I recently changed my OEM tires to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. What a big difference.

The specs:

Original Potenza RE040 - TreadWear: 140 Traction: A

New Pilot Sport A/S - TreadWear: 400 Traction AA

The Michelins will last almost three times longer and have a higher traction rating.

Dry Traction, WetTraction, Hydro Resistance, Snow Traction, Cornering Stability, Steering Response, Ride Comfort, Noise Comfort and Tread Wear are all superior to the Potenza.

The pounding, road noise and harshness in the Z is noticeably improved. The bouncing is less, but still present. But the ride is definitely better.

The tires are a DREAM in the rain. The traction in snow is far superior. Excellent tires. Coming from the TOTAL CRAP Potenza's, it's well worth the investment.

I have no idea why Nissan selected these tires. They SUCK BIG TIME and are just plain dangerous, especially in colder climates when the rubber turns rock hard.

Change your tires as soon as feasible (or when they wear out, which shouldn't be too long...)

Info on Michilen Pilot Sport A/S:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ot+Sport+A%2FS

Info on Potenza RE040:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....num=25WR7RE040

 

Did you look at the S-03's?

 

Just did. They look like great tires! But I live in NY and need a good all season tire. Looks like the S-03's are another excellent choice for areas that don't see snow.
Note: The Potenza S-03's won't fit the touring model as they don't come in 50YR17.

Potenza S-03 Pole Position Info:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+Pole+Position

 

Have you driven with the A/S tires in the snow? I'm curious to know how well they handle. I live in Chicago, and I know I'll need either snow tires or really good A/S tires.

 

Not Yet, but I will post when I do.

 

Thanks. I've thought about A/S tires simply because I wouldn't have to go swapping wheels and tires twice a year. I may get some 18s with S-03s on them in the future, but for now, I'd rather just have something that will work any time of the year. If the A/Ses work well in the snow, then I won't feel bad about buying some track/summer wheels and tires in the future.

 

What exact setup did you go with on those Pilots? I called Tire Rack just now and they said they couldn't recommend the Pilots for my car because they are not available in the same configuration.

I need 18" for my touring 6spd.

- and I also live in Chicago... and its colder than death right now

 

400 tredlife? damn!

too bad they don't have oem size for 18"

 

Yeah, I live in PA and had my dealer swap the OEM Potenzas for Pilot Sport A/S's at delivery. I also drive my Z year-round, and I don't want to swap tires (been there, done that, on my Celica GT-S).

The Pilot Sport A/S gives-up some traction and response compared to a Summer tire, but it's a reasonable compromise.

I've driven OK in light snow (about 1"). You have to be careful since the rears lose grip fast (no hard acceleration), but besides that they run pretty good... My TCS didn't engage much. Still wouldn't drive in any deep snow or on ice, though.

Damn it's cold here.

 

You had the dealer swap the tires? Did they keep the OEMs and give you a discount?

 

They gave me $100 for them. I checked around, and other tire dealers said they would give me zip for them.

 

My dealer also gave me $100 for my OEM Bridgestones.

 

Thanks, guys. I'll take them home and sell them on ebay. I'm sure I'll get more than 100 bucks for tires with almost 0 miles on them. Dealers are thieves...

 

I just drove home on my new wheels and S03s (pics tomorow)....and I was incredibly suprised how much better the new tires are than stock. I stopped short my first time cause the tires are just so much stickier. Same goes for acceleration, it feels sharper. The ride is also less "pebbly" than the RE040s making stretches of highway more of a gently glide. And hard bumps arn't much worse than stock...I'd almost say the same...this is incredible considering the new tires have a lower profile.

 

UPDATE on Michelin Pilot Sport All Season High Performance Tires:

Just took my Z for a spin in the snow with my new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. What a difference! Peformed very well in the snow and I'm sure the near 50-50 weight distribution of the Z helps a great deal.

 

I found listings for the Michelin Pilot Sport 18" tire sizes at Tirerack.com
Also- the S-03's are less of a tire than the RE040's
I'm glad for this input- I'll be heading for the Michelins for my '03 Touring- 6MT
(Especially since I'm near the Canadian border!!)

 

What do you mean, less of a tire? According to Tire Rack's comparo guide, the S-03s are superior in every respect to the RE040s and the Michelin Pilot Sports. And they're less expensive than either of them, too.

SPEED RATING
S-03: YR (186 mph)
Pilot: ZR (149 MPH)
RE040: WR (168 MPH)

(higher is better in all of the below, except price)

HANDLING RATING
S-03: 9.00
Pilot: 8.90
RE040: 7.80

DRY TRACTION
S-03: 9.4
Pilot: 9.2
RE040: 8.3

WET TRACTION
S-03: 9
Pilot: 8.4
RE040: 7

RIDE COMFORT
S-03: 8.2
Pilot: 7.9
RE040: 6.6

NOISE COMFORT
S-03: 8.2
Pilot: 7.7
RE040: 6.5

WEAR
S-03: 7.3
Pilot: 7.2
RE040: 4.7

TREADWEAR RATING
S-03: 220
Pilot: 220
RE040: 140

PRICE EACH (front/rear)
S-03: 185/196
Pilot: 249/267
RE040: 199/256

 

NOTE: The Bridgestone S-03's aren't available for the Touring Auto - only the Manual.

 

What difference would that make? What does transmission type have to do with tires/wheels?

 

The auto tourings have the 17" wheels, the manual 18".