I'm quite disappointed. This afternoon, after a long wait of 3 weeks and the overseas shipment order finally fulfilled by my tire shop, I got new Bridgestones all round on my DB9 to finally replace the PO's mismatches that might have made me a laughing stock of any serious car group

The new ones are OEM with the treasured AM9 marking to distinguish them from all the other wannabe's.

But after a 10 minute ride home in the city just now, I can't tell any difference from the old badly matched set.

There seems to be less noise, I guess, but I didn't measure the old tire noise anyway. The new rears also slipped a bit when I got a bit hasty at the lights, but that could simply be new tire behavior since they'll take a few miles before wearing in and getting a grippy surface.

Otherwise the ride was exactly the same, with the same thud as I hit a hard edge in the road, and nothing else to distinguish them from the previous 7-yr-old Bridgestones with 4mm left on the rears and a new pair of Pirellis meant for a Porsche on the front.

If I can't tell the difference, and I'm no beginner at this game, then who can?

I'm merely saying again (and maybe fanning the blaze), that we can only look to the experts for the real solution for the best tires for our cars.

But then again I'll certainly be looking out for another DB9 with Michelins to test drive to see if I'm wrong.

In the meantime I'm going to spend the next delightful few weeks putting a decent mileage on this rubber and see if that makes any difference. I'll report back, good or bad.

 

I might have complained too soon. I checked the tire pressures tonight after getting home and after the tires had cooled. I found readings were all over the place - one front wheel up at 42psi, the rest high too.

Once I had returned them to 36F 38R and tested the car again the ride was hugely improved. Motorway/highway was smooth as silk, city roads better without the thuds. I'm very encouraged.

 

Tire pressure can change dramatically when the car is being driven. Increases of 5lbs psi or more are not uncommon. The guys at the track adjust psi after every run. If you car is that sensitive to tire psi, you might try nitrogen in your tires.

 

Ah, the nitrogen issue on road cars... that'll be an interesting discussion!

But I had checked after the tires had cooled and there shouldn't have been that variance. I think the sensitivity is me, rather than the car. I'll use it for a few more weeks and see what I think then.

 

You had me worried there for a bit, Ken

 

Stay calm, it's not over yet

 

Don't worry, after 1000 miles you will hate them again and realize you have to swap tires again.

Just some food for thought, here are the tirerack ratings for all 29 of the Max Performance summer tires. Check out where Bridgestone RE050 is on the list (hint: dead last)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=MP

 

Just switched from the OEM BS Potenzas RE050 to the brand new (intro'd spring '15) Conti ExtremeContact DWS06. So far, well-balanced feel, smoother, yet still great cornering (w/ Sport Pack) and with a 560 tread wear. Lighter tire due to new wall construction translates into less unsprung weight at the wheel. Moved to 245 front/285 rear due to smaller tread 'footprint' on DWS types compared to all summer. BS great for tracking, but Conti preferable for balanced use of car. Considered Mich PSS, but price premium rendered the Conti the #1 choice.

 

As I mentioned earlier I don't have much faith in that survey since there is only one Aston Martin on it and all the tires surveyed are varied sizes for many other different car models. That's not real evidence, just a popularity contest which is easy to win if the tire gives a comfortable ride. There are other factors with high performance tires that the average compact or SUV user will never experience.

I simply don't believe tires manufactured specifically for AM can be compared to any others, taking into account weight, sidewall stiffness and handling, and all the other variables that are designed into a tire built for a high performance sportscar. I think, based on the replies I've read here, that many users have confused a soft and pliable ride with being a good tire.

And while I'm looking forward to testing your theory of 1,000 miles making me a hater, I'm puzzled to know how tires can suddenly lose their mojo after a set time thereby angering their disappointed owners.

I would have let this argument go a long time back but I'm not getting a reasonable answer to my questions, just conjecture. And the most curious answer - that tire manufacturers have a deal with the car companies to shod their exotic vehicles on which their reputation depends with crap rubber because it's good economics - simply doesn't hold up in my mind.

On the other hand, I'm learning a lot about tires on this journey

 

 

I'm running Bridgestone RE-11 on my V8V and yes, they are much better than OE 050A for tracking and everything else.

 

I've been thinking about posting this in a new thread - and I'll possibly do so - but the concept may be also valid here...
I had a bit of an email conversation with Ivor Tiefenbrun, the founder of Linn, which developed the much-reviled audio system in early DB9s. I have some home audio experience with Linn and admire their work, so I was interested in learning their side of the Aston Martin story.
Ivor wrote "the car was designed with cast panels to accommodate and hold the speaker drivers firmly. Unfortunately over the course of time...the installation was progressively compromised by various factors and changes beyond Linn’s control. So this explains the reason for disagreement over the merits of the Linn sound provided and all the parties are probably correct in their estimation. We were working with the specified standard head and radio unit and were not responsible for that, or the antenna, or the cars' power supplies and wiring routes, which were changed over the period of our responsibility for the audio system."
The only reason I'm mentioning this is the statement "And the most curious answer - that tire manufacturers have a deal with the car companies to shod their exotic vehicles on which their reputation depends with crap rubber because it's good economics - simply doesn't hold up in my mind." Unfortunately, the premise there is not too dissimilar from what Ivor said Linn experienced: that economic and other compromises were made along the way, resulting in performance shortfalls.

 

Just bought 2007 DB9 Volante. Had original tires (Bridgestone), as car had only 11,000 miles in 8 plus years. Ride was bad. Just installed PSS 295/35/19 rears and 245/40/19 fronts. They fill the wheel well and the ride is much better. Still firm and sporty, pressure is 35 front and 36 rear. The recommended 36/38 is too hard.

 

Interesting...

I also just got an 07 DB9 with 11K miles on it. But it came with PSS already mounted. I guess the previous owner came to his senses (unlike some posters on this thread, ahem...).

 

My Dad would have said, "50 million Frenchmen can't be wrong". Mom would have said, "Some people are just hard-headed".

I am tired of reading about tires.