the Z performs GREAT stock, BUT with better tires, it only gets better, that is why you don't hear much about it, I don't think the mags KNOw what tires are great and which ones aren't.

 

Thanks. I use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and 3M Perfect-It Show Car Wax. Both can be found at Pep Boys and will run about $10 a bottle. The IHG is used once every 3-4 months and the wax goes on every month or so, depending on number of washes. The IHG must be followed up immediately by the wax because it is only a glaze and as such does not provide any protection from the elements.

Not to be a dick, but did you do any research before buying your Z? The cold weather properties of the RE 040s have been documented numerous times here on the board. They are very soft (when hot), high-performance tires with an extremely short tread life of only 140. All-seasons usually have a tread life rating of 300+. Being the performance tires that they are, the RE 040s need to get hot to get sticky and grip. They are BAD tires (even in the dry) in sustained, under 40 degree temps because the molecules get very hard/brittle and never expand.

When I had mine on, I just made sure to be very, very careful when accelerating in anything other than a straight line and even then, I could make the back-end wiggle if I goosed the throttle.

 

Sorry about that.... I flew off the handle.

Does your car have an on/off switch for the traction control or Vehicle Dynamic Control? There are a few places in Houston where the rear will "get a little jiggy" on me, but VDC steps right in and and puts a smack down on all the fun (thereby saving me from doing a 180 in the middle of the intersection).

A lot of Audi guys complained about the RE040 as the OEM on their new S4. I think the RE040 is a good tire on a slightly lighter 350Z, and not so good on a 3600 pound sport sedan... just my $.02 worth.

At the track, I left the VDC on for one run session. In a few turns the VDC pulled the power back as the car was pushed into a slide through a turn. Since I WANTED it to slide, I turned off VDC for the remaining run sessions.

I can only guess that the cars the do not have on/off switches for traction control must handle the rear slippage differently than those cars that do have the switch.... pure speculation.

I actually kinda like being able to use the throttle to steer the car. Not very handy on the 3 mile commute to the office, but a lot of fun at the track. In my previous car, an Audi A4 with quattro, throttle steer was not as much of an advantage.... with quattro you just point it into a turn and floor it.

Anyway... I'm rambling, I think I made my point about four paragraphs ago!


PeteH

ps... all that being said, I will not put RE040 back on the car when I wear out this set. Probably put Yokohama AVS ES100 or Kumho Ecsta MX, or maybe S-03 Pole Position.

 

I second that.... 3M is good stuff.

I think we've pretty much beaten that dead horse into oblivion.

PeteH

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by droidekaus
[B]Thanks. I use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and 3M Perfect-It Show Car Wax. Both can be found at Pep Boys and will run about $10 a bottle. The IHG is used once every 3-4 months and the wax goes on every month or so, depending on number of washes. The IHG must be followed up immediately by the wax because it is only a glaze and as such does not provide any protection from the elements.

Again, I apologize for discussing a subject unrelated to this posting, but I've seen a lot of Z users using Zaino products on their car. have you tried this stuff, and, if so, why did you switch to what you're using now?

Not to be a dick, but did you do any research before buying your Z? The cold weather properties of the RE 040s have been documented numerous times here on the board.

Yes, I researched this purchase, but obviously not as well as I probably should have. Just a note about temperatures. The temp in Wisconsin rose to a whooping 45º today. What a difference the temperature increase had on improving the ride...or I'm just getting use to the tires...or I'm rationalizing!

Your Z kicks ***! Nice detailing job.

Michael

 

It's your thread... you can talk about anything you want to!

Zaino = Snake Oil, IMO, on Silver/Light colored cars. I've never used it and have no intention of using it at this time. However, it does make for a very deep shine on black/dark blue/red cars. I would consider it if I had a dark colored car.

 

I'm with droid.

It says in the manual that the tires should never be driven in snow and if you live in a climate that has snow in the winter, to buy appropriate tires. (assuming you'll drive the car in snow) What's the argument? Go buy some all-season 17" tires or buy some snow tires. Its no biggie...

 

This complaint is just like people tyring to sue McDonald's for making them fat.

You bought a RWD vehicle with summer tires. If you're going to drive in the snow, buy snow/all season tires. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

 

Fotodad,

You live in Wisconsin, I live in Cleveland. If you got a sportscar to drive year round you would assume you would get snow tires because just like me, you get close to 80-100" of snow each year. MY Z with the traction control and Blizzak's is actually one of the best handeling cars I have had in the snow!!!! I was afraid to drive it in the winter, but now I love it. I couldn't get up a small incline with the summer tires( and yes it does say they are summer tires in the owners manual) but with the winter tires I have gotten throught one of the worst winters without kicking out the rear end or slidding once.

On a side note, your attitude makes me sick. People like you who blame others for your own stupidity should be locked up for you own good before you hurt yourself. If you wanted a car with another type of suspension you should have bought another car. Go with a sports sedan next time.