Those of you that got your GT's with the stock Pirelli tires then switched to something else....what differences have you noticed in the ride and handling of your car? My GT should be here early next week and I'm trying to decide if I want to switch tires immediately (while I can still make a good deal for my 'takeoffs') or stick with the stock tires. I've seen some comments about the stock tires having a pretty firm ride...

Your thoughts...?

 

You probably already saw my thoughts I certainly didn't drive a whole lot with them on, went straight to the tire place. I did find it a harsher ride though.

It'll be a matter of what you want to spend your money on right away.

 

I'm heading to the tire shop as soon as I get the car so I can get alittle trade in value for the stock tires.

 

I dont know why everyone's ripping the Pirellis. I think they're nice. In the last 2 weeks I've been all over Illinois/Missouri in this winter weather and they've been holding up good in the snow, slush and rain. Yep my stang is a daily driver. Buy cars to drive em. Plus I think they're good around the corners too. I think most people who dont like em are those that just dont like anything stock. To each their own.

 

Big sweeping generalizations like that will get you in trouble :nono: (Ooooh I wagged a finger... )

Just joking with ya....kinda. I just prefer a wider tire on a car like the Mustang, if they came with 255 Pirelli's I would have been happier than a horsefly in Texas mulepies....unfortuneately Pirelli doesn't make that size in a P-Zero Nero.

agreed

 

Railway,

With your location of Fort Worth, TX you wouldn’t need all seasons; all seasons don't do anything well IMO.

Besides even with a four wheel drive with studded snow tires I wouldn’t drive with 2 snow flakes in your area because of other drivers trying to get on the national news, wiping everyone out. (Just kidding with you).

Let us know what you end up with and post some pics.

 

I don't think it's anything against Pirelli, they make a good tire, I think people are wanting a different size of tire. Besides if you are gonna get a new pair right away, do the right thing, forget about getting something back for the tire, see what the car can do, light up the tires. Then when you have worn out that rubber, put your new treads on.

 

I'm getting different tires, but not until after i wear out the ones that come stock. It's a waste of $$$ for me to do it right away when I've got brand new tires on the car.

 

One thing I don't get about that is that you say the stock tires rode harshly, but then you put on a wider tire.

Wider tires ride worse because they have more contact patch to hit more bumps. So are you really saying that the ride is better now?

I do agree that I like a wider tire though, for handling purposes. I don't have the money to replace them right away though, so I'll wait until I burn them out, then put 255s on the back.

 

I'm with you ne 2000. I like the Pirellis. I too use my stang as a daily driver and I think the Pirellis are handling just fine in the snow/slush/rain in Minnesota.

 

If the Pirellis are handling just fine in the snow/slush/rain in Minnesota, you will find 4 snow tires to be Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! IMHO

 

What can I say There is more than just width that affect the ride though. Rubber compounds will also affect the way a particular tire rides as well. Pirelli's are known for their harder compunds, and it's not a bad thing, they wear very slowly.

The Nitto's however are defineately a stickier tire with softer compunds, and will wear out quicker.

Although it's not exactly an apple's to apple's comparison I recall the Pirelli Scorpion tires I had for my S-10 4x4 about a decade ago now. I went from a Michelin which gave a nice smooth soft ride, to the Scorpions which were a harsher ride, but not overly so. I thought the tread design was perfect for what I needed at time (I was being stationed in Maine, in the winter) and they ended up being the best tires I've ever owned. At 60k miles they still looked brand new, with lot's of tread left to go. When I sold the truck the new owner specifically commented about the tires and how new they were. He didn't believe me until I showed him the receipt...he was floored as well.

Like I said not exactly a good comparison, but I've heard from other people the same comments that the Pirelli's gave them a harsher ride but lasted forever.

 

The stock Pirelli's are great A/S tires. That being said, how do they perform against a "summer" only tire? Not very well. If you are going to get a "summer" only tire, my opinion is to get a Max performance tire such as the Kuhmo MX, S03's, T1S etc. These tires stick well in dry and rain. I would also choose something wider, but the size I want requires wider rims, so 18's with 275's or 285's would be my choice. I go thru tires pretty quickly, so I try to get the best bang for the buck in regards to tires. My current choice would be the Kuhmo MX's.