Tire advice for 350z / max summer vs all season?

[Skeeedunt]

Trying to decide on a new set of 4 for the 350z. Living in California, so no snow and moderate temps. More concerned about dry handling, but wet handling is nice too.

Been looking through TireRack, DiscountTire, Costco. Currently scoping out Bridgestone RE970AS as well as the RE040 (a bit more than I wanted to spend), as well as the Continental DW(S), and Pilot Sport A/S Plus.

Given the conditions, would I be way better off going for a max summer tire vs. all season? Or are the differences minimal? I was leaning towards the RE970AS, but now I'm wondering if I'd be better off with slightly cheaper summer Cont DW? Or just bite the bullet and get the RE040...

Any advice or alternatives appreciated.

 

[onza]

You are not be specific enough. You are talking one spectrum to another.

Sounds like "COST" is the real issue. What is your budget + what are your current tire sizes?

 

[JCH13]

Trying to decide on a new set of 4 for the 350z. Living in California, so no snow and moderate temps. More concerned about dry handling, but wet handling is nice too.

Been looking through TireRack, DiscountTire, Costco. Currently scoping out Bridgestone RE970AS as well as the RE040 (a bit more than I wanted to spend), as well as the Continental DW(S), and Pilot Sport A/S Plus.

Given the conditions, would I be way better off going for a max summer tire vs. all season? Or are the differences minimal? I was leaning towards the RE970AS, but now I'm wondering if I'd be better off with slightly cheaper summer Cont DW? Or just bite the bullet and get the RE040...

Any advice or alternatives appreciated.

If you don't plan on going into the cold mountains, Dunlop StarSpec for the win. Stunning grip in the dry, wet, and wear like iron for a UTQG200 tire. That's what I'd get for a really serious street tire.

Of course, unless you actually drive your car REALLY hard you'll probably be fine with any summer tire. The Yokohama S.Drive is awesome everywhere except the track.

I wouldn't get an all-season, you'll be getting sipes and other winter/cold weather features you don't need and will likely cause excessive road noise.

 

[RKS]

Contis on a budget, Michelin Pilot Super Sports if not.

 

[NutBucket]

The only issue to watch out for if you decide on summer tires is if temp drops to about 40 you'll notice a huge decrease in traction. Perfectly safe, just slow down!

For a cheaper summer look into Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110. Stupid name, good tire.

 

[onza]

I will comment on this. I run Niito Invo's in Minnesota and drive them only when it's above freezing + if the night temps were above 33~ or so. As long as you get the rubber temps up the traction holds pretty good. Otherwise most the general statements related to summer tires + colder temps is true!

The only issue to watch out for if you decide on summer tires is if temp drops to about 40 you'll notice a huge decrease in traction. Perfectly safe, just slow down!

For a cheaper summer look into Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110. Stupid name, good tire.

 

[Spicedaddy]

I got Bridgestone RE760 tires this summer, and I like them. They were pretty cheap from Costco.

 

[DaTT]

I will comment on this. I run Niito Invo's in Minnesota and drive them only when it's above freezing + if the night temps were above 33~ or so. As long as you get the rubber temps up the traction holds pretty good. Otherwise most the general statements related to summer tires + colder temps is true!

Indeed. I have Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires and have yet to put my snow tires on...I will drive extremely cautious until I make the swap.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Sounds like "COST" is the real issue. What is your budget + what are your current tire sizes?

I'd like to spend in the $150-$175/tire range, but I'd consider ~$200+ if it would make a significant difference.

Current tires are 225/50-17 front and 235/50-17 rear, which is part of the reason I'm looking at a more limited selection... e.g. it doesn't look like I can get a matching set of Pilot Super Sports, StarSpecs, or the Ventus V12s (I'm assuming it's best to have matching pairs?).

Of course, unless you actually drive your car REALLY hard you'll probably be fine with any summer tire. The Yokohama S.Drive is awesome everywhere except the track.

I wouldn't get an all-season, you'll be getting sipes and other winter/cold weather features you don't need and will likely cause excessive road noise.

Good to know, that's kind of what I was wondering. Looks like the S.Drive's and the RE760s that spice mentioned might both be good less-expensive, summer alternatives. I can get both in the sizes I need. Going to research how these compare to the Conti DW. (Edit - scratch the RE760s, looks like they don't have them for my rear tire size.)

I drive it hard, but not crazy hard... wondering if those will be sufficient.

The only issue to watch out for if you decide on summer tires is if temp drops to about 40 you'll notice a huge decrease in traction. Perfectly safe, just slow down!

Also good to know... it can get into the 30's at night, but I don't mind taking it a bit easy then if it means better performance the rest of the time.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[JCH13]

I'd like to spend in the $150-$175/tire range, but I'd consider ~$200+ if it would make a significant difference.

Current tires are 225/50-17 front and 235/50-17 rear, which is part of the reason I'm looking at a more limited selection... e.g. it doesn't look like I can get a matching set of Pilot Super Sports, StarSpecs, or the Ventus V12s (I'm assuming it's best to have matching pairs?).



Good to know, that's kind of what I was wondering. Looks like the S.Drive's and the RE760s that spice mentioned might both be good less-expensive, summer alternatives. I can get both in the sizes I need. Going to research how these compare to the Conti DW. (Edit - scratch the RE760s, looks like they don't have them for my rear tire size.)

I drive it hard, but not crazy hard... wondering if those will be sufficient.



Also good to know... it can get into the 30's at night, but I don't mind taking it a bit easy then if it means better performance the rest of the time.

Thanks everyone for your help.

As someone who drives on the race track and autox course I would say the S.Drives work very well for spirited street driving. That's been my go-to street tire for my Miata. It's not super-sensitive to cold temperatures the way extra-grippy summer tires are, and does great in the rain.

If you've got a mostly-stock 350Z in terms of power I would say that 235 wide S.Drives would hold traction pretty darn well, but you won't be able to floor the accelerator willy-nilly. A grippier tire, like a StarSpec, might be overkill.

I know we here in ATG like to get wrapped around the axle suggesting tires with the maximum amount of ultimate performance, but for street driving I'm getting more and more convinced that it doesn't really matter THAT much unless your car is highly modified.

 

[Imported]

If you're not against it.. try a square setup. The Z cars rotate a bit better with it.

 

[JCH13]

If you're not against it.. try a square setup. The Z cars rotate a bit better with it.

That's partly how the 350Z earned the record of most deaths per vehicle sold. Then Nissan started selling them with a staggered setup. Great on the track, not so great on the street.

 

[lavaheadache]

I have BFgoodrich Geforce T/a KDW's on my 08 z and love them.

 

[Imported]

That's partly how the 350Z earned the record of most deaths per vehicle sold. Then Nissan started selling them with a staggered setup. Great on the track, not so great on the street.

Yes, it is a more track orientated setup. However, I never had an issue with it on the street in my G35. Ran a square 265/35/18 for quite a while.

@OP, you should be able to plus size if needed to keep the same type of tire. 225/50/17 and a 255/45/17 or 245/50/17?

 

[jlee]

As someone who drives on the race track and autox course I would say the S.Drives work very well for spirited street driving. That's been my go-to street tire for my Miata. It's not super-sensitive to cold temperatures the way extra-grippy summer tires are, and does great in the rain.

If you've got a mostly-stock 350Z in terms of power I would say that 235 wide S.Drives would hold traction pretty darn well, but you won't be able to floor the accelerator willy-nilly. A grippier tire, like a StarSpec, might be overkill.

I know we here in ATG like to get wrapped around the axle suggesting tires with the maximum amount of ultimate performance, but for street driving I'm getting more and more convinced that it doesn't really matter THAT much unless your car is highly modified.

245-series S-Drives hold my CTS-V on a dry road (in a straight line without dumping the clutch, anyway).

 

[Skeeedunt]

If you're not against it.. try a square setup. The Z cars rotate a bit better with it.

I don't really know much of anything about it, or plus sizing for that matter, so I've been avoiding the thought. I'll google around a bit, but I'd rather avoid it if there are any big complications.

On a similar note, is there any merit to doing a different set on the front vs rear if I can end up with better tires overall? Or should I just stick to the same 4 all around?

I have BFgoodrich Geforce T/a KDW's on my 08 z and love them.

I took a look at these as well, though it seemed like they might be discontinuing them (or at least one size I need), so I wasn't sure if I could count on finding them reliably. Looked at the g-force COMPs, but they only have them for the fronts.

245-series S-Drives hold my CTS-V on a dry road (in a straight line without dumping the clutch, anyway).

I'm starting to like the sound (and price) of the s.Drive's. Right now I think it's down to those and the Conti DW, which got decent marks in the car and drive thing I just read.

 

[Imported]

Conti DWs and s.Drives are both solid tire choices.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

What about Hankook V12's? Cheaper than the conti's....

 

[Throckmorton]

I for one like the BF Goodrich Comp 2 tires I just got. The best part is the tread pattern doesn't look ricey like the Hankooks and Falkens.

 

[NutBucket]

What about Hankook V12's? Cheaper than the conti's....

See above

 

[JCH13]

Yes, it is a more track orientated setup. However, I never had an issue with it on the street in my G35. Ran a square 265/35/18 for quite a while.

@OP, you should be able to plus size if needed to keep the same type of tire. 225/50/17 and a 255/45/17 or 245/50/17?

Lulz. That's because you've got tires for a 500hp race car! :thumbsup:

 

[Throckmorton]

The Hankook V12 apparently have soft sidewalls

 

[sdifox]

Don't go summer unless you are willing to shell out for the frequent tire change. unless you intend to drive to the limit, then you pretty much have to go with summers.

 

[Imported]

Lulz. That's because you've got tires for a 500hp race car! :thumbsup:

It was a bit overkill. I busted a wheel on my street setup and had to run my autocross setup for a couple months. 265 RS3s.. Yum.

 

[JCH13]

It was a bit overkill. I busted a wheel on my street setup and had to run my autocross setup for a couple months. 265 RS3s.. Yum.

Awesome. I've got 225 RS3s for my Miata's auto-x setup. So much grip...