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

schnellman · 08-04-2009, 04:58 PM

MPToledo - I've sent you a PM.

mptoledo · 08-05-2009, 12:56 PM

Ok second day 100 mile update:I know only 100 miles, but I gotta throw this out.

Boy was I getting pissed off!! I had this god awful vibration and a little noise coming from my tires when I pulled out of my driveway and onto the road. It lasted about 2 to 3 miles and thank god went away. I know all about flat spots, but over night? I was warned by a lot of reviewers on this. Anyways after I got my shoes warmed up I did about 50 or so miles of easy driving and I couldn't even hear them and absolutely no vibration. I then tried my 10 mile personal track(back country roads). Lots of twisties hills and suprises

(just ask schnellman (If he had the stones to try it

). It was darn close to a frickin roller coaster as you can get. I almost went airborn a couple times. Damn that was a cool feeling!!

I am very impressed. These tires are sticky!! I am at least doubling every curve sign. I did notice a little roll but they are still really young so I will give them time. It might even be that I am not used to them yet. Braking was excellent and I seriously tried to do a controlled rear end slide around one corner. No dice. It was like I was on rails.

Two thumbs up so far, but we are only in the first inning on these puppies!! More to come later.

Side note: I wouldn't endorse a product if I wasn't sold on it. I have the stones to take them back and get something better. Even if I had to pay more!! So if they suck, I will eat crow and tell you they suck.

schnellman · 08-05-2009, 01:06 PM

I ran both of your routes this morning. You're right, a ******************** load of fun. I've been to the castles several times, but never took that road up the hill to the left. And, the Sumitomos stuck like glue.
Thanks again for sharing your routing information!
Before this morning's run I had been on vacation for two weeks and the Box sat in the garage. I noticed no flat spotting when I hit the road.

mptoledo · 08-05-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnellman

I ran both of your routes this morning. You're right, a ******************** load of fun. I've been to the castles several times, but never took that road up the hill to the left. And, the Sumitomos stuck like glue.
Thanks again for sharing your routing information!
Before this morning's run I had been on vacation for two weeks and the Box sat in the garage. I noticed no flat spotting when I hit the road.

Maybe it's cause they are new and haven't been broken in yet, or maybe cause I live on a state route and have to get upto 55(at least) out of my drive. they are less noticeable if you are driving in the city at slower speeds.

I love those roads out by the castle's. Its a great scenic route for ohio!! ludlow road south back to urbana is a fun ride home(past ohio caverns). Bellefontaine has some great roads to the east and north as its the highest point in Ohio and they even have a ski slope (

). Well kind of, i think its a big hill!! I am hitting those next. I can't remember the names of the road but will write them down for you.

Well guys its my B-day(seriously) so I am off to bracken's pub for my free petrone shot. At least I know my escape route if A cop is stupid enough to try and chase me. I doubt he can handle the back road twisties at 90mph

mptoledo · 08-10-2009, 08:18 AM

Ok, 1 week, 300 mile udpate on the tires.

1.) They do get flat spots really quick, like in 6 hours. But they go away real quick so not a deal breaker. You barely notice at low speeds but I live on a st rt and have to get up to speed quickly and for about 4 miles from town.
2.) Still love my new shoes. I finally got them to break loose. I was pulling out of the drive thru, and saw a truck a little closer than I thought. I dropped my trip down to 1st and did a sideways slide for about 2 feet, startled me, but not too much. It wasn't as cool as when I had my corvette as it has the perfect slide and grip action, but I am still giving it some time as practice makes perfect!!
3.) We had some rain the other day, so I couldn't resist testing them on wet surfaces. I waited an hour for the oil and crap to get washed off the road and they seemed fine. Of course they weren't as sticky and broke loose around corners when I wanted them to. But under normal driving they were perfect.
4.) Ride and road noise are still better than expected especially for a $700 tire.

Overall, still very, very happy and extremely more wealthy.
Yes I would definitely buy them again.

Afterthought, I live in a rural area of Ohio(ok BFE(bumb fuked egypt)) and it is very common to pick up a piece of metal or glass. I wanted a tire I could replace without waiting till payday and postponing my mortgage payment,

and without sacrificing handling and ride. These look like the ticket(OH, bad choice of words)

I need a good road trip for some serious mileage!! Anybody up for a roadtrip from Central OH to like KY, TN, INDY or even Pittsburgh? It could be a blast!!

pbronson · 08-10-2009, 10:58 AM

My experience -- the Sumitomos are a fine tire, with better ratings and better tread life than the Michelins on my 2003 Boxster. Ditto for replacing Michelins on the wife's Cayenne Turbo. I put Hankooks on and have been very happy with them. Great tire, but they all should be force balanced to get the most from them and improve ride and handling. Also, it pays to get some sporty summer wheels to go with those new tires in my climate (Ohio). After I change the wheels out a couple of times to put on and replace winter tires, the savings on mounting and balancing pays for the great after-market oversized wheels. Tire Rack does force-balancing on all tire-wheel pkgs and it is outstanding. I have been very unimpressed with Michelins. Wear out fast, overpriced and often leak air.

KevinH1990 · 09-15-2009, 07:32 PM

This thread and numerous on-line reviews convinced me to give the Sumitomos a try. I bought a set of four from Tire Rack about a month ago and had them installed today. At a price of $70 for the fronts (205/50R17) and $99 for the rears (255/40R17) I figured they were worth a try.

I've driven them about 5 miles, and the only feedback I have is that they are quieter than the worn out tires I replaced.

mptoledo - Any more updates at higher mileage?

blue2000s · 08-05-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mptoledo

Ok second day 100 mile update:I know only 100 miles, but I gotta throw this out.

Boy was I getting pissed off!! I had this god awful vibration and a little noise coming from my tires when I pulled out of my driveway and onto the road. It lasted about 2 to 3 miles and thank god went away. I know all about flat spots, but over night? I was warned by a lot of reviewers on this.

My Continentals flat spot overnight, actually so do my Fuzion HRs, and they're not even sticky.