A&Q about 350Z
Q:
had an oil change today to reflect the end of my engine break-in period (1200 miles). was talking to the mechanic (who i've known for years and is extremely competent) about the potenzas, and he told me that i did not need snow tires for this car. he said the potenzas were sufficient, and that i would be throwing my money out. this surprised me, and i mentioned how many people (mainly from this site) have said just the opposite. then i called the dealer who reiterated what all of you have said about getting snows. trying to understand why my competent mechanic seems to feel that its a waste of money. any thoughts?
A:
uhh, do you live in florida or a state where there's no snow? if so your mechanic would be right. If not your mechanic is an idiot. The stock potenza's can NOT handle snow, i know from experience. i drive my Z all year and while the potenzas can handle freezing temps when it's dry out they dont do cold+wet/snow. I couldnt get out of my driveway with maybe 2 inches of snow fall. With that said ive yet to get winter tires just because it's not imperative for me to drive everyday since ive been in school the past 4 years. I'm in jersey and as long as it's dry out I drive my Z in the winter but if you live in a place where theres lots of snow/wetness and you need to get to work everyday you're gonna be in trouble.
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
Post Edited (Jun 22, 3:01pm)
A:
i live in philly, and know that when its really bad out that no one is going anywhere. but if i'm out and it starts to snow i'm screwed, right? really not sure why my guy told me not to bother with the snows. he said that as long as i have traction control on the car, that was good enough.
A:
yea, so you deal with pretty much the same weather i do...well im actually in philly now anyways. But, TCS doesnt matter at all...its not going to help you a bit when your tires are so hard that they pretty much become slicks. Honestly i tried to get to class last winter, there was at best 2 inches in my driveway(the roads were clear i just needed to get out of the driveway) and i couldnt do it. TCS is no help when the tires dont grip for crap, i was just sitting in my driveway spinning the tires.
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
A:
Your mechanic is completely mistaken. Potenzas are terrible in snow. You need a M+S rated tire...a GOOD M+S rated tire...
Believe only what you think, not what you feel.
A:
I agree with drivenz. I live in NJ also; and despite the past winter being mild, I attempted to drive in ~1-2 inches of snow to work (10 miles away). My Z was sliding even though I was driving no more than 30mph. Park your Z when snow is on the ground. Do not risk an accident, insurance in the northeast costs too much as it is (especially in NJ)! The Potenzas are reliable in only dry or rainy conditions.
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05 Super Black Touring
Post Edited (Jun 22, 4:19pm)
A:
where did you go? devon nissan dealer? on route 30 ...
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A:
i went to a service station on castor avenue in ne philly. thanks all for your input
A:
What DrivenZ, BLUZTRK , and godwino said is absolutely correct. I have some areas on my drive to work that are curvy and also those curves include some up and down angles of attack. In that position, with only a couple inches of wet snow on the road itself, our stock tires are not just dangerous, they are life threatening. I have driven a lot a high altitudes and very experienced in the slick stuff. But I got caught out at work in my Z and it snowed unexpectedly. I approached a windy downhill slope at 10 mph, repeat 10 mph, and the WHOLE car started sliding sideways at the first hint of curve and slope part. I had 2 curves on that down slope with big drop offs if I ran off the road. It took every ounce of driving skill I have learned in 30 plus years of performance and slick driving to keep that car on the road. And I still don't see how I did it. My other 2 cars with all season tires takes those curves under the same conditions easily all the time. I have a hill in my driveway and the limited slip and TCS are completely ineffective getting me up the driveay and the other cars with all season tires take it in stride with light snow on the road. Up to a point I do OK with the Z on very light snow that is not sticking to the road much, but you better not trust it very far if you have any slopes with curves. If there is any hint of snow in the forecast, my Z stays comfy in the garage. I may try some of those blizzak (spelling?) snow tires this winter and see if they do a good bit better. I think they will.
A:
My 2004 350Z (NYC) was immediately swapped from the Potenzas to a high performance all year round tire, Pilot Sports by Michelin. Excellent tires. My 2006 350Z which is now a second car I left with the factory Potenzas, I took delivery of the car during a major snow incident, and I gotta tell you that even on a flat street, I could BARELY release the clutch and the rear wheels just spun.
I highly recommend you get the Michelin Pilot Sports. They are a bit expensive, but you can keep 'em on the Z year round.
1981 Datsun 280ZX turbo , traded;
1984 Nissan 300ZX turbo , traded;
1983 Datsun 280ZX turbo 2+2, blown turbo, sold;
1983 Datsun 280ZX 2+2 5, sold;
2005 Nissan 350Z Enth 6 spd, traded;
2006 Nissan 350Z Touring 6 spd current
A:
Ive ran Fuzion ZRis on ice through curvey hilly roads on my 240sx, and ive ran Kuhmos on my Z32 in the snow and ice through the same roads. Im still here and I never wrecked either car or lost controll. If you're that worried about snow I wouldnt waste the money on tires id spend that $$ on a winter beater car. Just my opinion though.
A:
the Z is no worse than most cars in the bad weather as long as you've got snow tires on it, the potenzas just wont get it done. I've seen a video of some guy cruising around at normal speeds(40mph or so) in massachusettes(i think it was) in a blizzard with several inches of snow on the ground. He had blizzaks on and the car performed very well.
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
A:
Tires work fine for me in sub-freezing temps.
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
cantzmee,
what tires are you talking about?
A:
Potenzas
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
Pretty much what he was saying would be the same thing id tell you if you came into my shop and asked for a MSD 6AL box. Yeah sure it might help but what little itll help wont sufice you spending that much money.
A:
As an FYI - Speaking of tires, I took the advice from this forum and had my Potenzas' (10,500 miles) replaced with Michelin Pilot Sports (cost - $1068) a couple of weeks ago. I know, a bit expensive, but what an absolutely incredible difference. Quieter, smoother and I believe better cornering. As for snow - forget it, I refuse to subject my Z to the elements!
'04 Black Touring
A:
I've not had my Z long enough to know how it will do during our Kansas winters.... but I do have experience with the Potenzas on a S2000.
They're simply NOT a winter tire. As with any sticky performance tire ... the issue is as much about what happens to the tires when they're cold. Anytime the the temp got much below freezing -- the tires felt and acted like they were billiard balls .... not much bite at all. As I drive my cars all year round -- in all kinds of weather -- have opted for performance all seasons -- now running KUMO's -- as recommended by Jim at The Tire Rack. Lacks some grip on hot summer days..... but certainly better peice of mind when the road turns wet, icy, and cold.