KY350

I've got about 22,000km on the Z now and the rears have not got long to go. Probably hit the low tread marker at about 25,000km. IMO not great milage out of the OEM Potenzas.

Peter P recommended the Kumho KU15 MX tyres to me, so I did a search on the web and low and behold, I can get some 245/45/R17 for the front to replace the 225/50/R17. For the rear I can get 255/45/R17 to replace the 235/50/R17. My tyre calculator says these tyres are within a bees d!ck of the OEM diameters, so my speedo would remain accurate and I'd have the benefit of an addition 20mm of rear rubber in contact with mother earth.

Also, the UTQG (mandatory American rating system) of the Kumho is much better than the Bridgestones so all round.

I rang a shop today to get some prices and was told the largest size brought into Oz is a 235/45/17. No good to me

So back to square one now and it appears that my options are OEM Potenzas again or Pirelli PZero at $150 more per tyre.
The Potenzas are adequate, even if the tyre wear is a little quick. Pirelli just too expensive.

It appears that all other brands that I have researched don't make a tyre with a suitable load rating (94 front / 96 rear for Touring) required for insurance purposes.

For those that have changed tyres, which tyre did you use and how do you rate the tyre?

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to get - just quietly, I'm resigning myself to Potenzas again.

ypwpat

S03?

KY350

SO3's are a very limited range.
Only goes up to 235/45/17, which is *just* accepatble for the fronts (about 2.1% smaller than OEM). Then there is nothing wide enough for the rear.

mchapman

iTrader: (1)

I would suggest buying new wheels, but with that suggestion out of the way have you looked at Michelin Pilot Sports, they have good performance with supposed better wear than the Potenzas. I dont have them myself but I spoke to another black Zed owner who told me that.

frosty

I'm looking for a tyre that

1. Has less road noise than the Potenzas

2. Has less propensity for feathering.

BTW, I'm @ 33000k and wearing well.


What's the go if both tyres were 245's - could we swap front to rear to even up wear and possibly defeat the feathering?
That would also balance the car a bit better I feel by reducing the understeer.

FROZTLE

mchapman

iTrader: (1)

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/december03/350z/

These guys used 275 all the way around on their project car.

KY350

Murry - I had not considered Michelin Pilot sports as I heard that they cost about $500 per corner and I don't want to spend that much. Not sure how much they actually cost.
Had a look at the web site and I can get the tyre sizes I need. Also the UTQG rating is the same as for the Kumhos.
I'll call a dealer tomorrow and get a price.

nuff

I'm thinking about getting pilot sports as well. They are excelent handling tyres. They heave treadwear rating of 220 compared to protenzas 140. If you go to tirerack.com you can read few reviews there. I'm thinking about going the same size on all 4 as well. I wouldn't mind 275s all round but, I've no idea how much this tyres cost.

KY350

Read the article, but doesn't say much.
I recall reading that the VDC / TC relies on a smaller front tyre compared to rear. Then when the larger rear is rotating faster that the smaller fronts (ie spinning) then VDC / TC is activated.

Also I think I read that having the same size tyre may cause the slip light to come on????

Frosty - your logic is perfect. It would be ideal to have the same size tyre on all fours, then you could easily swap the fronts to the back and visa versa, to even up tread life. Also, you could then occasionally take the tyres to a tyre retailer and get them swapped left to right to even out the feathering issue.

Road noise of the Potenzas also p!sses me off. The Falken Azenis ST115 is renown for its performance charactristics (at least equivalent to Potenza) with a super quite ride. So good that this tyre is the first choice of audiophiles. But not available in Z tyre sizes

ypwpat

Man at least get 18" wheels performance wise and looks

Btw what about Goodyear Eagle F1?

KY350

When I bought the car, the dealer had Touring and Track models on the floor. I instantly preferred the 17" design to the 18's. I'm sure other preferred the 18's design.
I cannot justify spending $2K on aftermarket wheels and have the OEM wheels rusting in the garage.
I've never been impressed by Goddyear, but I'll check their site to see what's available.
Thanks or the tips.

nsw350z

Frosty....if you have 33000k's on the tyres I would hardly say that you had the USA feathering problem. These guys were losing their tyres in less than 10000k's . All my past performance tyres all got limited lifespan....that's what happens when you want grip.

Pilot Sports are most probably the best option....I also can't understand guys who spend $60-70K on a car and then complain that tyres costs $150 more each....if you can't afford the rubber, you shouldn't have bought the car......(now quickly putting on flame proof jacket to avoid the blasts)

ottonove

I used Pilot Sports on all my cars, they have excellent grip in both wet and dry, very good range and quiet
was thinking to get them on the zed before I decided to sell the car

frosty

nsw350z -

Make no mistake - its the dreaded feathering - ROAR problem.

Had the tyres dismounted and changed over @ about 20000 and was back by 22000.

Nisshit's in denial - never headr of it!

More importantly - who makes the pilot sports?

FRIZZLE.

harryw

Shizzle, Michelin make the Pilot's!

Apparently if you get 20 - 30K kms on the OEM tyres you have done extremely well?

As always

H

ottonove

or better yet, get some Pilot Sport Cup.... if you dont mind losing some grip in the wet over the Pilot sport, but I dont think it'll be much worst than the OEM tires.... if at all
The OEM Potenza suck IMHO

ottonove

just notice there is a new Pilot Sport PS2, may be worthwhile to wait for them to come out

frosty

How do you find out the load, wear and speed rating explanations?

All the fuggers reckon their tyres are best - htf i'm gonna make an intelligent decision i dunno!

frosty

Found this -http://www.350zmotoring.com/forums/Wheels_and_Tire.php
TELLS IT ALL.

THANKS,

FROZZLED

DavidM

or better yet, get some Pilot Sport Cup.... if you dont mind losing some grip in the wet over the Pilot sport, but I dont think it'll be much worst than the OEM tires.... if at all

There are very good R-spec tyres. They will last only about 5000km if you use them on the road, and offer very little grip in the cold/wet. Also when the tyres are cold, they offer very little grip .... and I don't mean comparable to anything that you may have had on a road car (no matter how bad). It's comparable to having your tyres dipped in oil ... at least untill you get some heat into them (ie. one hot lap on the track)

Besides that you're looking at around $600 per tyre if you want them in 18" size.

All in all, one of the last tyres I would recomend for anyone who wants to use them on the road. On the other hand, if you're looking for a track tyre, then they are very good and will buy you good 2 - 3secs per lap compared to any road tyre.