to fit the original fitment, Pirelli P7 Cinturato from the classic range. I'm using 14" so you question to me is mute. I do run the P7 Cinturato in 16" on the 930 and I cannot tell the difference in grip between them and the Continental Sport Contact N2 I took off. I see Martin has the PS-2 and that is also an excellent tyre but I have not tested it on a 308. With the 308 it is very important to specify a tyre with a TWI of under about 220 or so. Many of the modern 16" compounds are now standard fitment on cars like a Mazda 3 and have very high TWI because owners complain if they don't get 50,000 miles from them. The lightly laden front of the 308 responds very badly to high TWI tyres.
I've tried both, Michelin XWX and the Pirelli CN36. Both excellent tyres with an amazing amount of grip thanks to their low TWI (Especially the XWX). Because the modern XWX and CN36 has a bit less rayon in the sidewalls and therefore not as stiff as the original fitment, I find you have to increase the factory tyres pressures by about 3-4 PSI. I run 33 in the front and 36 in the rear.
I use this tyre on an ageing A4. It's an excellent tyre both wet and dry (TWI of 220 too) however at about 60% wear its wet weather performance falls off a cliff. Also, it is like diving on ice if the outside temperature is under 7 degrees (celsius). However they are so cheap you can just piff them out when they get to this stage.
Well, you put them on DFC. Actually I think we discussed the cold weather performance before. Did we not?
How would i have known if I'd be unimpressed until i tried them? Yes better when they have heat in them for sure.