What did you do to your Aussie S550 today..

[BruceTheQuail]

Lots of people report increased grip with the Michelins, but how much difference do they really make when driving in suburbia, or even on the highway, at normal speeds and sensible driving habits? I'd be interested to hear opinions on this.

This was my experience going from P zeros to michelin supersports in my other car, though I also went from 19's to forged 21's which were quite a bit wider. The P zeros had plenty of lateral grip, so essentially being pushed into a roundabout there was never any risk of the front sliding out. That remained the same with the supersports, but the car turned noticeably better, so quick direction changes were far superior. But then remember the forged rims were saving a few kg per wheel, and the front tyres were a few cm wider.

The rears (also wider) were where grip was heaps better, the car would lose the back end and step out a lot with the P zeros and that ended with the supersports, though now 25000km and 4 years later, the supersports are losing grip at the back and in fact I had a sphincter clenching moment coming out of my favorite roundabout where the front drifted a touch so I have had to moderate cornering until I get new tyres on and worn in.

But the biggest improvement was actually the ride, sitting on 21's the car rides as well as it had with the P zero 19's which ride a bit hard, but how much of that is due to the lighter wheels I cant say.

I also changed the P zeros on the front of my wife's XE to pilot sports, she is a bit of a car whisperer (and reminds me often), and reckoned it was a noticeable improvement. I have supersports on the Mustang on forged 20's (10 and 11 inches), I think it rides better and handles much better than it does on the OEM 19's which I thought were a bit slushy, and I find it turns really well as long as you put some power down (not so much if you let it coast, it definitely feels the lard and gets understeery), but I think that it came with michelins and I was only changing rim sizes, which I did as soon as I bought the car.

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[Ozcraig]

This was my experience going from P zeros to michelin supersports in my other car, though I also went from 19's to forged 21's which were quite a bit wider. The P zeros had plenty of lateral grip, so essentially being pushed into a roundabout there was never any risk of the front sliding out. That remained the same with the supersports, but the car turned noticeably better, so quick direction changes were far superior. But then remember the forged rims were saving a few kg per wheel, and the front tyres were a few cm wider.

The rears (also wider) were where grip was heaps better, the car would lose the back end and step out a lot with the P zeros and that ended with the supersports, though now 25000km and 4 years later, the supersports are losing grip at the back and in fact I had a sphincter clenching moment coming out of my favorite roundabout where the front drifted a touch so I have had to moderate cornering until I get new tyres on and worn in.

But the biggest improvement was actually the ride, sitting on 21's the car rides as well as it had with the P zero 19's which ride a bit hard, but how much of that is due to the lighter wheels I cant say.

I also changed the P zeros on the front of my wife's XE to pilot sports, she is a bit of a car whisperer (and reminds me often), and reckoned it was a noticeable improvement. I have supersports on the Mustang on forged 20's (10 and 11 inches), I think it rides better and handles much better than it does on the OEM 19's which I thought were a bit slushy, and I find it turns really well as long as you put some power down (not so much if you let it coast, it definitely feels the lard and gets understeery), but I think that it came with michelins and I was only changing rim sizes, which I did as soon as I bought the car.

Thanks Peter, some great feedback there. I'm on OEM wheels and don't intend changing cos I really like the look of them with my Magnetic GT. I agree, the P Zeros do feel harsh. I don't normally drive hard enough to lose the rear end. Turn late and turn hard, and like you said it feels the lard if you cast through a corner. A judicious push of the right pedal to feel the thrust and hear the noise is enough excitement for me, without wondering when it might step out. I may give the Michelins a try at next tyre change and see how it feels.

 

[Brisvegas]

Mostly just staring at it , i think i am in love

 

[Ozcraig]

Mostly just staring at it , i think i am in love

Mate, take it out and drive it! Then tell us how good it felt, and we will know exactly how you feel.

 

[Brisvegas]

Mate, take it out and drive it! Then tell us how good it felt, and we will know exactly how you feel.

Ive been driving it but friday afternoon within 10km CBD brisbane is no enjoyable drive . Worked most of day . Its fun to drive and i think its a little faster than my SS hatchback and that runs mid 12's . I need a good 400 km drive to run it in properly so i can really open it up , just a little time poor atm .

 

[Ozcraig]

Ive been driving it but friday afternoon within 10km CBD brisbane is no enjoyable drive . Worked most of day . Its fun to drive and i think its a little faster than my SS hatchback and that runs mid 12's . I need a good 400 km drive to run it in properly so i can really open it up , just a little time poor atm .

Haha. 10km of Brisbane CBD it's quicker to walk. No place for a Mustang. It's a long weekend. I'm sure you'll find a stretch of bitumen without a radar trap. Enjoy!

 

[GT 550]

Hmm. Basically the same as getting it all done here. Thanks.

Not sure if it's of interest but @Burkey imported and installed a Whipple kit himself a while back and documented it on here, great write up. Since the import duty rules were changed (thanks Gerry Harvey) there doesn't seem to be enough price difference on bigger purchases to make personal importation worthwhile once the potential hassles with warranty etc are considered.

No more wondering when it was going to swap ends unexpectedly. It became a predictable car you could drive normally.

Where's the fun in THAT? .

 

[Brisvegas]

Simple things first magnetic phone mount done , about 20 bucks

 

[prestj1]

Simple things first magnetic phone mount done , about 20 bucks

Out of curiosity why do you need the phone mount with carplay/android auto available...No judgment just curious

 

[Brisvegas]

Out of curiosity why do you need the phone mount with carplay/android auto available...No judgment just curious

I need to see things on my phone that android auto doesnt do , i dont like my phone rattling around in the console . Why do you care ?

 

[prestj1]

I need to see things on my phone that android auto doesnt do , i dont like my phone rattling around in the console . Why do you care ?

As I said I wasnt judging mate just relax...I was just curious if there was something Android Auto didnt offer that the phone did as I haven't used it before. Thanks for the answer.

 

[Brisvegas]

First dedicated wash today. Can really see what the dark matter grey looks like in the sun here

 

[GT 550]

Wise choice by Ford to call it Dark Matter Grey instead of Dark Grey Matter although if the hat fits....

 

[Brisvegas]

Got tint done today and it's looking a little dark knight now . Black badges and US style decklid with black GT badge to be done on weekend

 

[WD Pro]

Got tint done today and it's looking a little dark knight now . Black badges and US style decklid with black GT badge to be done on weekend

Very nice

If you are going for the black look, nuts and centre caps are an easy win :

It makes a big difference that you don't really appreciate until you have done it.

I've got my old nuts on the back at the moment whilst I mess around with the suspension, they stand out like a sore thumb :

WD

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