[SantaFeCraig]

Hello all,

I bought my first Ferrari this January, a 2000 550 Maranello. I noticed the tires are a little low on tread. It currently has Michellin Sports on all 4 tires and while I really don't have complaints about the handling I figured I should seek out some expert advice before laying down cash for a new set.

This car is amazing. The only sad part is I live in Santa Fe, NM at around 7,000ft altitude - so I get about a 21% horsepower reduction...not that it feels like it!

[Barry]

Craig
Welcome to the forum. Beautiful 550M.

Have a look here for some recent tyre opinions; Tires....preferences/experiences

[Tarlin]

Hello Craig!

I must say that this is one of he most beautiful color combinations for 550 Maranello. Enjoy her as much as possible!

[SantaFeCraig]

Thanks guys. I really liked the color combo on this car too. I really love the 550 - my father had a 365GTB when I was a kid and I can really feel the heritage.

Looks like I am leaning towards the Michelin Pilot Sports.

[Granucci]

Welcome to the site, and great choice in a car.....surprised you haven't run into Tazandjan aka taz yet!

He's in your area with a 575 and great knowledge on whatever you'll need for your new car.

[tazandjan]

Craig- With stock 18" wheels, I would go with Michelin PS2 tires. The new Michelin Pilot Super Sports are better tires, but they do not yet make a 295/35 18 size for Maranellos.

Welcome to Ferrari Life and that is a very pretty Maranello. Let me know if you need any service advice. There is an excellent shop here in Albuquerque.

[SantaFeCraig]

Hey Taz - great to e-meet you!

What shop do you use? I went to James at Carcrafters for a brake job as I heard he was a former Ferrari wrench.

Thank you for the tire advice. I will probably pick up a set of PS2's then - I will likely need a set after another 500-1000 miles. Being I have a hard time keeping the car buttoned up in the hangar this might be pretty soon

I am fairly new to Santa Fe/New Mexico and even newer to Ferrari ownership...is there a good meetup in Northern NM? Do you take your car out to the Napa Speedway?

[tazandjan]

Craig- You can contact Aaron of La Scuderia at aaron@lascuderia.net.

No, I have not taken the car to NAPA. There is an active FCA NM subregion and the activities are split between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. There is a car show in Santa Fe on 5 May that you should consider attending. They always want more Ferraris there. Contact: [lucero.richard@comcast.net]

[F355 Challenge]

Originally Posted by SantaFeCraig

This car is amazing. The only sad part is I live in Santa Fe, NM at around 7,000ft altitude - so I get about a 21% horsepower reduction...not that it feels like it!

Get it turbocharged.

Congratulations, Craig! That's a nice Maranello. Drive it in good health.

BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 is another tire to consider. Tire Rack currently has a special offer on these, $786 for a set in stock sizes after rebate. These are great tires with excellent longevity.

I use these as track tires on a spare set of wheels. I have Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s for everyday use. But I like the g-Forces better and seldom switch back after track events.

Barry

[SantaFeCraig]

Thanks Taz for the info. I am going to be in Las Vegas on May 5th doing a Ferrari 430 GT racing deal but I will reach out to these guys to perhaps hook up with their next show. I was planning on joining FCA so I will try to connect with the NM subregion then.

Thanks Barry - I would not want to overboost the engine (assuming you were just not 100% joking) - but if there were a turbo normalizer (like we use on aircraft) to bring it to sea level manifold pressure - that would be awesome - and would not strain the engine beyond what it was designed for. Not sure where under that tight hood one would drop such a thing though, someone has likely done it. Do you run these G-Force tires in a 550/575 or on your 308 GTB?

[F355 Challenge]

Hi Craig,

Yes, I was just kidding about the turbocharger. I'm a pilot too, but have not flown turbocharged airplanes.

If they could turbo-normalize the 550 that would surely help you at your level in the troposphere.

I have the g-Forces on my 550 and Porsche 951 (944 turbo). I regularly track my 550 and have the utmost confidence in them. As I mentioned, I used to switch back to my street wheels with PS2s after track events. For the past year, I haven't bothered doing so.

You have a beautiful Maranello, Craig. Congratulations! Drive it in good health.

Barry

[550JM]

Craig, welcome from another 550 addict! Very nice combo on yours....
Enjoy in good health!

[Alessandro]

Hello everybody from Athens, Greece. Am new to the forum and recently bought a 550 2002 Maranello in black with black/red interior trading back my 360 after a year.

Was wondering if someone has pzeros and what is his opinion. Have ps2 which look ok in terms of tread but have been on the car for three years and want to change them.

Thanks a lot

[tazandjan]

Alessandro- Welcome to Ferrari Life. Unlike some, I would rate the new P-Zeros above the PS2, but below the PSS (Super Sport). Unfortunately, neither the P-Zero nor the PSS had a 295/35 18 size last time I looked. So your choices for the OEM tires are the P-Zero Rosso, the PS2, or one of the Bridgestones in the correct size. Of those three, I would go for the Michelins again. If your tires are only three years old (check the date on the tire, week and year of production), I would keep your current tires until they wear out or reach 6 years of life

51st week of 2007 below.

[Bill]

Beautiful car!

welcome to F-life.

I have the PS2 but might try the BF Goodrich g-Force next time since Barry likes them so much.

Cheers,

Bill

[Boxer]

I would recommend the Michelins. Have always had good experiences with them.

[Alessandro]

thank you all for the useful feed back, will go with the Michelins most probably this was the advice of the dealer too, who has been very helpful all along both with the 360 and with the Maranello.

will change them after summer.

The dealership in Greece is called Genesis, based in Athens and Nikos is a fantastic guy in case someone is travelling with his car in the country. Should you come in Greece do let me know!

would be a pleasure both meeting and of course providing all any info/assistance you might need.

All the best

[papou]

I have a 456m I like the look of the older Ferrari's they all seem to have smaller wheels, is it possible to put
lager tires on my 17" wheels ore is it unsafe.

[tazandjan]

Welcome to Ferrari Life. If you go to tirerack.com or another similar site, you can see what tires are available that match the width of your 456M's wheels, 8.5Jx17 F and 10Jx17 R, and the diameter of the original 255/45 17 F and 285/40 17 R tires. An easy upgrade is to mount 575M 18" or 19" wheels, but if you like the original small diameter tires, it should be possible to find lower profile tires that will fit and approximate the OEM tires' diameter and width.