Does anyone actually like Pirelli?
Discussion
Over the years I have read many less than complimentary comments on PH regarding various Pirelli, despite it being a ‘premium’ brand.
I’ve been window shopping for 225/40/18 new tyres, and found out that Pirelli P Zero PZ4 actually won the EVO tyre test 2021 (the exact same size tyres were used). So Pirelli, they can’t be that bad right?
I’ve been window shopping for 225/40/18 new tyres, and found out that Pirelli P Zero PZ4 actually won the EVO tyre test 2021 (the exact same size tyres were used). So Pirelli, they can’t be that bad right?
My old Accord came with P6000s that were absolutely dreadful. I was persuaded against my better judgement to put P7s on my Alfa a year or two back, they weren't much good either, I've since replaced them with Michelin Pilots. The higher end tyres might be OK, I wouldn't know about that.
I liked their Supercorsa SC motorcycle tyres. Probably went through 5 sets.
My only other two experiences of Pirelli are of a set of P6000s ruining the handling on my old 306 Gti6, and whatever model are fitted to my girlfriends boring Qashqai. Neither of us have crashed it though so I guess these ones are fine.
My only other two experiences of Pirelli are of a set of P6000s ruining the handling on my old 306 Gti6, and whatever model are fitted to my girlfriends boring Qashqai. Neither of us have crashed it though so I guess these ones are fine.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 20th January 15:59
My biggest issue with any Pirelli road car tyres I've tried, is they seriously struggle as soon as the temperatures are down at around 10c or lower, they always just turn into a switch, with little warning that they're going to suddenly let go.
I can see they get great reviews in tyre tests on warm days in the summer, but they just seriously have a Jeckel and Hyde thing going on in the colder UK weather.
Part of the issue with tyre tests unfortunately. Not always representative of the conditions. And more, they don't take into account how the tyres harden with UV exposure, wear and heat cycles.
Dunlop Eco tyres are the same and a good example of the latter (both their Sportmaxx and their BluResponse things).
They're great new, and I fitted 'em to a couple of cars on the back of that, then regretted it big time later on - they harden massively as they age and become completely laughable as soon as they're half worn and the temperature drops low. To the point where one car would light the inside tyre up just letting the clutch out in normal day to day traffic as soon as you had any lock on if it's cold out, and shudder violently even at car parking speeds with a lot of lock on.
15-20c outside? They behave perfectly.
I can see they get great reviews in tyre tests on warm days in the summer, but they just seriously have a Jeckel and Hyde thing going on in the colder UK weather.
Part of the issue with tyre tests unfortunately. Not always representative of the conditions. And more, they don't take into account how the tyres harden with UV exposure, wear and heat cycles.
Dunlop Eco tyres are the same and a good example of the latter (both their Sportmaxx and their BluResponse things).
They're great new, and I fitted 'em to a couple of cars on the back of that, then regretted it big time later on - they harden massively as they age and become completely laughable as soon as they're half worn and the temperature drops low. To the point where one car would light the inside tyre up just letting the clutch out in normal day to day traffic as soon as you had any lock on if it's cold out, and shudder violently even at car parking speeds with a lot of lock on.
15-20c outside? They behave perfectly.
Edited by PhillipM on Friday 20th January 05:15
I've had Pirellis fitted to many cars over the years and I agree that they are dreadful in the damp/wet/ice. Any tyre, even ditchfinders are good in the dry. When you look at the index used in tyre testing, the top tyre will be 100.00, and the ditchfinder might be 97.50 - a small spread. The difference is more marked in the wet when the top tyre will be 100.00 and the ditchfinder 78.50. If I see a car for sale with Pirellis then I WANT a discount. Or if there is a choice of cars it will be the non-Pirelli one.
I don't know what it is about Pirellis for standard road cars and why they are bad. We had 2 Golfs in the family - identical 1.4 TSI's - one with Contis and one with Pirellis. A few years ago I did my own high scientific
tyre test in our cul-de-sac when it was covered in hoar frost. - driving up to 30 mph and slamming on the anchors. The Conti Golf braked well and ABS only cut in when the car was down to 10-12mph. On the Pirelli Golf, the ABS cut in virtually immediately. Even though the tyres were only half worn, I had them changed.
We also used to have a family Honda Accord that was used as a general car/loaner for family who came to stay. I congratulated myself when I found a Kwik-Fit offer for 4 tyres for not much more than £100 fitted (185/70/14) The tyres fitted were Debicas and back then were owned by Pirelli. Everyone who drove the car, even my non-PH Mum, said the car felt strange. And it was horrific. We took the car to a car park and burned them out.
Sure they are often OEM fitment on supercars, but they often only have to last 5k before being replaced.
I don't know what it is about Pirellis for standard road cars and why they are bad. We had 2 Golfs in the family - identical 1.4 TSI's - one with Contis and one with Pirellis. A few years ago I did my own high scientific
tyre test in our cul-de-sac when it was covered in hoar frost. - driving up to 30 mph and slamming on the anchors. The Conti Golf braked well and ABS only cut in when the car was down to 10-12mph. On the Pirelli Golf, the ABS cut in virtually immediately. Even though the tyres were only half worn, I had them changed.We also used to have a family Honda Accord that was used as a general car/loaner for family who came to stay. I congratulated myself when I found a Kwik-Fit offer for 4 tyres for not much more than £100 fitted (185/70/14) The tyres fitted were Debicas and back then were owned by Pirelli. Everyone who drove the car, even my non-PH Mum, said the car felt strange. And it was horrific. We took the car to a car park and burned them out.
Sure they are often OEM fitment on supercars, but they often only have to last 5k before being replaced.
Perhaps dependent on the car and tyre itself but I have had Pirelli’s ( mostly P zeros ) on various cars and no issues in any weather.
I ran them on my old Aston V12S in all weathers given the Corsa alternative wasn’t as good in the wet.
We had them on both Cayennes for 10 years - wore well , not that loud and no issues in the handling.
My new R8 got a puncture unrepairable in the first month and no Michelin 4S available at the time for months so had to swop all 4 tyres to PZeros ( PZ4) - definitely more road noise but haven’t found anything else to dislike about them.
I ran them on my old Aston V12S in all weathers given the Corsa alternative wasn’t as good in the wet.
We had them on both Cayennes for 10 years - wore well , not that loud and no issues in the handling.
My new R8 got a puncture unrepairable in the first month and no Michelin 4S available at the time for months so had to swop all 4 tyres to PZeros ( PZ4) - definitely more road noise but haven’t found anything else to dislike about them.
I have Pirelli scorpions on the LR in chunky 265/65 18, very decent in an off-road (sand not mud) and very quiet. Replaced bfg ko2, very happy.
Diablo supercorsa on one of the bikes. Again cracking Tyre no complaints, albeit it is never cold or wet here so I’m only ever getting prime performance.
Diablo supercorsa on one of the bikes. Again cracking Tyre no complaints, albeit it is never cold or wet here so I’m only ever getting prime performance.
underwhelmist said:
My old Accord came with P6000s that were absolutely dreadful. I was persuaded against my better judgement to put P7s on my Alfa a year or two back, they weren't much good either, I've since replaced them with Michelin Pilots. The higher end tyres might be OK, I wouldn't know about that.
I wonder if there was more than one type of P6000 or if people confuse them with the P600.My Dad put P6000 on his 6.0 litre V12 Jaguar in place of the factory Dunlops. Recommended by the Jag dealer at the time. The P6000 was much better than the Dunlops and worked extremely well on a 318bhp car. So good that when I bought a 5.3 litre V12 XJ-S I also fitted it with P6000 and again they were very good IMO.
300bhp/ton said:
underwhelmist said:
My old Accord came with P6000s that were absolutely dreadful. I was persuaded against my better judgement to put P7s on my Alfa a year or two back, they weren't much good either, I've since replaced them with Michelin Pilots. The higher end tyres might be OK, I wouldn't know about that.
I wonder if there was more than one type of P6000 or if people confuse them with the P600.My Dad put P6000 on his 6.0 litre V12 Jaguar in place of the factory Dunlops. Recommended by the Jag dealer at the time. The P6000 was much better than the Dunlops and worked extremely well on a 318bhp car. So good that when I bought a 5.3 litre V12 XJ-S I also fitted it with P6000 and again they were very good IMO.
That experience has been enough to discourage me from ever using Pirelli again - if I were to buy a car with Pirelli tyres fitted, I would give them a chance, but wouldn't hold out great hope!!
To be fair though, whenever there is a round of P6000 bashing on a thread (getting rarer these days), there is usually at least one person who shows up and says that they were decent on their big old barge, so it does seem like there may have been a case for them working quite well on larger, heavier cars, unless it's just always you that comments, 300bhp/ton
Yea a lot of people had trouble with them being twitchy as hell on light hatchbacks, 205s, 306s, clios, etc.
Worth noting that tyre construction is often quite different for a big tyre on a barge vs the smaller sizes though. You might find for example the 17/18/19" tyres has 2 ply sidewalls where all the 14/15/16 inch versions only have one. Or there's an extra aramid capping layer under the tread, etc.
Worth noting that tyre construction is often quite different for a big tyre on a barge vs the smaller sizes though. You might find for example the 17/18/19" tyres has 2 ply sidewalls where all the 14/15/16 inch versions only have one. Or there's an extra aramid capping layer under the tread, etc.
Frankthered said:
No, pretty sure people mean P6000.
It was definitely the P6000 I had, I didn't know there was a P600.PhillipM said:
My biggest issue with any Pirelli road car tyres I've tried, is they seriously struggle as soon as the temperatures are down at around 10c or lower, they always just turn into a switch, with little warning that they're going to suddenly let go.
This describes my experience with both the P6000s and P7s exactly, very unpredictable.QJumper said:
I had Pirelli P Zeros on my last car and they drove ok, but I found they didn't last very long.
I have had P Zero and PZ Corsas on multiple cars and they always lasted far less miles than any other brand, 10-12k, they also aquaplaned significantly. Conti were always next worse. I could get 20k+ out of the Michelins on my C63 or M5C. Though, the All Season Scorpions on the FFRRs i have had are much better from a longevity perspective, I don't think they are a patch on handling or grip as Michelin Cross Climates are.
TL;DR: worst of the premium tyres from my broad experiance across many applications.
Thanks for everyone’s input.
What got me started this thread, was that I was window shopping tyres for my newly acquired Civic Type R FN2, a car known for its firmer ride (though it’s acceptable to me).
The Pirelli P-Zero PZ4 won in 2021 EVO tyre test and finished 3rd in 2022 (235/35 R19). It was noted in both tests that the Pirelli had excellent road refinement.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport, which won in 2022 and finished 3rd in 2021 (225/40/ R18, same as my FN2), was noted for having firm ride.
I’m still unsure which to go for when the time comes.
What got me started this thread, was that I was window shopping tyres for my newly acquired Civic Type R FN2, a car known for its firmer ride (though it’s acceptable to me).
The Pirelli P-Zero PZ4 won in 2021 EVO tyre test and finished 3rd in 2022 (235/35 R19). It was noted in both tests that the Pirelli had excellent road refinement.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport, which won in 2022 and finished 3rd in 2021 (225/40/ R18, same as my FN2), was noted for having firm ride.
I’m still unsure which to go for when the time comes.
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