Anyone put 19 inch wheels on an FF? Having more rubber appeals with winter potholes....
Rather than getting 19's, do what a fellow Fchatter from your area did on his Lusso. Rather than the stupid 235/35R20 and 285/35R20, get Vredestein Wintrac Pro in 245/40R20 and 275/40R20. Yep, they will fit. I'm sure he will chime in. You can fit a set of Cali 19's if you want, but with 245/40R20's I don't see a reason to do so. Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I did this with my Lusso. I have a second set of OEM wheels I use for my winter tires. I grew tired of the Michelin 235/35 fronts and how easily they become damaged. When I bought my winters 2 years ago I couldn't get the Pirelli, but that is also an option and probably less of a change from the standard driving dynamics, however, its less side wall than what I ended up with, with the help of @Il Co-Pilota ... So the tires are as he says Vredstein Wintrac Pro 245/40 front and 275/40 rear. The rears are only V rated- 149 MPH. But I am never going near that speed, never mind cruising for more than an hour. I've only put maybe 100 miles on the tires so far and I am very happy with them as winter tires. The extra sidewall is noticeable. It works out to the same extra sidewall as if you went down to 19s. The positives aside from what I expect is improved protection from potholes and broken pavement, are vastly improved ride, a little weightier steering and much less road noise. The negatives, unfortunately, there is no free lunch, in low speed driving you wouldn't notice it. But in medium speed driving, on back roads, if you are driving with a little gusto, the front end feels a touch less precise (more tire sidewall= more flex?) and the balance of the car has shifted just a touch to more neutral, so its a little less easy confidence inspiring when you are pushing on around backroads, but, its all very controllable, its just something you have to get a little used to. I kind of like it. But its a brand new setup and the tires could also be breaking in. I think for a city based Lusso this would be the ideal winter setup. I'm very thankful for the advice of @Il Co-Pilota on this. I no longer need to cringe with even the slightest break in the pavement that I might have damaged a wheel, bubbled or popped a tire.
If you want to mate a 255/35R20 winter front, you really need to use a 295 rear. Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
It has to do with shifting the handling balance to the front of the car (a touch more oversteer type balance) but so is our 245 (same as standard) front 275 rear (down from 295). You are going +10mm front and -10mm in the rear, I am going -20mm in the rear. I think the result is somewhat similar. But he is a real expert in these things. I am just a guy who wants to enjoy his prancing horse in the winter time.
Because it will be better balanced A 255/285 setup will be even more front end biased than a 245/275 setup. Not saying it can't be used, but I think Jerrys setup is better overall - and I definitely think the Vredesteins are better tyres than the Pirellis. I have the OE Pirellis and they are mediocre at best as far as winter tyres go. Compared to Michelin Alpin 4, 5 and 6, the Vredesteins and Bridgestone LM005 the Sottos leave a lot go be desired no matter the size. Just my take on it Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
They are awesome. Let me explain it a bit more in depth why the Pirelli setup will be more front end biased. The thing to remember with tyre size is that the number on the size tell very little about the actual tread width. While looking into the Vredestein set I contacted them to get an actual idea about the width of the tread. Those 275's run pretty wide, wider than Pirelli 285's in fact. The 245 Vred front has the exact same tread width as 255 Pirellis. This adds up to more oversteer in the Pirellis in several ways. 1. With the Pirellis you get 0.2" less tread width in the rear compared to Veds. 2. With the Vreds. you increase circumference both font and rear which adds tread patch. With the Pirelli setup you only add circumference to the front, along with width. 3. The taller rear profile adds a bit like a softer sway bar, i.e decreasing oversteer. With the Pirellis you do the opposite. You add softness to the front but keep the rear sidewall stiff which in turn adds further to the oversteer the same way softening a front sway bar would. 4. To illustrate the front and rear ACTUAL width so to speak, it looks like this. Pirelli OE Sottos. 235/35R20 has an 8" wide tread. 255/35R20 has an 8.6" wide tread. 285/35R20 has a 10.4" wide tread. The Vreds are as follows. 245/40R20 has an 8.6" wide tread. 275/40R20 has a 10.6" wide tread. As you can see, what is actually under the car is somewhat different compared to what is stamped on the side of the tyre. There's more to it, but this is sort of the "simple" explanation.
lol close enough for me! Pirelli OE Sottos. 255/35R20 has an 8.6" wide tread. 285/35R20 has a 10.4" wide tread. The Vreds are as follows. 245/40R20 has an 8.6" wide tread. 275/40R20 has a 10.6" wide tread
im running them now...255 and 285 feels totally fine... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
jerry shld drive my car and compare and contrast. i dont have the sensitivity that you have, im like a blunt object.
You know, I always admire a man whom recognises both his strengths and weaknesses Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Guess its time to put the winters on, car got a bit squirrely pushing it in wet mode on a rainy Saturday in the Hamptons, 50 degrees... Thank God for the traction control...brown trousers