2014 V-8 MT
Purchased the Vantage March 2019 with 953 miles - basically a new car. The current mileage is just over 18,000 and the car gets it's annual next month.
Front tires still have over 50% tread life and the rear well over 30%, they are not showing any tire rot but are 6+ years old.
Is it time to replace? If so what with?
NC climate and the car is a semi daily driver. Thanks for any advice.

 

IMO, most AMs don't get driven enough to make much difference as to which tire one buys. even if i'm wrong everyone will have a different opinion as to which is best and no one will be able to prove it. which is why i never ask, but i understand the impulse to ask it. i really do...
...but i'll play, and i know i'll catch hell for this, but i usually buy the cheapest tires that fit. they tend to last longer and perform adequately AFAIC. i won't comment further, but i want to say how attractive that car is in that color. is it a standard vantage option?

 

Thanks 61mga - standard Volcanic Red. Changes color as the day progresses from a slightly lighter version to a stunning match for Volcanic Lave at sunset.
My real quandary is how safe are high performance tires at 6+ years?

 

The AM V8/V12 Vantage facebook page (surprisingly active) discusses this exact question at least once or twice a month. Consensus is Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in the stock size. If you check tirerack.com, you'll find that this tire lists as #1 out of 32 max performance summer tires. I run them on my 2008 V8 Vantage Roadster and love them.

 

i can't say for sure, a lot depends on if the car has been kept out of the weather, the sun mostly. i CAN tell you than i recently bought a 2007 with 11,000 miles on it with the original bridgestone potenza (!) tires. i drove it from california to ohio and back at about 60-65 MPH without incident. there are no cracks on them to speak of.
but take my advice with a grain or two of salt. in the skeptic scale of 1-10 with 10 the most skeptical, i'm about a 9 WRT the value of buying high or even medium priced 'wear' parts for cars (i.e. tires, brake rotors, brake pads, spark plugs, etc). i do a lot of research before i make purchases and as long as the parts have the qualities that i consider essential for longevity and fit, i'm satisfied.

 

Thanks Patrick; my 2 previous cars were 911's (991, MT) and I left the 2013 outside for a couple of days in 24F weather. After about 3 months the Pirelli P Zeros tread started to show very fine cracks that deteriorated and became much worse over time. They were replaced well before the tread wear suggested replacement and I have since been careful not to repeat the cold night exposure. TireRack Rates for dry, wet and comfort conditions but not for how the tire compound holds up in cooler weather. I agree that the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is very well regarded but wonder if the handling characteristic's is at the expense of the rubber compound hardening in the low 30'sF and below?
We get some beautiful dry cold days in NC that I would like to take advantage of, without replacing with winter tires for a couple of months. Same question with regard to max performance tires - after 6 years is it time to change?

 

Well, I'm a data point of one, in Colorado, and as long as their isn't snow on the road I'll drive the Aston Martin. Many of the Facebook V8/V12 Vantage crowd are in the UK and Europe and I don't recall any negative comments about the cold. Of course the Michelin's are not snow tires so no one can expect miracles in cold temps, but this last winter I drove over my 2-lane mountain "brisk" route in the dry in about 10 degrees F without feeling as though I was taking my life in my hands. I've attached a pic of my V8 Vantage at over 10,000 ft with Nokhu Crags (12,500') in the background. It was about 40 F that day.

 

The car is not tracked, occasionally driven hard and your reply gives me pause to consider a less expensive (max performance tire) if the rubber compound does not deteriorate in colder weather?
Thanks.

 

Most vehicle manufacturers say 6-year life span on tires, it's the heat cycles that make a tire age quicker and hard tires are not good in any temperature cold/hot. Stick with a good hp summer tire regardless. I'd rather have cheap new tires on then 6 year old premium ones. PS4 and Conti sport extreme are my recommendations. Pirelli definitely show fatigue in under 6 years of service from what I've seen.

 

Stunning photo with a beautiful car - made my day.
Thanks

 

I have put 30K on my 2014 Vantage MT in 6 years of ownership, the last five in North Carolina. I drive all year except for snow/ice/civil unrest etc. I replaced the OEM Bridgestone Potenzas with Pilot Sport 4S and have been happy with them year round.
Beautiful car btw, good luck with your tire decision!

 

Tires should be measured in age, not condition IMHO. Average tire life is 6 years. Each tire has a date code located on the tire wall. I would rely on that especially with these cars that don't get driven dailey.

 

Considering you drive it daily I would recommend that you have an extra set of tires for cold weather. A set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (my personal recommendation) for summer and some high-performance all-season tires for winter. I lived down there in NC for years when I was in the Marines so I know the winters can get surprisingly nasty and cold. You really don't want to be driving on a summer tire year-round.

What I'd do is get a spare set of wheels and mount cold-weather tires on them so you can quickly and easily swap them out.

 

Appreciate all the suggestions; looks like a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S will be replacing my current tires next month.
Also driving in the dry cold is OK but don't leave the car sitting in the cold (at work) for any length of time.
Storage and having a spare set of wheels for winter use while ideal is an option I will be putting off for now.
Given the above use a 2nd car on days of doubt.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

go with this