Why do so many get lesser tires for the Z?

Methodical4u

Now don't get me wrong, MANY tires are underrated. The Ventus V12's for instance has scored very high on several tests, but they aren't a tire with the grip of say the OE or the RE-11's.

Obviously price comes into play and for a set of OE tires or RE-11's you're looking at a pretty penny.

I myself would really like to try and may when I get to the point of needing tires the Vrdestein Sessanta's. Very good ratings... very popular over in Europe, great in the rain and sun, and one of the coolest looking tread patterns i've ever seen.

So who here has changed tires? To which? and why did you choose them?

XwChriswX

Michelin Pilot Super Sports

Amazing traction, (advertised) long treadlife, we'll see, cool tread pattern, quieter (not substantial but still) than stockers, definitely not for the thin wallets though lol my set ran me $1850 installed with the lifetime warrantys from discount tire.

__________________

Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

Methodical4u

ouch... why not the V12's?

XwChriswX

Heard from people with similar driving styles that they did not have the cornering ability as good as the stockers or re-11's. We barely ever get moisture here so wet traction wasn't a major concern (Michelin says the SS' have good wet traction as well, but haven't been able to find out yet) Boring tread pattern lol And Michelin has always been a well regarded brand. I had the cash so I said f*** it. Abby deserves the best!

__________________

Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

Methodical4u

That's cool, I was thinking it seemed like a lot for tires... but i'm still thinking of 245/18/40's and not with the larger Z tires.

XwChriswX

lol Yeah mine weren't stock sizes. (255/19/35 F 295/19/30 R) I wanted 305's but to go to them from a 295 was $40 more per tire. I'm happy where I'm at.

__________________

Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

definitionxmk

I have the V12s, 275/30 f 305/30 r and have no issues. Guess it all depends on how you drive...

Oh and I have a SC if that plays any factor on you buying tires. All above options are great though.

__________________

FALKEN . AMUSE . STANCE . INVIDIA . MINES . TOMMY KAIRA . BRIDE . VOLK RACING . GTM
Featured in DSPORT issue #137 - Follow me on Instagram: @definitionxmk

m4a1mustang

People go with the V12s because it's a great bang for the buck tire. Grip is comparable to the OEM RE050As. The only difference is in sidewall stiffness. The V12s are softer so you get a little less immediate feedback as the sidewall rolls more than the Bridgestone. It's also fantastic in the rain.

For a car that only sees street driving, the V12s are a good tire. I don't necessarily see them as a "lesser" tire than OEM considering they are better on wear, noise, and wet traction.

__________________
- Steve

Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!)
LIKE us on Facebook!

b1adesofcha0s

Got the Continental ExtremeContact DWS because it's good for an all season tire and is not too expensive. I DD my Z and will have to drive through snow and rain this winter. Don't have enough money for a separate set of winter wheels/tires.

__________________
Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) | Uprev Tune by AAM Competition | Berk Exhaust
Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) | Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

Methodical4u

The DWS' are an EXCELLENT tire... I had them on my Evo X and then on the MS3 I had... My Fiancee' at my suggestion went with them on her MS3 as well. I went easily through 8" of snow with no issues last winter and with our snows here last year, they were pretty intense.

b1adesofcha0s

Good to hear! I only have them on the front as of now because I just replaced the OEM Advans for the front. I have some Yokohama all season on the rear, but am replacing them with the DWS in a few months.

The car definitely has more grip than before, especially in the rain. Haven't driven them in the snow yet. Just put them on 2 months ago.

__________________
Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) | Uprev Tune by AAM Competition | Berk Exhaust
Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) | Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

Methodical4u

They are as close to a snow tire as you can get without having to run a whole different set-up, and our cars aren't exactly going to be rally racing. They will get you where you need to go when you are careful though.

DJ-of-E

Hankook Ventus V12's for your bang for the bucket. Unless you're hitting some serious G's in the street, you wouldn't need anything else better. It's like needing 500hp just to take your car to go to work (unless you live next to the autobahn).

As for me, I live in sunny/rainy California, so I probably gonna switch to Nitto NT-05's once the stockers are done in about 7000 miles or 2 auto-x sessions, whichever comes first.

__________________

kenchan

if you're on a budget go with the continental DW's. they are by far big bang for the buck and will keep your car performing very well (like a sports car, not just another street car).

i gave these a try for the lower weight savings vs RE050A's. they are good tires.

6MT

To answer the header question.... opinions are like a$$holes.... everyone has one.

__________________
Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D