[Neopolitano]

Just ordered a set of Vredestein Sprint Classics 205VR/70 x 14. I would prefer the 80 series, but they don't make them. My XWX 205 x 14s are 26.81" in diameter. The Vredesteins are 25.40".....1.4" smaller. At least it will reduce the rubbing on the heater vents hoses at the top of the front wheel wells when you go over large bumps.

Cost of the Vredesteins was $982 for a set of 4 tires shipping included. I priced a set of XWXs from Coker. Cost is just under $2400 for a set of 4. I have the XWXs on the Borranis. The Vredesteins are for the mags I purchased and refinished. It took months to find the chrome trim rings [used] refurbish and rechrome.

Lead time for the Vredesteins is 4 weeks. So it will be awhile before I can report back with my seat of the pants testing comparison. Never did find Pirelli 4000s or BFG Comp TAs.

[tazandjan]

Barry- You have a couple of choices for your 308. You can keep the 14x6.5 wheels and put on Michelins, Vredensteins, etc, or you can find a set of the GTB/S 16x7 and 16x8 wheels and fit them with OEM size 205/55 F and 225/50 R tires and have a bit more cornering and braking power and wider choice of tires. Those wheels were available as an option on the GT4 and I had them on my 78 GTS.

Steve- Those tires will work fine and the compound has undoubtedly been much improved over the years. Looking forward to photos with the magnesium wheels.

[Barry]

Terry,
I think I'll probably bite the bullet and just order the XWXs. I quite like the look of the 14" wheels with the high profile 'balloon' tyres. Keeps it looking very period. Totally agree handling would probably be improved a little if I went to 16" wheels, but that said I have no intention of ever tracking the GT4. If I'm going to a track it will be in the 360 or more likely a Ducati.

Currently awaiting a call back from a few different suppliers of the XWX, it ain't gonna be cheap but then who ever said Ferrari ownership was....?

[tazandjan]

Barry- Expensive tires are cheaper than new wheels and new tires, so you made the prudent choice. The Michelins were really good in rain and light snow with that open tread pattern, so a good overall choice.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Barry- The Michelins were really good in rain and light snow with that open tread pattern, so a good overall choice.

Interesting you should say that Terry. On Fled 5 I had the pleasure of sliding around in the snow (in Capo's 430 Spider) whilst trying to keep up with 212 in his XWX shod Daytona. I'm not sure 212 even knew it was snowing, the Daytona certainly kept on moving like there wasn't a flake on the ground.

As for Capo, well he just pulled off at the first option.... to do donuts in the roadside cafe car park...

[tazandjan]

Barry- I drove all three of my XWX shod cars, a 69 911S, a Dino 246 GT, and a Daytona in light snow in eastern NM with no problems. They were my DDs. They do not salt the roads there. You should have no problems either.

Modern summer tire compounds do not work at all in really cold temperatures.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Barry- I drove all three of my XWX shod cars, a 69 911S, a Dino 246 GT, and a Daytona in light snow in eastern NM with no problems. They were my DDs. They do not salt the roads there. You should have no problems either.

Modern summer tire compounds do not work at all in really cold temperatures.

Good to know as I did buy the GT4 with the intention of using it regularly. In the 4 days I've had it I've already put more miles on the clock than the previous owner did in the last 3 years of his ownership.

Only problem is that they do apply salt to the roads here, so realistically if the snow comes, the GT4 is staying at home...

[tazandjan]

Barry- Affirmative, Fearari did not develop their galvanizing procedure until the 82/83 timeframe (Ford licensed it for a period). Both the doors rusted out on my 78 GTS and the skins had to be replaced when the car was only about 3 years old.

[brettgagnon]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Barry- Affirmative, Fearari did not develop their galvanizing procedure until the 82/83 timeframe (Ford licensed it for a period). Both the doors rusted out on my 78 GTS and the skins had to be replaced when the car was only about 3 years old.

Sad, after Barry's thread I have been keeping an eye out for a GT4 in great condition, would be nice to have for mom and the tyke.

I guess i will put that $ into something else and remember to never, ever, ever, drive Gertrude in the snow

[tazandjan]

Brett- Snow is not the problem, salt is. Where you live, they use quite a bit of it.

When I took the car in to the Ferrari dealer in Colchester, UK, for what I thought were paint bubbles, the body shop manager poked his finger right through the door panel. My eyes looked like a cartoon character, I am sure. Two new doorskins later and then someone scratched a swastika in the engine cover at the officers' club. Got to know the body shop manager pretty well.

[Brian]

XWX's have not been in a time warp. That product has had constant improvement and what you get today really only shares the look with the tire that was made in 1972.

When the Feds originally started the tire rating system the XWX only had a 60 tread wear rating. They wore out like a pencil eraser. I don't know what it is now but it is substantially higher.

While in college I worked for Goodyear and got an exellent education on tires. In addition after having been professionally around very high performance cars for a few decades I can tell you Michelin is always my first choice for any of my cars.


Since we are taliking about fast, high performance cars consider one more thing. When Ferrari decided to make an attempt at the World Endurance Record with the 550 they approached all the top tire manufacturers to ask if they wanted to be the tire supplier. Ferrari wasn't looking for free tires, they were looking for tires that could cope with the sustained high speed. Michelin was the only company that answered in the affirmative. Pirelli, Bridgestone and Goodyear refused to use their tires. In the end they used standard, off the shelf Pilot Sports. Think about it next time you are cruising at triple digit speeds on a hot piece of asphalt.


There are a few things the French do well and when it comes to tires they are the best. Period.

[tazandjan]

Brian- I can vouch for the 60 wear rating. They did not last very long, even on a 2400 or so lb Porsche. They did stick well, though.

I would have preferred Michelins for my car, but they do not make one the right size for 12.5" wheels in the rear.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Brian- I can vouch for the 60 wear rating. They did not last very long, even on a 2400 or so lb Porsche. The did stick well, though.

I would have preferred Michelins for my car, but they do not make one the right size for 12.5" wheels in the rear.

We have a few cars without Michelins as well because they dont have a type/size I need. The 2 cars we drive the fastest the most, the TR and Leslie's Benz both have Michelins.

[Neopolitano]

Originally Posted by Barry

Terry,
I think I'll probably bite the bullet and just order the XWXs. I quite like the look of the 14" wheels with the high profile 'balloon' tyres. Keeps it looking very period. Totally agree handling would probably be improved a little if I went to 16" wheels, but that said I have no intention of ever tracking the GT4. If I'm going to a track it will be in the 360 or more likely a Ducati.

Currently awaiting a call back from a few different suppliers of the XWX, it ain't gonna be cheap but then who ever said Ferrari ownership was....?

Barry...you just can't beat the look of the XWXs. .

My BB which has 17" wheels on it now. That does allow flexibility in choosing tires. However I just refinished the stock 15" mags. They will be shod with XWXs.

Although you are on the other side of the big pond let me know what kind of quotes you receive.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Neopolitano

Although you are on the other side of the big pond let me know what kind of quotes you receive.

So far best price for supply only is about £1,000 GBP plus vat.

[Neopolitano]

Originally Posted by Barry

So far best price for supply only is about £1,000 GBP plus vat.

Is that a per tyre price? Yikes! Coker tire here in the States is $576 per tire for a 205VR x 14 XWXs. I have heard Longstone Tyres in the UK is the go-to supplier for XWXs.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Neopolitano

Is that a per tyre price? Yikes! Coker tire here in the States is $576 per tire for a 205VR x 14 XWXs. I have heard Longstone Tyres in the UK is the go-to supplier for XWXs.

Thats the cost for supply of all 4.

[Neopolitano]

Originally Posted by Barry

Thats the cost for supply of all 4.

Thanks for the clarification. Not sure what I was thinking. Is this quote from Longstone? I need xwx's for my BB and would appreciate any leads.