Any one with "Sumitomo HTR Z III" Please comment

[kabel]

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]

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]

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!!

[chaudanova]

I'm putting a set of the HTR-Z III on this week, along with a performance alignment, so I'll letcha know what I think after...

[schnellman]

I've had mine on for over 5K now and as long as they're available I won't buy anything else. They corner every bit as hard as I ask them to. I don't drive in the snow. I only drive in the rain if I get "caught" out in it. (Like going to Porsches to Oxford.) They were fine, keeping in mind you're gonna have to slow down in the rain.

[mptoledo]

good to hear schnellman. I get my new shoes tomorrow!! I took the Box out on some winding roads tonight to see how the mich sports handled to compare them. I got a little cockey tonight, as I came up a crotch rocket with temp tags going down a 2 mile road with a couple "s" twisties and a "big hill ( I couldn't resist. ) I gunned it and passed him doing tiple digits. I should have prefaced by saying, I have driven the road a least a thousand times(lieteraly). I almost slowed down and waited just to see the look on his face, but why temp fate!!

Now I am going down the same road tomorrow just to see how my new shoes feel.

[mptoledo]

Ok, I got my sumitomo htr z III's on today. Had a nice suprise when I asked him(before install) what my OTD was going to be and I added "seeing tomorrow is my B-day(seriously it is)). He quoted me $700 otd. Tire rack would have been like $30 more. Not bad for a local shop. I was able to watch the install and it went flawlessly.

Now I have only driven them for like 10 miles, so of course they haven't even been broken in yet. Also I had a car full of KFC chicken as I was hungry, so I didn't get to test them on any twisties(more to come later).

Initial thoughts:
ride= like I was on rails
braking=seemed better than my Mich pilot sports
looks= Well they are black? Look like tires to me.
sound= could barely hear them,

So after 10 miles I am happy, but I need at least a couple thousand miles to really start to tell how they are. You know what that means? Road trip!!!

More to come, but so far if they keep it up, Sumitomo will be a welcomed cheaper alternative from my Mich pilot sports!!

Anybody in the central ohio area that needs a good Deal on tires,
Call Josh
Trinity Tire & Auto
771 Scioto St
Urbana,OH 43078-2172
Local: 937-653-5500

[kabel]

Give it about 100 miles of normal driving before pushing them too hard, let the mold release agent scrub off.