Tyre recommendations for S650 Mustang GT

[kuribojim]

Hey everyone, I just took delivery of my S650 Mustang GT convertible on Monday. I'm loving it already! But I feel like the default tyres could be a lot grippier - they're a bit too slippery.

I am thinking about replacing these with much stickier tyres, and I'm wondering if you have any recommendations. I'm not at all a tyre expert, so I'm not quite sure where to begin.

(Note: I understand we have a wheels and tyres forum, but I wanted to ask this here because I'm unsure if our factory provided tyres are different from the U.S. spec).

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[bfets]

Hey everyone, I just took delivery of my S650 Mustang GT convertible on Monday. I'm loving it already! But I feel like the default tyres could be a lot grippier - they're a bit too slippery.

I am thinking about replacing these with much stickier tyres, and I'm wondering if you have any recommendations. I'm not at all a tyre expert, so I'm not quite sure where to begin.

(Note: I understand we have a wheels and tyres forum, but I wanted to ask this here because I'm unsure if our factory provided tyres are different from the U.S. spec).

The new Pirelli P-Zero's are better than the previous generation, but if mine are done, I'm switching to Michelin PS4S's for sure.

 

[prestj1]

Hey everyone, I just took delivery of my S650 Mustang GT convertible on Monday. I'm loving it already! But I feel like the default tyres could be a lot grippier - they're a bit too slippery.

I am thinking about replacing these with much stickier tyres, and I'm wondering if you have any recommendations. I'm not at all a tyre expert, so I'm not quite sure where to begin.

(Note: I understand we have a wheels and tyres forum, but I wanted to ask this here because I'm unsure if our factory provided tyres are different from the U.S. spec).

Check the pressures they have been coming out of the dealers way too high than the recommended this might be making them feel slippery

 

[DFB5.0]

Ok, so I'm not comparing apples to apples here, but the Pirelli's Ford used on S550 were diabolically bad, virtually undrivable in the wet or cold roads. When I bought new wheels, I took the opportunity to move to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. These completely transformed the car, suddenly I have traction in all conditions, wet or dry. In fact, I could launch the car quite aggressively and get it to hook up. Steering response was also superior. As you say, the Pirelli's felt slippery, naturally at the rear, but I could feel it in the front end as well.

I know the newer Pirelii's are better, but I wouldn't replace them like for like. I'd happily buy another set of PS4S, although I hear the equivalent Continental's are good too.

Just a word of caution, there are a lot of different Pilot Sport configurations. For example, there is a Pilot Sport 4 and Pilot Sport 4S...............you wan't the 4S. Also, they now offer the Pilot Sport 5, but that isn't a replacement for the PS4S, rather the 4S. From what I have seen, the PS5 is more of a touring tyre and would be a backward step from the PS4S..............................again, you want the PS4S. I think they were bringing out a PS5S, but I'm not sure its available here yet.

 

[AussieBob]

Check the tire pressures and give them a bit of time to wear in. I don't have any experience with the PS4S to compare, but my Pirellis feel better now than when I first got the car. They still don't like the cold but they are better than when new.

 

[kuribojim]

Thanks everyone, this info has been very helpful - I will follow your advice. I’ll check tyre pressure first and also give them a bit more wear in time before I upgrade. Really appreciate your help!

 

[5.0ALM]

This Youtuber knows his tyres.

You can ignore the Primacy 4+, but this gives a good comparison of the PS4S vs PS5, which as D mentions, the PS5 is not an upgrade to the PS4S.



And this video, although dated, compares the PS4 vs the PS4S..

 

[Gregs24]

I would say the Pirelli PZ4 fitted to the S650 is on a par with the PS4S fitted to my S550.

However the Continental Sport Contact 7's I fitted to my S550 were better than both.

My S650 was over-pressured when I got it (to the detriment of ride) so well worth checking

 

[kuribojim]

I checked the tyre pressure last night - 32 PSI. So all good there I think.

The slipping I'm experiencing with the tyres is only happening in one place actually: on my (very steep) driveway, which is bricked (and is therefore quite smooth). When I back out of the garage...the car squeals as it starts to slip backwards a little. It's not a huge problem, but it's not something I've seen with any other car on this driveway (for the record, our second car is a Volvo XC40, which I assume has much grippier tyres).

I'm wondering if the tyres need to wear in a bit more and/or whether or not I'd benefit in general from stickier tyres. I'm just thinking about what it'll be like in the wet (not just on the driveway, but in general driving). Historically I've never modified my cars or anything, but I've definitely never spared any expense when it comes to tyres. So regardless, I'd like to get the grippiest/safest possible tyres I can for this vehicle. I'm sure there's a bit of overcompensation here too, given I've never owned a very powerful RWD car before - so I'm maybe being overly-cautious as well.

When I bought new wheels, I took the opportunity to move to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. These completely transformed the car, suddenly I have traction in all conditions, wet or dry. In fact, I could launch the car quite aggressively and get it to hook up. Steering response was also superior. As you say, the Pirelli's felt slippery, naturally at the rear, but I could feel it in the front end as well.

That's why this message really stood out to me. That's the kind of thing I have in mind when I think about tyres for this car, especially as we head towards winter and colder/wetter conditions here in Melbourne.

 

[DFB5.0]

I checked the tyre pressure last night - 32 PSI. So all good there I think.

The slipping I'm experiencing with the tyres is only happening in one place actually: on my (very steep) driveway, which is bricked (and is therefore quite smooth). When I back out of the garage...the car squeals as it starts to slip backwards a little. It's not a huge problem, but it's not something I've seen with any other car on this driveway (for the record, our second car is a Volvo XC40, which I assume has much grippier tyres).

I'm wondering if the tyres need to wear in a bit more and/or whether or not I'd benefit in general from stickier tyres. I'm just thinking about what it'll be like in the wet (not just on the driveway, but in general driving). Historically I've never modified my cars or anything, but I've definitely never spared any expense when it comes to tyres. So regardless, I'd like to get the grippiest/safest possible tyres I can for this vehicle. I'm sure there's a bit of overcompensation here too, given I've never owned a very powerful RWD car before - so I'm maybe being overly-cautious as well.

That's why this message really stood out to me. That's the kind of thing I have in mind when I think about tyres for this car, especially as we head towards winter and colder/wetter conditions here in Melbourne.

I think we've found your problem..........................a powerful RWD is a VERY different set of variables compared to an FWD/AWD fitted with a 4-cylinder engine. That would be especially noticeable when the road/driveway is wet.

A grippier set of tyres will help to a degree, but you still need to show some caution at low speeds. I'm guessing you've never owned a vehicle with a limited slip diff as well? Compared to an open diff which is quite tame when a wheel loses traction, an LSD can be quite aggressive in practice.

I'm not saying all this to frighten you, far from it as its one of the joys of a RWD vehicle, taming the beast if you will. Just something to be mindful of.

 

[Gregs24]

That and also there will be less vertical wheel movement on a Mustang than a Volvo SUV.

 

[kuribojim]

I think we've found your problem..........................a powerful RWD is a VERY different set of variables compared to an FWD/AWD fitted with a 4-cylinder engine. That would be especially noticeable when the road/driveway is wet.

A grippier set of tyres will help to a degree, but you still need to show some caution at low speeds. I'm guessing you've never owned a vehicle with a limited slip diff as well? Compared to an open diff which is quite tame when a wheel loses traction, an LSD can be quite aggressive in practice.

I'm not saying all this to frighten you, far from it as its one of the joys of a RWD vehicle, taming the beast if you will. Just something to be mindful of.

True on all counts - this is new to me. My last car was a CLA 250 Sport, an AWD 4 cylinder turbo. Stuck to the road like glue.

I am being very cautious with this car. I only apply power on straights, never when turning out of a corner (for example). I have huge respect for this car. And you’re right; it’s fun learning how to live with it.

This is unrelated, but I wonder if the obsession ever dies down. I can’t stop driving this thing. I love it so much.

 

[DFB5.0]

True on all counts - this is new to me. My last car was a CLA 250 Sport, an AWD 4 cylinder turbo. Stuck to the road like glue.

I am being very cautious with this car. I only apply power on straights, never when turning out of a corner (for example). I have huge respect for this car. And you’re right; it’s fun learning how to live with it.

This is unrelated, but I wonder if the obsession ever dies down. I can’t stop driving this thing. I love it so much.

Mustang's have some weirdness to their chassis behavior that is probably why so many of them end up crashing into poles or facing backwards out of hedge. Of all the RWD cars I've driven, from low to high powered, none have felt like a Mustang.

Because all Australian Mustang's have been delivered with the Performance Pack fitted (S550 and S650), they actually have a lot of dry road grip from the wider wheel and tyre package. The main problem isn't necessarily a lack of grip, it's when they exceed that high grip threshold, quite often when going quite fast.

When the rear lets go, its extremely abrupt. I haven't properly messed with the S650 yet, but that sudden break-away on the S550 could become quite alarming. The dynamic stability control would allow far too much slip before chiming in abruptly, usually with a large dose of opposite lock applied, which then promotes a tank-slapper type situation. Compared to Australian-designed DSC systems, they would chime in earlier but less aggressively, so they worked with the driver rather than giving too much leeway, then slamming down like a leather strap to a poorly behaved child.

If you look at a S550 or S650 from side on, take note of how short the wheel-base is relative to the overall length of the vehicle, especially the front overhang. This shortness of wheelbase and amount of weight sitting right out front makes the car less predictable when approaching and exceeding the limit. I've also found the steering seems to lack a natural counter steering effect, again making for strong tank-slapper handling. In addition to that, the steering doesn't really tell you what's happening, both S550 and S650.

Note that this is at the extreme end of the car's capability. If you respect the car and drive within your own limits, these are very entertaining cars to drive, very capable. So, don't be afraid of the car, its limits are higher than you might think.

 

[Gregs24]

The rear on the S650 is far better tied down than my S550 was.

 

[DFB5.0]

The rear on the S650 is far better tied down than my S550 was.

Agreed.

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