Anyone use any of the ultra high performance all season tires such as Pirelli P7000, Michelin Pilot XGT Z4, or Yokohama AVS S4-Z?

 

Yup! XGT Z4's

 

I've used these sorts of tires extensively on my Preludes and Integra. They do NOT have the traction of the stock S02s - not even close. The traction is more like the S02s at freezing temperatures where the S02 rubber compound has gotten pretty hard. The high-performance all-season tires also sacrifice snow traction for somewhat better dry traction so you don't want to use them in places that only snow tires will do. Since 99.999% of my winter driving is on plowed roads, that traction wan't a big deal but you need to exercise caution when snow and ice are on the road surfaces.

They're a reasonable compromise if you must drive in the snow and want better dry traction than snow tires over better snow traction. Beware of the RWD characteristics, though - reduced grip and the width of the rear tires can make for <ahem> interesting handling...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jguerdat
[B]

 

I've played around with snows, all season, high perf all season, and max performance tires on various Hondas over the years. My conclusion is:
1) it depends a lot on individual tires - not just the classification
2) snow tires give up quite a lot of grip and feel over all season in the dry - even when cold
3) max performance maintain an edge over all season high performance right down to about 30 degrees ambient temps PROVIDED THE TIRES ARE WARMED UP - it's before they are warm that you have to worry about.
4) it's not just about grip - it's also about feel and balance
5) in many cases, the max performance tires have better wet traction than the all season ones.
6) on ice, you have to have the ice tires - even the all seasons are not adequate (depending on design).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fireslayer
[B]The traction is more like the S02s at freezing temperatures where the S02 rubber compound has gotten pretty hard.

 

I don't think there is ever what is called a "High Performance All Season Tyre". Simply because everyone leans to one style of tyre preference, like good dry performance which sacrifices on the wet performance side. Or some like longer durability tyres, which sacrifices the grip offered from softer compound tyres. And so on ... That's how I see it anyway.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jguerdat
[B]

What's so hard to believe?

 

Wear ratings are a lot less useful than they are often thought to be. All season and winter tires may have a harder compound but that compound doesn't become (still) harder in cold weather like a soft tire might. They handle the cold better than a summer tire and probably provide better grip in very cold weather. Of course, I'm generalizing.

Remember too that wear ratings are manufacturer assigned and can't be compared from brand to brand.

 

the Pirellis, in my experience, sucked.
the were REALLY loud and experienced very fast wear.
in addition, while handling well in rain and VERY light snow they were useless in anything serious. also, they tended to break loose with little or no warning.
i'd look at the Toyos if you really want to compromise - but would probably instead suggest going S02 or similar for summer and full on Blizzaks or the like for the winter.