Tyre thread question

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
When I got my 430 serviced 2 years ago, the main dealer advised I changed one of the front tyres that had been damaged slightly. I accepted and they changed 1 only that tyre, as the other still 8mm life left.
I just noticed while detailing the car this morning that although both tyres are Pirelli P Zero of matching specs, they have a different thread.
Is that OK or do you recommend I change them?
All tyres still have 6-7mm left, and I wasn’t planning on changing them until next year as I haven’t driven the car much (covid) and they will be 5years old then.
Thoughts?
 

Oneball

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11,075
I wouldn’t worry too much.

Are you sure they’re the same tyre? There’s loads of P Zeros.
 

safrane

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16,748
As long as the tread pattern is not significantly different I would leave till ready to replace.
 

rivarama

Member
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1,102
Thanks for the advice. I might sign up to a track day and wear them out.
I am not sure they will be replaced by Pirelli either. Looks like the Michelin pilot sport cup have good reviews.
Thoughts on those?
 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
Thanks for the advice. I might sign up to a track day and wear them out.
I am not sure they will be replaced by Pirelli either. Looks like the Michelin pilot sport cup have good reviews.
Thoughts on those?

Well done for seeing through this and keeping your eye on the prize. How different is the tread? On the one hand you have driven it for two years and it has felt ok (I presume?) but whatever you now know about it and that is often enough. That said if you will only drive it in the dry then it doesn’t really matter. Only you can decide but it will now niggle away at you.

FWIW there is nothing wrong with P Zero tyres if you will only use the car in the summer. They fit them for a reason as do McLaren. Michelin’s have a wider bandwidth but if you don’t need that then P Zeros may be better for a high days and holidays car.
 

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
Well done for seeing through this and keeping your eye on the prize. How different is the tread? On the one hand you have driven it for two years and it has felt ok (I presume?) but whatever you now know about it and that is often enough. That said if you will only drive it in the dry then it doesn’t really matter. Only you can decide but it will now niggle away at you.

FWIW there is nothing wrong with P Zero tyres if you will only use the car in the summer. They fit them for a reason as do McLaren. Michelin’s have a wider bandwidth but if you don’t need that then P Zeros may be better for a high days and holidays car.

Thanks for the answer bigbob. I tend to drive the car when I feel like it, regardless of the time of the year. Although I avoid to take it when the roads are gritted, I have probably driven the car every 6weeks or so between Oct - Mar...
I wouldn’t say I have always felt safe w the Pirelli below 8degrees, but I never feel the urge to gun the car in the winter.
I like the reputation of versatility that come w Michelin, so I might try those next.
 

bigbob

Member
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8,952
Thanks for the answer bigbob. I tend to drive the car when I feel like it, regardless of the time of the year. Although I avoid to take it when the roads are gritted, I have probably driven the car every 6weeks or so between Oct - Mar...
I wouldn’t say I have always felt safe w the Pirelli below 8degrees, but I never feel the urge to gun the car in the winter.
I like the reputation of versatility that come w Michelin, so I might try those next.
For your use I would move to another brand. Personally I’ve always liked Continental tyres for wide bandwidth temperature wise but many on here love Michelin’s. I’m sure that either would be an improvement.
 

Wanderer

Member
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5,791
I found that the P-Zeros made the car 'jump' when crossing white lines or driving over cats eyes in any season. Michelin on all four corners now and that's gone away and they're quieter too.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Well more like a feeling of a small but noticable side-step, I could see it coming when merging on motorways and turning right where there's a lane and arrow.
I had bikes that did that at speed on the motorway, it was a case of timing to change lanes in the gap or grip the seat...