New z pickup tomorrow- potenzas off for conti dws?
 

HEy gang,

Im in NYC and picking up a new 2011 sport/touring tomorrow. (Psyched)
Im thinking of immediately selling the stock bridgestone potenzas and putting on Conte Extreme Contact DWS tires. This way I have an all season performance tire on.

Has anyone done this like Im planning? Would anyone be interested in brand new Bridgestone Potenzas?

Thanks
Matt

Congratulations on the Z. The stock tires performed well for me -- they just don't last.

How long do they last, I'm just curious.

My rears reached replacement tread depth at about 17,000 miles. I am sure that there are others who get less and some who get more. I still had about 6/32" on the fronts but replaced them anyway because I never mix old and new tires (or different tires).

These are what I run now:

Pilot Super Sport | Michelin Tires

i second that, from what i've been reading on the forums these past 6 months, most people get between 10k and 20k out of the stock tires before having to replace them, of course that all depends on your driving style too :D

Most performance tires don't have great longevity.

good tires aren't supposed to last ;)

i would go with michelin pilot a/s they are all i will ever buy for it ever again

I don't really see the utility of all season tires on the Z. You lose the dry/warm-weather performance of summer tires and you still don't have a tire that's safe in a snowy winter climate. If you garage your Z all winter, it's all the more reason to have summer tires.

Summer tires have good responses and traction down to about 45F. If it's colder than that, your winter tires will be happy in that environment. The all-seasons are just all-compromise on a sports car.

Realize that by removing the summer tires and installing all season tires, you're immediately dropping your car's performance abilities. And if you're OK doing that, you probably bought the wrong car in the first place!

just drive it until fall or just before winter and swap it out. if you do a lot of driving chances are they will wear out before winter time.

i have bout 4k on mine and it's about 1/2 done. :D sitting in my storage right now.

You guys do realize I live in Orange County, California next to Los Angeles, right? haha.

I mean the only thing close to snow is when it snowed 40 miles north of Los Angeles out of freak weather season.

you do realize you aren't the OP, right?

:icon18:

I say just keep the tires for now. Putting on the all seasons will decrease your performance. Maybe invest in snow tires like blizaks?

:icon18:

When you removed the stock tires, did it impact the tire noise level at all? I have Yoks Advan Performance on my Z. Tires handle great but, the sidewall is is hard so the noise is a bit much.

Yep I just didnt want to have to swap tire or wheel sets which involves storage and getting them somewhere to change them out. Here in NY lots of people with porsches on down use high performance all season tires are quite happy.

Ret, my performance tires are quieter than the OEM ones.....

The OEM (stock) tires should last between 10 to 14K depending on your driving habits.

I got a friend that switch his tires for Conte Extreme Contact and I don't think he is happy with an all weather tire performance.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - there is no such thing as an all season tire. All seasons only work if you live somewhere that only has 3 1/2 seasons. Tire swaps and storage are a pain but it is the only way to drive the car year round with good performance in all conditions.

In general there's a lot of truth to what you are saying but there are some exceptions to the rule. Granted someone looking for excellent ultra high performance all seasons is going to have to pay well over $1200 for there tires but there are tires out there capable of giving summer tire level performance.
Will they be the number one tire? No. Will gthey do the job? YES

What you have also failed to put into consideration is the op is from NY. Being a new yorker myself I can attest to the fact he will most likely spend nearly 5 out of 12 months under 45 degrees. It would not be as fun for him to store his car like many of us that are living south of the mason-dixon line and see 2 or 3 month winters. So saying he bough the wrong car is kinda off considering the full circumstances of his geographic location.

So how are u feeling the PSS??? I been dying for a review on these.

EXACTLY. You either understand or you don't. I'm not here to debate those that don't fully understand what it means to live in NY with this type of car. I'm here to ask if anyone is interested in the stock Potenzas. Purchased the wrong car? I don't think so. In any event, if you or anyone else is interested in brand new potenzas - please don't be shy.

Thanks!
MD

If you ever plan to drive the car in the snow, you're going to need more than an all-season tire. Just something to consider.

+ 1

Z + Snow = VDC OFF

I like them so far. I have some more detailed comments in this thread:

http://www.the370z.com/wheels-tires/...ery-today.html

:tiphat:

1. I just put Conti DWSes on my Z (base/touring; 18") at 19K miles. I like them. Sticky enough for the street. Haven't yet been out in heavy rain to test them, though.

2. You're right at the edge of the seasonal weather band where A/S tires are a good idea, unless you only want to drive 8 months/yr. The tire construction *might* give extra protection with NY potholes (but personally I wouldn't drive my car in the City). You'll be happy you got A/S tires for fall foliage trips upstate and to New England (and later). But don't expect these to make your Z a snowmobile.

3. Tires on sport-option cars have been lasting anywhere from 8K-12K. The summer-compound OEM Advans on my car lasted quite a bit longer, almost 2X as long, but this spring I was getting some hydroplaning issues with the rears. As long as I rotate these new DWSes left-to-right every 5-6K, I expect them to last 4-5 years.

4. The other issue you'll confront, parking in NYC, is curbing vs. your rims. There's no protection for low-profile tires like these..

5. Make sure your radar detector is working from day 1!

6. Check stock at tirerack.com. They'd run out of my front A/S size, and expected >30 days to restock, so I had to buy that pair from Discount Tire (with price-matching).

7. "Road hazard warranty" -- always sounds like a good deal, and the price is usually attractive. But consider: you don't want to mismatch wear, so if one tire goes at >15K miles, you'll most likely buy a pair. It might be better to just plan ahead for a possible replacement strategy, than pay money up front.

8. Tirerack lists your OEM Potenzas at $1250 for the full set (plus install), but you won't get that. Make your decision based on how much of a haircut you'll have to take. You might still be able to re-open price negotiations with your salesman before taking delivery, and that would be by far the best way.

Good luck!

This is funny.

:iagree::tup:

yah, +1 for pilot a/s's if you're NOT going to be driving in snow. they dont work worth crap even in light snow on a RWD.... i speak from experience. :icon14:

one thing to remember though... a/s tires dont look as good as summer tires. they're narrower in general and tread pattern is ikkk..

Its summer. Run the summer tires, then sell them when it gets cold. You wont be able to get that much for them anyway, they are still 'used' tires

smart minds think alike. :tup:

haah :iagree:

as far as the tread looking good, definitely good point. i mean.... look at this:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R5GeIcPLHb.../s400/re11.jpg

or this:

:drool:

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles/images/nt05.jpg

compared to:

http://www.conti-online.com/generato...y=original.jpg

:barf:


:inoutroflpuke:

:icon18: blahahaha!!!

Jeffblue -- nice. :tup: :icon18:

Yes, I like the clean shaved look myself.

http://www.the370z.com/members/chris...-345-35r18.jpg

Slick tire + Magic Hat = WIN

does that tire work in snow? :confused: ;)

Yes, it is amazing in the snow.

Nice -- I should try it. Wait...

I don't live/drive in snow.