I have Continental DWS06s on my 20" equipped XKR. I'm switching to either Bridgestone or Michelin this spring. The Contis are adequate, decently priced, but not great. I've never been disappointed (other than the sting to the wallet) with any Michelin or Bridgestone tire I've ever owned. Unless there is a sale on the Michelins, I'm going with Bridgestone S04s.

 

Can you post some pics of your Ford GT? I love that car, such a work of art.

 

Got the car with Pirelli's. Did a Very short stint with Dunlops. Tried the Continentals...
But I'm back to my favourites:
On 20's, in the heat of the summer: Pilot Super Sports
On 20's, not in the heat of the summer: Pilot Sports AS3.
On the 19's: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32's.

 

I have the Bridgstone S04's on my car. The service man @ the tire shop says they are a very hard rubber so warm temps are best, above 50F, and because they're hard, they're a little loud, though not too much for me due to hearing loss.
The thing is, when I had my wheels powder coated, the company that did them marred a wheel while re-mounting the tires so they had to re-do the wheel. Second time they actually put a tear in the tire and replaced it. The machine they use actually stretches the entire tire over the rim and he said Bridgestone doesn't play well with that equipment. My regular tire shop also tried to weasel out of being liable for scuffing up the wheels. I said no thank you and I'll hold you fully accountable;-)

Happy with the tires though!

 

I am happy with the Blizzak's on my Aston. They ride well in cold temps, but don't do much to get out of snow.

 

I'd question your tire shop, cause that can not be farther from the truth, unless your S-04s are old.

High performance/grip tire compounds (like the S-04) are very soft, and offer limited if any tread life warranty. All tire compounds harden over time, and performance tires even more so. My S-04's seldom survived to the second year because of my aggressive driving style (and that was a price I was gladly willing to pay), but if I ever got a third or more years out of them, they would most certainly be significantly harder as the compound ages.

This is probably the one reason I really really wanted to try the Michelins, as they were known to last longer than the Bridgestones. The jury is still out as to how they hold up (IE maintain pliability and grip) near their 'end of life'. Being so new to the market, I don't think many have seen more than two years on them yet.

Anywho.... Check the mfg date on your S-04s, and if they exceed 3 years then the compound is most likely not what they were when new. For high end performance tires, this is also a good reason to check mfg dates when buying them 'new', as they could be old stock. The S-04 has been in service for some time, so it is possible.

Peace!
V

 

BEST advice on this thread. I learnt this the hard way.

The good thing is that Michelin, unlike others, comes with a threadlife warranty, and they do honor it. Speaking from experience.

 

In North America only I believe, if I'm wrong then post up a link that indicates it covers the UK?

 

Nope, tires less than 2 years old last year when this occurred. Comments came from two different reps with no skin in the game (they weren't pimping new tires) so I'm not sure why they offered up info. Both guys had the same comment about the same tire maybe a month apart is strange. I'm not remotely an expert in tires nor am I willing to become one:-) I dunno and like I said, I'm happy with the tires.

 

You will have to do it on your end, cant from here.
In America its very good. And you dont have to go back to the crook who sold you old stock tires.
You can go to any Michelin dealer, they give them the authorization over the phone instantly.

 

^ Cool! Although they do say that cars with different size front and rear are limited to half the mileage warranty.
(Don't think I ever got 15K out of my Bridgestones!)

 

Yes the mileage is 15k for our cars. (zero in other brands)
But its the 6 year on the craftsmanship that I used, and its 6 years from date of purchase. So if you are sold tires 2 years old (by which time ultra performance are junk anyway) they will still honor 8 year old tires.

p.s if you are going to use the mileage warranty make sure you wear them evenly, I was on the phone with the tech during the assessment, they are checking to see if inflation, balance and driving was normal. A grinder works for this.

 

It's a 2006 Tungsten Edition Ford GT, model celebrated the 40th anniversary of GT40 1-2-3 Finish at Le Mans, Marty

 

Quite right Mosesbotbol.
And I moved to the blizzak's from michelin pilot alpins for this very reason.
Until I find a better solution, TC off and enjoy the clever balance of our cars or if weather demands, the LR... the winter tires are Good Year Duratracs :-)

 

Marty nothing but sweet for sure! I like the plate back ground too!

 

Thanks. All my cars have IMAGINE license plates and a percentage of the extra charge goes to feeding homeless and to food bank in town, Marty

 

Stop feeding them cake Marty!
No just kidding. But you did buy Uncle Sam a home with what you paid in sales taxes.

I was in tears at my local tag office, then lady taking the money said, think about what we have taken in on a 67 Mustang that changed hands 10 times, more than Ford Mo Co could ever dream of making on any car.

 

I like "threadlife warranty." I am fairly certain that some of the threads on this forum are out of warranty...

 

As are some of their authors. Our warranty covers being seen and viewed!

 

Not sure what homes cost in your area, but the sales taxes I've paid on my three cars were less than the cost of renovating a bathroom in our apartment!