Michelin are really good performing tires too but having been not only a several decade long Pirelli fan, but that same period of time I've had NO warranty issues with any of the 200+ tires I've bought from them. I've seen how some of the rough WRC rallies have been won by NON-front runner cars because the front runners were on Michelin and they are just not tough enough, and the Pirelli runners just didn't have to stop for flats, that and some other insider info on how Pirellil's are made add to my support of them. My son works for Discount tire (9-10 yrs now) and not only has he never seen a genuine tread separation on a Pirelli, he replaces Michelins often because our hot weather prematurely weather cracks them (ozone cracks, whatever you want to call it....) and this seems to be a Michelin unique symptom they see. Not that any tire is crack proof but others resist cracking in our heat for significantly longer periods of time than the Michelins.
One other thing I'll admit because if I don't someone will question it..... After having such great service from Pirelli for so long, it's almost become a Ford/Chevy thing, kind of a rivalry exists between Pirelli and Michelin and that does enter into the equation but to a lesser extent that if we were actually talking car brands.....
As for the Wilwoods, I can honestly say the difference is not only noticable but reassuring, having 14's in the front (the 13" rears were more to have the front/rear set for asthetics, I didn't notice any difference when I did the rears) I could feel the stock brakes lacking in confidence at the bite and the response when driven the way I drive (I don't believe the car to be a boulevard cruiser, I pretty much drive the hell out of it) so the 14's are just what I needed. I have never smelled them getting hot when braking hard from higher speeds, repeatedly either (if I put a mph number some concerned citizen will have to criticize.....). I don't just recommend them because I have them, I did similar to my SVT Focus and they are sweet as well.
13" Baers on my Focus (replacing 11.8's I believe...):
I'll be the first to admit an SVT Focus needed a BBK a lot less than the LS did. I just stumbled into a deal for the Baers so I snagged them. No regrets.
