i dont know if this is normal, but my tires are insanely bad in the water. like when i try to take off i get massive wheelspin without even trying. i have almost gotten into a couple of accidents because i had to make a turn and when i finally had a small openng to squeeze into traffic i wouldnt move.

then yesterday, it was a perfectly sunny beautiful day. i was driving, and there was a little stream of water crossing the road and i thought nothing of it. i cleared the stream, and then went to make a turn, and as i made the turn my rear spun out 90 degrees. is this normal for the base model tires, or is there something wrong with mine?

 

I've got a base model and have NO issues at all with my tires. However, the majority of the site says that the stocks suck.

I live in FL and drive in rain on a daily basis, perhaps I've just become used to it.

 

I think its your driving

I have no problems with my stock tires

 

from every thing i read on this site, our stock potenzas are "summer" tires and have crappy wet traction. People on this forum have put the fear in me of water+Z.

 

The first mod I ever did to the car was to put these on the back wheels:
http://1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebr...l=GRB+FK%2D451

When it's wet (when it's pouring) the tires feel like it is sucking the pavement, I guess it's those middle threads that maybe causes the gripping.

But you must understand, this should not make you speed in the rain, I still reduce my speed when wet.

 

Mine seem to be decent in the wet, i only have about 6500 miles on my stock tires though. The overall consensus on the stock potenzas is they are general crap compared to the other performance brands out there.

 

Look at the Dunlop DZ101......they have proven to handle a lot better in the rain and snow.....and are alot cheaper for now, but the price has been slowly increasing

 

This has topic has been beaten to death over the last 3 years. The tires are nothing special, but you shouldn't have any problems in the rain...if you don't drive like an idiot. If you're expecting some tire with magical abilities to somehow keep your car glued to wet pavement you will be sorely dissapointed.

 

All things being equal the type of tire does make a difference in the rain. Car And Driver did a head to head and the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 came out on top as the all around performance tire. It just happened to be the best "performer in all three wet-track test."

 

+1. My GS-D3's are by far the most solid tire I've ever driven in the wet.

 

I’ve driven at Summit Point, WV in the rain with the OEM tires. Above is the straightaway and the 350Z will redline fourth gear. The switch back at the end is tricky when the track is wet, but not impossible. I did one accidental 360 spin that day, and knew not to blame the tires. The problem was my lack of skill.

 

.

 

My BFG KDW's do really well, wet and dry

 

BTW how many miles do you have on the OEM tires?

 

I haven't had any problems with the OEM tires when the road is dry, but I think they're absolutely poop when they get wet. It seems like whenever I pull out of the carwash, or into the street from a shopping center when I can see that the gutter is wet, it still seems too easy to get wheel spin even though I'm fully aware of the hazard and making a conscious effort not to let it happen.

And I know that a desert region like mine offers the absolute worst traction when the roads do occassionally get wet, but it's significantly worse than any other vehicle that I've been in.

 

Think about it this way, I changed my back tires to these tires right away:
http://1010tires.com/tire.asp?tireb...el=GRB+FK%2D451
They are rated 4.2 overall with a 4.4 on the wet rating. I bought the 245/45ZR18 which is $217

And this is the OEM tires:
http://1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebr...=Potenza+RE040
They are rated 2.2 overall with a 2.2 on the wet rating. The OEm 245/45R18 (350Z Rear) is $339.

I don't think it can be any more clear then that. I don't represent 1010ires.com nor have I bought from them(my friend has and told me about the site) I just go there to see what is the best rated tires for the price, I was lucky to have a local Falken Tire distrubutor that gave me an even cheaper deal on them. And I love My Falken Tires

 

I agree with you... never been to that track but regardless of tires... (even bald ones) its ALL up to the driver... sure better tires help... but really only in entry and exit speeds.....
David, you almost (ok you need) to spin her out to learn the rules brother!!! Lucky your Z is ok... I know my G is lucky to still be alive!!!!lol!!!

Cheers,

 

the only real problem i have with my tires is in heavy rain on the highway. Anything over 60mph and the rear of the car feels like its sliding all over the place.

 

I've never had a problem in the rain but then again, I've never pushed the car when it's wet out. My problem is when it's cold, as it is now, it's impossible to even attempt a nice launch until you've been driving for a while. My guess is to get the temperature on the tires up. I guess the car is just built for nice sunny days and that's it!
I actually drove it on the snow once, got caught in a storm coming back from PA and I it was the scariest $*&# I've ever felt while driving.

 

Ever since I got PS2's cold and water aren't an issue anymore. I can still spin my tires and I still need more traction... but compared to stock potenzas and SO3 poles they are much better about cold and water. My factory freak peels out too easily.. even with 275/45R18 PS2's on the back I still rip 2nd and bark 3rd at drag strip. If I floor it in 1st gear already moving at like 4500 RPM's it will break loose if wet. Good and bad I guess.