3.3TT Summer Tire Slip and Slide

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

You may want to look again:
View attachment 6849

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=UHPAS

I posted a link to TireRack's review. If you disagree with their review, that's fine. I don't see why you'd disagree with me posting their review. It's also a moot point, as the tire isn't available in the 19" size, as I wrote, but is available in the 18" size, and was an example of the frustration in trying to find the right tire for my uses. All tires are going to be a compromise, whether in performance, road noise, handling, and so on. The Pirelli's were listed as having less road noise in the review than the Michelin's for example. The chart you posted, based on owner's subjective ratings (also ironically from TireRack), doesn't include that, or other factors in their review that are critical to me, like breakaway handling. Did you watch the review? Tire choices depend on usage case and what the driver wants in their tire. It's not a right or wrong thing, it's about what you like and how you're going to use them.

 

[Nexitus]

great tires ! had them on my last BMW , great in all conditions ! ............they just wore out earlier than I expected FYI

How many KMs did you get on them?

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I watched a TireRack review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS, and that seems like the best choice for my driving interests in needs, at least in terms of what is available in the 19" size. I did email Pirelli to ask if they planned on making the Pzero Plus All Season available in the 225/40/19 size. If so, I'll get those, otherwise I think I'll opt for the RE980AS. Luckily there are still some months left before I need to make a decision, but that's where things stand for me at this time.

 

[westcoastGT]

How many KMs did you get on them?

The S wore out around 30,000 kms , sold them to a motor head who used them to race on a track !!

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

Well, my concern with the rubber band tires on the 19" proved valid. I scraped the wheel tonight (just a bit on the outer most edge). That was one of my primary concerns with the 19"--the lack of a sidewall. It's a real moneymaker for car companies. I've never scraped a rim on a car before. The price for a new wheel? $500+ dollars...for ONE wheel. I should have changed the wheels as soon as I got the car. Even though it's a very small amount of damage, on the outermost edge, I'm sure Kia won't consider it normal wear and tear...that would defeat the purpose of putting rubber band tires on these, designed to generate income from wheel scrapes. If it was a flat surface, it could easily be touched up, but they made that part serrated to prevent it from being fixed. Joy.

 

[Ucinn]

Well, my concern with the rubber band tires on the 19" proved valid. I scraped the wheel tonight (just a bit on the outer most edge). That was one of my primary concerns with the 19"--the lack of a sidewall. It's a real moneymaker for car companies. I've never scraped a rim on a car before. The price for a new wheel? $500+ dollars...for ONE wheel. I should have changed the wheels as soon as I got the car. Even though it's a very small amount of damage, on the outermost edge, I'm sure Kia won't consider it normal wear and tear...that would defeat the purpose of putting rubber band tires on these, designed to generate income from wheel scrapes. If it was a flat surface, it could easily be touched up, but they made that part serrated to prevent it from being fixed. Joy.

Have you checked with a wheel repair place? I did a number on my mustang wheel and got it fixed for $80 and looks brand new.

 

[westcoastGT]

Wheel repair is quick and easy , you can even get mobile units to come to yoo

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

Have you checked with a wheel repair place? I did a number on my mustang wheel and got it fixed for $80 and looks brand new.

It's just the outer most part, the rim (that 1/4" circle of metal), and it's serrated (grooved) so I don't think a shop would be able to fix it. I can ask around, but, it's clearly designed to prevent simple fixes one could otherwise do. Normally that part is just smooth metal. I found some nice 18" wheels on TireRack (which would both give me a sidewall, and allow me to buy the tires I want that aren't available in 19"), but I'm not an expert on wheels. They cost $150, and while they are aluminum alloy, I don't know if they would stand up to strong cornering. I've seen youtube vidoes of guy's wheels cracking on a turn, and I certainly wouldn't want that. They could be better than the OEM 18" for all I know.

 

[Ucinn]

Those look awesome. It doesn't hurt to check with a wheel repair place. All they can tell you is that it can't be fixed, then you can get new wheels. The also have protectors in any color of the rainbow they can attach to your wheel to protect against rash.

 

[westcoastGT]

the edge can be done easily , I've seen repairs to some very gnarly curb rash on edges like ours and no issues , undetectable , those edge guards look hideous IMHO , maybe OK in Black ??

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

Looks like I am going to have to update a couple threads. I started my road trip today and saw my car for the first time in full sunlight. I noticed that the tires are 18", with the Potenza 97's, so, this thread should be called "All Season Slip and Slide". These particular Potenza's aren't good tires, but it means I've no idea how the Michelin's perform in the wet, I only know that these Potenza's are poor. The car I saw at the dealership, inside (well lit) was the GT1, which had the Pilot Sports. One of the issues I had, in finding my Stinger, was getting Panthera Gray in AWD with the 19" tires. The other dealers in my area only had the AWD with the 18" tires. The place I went to, while farther away, was the only one that had it with the 19". That is what I was told by Brian, and what their site said. Turned out that was incorrect information as well, just like it having an electronically controlled suspension. I was ready and willing to get any Stinger, from the GT to the GT2. The good news is I don't have to buy 18" wheels, as I was looking into--to get the tires I want--the bad news is that my car is limited to 130mph (which is the reason I didn't want 18" wheels and looked all over for an AWD without 18" wheels). At this point, it looks like cancelling my lease is the only reasonable option. I wish you could just order your Stinger online and skip the dealership "experience". I probably won't be getting a Kia, and will just, begrudgingly, get a BMW. I REALLY didn't want to get a BMW, because I'm kind of against that brand, but, it looks like if I want a RWD biased V6, without all the BS, then BMW is my only option.

 

[westcoastGT]

unbelievable that you didnt know what you were buying and driving .........................

 

[Kazz]

Looks like I am going to have to update a couple threads. I started my road trip today and saw my car for the first time in full sunlight. I noticed that the tires are 18", with the Potenza 97's, so, this thread should be called "All Season Slip and Slide". These particular Potenza's aren't good tires, but it means I've no idea how the Michelin's perform in the wet, I only know that these Potenza's are poor. The car I saw at the dealership, inside (well lit) was the GT1, which had the Pilot Sports. One of the issues I had, in finding my Stinger, was getting Panthera Gray in AWD with the 19" tires. The other dealers in my area only had the AWD with the 18" tires. The place I went to, while farther away, was the only one that had it with the 19". That is what I was told by Brian, and what their site said. Turned out that was incorrect information as well, just like it having an electronically controlled suspension. I was ready and willing to get any Stinger, from the GT to the GT2. The good news is I don't have to buy 18" wheels, as I was looking into--to get the tires I want--the bad news is that my car is limited to 130mph (which is the reason I didn't want 18" wheels and looked all over for an AWD without 18" wheels). At this point, it looks like cancelling my lease is the only reasonable option. I wish you could just order your Stinger online and skip the dealership "experience". I probably won't be getting a Kia, and will just, begrudgingly, get a BMW. I REALLY didn't want to get a BMW, because I'm kind of against that brand, but, it looks like if I want a RWD biased V6, without all the BS, then BMW is my only option.

This now makes MUCH more sense.

 

[Waynerm002]

LOL! After all the talk about how bad the Michelin tires are, the research on replacement tires, even noticing you curbed the rims, you didn’t realize the tires you had were not the PS 4? Wow.

Be mindful of BMW, they won’t sell you a V6.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

LOL! After all the talk about how bad the Michelin tires are, the research on replacement tires, even noticing you curbed the rims, you didn’t realize the tires you had were not the PS 4? Wow.

Be mindful of BMW, they won’t sell you a V6.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. It was really a head smacking moment. Like I said, I felt like a total fool. Obviously I'm going to try to work with Kia to find a solution first (as the dealership has been non-responsive post sale, about anything). As for BMW, yes, I6. I've never driven a BMW, and may not like them. That's a real possibility. I've driven Audi's, and don't like those, nor Acura's or Lexus's. One step at a time. I do still have my 2008 Saab, and can continue driving that for the foreseeable future. My plan was to sell it, but I haven't put it on the market yet. So, there's that. My favorite cars are Renault Sport's, but obviously we can't buy those in the US.

 

[Waynerm002]

Well, you can order you up a set of the PS 4 (if you want to do a summer/winter setup) so you can really experience those, or order up a set of UHP AS tires that will handle the power of the car. Then trade it in a couple of years when the lease is up, by then I think they will have a sportier version or at least they will have addressed some of the things their customers want. Chalk this up as an experience and work on making sure the next one is exactly what you want. The comparable Audi/BMW cars are going to be smaller, less powerful and will cost you a lot more. You still have a great car, get better tires and drive the snot out of it.

I knew something was off in your original post as I test drove the Stinger on a very cold day, in winter, with the PS 4, RWD version of the Stinger and it gripped well after we warmed up the tires. Since you do like driving hard, I think all you need now is a set of better tires to appreciate the ride.

 

[Helo58]

Don't forget the forum classifieds, pretty sure I have seen tires for sale there previously.