Tire Wars
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Indiana
St. Jude Contributor
Tire Wars
Sorry for beating this dead horse.......but it's time for me to plunk down my $1200 for new meat. 
I know many of you LOVE your Michelin ZP A/S......BUT....reading lots of the reviews on Tire Rack.....some are also very disappointed in them.
Poor life.....noisy when older, etc.
SOOOO........anybody wish they hadn't put them on? Anybody switch BACK to Goodyears?
I'm a daily driver....and travel a bit.....mostly highway. I've got 36K on my OEM's.......fronts still decent....rears are due to get SMOKED soon
How do they feel and sound after, say 15K miles or so? Handling responsiveness, etc?
Thanks for the advice
Bruce
I know many of you LOVE your Michelin ZP A/S......BUT....reading lots of the reviews on Tire Rack.....some are also very disappointed in them.
Poor life.....noisy when older, etc.
SOOOO........anybody wish they hadn't put them on? Anybody switch BACK to Goodyears?
I'm a daily driver....and travel a bit.....mostly highway. I've got 36K on my OEM's.......fronts still decent....rears are due to get SMOKED soon
How do they feel and sound after, say 15K miles or so? Handling responsiveness, etc?
Thanks for the advice
Bruce
Last edited by BWP 5P; Sep 20, 2004 at 09:53 PM. Reason: spelling
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I am assuming you want to stay with Runflats. Give the Firestone Firehawks some consideration. I have a set that I have had for about three years (run them during the winter) and they give a good ride, low noise, and handle well.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 144
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From: Colleyville TX
Only got 1k miles on my PS ZP's. It is my daily driver tho and the wet traction is significantly more stable. That was a key consideration for me.
The noise reduction is very noticable but that is comparing my worn out GY OEM's with these new ones. One thing I like is the wear rating of 400 compared to 300 for the OEM's and 220 for the Kumhos. Not sure what the firestone wear ratings are but the PS's are cheaper than the GY's (about $400 cheaper), safer in the rain (all seasons), and will last several 1000 miles longer.
Works for me.
Also... There is no more "bump steer" like there was with the OEM's. That's a huge difference!
The noise reduction is very noticable but that is comparing my worn out GY OEM's with these new ones. One thing I like is the wear rating of 400 compared to 300 for the OEM's and 220 for the Kumhos. Not sure what the firestone wear ratings are but the PS's are cheaper than the GY's (about $400 cheaper), safer in the rain (all seasons), and will last several 1000 miles longer.
Works for me.
Also... There is no more "bump steer" like there was with the OEM's. That's a huge difference!
Last edited by floosh_coop; Sep 21, 2004 at 11:49 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 93
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From: Dallas Texas
I spent 1500 on the Pilot Sport ZPs and found them to be nothing but junk. They are not quieter than the GYs, they don't handle worth a hoot, they made the car very unstable, they made the car pull to the right, they look like tractor tires, and they literally stunk up my garage. I replaced them with Yokohama run flats and found the Yokohamas to be fantastic tires, very quiet and smooth riding, they handle great in dry and wet, and made the car feel as if it were planted to the road.
By the way treadwear rating for one brand of tire has nothing to do with any other brand of tire. A 300 treadwear rating on a GY means it should wear 3 times longer than a GY with a 100 treadwear rating it does not relate to any other brand of tire. You can not compare one brands higher treadwear rating to that of another brand it just doesn't work that way. Each tire maker establishes the standard of tread wear for their brand only. It is not an industry wide standard and one brands rating has nothing to do with how another brand will wear.
By the way treadwear rating for one brand of tire has nothing to do with any other brand of tire. A 300 treadwear rating on a GY means it should wear 3 times longer than a GY with a 100 treadwear rating it does not relate to any other brand of tire. You can not compare one brands higher treadwear rating to that of another brand it just doesn't work that way. Each tire maker establishes the standard of tread wear for their brand only. It is not an industry wide standard and one brands rating has nothing to do with how another brand will wear.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Western NY
Originally Posted by JFP
... they look like tractor tires
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Various places in Southern California.
I loved the Pilot ZPs. They have a softer sidewall than the GYs, so they feel a little more squirmy in a turn. This might be disconcerting to some, but I liked it better than the rock hard feel of the GYs. Also, in a bumpy turn, the GYs would skip sideways much more than the ZPs. The ZPs were quieter, but I think this was mostly due to them being new.
I would buy the ZPs again.
I would buy the ZPs again.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Boalsburg PA
Kuhmo Ecsta MX's on my 99 have been much quieter than OE, great in the rain, good traction in the dry, especially after being warmed up first, and seem to be wearing well. A great value and besides, Korea is on our side!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
It just goes to show that opinions here are worthless... how can a tire produce rants of excellence, and then rants that they are junk...how can one person say they are quiet and others say they are noisy. Ive notice this about many options, tires, exhaust ,etc.
I know when I put my Michelin Pilots ( non runflat ) on my car, after taking off a new set of Goodyear EMT's ( couple thousand miles) I noticed no difference in the noise level.. I was bitterly disappointed. I was hoping the tires would be as quiet as many have said.. but when i first posted my disappoint,ment.. I received several Instant messages from people who found the same disappointement in them as I did.. but were not willing to buck the trend here on the forum..
I know when I put my Michelin Pilots ( non runflat ) on my car, after taking off a new set of Goodyear EMT's ( couple thousand miles) I noticed no difference in the noise level.. I was bitterly disappointed. I was hoping the tires would be as quiet as many have said.. but when i first posted my disappoint,ment.. I received several Instant messages from people who found the same disappointement in them as I did.. but were not willing to buck the trend here on the forum..
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Roswell Ga
I don't see it that way.
I've been watching these "tire wars" pretty closely for a good period of time and while I've heard comments praising and condemning the Michelen Pilot Sports and both good and bad about the Firestone Firehawks, I've never heard a bit of criticism about the Kuhmo Ecsta MX's. Every word I've ever read has been positive. Could be some critics just haven't come forward, but as of right now, I know what I'll be buying when I need tires.
I've been watching these "tire wars" pretty closely for a good period of time and while I've heard comments praising and condemning the Michelen Pilot Sports and both good and bad about the Firestone Firehawks, I've never heard a bit of criticism about the Kuhmo Ecsta MX's. Every word I've ever read has been positive. Could be some critics just haven't come forward, but as of right now, I know what I'll be buying when I need tires.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Various places in Southern California.
Originally Posted by JACKAL0PE
I don't see it that way.
I've been watching these "tire wars" pretty closely for a good period of time and while I've heard comments praising and condemning the Michelen Pilot Sports and both good and bad about the Firestone Firehawks, I've never heard a bit of criticism about the Kuhmo Ecsta MX's. Every word I've ever read has been positive. Could be some critics just haven't come forward, but as of right now, I know what I'll be buying when I need tires.
I've been watching these "tire wars" pretty closely for a good period of time and while I've heard comments praising and condemning the Michelen Pilot Sports and both good and bad about the Firestone Firehawks, I've never heard a bit of criticism about the Kuhmo Ecsta MX's. Every word I've ever read has been positive. Could be some critics just haven't come forward, but as of right now, I know what I'll be buying when I need tires.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,511
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From: Winter Park Fl
In compairing RF tires check with the manufacters position pertaining to repair after a punture. I beleive only GY and the Michies say they can be repaired. Some RF's must be replaced after a punture. This could influence your decision.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by Duck916
One thing about the Kumhos: for the price, even if they suck, they're still a great deal!
Long trips are great with this tire.
Over 1 G on the track.
Excellent grip on a very wet roadcourse.
Quiet, smooth, much less bump steer than EMTs.
I instruct and get a lot of time in other people's cars so I get to try them all. (Bridgestone S03s would be my second choice.)
I'm on my third set of Kumhos which all have had a ton of roadcourse miles (on my 15th set of brake pads). I'm ordering my 4th set of Kumhos at the end of the season. A great value.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: MCO
Originally Posted by floosh_coop
Not sure what the firestone wear ratings are but the PS's are cheaper than the GY's (about $400 cheaper),
Originally Posted by JFP
They are not quieter than the GYs, they don't handle worth a hoot, they made the car very unstable, they made the car pull to the right, they look like tractor tires,
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
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I can only speak of my experience:
replaced the GY's at 15K due to noise, the Pilot Sport Z/P's are MUCH quieter at highway speeds than the GY's. I did notice an odor from the tires that went away after about a 100 miles. I only have about 500 miles on them so I don't know if they will stay this quiet, wait and see I guess. I haven't noticed any significant handling differences. I don't like that little raised ridge on the sidewall, but that's no biggie.
Hope this helps.
replaced the GY's at 15K due to noise, the Pilot Sport Z/P's are MUCH quieter at highway speeds than the GY's. I did notice an odor from the tires that went away after about a 100 miles. I only have about 500 miles on them so I don't know if they will stay this quiet, wait and see I guess. I haven't noticed any significant handling differences. I don't like that little raised ridge on the sidewall, but that's no biggie.
Hope this helps.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 154
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From: Beavercreek OH
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I am assuming you want to stay with Runflats. Give the Firestone Firehawks some consideration. I have a set that I have had for about three years (run them during the winter) and they give a good ride, low noise, and handle well.
Can you confirm or deny?
Thanks in advance for offering your opinion!
