Has anyone installed Pirelli tires on their GTO?

[bobp16]

Tire Rack is recommending the Pirelli Zero Nero tire for my 2004 M-6 GTO since I need to use my car year round in Rochester, NY.

Does anyone have experience with this tire or have another recommendation for a year round performance tire?

Thanks!

Bob

[Turbo Brian]

ive got those tires on my gtp. they are much better than the bfg traction t/a's they replaced. the gtp has 235/55/17's. worked good dry, wet and snow. should be a good tire for ya.

[flht3]

yea..i run them..and like them...

[bobp16]

yea..i run them..and like them...


Did you have any problems mounting the P245 17" tires on your GTO?

Some guy posted this review on Tire Rack.com and claimed they didn't fit:

2004 Pontiac GTO





Miles driven on tires:
0

Reviewer's Overall Rating:

NA

Location:
Denver, CO

Driving Condition:
Mostly City

Driving Style:
Spirited



Unfortunately, this tire on the 17 inch wheels of the 2004 GTO did not fit. The car even with the stock BFG KDWS has very close clearance between the front suspension strut and the top inside edge of the tire (I measured it on brand new GTOs at the dealer, and could barely fit my little finger in). With the Pirellis, which are slightly wider & have a different profile, it was so tight it rubbed against the strut. This was with the correct size of 245/45 x 17. I ended up putting new original equipment KDWS on it. Too bad, I would have like to try the Pirellis because of all the good reviews they have gotten. -- Review Submitted 2006-02-16

[Eric's-BlkGTO]

I got perelli 245/45 zr 17 on the rear tires no complants

[jonlee]

don't have them on the GTO (no need to in florida) but had them on the jaguar back when i lived in illinois. they're awesome tires.. but i prefer the michelin pilot sport A/S.

[OhFoGTO]

My Pirellis have treated me great so far. The only percieved problem I've had has been when coasting downhill, sometimes a humming sound comes from the front tires but there is no visual wear after the first 4000 miles. At the same point in mileage with the stockers it showed major strut rubbing wear on the inside of the tire.... nevertheless id buy em again if i had the choice.

[Napalm]

bobp16 You need to talk to Hollywood (mike). He went through some stuff about the pirelli tires and ended up getting 235/45/17

They apparently run a little wide and have danger of strut rub. There was a thread about this in the last month.

I have bought some Avon Tech 550A/S tires and should have them on next week.

Good Luck

[Rich]

I'm running these tires. Have only had them on for a couple weeks but so far so good.

[Torrid04GTO]

love em

[Lil Cosmos GTO]

I have about 15,000 on mine, stock 245's. They seem to be a better tire than the BFG's, but mileage isnt going to be much better than the BFG's. Its just to hard to keep my tires from spinning.
The price is right for the tire. No rubbing and good traction. A little noisy at times, depending on the pavement.

[mrgts1]

I have the 245 P Zero Nero's on ours. They fit no problem but my alignment guy took care of the rubbing. He set the specs on the outer limits to get away from the strut till I can intall the offset upper bushings. They do still rub a bit under hard cornering but not bad. (I've taken corners at 100 plus at times!) We've had them on for about 10,000 miles now and no complaints. They work REALLY well in dry conditions. Wet is moderate. Haven't tryed snow yet. When we had the kdws's we drove through snow (More like white out!) and no problems.
Paul

[GeoHawk]

I had the 245/40-18 P-Zero Neros on mine. Had it aligned when I put them on and no rubbing issues. I was happy with them.

[roccox]

I love mine. They grip much better than the stock tires and also seem to ride quieter as well.

[ColoradoGoat]

I have about 15,000 on mine, stock 245's. They seem to be a better tire than the BFG's, but mileage isnt going to be much better than the BFG's. Its just to hard to keep my tires from spinning.
The price is right for the tire. No rubbing and good traction. A little noisy at times, depending on the pavement.

I had a set. No problems with the traction, just did not wear well. Went with Yoko All Season this year. Wear seems to be better.

[Hollywood]

After doing a bit of research and from talking to a few people on here, I heard that the 245/45/17 Nero M+S would not fit on our cars unless the camber was maxxed out at something like +30. I went with the 235/45/17 Nero M+S just to avoid any issues. after getting them on the car I can see why they 245s need the camber adjustment. with the car on the ground i can fit my finger between the strut and tire but it touches both. the reason these do not fit at stock specs is because the tire is a contoured tire instead of a tire like the KDWS which has tread on top and drops off to the sidewall with no contour. due to these tires being contoured, the overall tire width of a 235 Nero is the same as a 245 KDWS. it is considered a 235 though because the contact patch is 10mm smaller due to the contoured sides. I'm not sure if that is making any sense or just confusing you more, but that is what i found after receiving my tires. as far as the tire itself goes, i have only had them on the car for a little over a week. the cornering seems to be better and i can accelerate out of corners better. they also seem to hook fairly well in straight line acceleration. i've run them through deep puddles a few times and have lost not road grip at all. haven't gotten to test them in snow yet, but so far i am very impressed with them. i get less roadnoise from them too compared to the OEMs.
Hope this helps some
Mike

[bobp16]

Hollywood,

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. One question I have is: did you have any problems with the computer system on your GTO due to the different size tires (P235 versus P245)?

My service tech at my dealer told me that he thought the service engine light would come on due to using P235's. I didn't understand why that would happen.

Certainly would like to know what you experienced.

I'm considering ordering Michelin Exalto A/S tires but the largest size they come in is 235/45HR/17. The other choice is the 235/45/17 Nero M+S that you went with.

Thank you, in advance, for your help!

Bob



After doing a bit of research and from talking to a few people on here, I heard that the 245/45/17 Nero M+S would not fit on our cars unless the camber was maxxed out at something like +30. I went with the 235/45/17 Nero M+S just to avoid any issues. after getting them on the car I can see why they 245s need the camber adjustment. with the car on the ground i can fit my finger between the strut and tire but it touches both. the reason these do not fit at stock specs is because the tire is a contoured tire instead of a tire like the KDWS which has tread on top and drops off to the sidewall with no contour. due to these tires being contoured, the overall tire width of a 235 Nero is the same as a 245 KDWS. it is considered a 235 though because the contact patch is 10mm smaller due to the contoured sides. I'm not sure if that is making any sense or just confusing you more, but that is what i found after receiving my tires. as far as the tire itself goes, i have only had them on the car for a little over a week. the cornering seems to be better and i can accelerate out of corners better. they also seem to hook fairly well in straight line acceleration. i've run them through deep puddles a few times and have lost not road grip at all. haven't gotten to test them in snow yet, but so far i am very impressed with them. i get less roadnoise from them too compared to the OEMs.
Hope this helps some
Mike

[why2kmax]

I have them in stock size 245/45/17. IF you have the revised specs from Pontiac on the alignment (positive camber) they fit. Much better tire than the stockers. The only thing that appears to rub the strut are the new tire nibs but the tires themselves dont.

YMMV, as every car is different.

[Hollywood]

My check engine light is on now, but it is do to the catless headers i just installed. rear o2 sensors need to be turned off. i have no codes for tire sizes though. i think your service tech is :nuts:. i have heard that the CEL will come on if you have a different diameter tire on there cause the wheels are turning faster/slower than the computer thinks they should be. but since all you are changing is the width, i would not see why the CEL would come on and throw a DTC.
CEL = Check Engine Light
DTC = Diagnostic Trouble Code

hope that helps. let me know if you have any other questions. i also bumped another thread of mine in this section to give you some options of different tires that fit our car with no known fitment issues.
Mike