Tire Advice for Ford GT'06 outside US (Michelins?)

[Mikeysz]

Hi Everyone!
I just became the proud owner of a 2006 GT and I need to replace the tires (they are still the original factory tires).
However the Bridgestones advised on the forum are not available here unfortunately.
I read in some threads that size 345/30R19 fits on the rear and 265/40R18 on the front.
I can buy Michelins here with that spec and i was hoping someone might be able to confirm these tire sizes fit (or have these spec'd sizes on their GT).
Any feedback/advice would be really welcome.
Thanks

 

[twobjshelbys]

First I've heard of Michelins in the same size as the Bridgestones. Can you post a link? Maybe a Europe(?) only tire? Would like to see the tread.

 

[Mikeysz]

First I've heard of Michelins in the same size as the Bridgestones. Can you post a link? Maybe a Europe(?) only tire? Would like to see the tread.

Hi Tony,
Sure, here is a link of front tire (265/40R18):

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/michelin/pilot-super-sport/265-40-zr18-97y-734858?adref=%2Fcar-tyres-265-40-18%2F%253Fbrands%25255B0%25255D%253D4

And here is a link of the rear tire (345/30R19):

Band Michelin 345/30 ZR19 109Y XL FSL | Pilot Super Sport | BandenLeader.nl

Michelin Pilot Super Sport 345/30 ZR19 109Y XL FSL banden goedkoop en op voorraad bij BandenLeader · Gratis levering · Montage bij u in de buurt.

www.bandenleader.nl

(sorry the link to this is not available in english)

 

[extrap]

You can go here and scroll down to Tires: https://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/threads/fgt-knowledge-base.38620/

... but here's the info:

Correct Bridgestone models / sizes for the 2005/6 Ford GT are:

• Front: Bridgestone RE050A Potenza (Porsche N1) 265/40R18
• Rear: Bridgestone RE050A Potenza Scuderia 345/35R19

I'm just back from Cars on 5th in Naples FL where we 32 or 33 GTs, pretty sure over 20 of which were 05/6, and I took notice of some of the cars' tires: Only a few still use the original Goodyears, and all the others I spotted were the Bridgestones.

 

[Mikeysz]

You can go here and scroll down to Tires: https://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/threads/fgt-knowledge-base.38620/

... but here's the info:

Correct Bridgestone models / sizes for the 2005/6 Ford GT are:

• Front: Bridgestone RE050A Potenza (Porsche N1) 265/40R18
• Rear: Bridgestone RE050A Potenza Scuderia 345/35R19

I'm just back from Cars on 5th in Naples FL where we 32 or 33 GTs, pretty over 20 of which were 05/6, and I took notice of some of the cars' tires: Only a few still use the original Goodyears, and all the others I spotted were the Bridgestones.

Thanks Extrap, i did see that article, but as Bridgestone is not available here I am looking for alternatives and someone said in another thread that Michelin 345/30R19 fits on the rear and 265/40R18 on the front. So i was wondering if anyone had used these tire sizes. Here is a link to the thread:

Ford GT brand and tire size recommendations

Hope everyone is doing well. I am looking to change the tires on my Ford GT. The current tire size and brand I have are Michelin 245/40 Front 345/35 rears. I was thinking about going with the Cup tire unless another brand/tire size is recommended. Stillen recommended this tire size a few years...

www.fordgtforum.com

 

[extrap]

I don't think very many use the Michelins, and for what it's worth ... I'm no expert but I play one online sometimes ... here's a post I made back in July 2022 responding to (someone else asking about the Michelins):

Goodyear (the OEM tires) from https://tiresize.com/tires/Goodyear/Eagle-F1-Supercar.htm (Couldn't find specs on goodyear.com)
235/45ZR18 26.3” diameter / width 9.3"
315/40ZR19 28.9” diameter / width 12.6"

Bridgestone from https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tire/potenza-re050a/265-40ZR18/
265/40ZR18 26.34” diameter / width not stated
345/35ZR19 28.54” diameter / width not stated but I measure mine as 13-1/16"

Michelin from https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-pilot-sport-4-s
265/40ZR18 26.06" diameter / width 11" on a 9.5" wide rim if this is accurate, it's prob too wide
345/30ZR19 ??.??" diameter / width ??" ... Michelin's link doesn't show a 345 width tire for a 19" diameter wheel I see a 325/30 (diameter 26.72" / 13" wide on an 11.5" wide rim) and a 355/30 (27.42" diameter / width 14" on a 12.5" wide rim) ... so the 325/30's width is OK but its diameter is waaay too small, and the 355/30's diameter is 1.5" too small and ~1.5" wider than OEM.

(Some tire manufacturers state a tire width on a certain width rim since the width of the rim that the tire is mounted on affects the width of the tire)

All this said, I don't think too many are using the Michelins since I don't think their diameter and/or width match up well enough. I seem to remember seeing them a couple times and they don't look right to me: Too small, too narrow or too wide, can't remember if it's fronts, rears or both, but you get the gist from the numbers.

 

[extrap]

At the Naples car show I mentioned, we were all parked in a lot where I could see the tire brands of 6 FGTs: 1 on Goodyears and the other 5 on Bridgestones ... none on Michelins.

Maybe you could import the Bridgestones ... hopefully.

 

[Specracer]

Where is "here" (its not in your profile)?

 

[Mikeysz]

Where is "here" (its not in your profile)?

The Netherlands, Europe

 

[GT101]

I'd suggest the Michelin rear in 345/30R19 will be too much of a difference (-6.2%) in circumference to the stock (or Bridgestone) size - this can upset the ABS system as it doesn't like the mis-match between calculated front and rear axle speeds.

We have the same problem in the UK - previously I have imported pallets of the Bridgestone's but it makes them super expensive.

Back in June last year Pirelli put out a press release stating the reintroduction of a P Zero in 345/35R19 (Enzo size) but as yes I don't have a date for when these will be produced.

A new P Zero for the Ferrari Enzo

Keeping timeless jewellery safe and efficient on the road: this is the aim of the new Collezione tyre range.

www.pirelli.com

I've been checking with our tyre dealer regularly and they apparently have a stock number on the system for these now but as yet no dates or prices. I'm holding off shipping in more Bridgestones as I don't want to get stuck with a bunch of expensive tyres if the Pirelli's come on stream soon.

 

[Mikeysz]

I'd suggest the Michelin rear in 345/30R19 will be too much of a difference (-6.2%) in circumference to the stock (or Bridgestone) size - this can upset the ABS system as it doesn't like the mis-match between calculated front and rear axle speeds.

We have the same problem in the UK - previously I have imported pallets of the Bridgestone's but it makes them super expensive.

Back in June last year Pirelli put out a press release stating the reintroduction of a P Zero in 345/35R19 (Enzo size) but as yes I don't have a date for when these will be produced.

A new P Zero for the Ferrari Enzo

Keeping timeless jewellery safe and efficient on the road: this is the aim of the new Collezione tyre range.

www.pirelli.com

I've been checking with our tyre dealer regularly and they apparently have a stock number on the system for these now but as yet no dates or prices. I'm holding off shipping in more Bridgestones as I don't want to get stuck with a bunch of expensive tyres if the Pirelli's come on stream soon.

Hi Dave, thanks for the info. Much appreciated. If you do ship Bridgetones then let me know. Am currently looking into buying them in US and shipping them over for myself and am awaiting quotes. If you have any contacts too that would be great (if, of course you are not selling them yourself).
thx
Mike

 

[extrap]

Hi Dave, thanks for the info. Much appreciated. If you do ship Bridgetones then let me know. Am currently looking into buying them in US and shipping them over for myself and am awaiting quotes. If you have any contacts too that would be great (if, of course you are not selling them yourself).
thx
Mike

Not sure how well you can see the poor fitment, but the red 05/6 GT at 2:38 and 15:28 in this Phillipines car show vid is wearing Michelins

 

[Mikeysz]

Not sure how well you can see the poor fitment, but the red 05/6 GT at 2:38 and 15:28 in this Phillipines car show vid is wearing Michelins

Hi Dave,
Very interesting thanks! I managed to spot the tire size and the red one has Michelin 295/40-ZR19. Which is a slightly larger deviation (-2,2%) than the Michelin (or Pirelli) 295/45-19 tires I can get here (+1,8%). I think it is the only option here unfortunately as the Bridgestone tires are not anywhere to be found.

I am trying to convince Radial Tire to send them abroad but they are scared to do so and have not yet agreed to allow overseas orders.

 

[2112]

I am trying to convince Radial Tire to send them abroad but they are scared to do so and have not yet agreed to allow overseas orders.

Did you try TireRack?

 

[Mikeysz]

Did you try TireRack?

no not yet. Will give them a try too. thanks