Pirelli PZero Nero M+S
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From: New York, Northern NYC Burbs
Originally Posted by Omicron
FINAL UPDATE: Had a chance to go "play" today on some nice windy roads, and I stand by my original conclusion: these tires, in the new (wider) 245/40-18 size, ABSOLUTELY ROCK!!!
At lower speeds they feel pretty similar to the Potenzas, although turning response is tighter and the car feels MUCH more firmly "planted" on the road. At higher speeds (80+ MPH :D) the turning response is more sensitive, although not in a bad way at all. The car doesn't feel "darty" at all, just like it's paying more attention to steering input.
These tires are also stickier than the Potenzas... I'd say I can hit a corner an average of 5-10 MPH faster with these tires than with the old ones. They also telegraph when their adhesion limits are being reached, and break free progressively rather than suddenly.
And finally, as I've mentioned before, these Pirellis are quieter and ride nicer than the Potenzas. Overall, I'd give them a BIG thumbs-up, and highly recommend them.
:D
At lower speeds they feel pretty similar to the Potenzas, although turning response is tighter and the car feels MUCH more firmly "planted" on the road. At higher speeds (80+ MPH :D) the turning response is more sensitive, although not in a bad way at all. The car doesn't feel "darty" at all, just like it's paying more attention to steering input.
These tires are also stickier than the Potenzas... I'd say I can hit a corner an average of 5-10 MPH faster with these tires than with the old ones. They also telegraph when their adhesion limits are being reached, and break free progressively rather than suddenly.
And finally, as I've mentioned before, these Pirellis are quieter and ride nicer than the Potenzas. Overall, I'd give them a BIG thumbs-up, and highly recommend them.
:D
Last edited by salituro64; Mar 15, 2005 at 11:27 AM.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
After much internal debate, I ordered a set of these for my 8. I'm looking forward to getting the winter tires off and these on, which I can do earlier than with the summers.
The reviews in this thread, combined with Tire Rack's test results are just too compelling for me to pass up.
The reviews in this thread, combined with Tire Rack's test results are just too compelling for me to pass up.
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Thanks to all of you guys, I've just ordered a set as well. I've been looking at tires now for going on two months (of badly needing them) and because of the great reviews you guys have given this I took the leap too. Thanks guys!
Connor at TireRack was very pleasant to deal with as well, for whatever it's worth.
Connor at TireRack was very pleasant to deal with as well, for whatever it's worth.
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From: Boulder County, Colorado
Originally Posted by salituro64
What does telegraph mean? Also, are these undirectional?
Oh, and they are unidirectional.
Hope this helps!
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I just got a call from my service adviseor, and it went something like this:
"did you know these aren't the stock tire sizes?"
me: "yes- that's okay, isn't it?"
"But these are 245s not 225s"
me: "they fit, right?"
"well, yes..are you sure this is what you want?"
Me "um, yes- that's why I ordered them."
Apparently, they were completely confused by the fact that they weren't the OE width. *sigh*
"did you know these aren't the stock tire sizes?"
me: "yes- that's okay, isn't it?"
"But these are 245s not 225s"
me: "they fit, right?"
"well, yes..are you sure this is what you want?"
Me "um, yes- that's why I ordered them."
Apparently, they were completely confused by the fact that they weren't the OE width. *sigh*
For long-term wear and durability issue, I have logged approximately ~10k miles on the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S. Based on those mileages, the tires are OKs on the street, so-so on the autocross, and drive-able in the snow. Make no mistake that this is an all-season tire, despite of its high-performance tread design, sticker-than-usual compound, and relatively-stiff sidewall.
For autocrossing-purpose, I would NOT recommend these tires if you are running on just one set for both track/street. The tires display horrendous scuff marks along the edges despite of pumping up air pressure, a normal procedure in autox. On the other hand, Kumho ASX on another RX-8 shows excellent wear after same runs on the same course.
Had major issues with spin-out over the past weekend while running with DSC/TSC off. Will look into it further during the next autox event to determine whether this is tire-related or alignment-related.
For autocrossing-purpose, I would NOT recommend these tires if you are running on just one set for both track/street. The tires display horrendous scuff marks along the edges despite of pumping up air pressure, a normal procedure in autox. On the other hand, Kumho ASX on another RX-8 shows excellent wear after same runs on the same course.
Had major issues with spin-out over the past weekend while running with DSC/TSC off. Will look into it further during the next autox event to determine whether this is tire-related or alignment-related.
Last edited by CRX Millennium; Mar 31, 2005 at 02:03 PM.
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From: Cordova, TN
Originally Posted by CRX Millennium
For long-term wear and durability issue, I have logged approximately ~10k miles on the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S. Based on those mileages, the tires are OKs on the street, so-so on the autocross, and drive-able in the snow. Make no mistake that this is an all-season tire, despite of its high-performance thread design, sticker-than-usual compound, and relatively-stiff sidewall.
For autocrossing-purpose, I would NOT recommend these tires if you are running on just one set for both track/street. The tires display horrendous scuff marks along the edges despite of pumping up air pressure, a normal procedure in autox. On the other hand, Kumho ASX on another RX-8 shows excellent wear after same runs on the same course.
Had major issues with spin-out over the past weekend while running with DSC/TSC off. Will look into it further during the next autox event to determine whether this is tire-related or alignment-related.
For autocrossing-purpose, I would NOT recommend these tires if you are running on just one set for both track/street. The tires display horrendous scuff marks along the edges despite of pumping up air pressure, a normal procedure in autox. On the other hand, Kumho ASX on another RX-8 shows excellent wear after same runs on the same course.
Had major issues with spin-out over the past weekend while running with DSC/TSC off. Will look into it further during the next autox event to determine whether this is tire-related or alignment-related.
You say "OK" on the street. I'm a few days away from ordering these.....what did you have on your 8 before the Pirellis and how did they compare?
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From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
I put them on my car in early January to get me through the snow. I will be going back to the RE40's in a couple of weeks. I prefer the RE40's as a performance tire. The Pirelli is good for the snow and rain. But as the weather gets warmer, I feel that the Bridgestones are better for gripping in the dry. When the stones wear out, I plan on going with BFG KDW2's for summer tires.
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From: SF Bay Area
My experience has been the same. I like the performance the Pirelli gives when it comes to inclement weather in the wet (I have no experience in the snow). The road noise has gone down but not sure if that will hold for the life of the tire. I assume that with such a high tread wear rating they will outlast the stock RE040's. But with 600 miles on the new Pirelli's they don't inspire the dry road hugging characteristics of the stock tire. I find the Pirelli a good compromise, as it gives you a good price, tread wear, noise reduction and variable weather traction at a loss of some dry traction. If you want a track tire, don't get this one, it is not what it was made for. I do feel the sidewall "squish" when you turn hard on these.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by brothervoodoo
I do feel the sidewall "squish" when you turn hard on these.
thread that the squish definitely goes away.
GotZoom:
My only other direct-experience with tire fitment on RX-8 was about 50 miles on OEM Bridgestone RE040s before I un-loaded them.. Therefore, it would not serve as an objective comparison. In terms of other all-season tire choices on different cars, Dunlop SP5000 comes into mind as an excellent performance tire on the street. Given my less-than-awed experience with Pirelli PZero Nero M+S, I would recommend going with Toyo Proxes 4 if all-season is your sole choice. Otherwise, go with summer/winter sets where you can pick Falken Grb Fk 451, Falken Azenis RT-615, Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212, or Kumho MX as very-trackable-and-affordable summer tires.
My only other direct-experience with tire fitment on RX-8 was about 50 miles on OEM Bridgestone RE040s before I un-loaded them.. Therefore, it would not serve as an objective comparison. In terms of other all-season tire choices on different cars, Dunlop SP5000 comes into mind as an excellent performance tire on the street. Given my less-than-awed experience with Pirelli PZero Nero M+S, I would recommend going with Toyo Proxes 4 if all-season is your sole choice. Otherwise, go with summer/winter sets where you can pick Falken Grb Fk 451, Falken Azenis RT-615, Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212, or Kumho MX as very-trackable-and-affordable summer tires.
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From: Chesapeake Virginia
I have had the PZs 245s on my car for about 6 months and they definately out-perform the stock tires dry and wet...no doubt about it. I have this one exit ramp that the stockers would let me slide significantly during rapid zoom-zooming....the PZs grip it big-time and away ya go! Very good dry/pretty good wet tires
Snow and slippery...I don't think there is any tire out there that will allow the 8 to go in that stuff with any confidence. It is still slip-n-slide even when super-babying it. And when I mean 'baby' I mean 'baby.' Got caught in some very light snow one day and had to pull over at a resturant until the mess was stopped/cleared 4 hours later. I was going less than 5 MPH and would have had a accident if I had kept going, it was that bad. The 8 is NOT happy at all in the slippery stuff.
Snow and slippery...I don't think there is any tire out there that will allow the 8 to go in that stuff with any confidence. It is still slip-n-slide even when super-babying it. And when I mean 'baby' I mean 'baby.' Got caught in some very light snow one day and had to pull over at a resturant until the mess was stopped/cleared 4 hours later. I was going less than 5 MPH and would have had a accident if I had kept going, it was that bad. The 8 is NOT happy at all in the slippery stuff.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by Katchoo
The 8 is NOT happy at all in the slippery stuff.
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Okay, so get this- the $%^# dealer is REFUSING to put the tires on my car. They say the techs are saying that the tires are so wide they will "wear out" on the sides too fast. I just politely insisted to the Service Writer that yes, I want THESE tires on my car. She offered to get me "the tires that Mazda recommends" for close to the same price. I said no, I want THESE tires on the car. She said "well, I'll have to talk to the manager because the techs are refusing to put them on the car." She's supposed to call me back shortly. If they continue this crap, I already have a place lined up to have the car towed to that WILL put the tires on it. WTH is with these people? If, by some chance, the tires DID mess up my car, isn't that my responsibility?
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From: Clearwater, Fl
Of course you're correct!! However, there are a large number of people out there that WILL blame the installer. Guess they are just CYA. Sucks 
I'd certainly take my business elsewhere!
I'd certainly take my business elsewhere!
Originally Posted by Elara
WTH is with these people? If, by some chance, the tires DID mess up my car, isn't that my responsibility?
RainMan is Back
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From: SF Bay Area
Originally Posted by Elara
Okay, so get this- the $%^# dealer is REFUSING to put the tires on my car. They say the techs are saying that the tires are so wide they will "wear out" on the sides too fast. I just politely insisted to the Service Writer that yes, I want THESE tires on my car. She offered to get me "the tires that Mazda recommends" for close to the same price. I said no, I want THESE tires on the car. She said "well, I'll have to talk to the manager because the techs are refusing to put them on the car." She's supposed to call me back shortly. If they continue this crap, I already have a place lined up to have the car towed to that WILL put the tires on it. WTH is with these people? If, by some chance, the tires DID mess up my car, isn't that my responsibility?
Make sure they don't scrape up your rims since they are getting pissy over this non-issue. You might find a touchless system somewhere to mount them instead. I had one rim scratched on the inside, can't see it from the outside, but these guys can be gorillas at times also.
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They're still refusing to put them on the car. Says they'll cause cupping and/or blowouts. My husband's on the phone with Tire Rack to see if they've got any suggestions. I would have but I'm just too friggin tired of arguing.
The Doctor is sedated....
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From: After the 2nd star on the right...
uh... given how many of us have had these tires put on our cars, (with the stock wheels), and how very few complaints have been generated, I would definitely be looking elsewhere to have them installed. Then follow up with MNAO with a complaint about the service dept. obviously, they’re (the dealer) not happy with the fact that you chose a tire that the dealer doesn’t get a kick-back for.
BTW - I've had mine on the stock wheels since Christmas, and not only have I had no problems, but they do perform better than the OE's.
BTW - I've had mine on the stock wheels since Christmas, and not only have I had no problems, but they do perform better than the OE's.
Last edited by doccable; Apr 6, 2005 at 07:32 AM.
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Update: I had a friend's shop come and get the car yesterday afternoon, and they called me at 9am this morning to tell me the tires are on the wheels and the wheels are on the car. Now they're just trying to find the aligment specs (guess they haven't had too many RX-8s in yet) but I'm just happy the tires are on. Capitol Mazda Service can bite me. And will be getting a letter to the GM telling them exactly that, with a printout of this thread and the stock size vs. 245/40 thread. And any other info I can dig up about 245/40s on the 8.
The Doctor is sedated....
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From: After the 2nd star on the right...
Originally Posted by Elara
Capitol Mazda Service can bite me. And will be getting a letter to the GM telling them exactly that, with a printout of this thread and the stock size vs. 245/40 thread. And any other info I can dig up about 245/40s on the 8.