I need help with WET tires please.

[casper151291]

I recently totaled my 350z, it had the nt555's on it. I was driving in a straight line going 55 mph down the hwy and out of nowhere my car decided to hydroplane due to heavy rain and hit the median (I didn't do anything stupid, traction was on, I didn't press on the brakes, nor I accelerated.)

Now... I'm buying a 370z with 7800 miles on it, its got the stock bridge stones on it The tread on them is 7/32 on front, 6/32 on the back so How long would these tires last and how good are they with the rain. I've read in other posts that the hankook v12's are better or the potenza RE960AS. I live in Florida and it rains a lot without notice. So i need some good rain tires!

Thank you for your help!

[Alstann]

Ouch...sorry to hear about your car man. Good thing you are ok though. Cars are replaceable.

That being said, the stock Bridgestone RE050A are a bit skittish in the rain, personally speaking. They aren't horrible or anything, but due to the small amount of water channels as well as the wide profile in the rear, they can be slippery if you push the car in the wet. I live in Florida myself, and know the risks of rain all of a sudden.

Rain is definitely a factor in purchasing tires. Other factors you can consider is how many miles you drive a year, how hard you drive the car, noise level, etc. The Potenza RE960AS aren't manufactured anymore I believe, they replaced them with the RE970AS which I currently run.

I've been in the rain with my friend's 350Z with Hankook V12's all the way around, and it felt more stable to me than my stock RE050A. However, it's comparing different widths, height profiles, wheelbase, etc.

[Mike]

I would go with michelin pilot sport all seasons if I were you and concerned with wet weather traction.

[casper151291]

Thanks guys! I'm leaning towards the Michelin super sport tires! They have good specs. Only problem is 1.2k for a set...

and I'll be using the car as a daily driver, so how long do you guys think the stock wheels will last? If not long, I might demand the dealer to change them before I pick the car up.

[XwChriswX]

I was driving in very similar conditions to yours, while driving on Michelin PSS'. Rear end just came out from behind and swung around, never hit the gas or brakes, and VDC never yelled at me.

I had a bald rear which I didn't realize until I had it on a lift afterwards surveying the damage. Prior to that incident though, I am a believer of Michelin PSS's gripping ability in the wet/dry. I will be ordering another set next summer. You won't go wrong with them, even for daily use as that's what mine is for. Great treadlife. My fronts are still on a year later.

[cossie1600]

Drive slower works too

[casper151291]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Drive slower works too

I've driven that speed before in rain... I was driving the same speed as other cars around me as well. Trust me if I knew something was wrong with my tires, I wouldn't have even gotten out that day.

[XwChriswX]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Drive slower works too

Also was driving less than the speed limit to account for inclement weather.

[casper151291]

Originally Posted by XwChriswX

Also was driving less than the speed limit to account for inclement weather.

Yup! Limit was 65, I was going 50-55.

[cossie1600]

Originally Posted by casper151291

Yup! Limit was 65, I was going 50-55.

Your tire lost traction because they were past their limit. Either slow down or buy better tires, simple as that.

If your car cant handle 50 or 55, then slow down more

[DR_]

I've been on the slipperiest wet track in the world (Motorsport Ranch Cresson) with stock tires and they did fine with the VDC on.

[B&W_Evader]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Your tire lost traction because they were past their limit. Either slow down or buy better tires, simple as that.

If your car cant handle 50 or 55, then slow down more

Have to agree with cossie on this. I've gone as slow as 20mph on the highway for super heavy rain (previous sports car). Granted, the tread was pretty low but that was the speed where the car felt like it had traction. Wider tires will make a car hydroplane at lower speeds and we have wide tires.

BTW, the stock re050s have been awesome in the rain. At least the first winter on them.

[chrischhorn]

Costco membership? I work in a Costco Tire center. Bridgestones are $100 off a set of four right now and if you want more longitivity with great wet weather traction and pretty damn good dry traction with an all season, get the RE970's.

[Titan1080]

The stockers are ok in the rain as long as you're prudent and leave the VDC on. I see a lot of local kids up here stuffing their Z/Gs into the barriers or whatever 'cause they think they can drive through it without slowing. I'm about to go in on some Falken 452s as my daily driver/wet weather set as the semi-slick RE070s I've been running are flat out dangerous in wet Washington weather after 17000+ miles on them.

[cossie1600]

The key is to buy good tires. If you can't get it for whatever reason, slow down. If it still slips after you slow down, keep slowing down