Any one with "Sumitomo HTR Z III" Please comment - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

mptoledo · 07-31-2009, 11:45 AM

Thanks for all the input folks,

I just got back from my local tire guy, he said the fronts were in pretty good shape(pilot sport), but it would cost almost as much to put 2 new Mich sports on the rear as it would be to get 4 new Sumitomo HTR Z III. He also said with 4 new the ride would be better than 2new/2 45% fronts. He originally recommended General UHPs

. I felt for $100 more the sumitomo's were much better.

So I ordered the Sumitomo HTR Z III 18's. I will post a review after a few thousand miles and let you all know. If they are as good as everybody says then they are definately a great/cheaper alternative to the high dollar tires.

Mikeoh, I was looking at the f1 asyms, but they were about $300 more.

Topless · 07-31-2009, 01:34 PM

I have a fairly fresh set of Sumi HTRZ (180 treadwear not HTRZ III) that came with a set of 17" takeoff wheels. I had planned to mount R-Comp tires on the wheels and ditch the Sumis. I have changed my mind. These are really nice street/daily driver tires. Very predictable, quiet, good road manners, good traction wet or dry. I now have several spirited canyon carving days and 1 track day on them. I highly recommend.

They don't have the crisp turn in or absolute grip of my last set of PS2s but they are a joy to drive around town or "going deep" in twisty mountain roads. The one downside is track days. In continuous fast laps on a warm day grip fades pretty quickly. Where PS2s would really hang in there the Sumis start to get greasy by lap 3 or 4. I will run out these tires as my new daily driver tire. The R-comps are going on the other set of rims for the track.

yimmy149 · 07-31-2009, 01:40 PM

Yeah, I'd def avoid mixing tires front/rear. I did that on another car and it was difficult to drive on the freeway due to each tread pattern following the ruts in the road differently. Felt like the car had casters in the back.

mptoledo · 07-31-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yimmy149

Yeah, I'd def avoid mixing tires front/rear. I did that on another car and it was difficult to drive on the freeway due to each tread pattern following the ruts in the road differently. Felt like the car had casters in the back.

Yeah, I wasn't going to mix, I had just thought about replacing the rears with identical Michelins, but the cost would be within $100 of getting 4 sumits. Seems like a no brainer. I do like the Michelins for the short period I had them, so i will compare them to the Sumits when I have put some miles on them.

Frodo · 07-31-2009, 07:12 PM

Hey mp---with all that money you saved on that Box of yours, I'd think you'd have plenty left in reserves for another set of new PS2s

mptoledo · 07-31-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frodo

Hey mp---with all that money you saved on that Box of yours, I'd think you'd have plenty left in reserves for another set of new PS2s

Ok smart azz!!

Do you actually save money if you have to spend it on your porsche later? Actually I now need a new top/rear window. Mine developed two 1/2" cracks on each side right were the window bends(of course). It was a California car so I am sure the sun dried the plastic window out. Thing that rubs my rubbarb is that the top is in like new condition. If it isn't one thing its another with these damn cars (still worth it) . I am going to try to put some clear silicon cauk stuff on it for now. So my next project is to see if I can sew in a new window and seal it myself. If I can't then what the heck, I need a new top anyways.

What do you think of this? waste of time or worth a shot?
http://www.emiata.com/BoxsterWindow.htm

944boy · 08-01-2009, 11:52 AM

I just have to speak up once more. I now have nearly 5K on my HTR Z III's. I am more than impressed and will most definitely buy them again. I have plenty of fun winging around corners, they are very progressive and have held up great to a severe beating.

Also we get a good amount of rain here in the NW and I think they do great in the rain. Better than other tires I have had.

mptoledo · 08-01-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 944boy

I just have to speak up once more. I now have nearly 5K on my HTR Z III's. I am more than impressed and will most definitely buy them again. I have plenty of fun winging around corners, they are very progressive and have held up great to a severe beating.

Also we get a good amount of rain here in the NW and I think they do great in the rain. Better than other tires I have had.

Thanks for the reassurance. I get mine put on tuesday for about $750(otd). Not frickin bad for a local shop. Only $15 more than tire rack(installed). Plus if I got a problem, i got a real person to help me. Anybody in the Urbana Ohio area(43078) look up Josh at trinity tires. He is a good honest Chritian guy who has been in some facet of cars all his life.

I was most concerned with water traction as we get a lot of rain in central ohio.

kabel · 08-01-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mptoledo

I am going to try to put some clear silicon cauk stuff on it for now. So my next project is to see if I can sew in a new window and seal it myself. If I can't then what the heck, I need a new top anyways.

What do you think of this? waste of time or worth a shot?
http://www.emiata.com/BoxsterWindow.htm

Been there, did the fix myself with a kit. It is a lot of work, much more than I had anticipated. I would recommend you find a shop willing to stitch in a new window with the canvas still on the frame. The entire convertible top (canvas & frame) is surprisingly easy to remove. Most shops want to remove the canvas from the frame, that is where it gets expensive.

See also:
DYI rear plastic window.

Cracked Plastic

Replacing plastic back window '01 Boxster's Top

If your on Renntech I sort-of took over another thread about a top, there are a couple pics there as well as some discussion of the process:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/inde...287&#entry94287

I used a clear silicone caulking as a temp fix till it got too bad and ghetto looking.

PlayersExpress · 08-01-2009, 02:25 PM

I first had a set of Falken FK-452s that I loved, when they wore out, from recommendation I went with the HTR Z IIIs and I didnt care for them at all. Now I have another set of Falken FK-452s... They are the best tire for the money if youre looking to be frugal but have a tire comparable to the Michellens.

Im never going to put anything other than Falkens on the car unless i get other tires for free. The HTR Z IIIs didnt live up to my driving or expectations whatsoever

mptoledo · 08-01-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabel

Been there, did the fix myself with a kit. It is a lot of work, much more than I had anticipated. I would recommend you find a shop willing to stitch in a new window with the canvas still on the frame.
I used a clear silicone caulking as a temp fix till it got too bad and ghetto looking.

That is my next project. I am going to do research on different types of plastic and weigh my option of just getting a glass top. As I already understand the glass is much smaller than the original. Not really a deal breaker as the only time I put my top up is when I go into a store or in inclement weather(of course).

I have seen these on ebay, are they worth my time and money?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-Boxster-1997-98-99-00-2001-2002-Convertible-Top_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQha shZitem58826934bcQQitemZ380145054908QQptZMotorsQ5f CarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Oh, by the way, thanks for all the links. I really get a kick out of learning by others mistakes. Even though I will probably make the same mistake!!

I am half tempted to buy a second boxster just for parts, as it might be cheaper in the long run!!