Bye bye Pirreli "Runcraps"... Hello Pirelli PZero Nero

[czechT698]

Hello everyone!

As some of you might remeber, a few weeks ago I hit a pothole so huge that my rim adopted an egg like apperance. The 225/45/17 Pirelli Eufori@ Runcrap was ruined as well... Since I had to replace both of the rear tyres anyway, I thought about letting the runflats go... What a clever choice... While at it, I also wanted a more sporty handling and thus went for the new Pirelli PZero Nero (2010 edition) in 235/40/17 to increase width while decrasing sidewall... Here are some pictures of what the setup actually looks like... Might not be seen well in the Nokia N96 pictures, but it is the sexiest tyre ever

As you can see there is plenty room for a possible drop, which I am considereing, but my guardian angel keeps telling me not to do it...

As for the ride....


WOW WOW WOW - a completly different ride.... Here is a list of all the issues that I used to face and which are now solved and gone completly:

- twitchy and unprecitable steering
- steering wheel moving itself and my hands along with it
- poor performance when speeding in curves
- uncomfort and frequent butt massages
- vibrations and tramlining

Yes, all of these are now gone... NOTE: Might be slightly biased as I had the bushings (rubber pieces on wishbones I think) also replaced. However I thank the tyres the most... Now for the performance, I still wanna bed them in before I try them out harder but so far I am more than happy - curves which I used to take at 70 kmh with death in my eyes I now take at 90 kmh with one hand on the wheel and a smile in my face... If anyone is considering this, I reccomend the setup as well as the actual tyre itself. Fitment is not an issue as I have the OEM sport suspension, in fact there is even room to go lower.

PS: Thanks to everyone who answered my questions in my previous "pothole" thread regarding the fitment of 235/40/17

 

[WLH]

Sorry, I missed your last post...
That size certainly will fit and good move losing the RF's...
FYI a 235/45-17 will also fit but that become about the limit on the front of a Z4 without rubbing issues.

WLH, regarding the tyres 235/40/17, I ran them on the tyre calculator compared to the OEM 225/45/17 and this is what came out regarding to fender clearence : "Package will stick out 5 mm (0.2'') farther. Acceptable for most cars." As my Z4 has the OEM lower sport suspension, will the extra 5mm cause any rubbing on the fenders? Sorry for my questions but I have to be sure. I never checked my Z for fender clearence in the past therefore I am kind of blind regarding the issue.

 

[czechT698]

WLH, haha no prob, thanks for the help I decided to move to the 40 sidewall mainly because I got a good price on them and I wanted a more grippy feeling All of that was fulfilled - they are really brilliant, expensive though

 

[czechT698]

hmmm, a set of XYZ brakes could fill the whells nicely

 

[czechT698]

WLH, Is it possible or just to fit spacers only on the rear? +20mm could come in handy but only on the rear axle af the front has limited space if lowered in the future

 

[WLH]

Yes you can run spacers just on the rear and I am pretty sure the recommended max is 15mm.

 

[aquazi]

Ahh another option to the Falkens people rave about - and better for me as i know someone who works at the Pirelli plant in Burton so gets a staff discount.

Be interested to hear how you get on with these and their longevity. I had Pzero's many years ago but wasnt a massive fan of them back then - they turned 50p shape on me!

 

[czechT698]

Yep the longetivity is now the main issue will keep you posted if you remind me As for the Pzero, this is an updated 2010 edition with several fixed bugs and issues of the previous series.... I will see to what extent this is BS or not...

 

[a11y]

We fitted PZero Nero's to my wife's Fabia vRS 5 months ago and I think they're great all-rounders. Appear to be decent in the wet/cold but yet to test them in the dry/warm. I'm not sure if the sidewalls are the most durable though as we already replaced one where a sidewall had failed - no visible evidence of pothole damage, but the same apparently happened to a mate's PZero Nero too.

 

[czechT698]

a11y, what was the year that they were made? These are the fresh 2010 with "fixed bugs". I hope they hold up! They do get some decent pounding on our roads but so far I am most happy and they seem to be holding up well. I will report back after some time of usage but so far I can say that undershifting for some reason does not require a rev match as agressive as before :? As for the weight they are incredibly light as well comapred to the Runcraps, the car does not feel heavy footed anymore So far I highly recomend, I would go for the Falkens, but I managed to get a good deal and I also needed something that can keep up with my agressive driving

 

[a11y]

I presume 2009, as we had them fitted in September last year. Hopefully it was just a dodgy batch that was manufactured - the other 3 original tyres plus the replacement one fitted approx 8 weeks ago are perfect.

 

[epbrown]

We fitted PZero Nero's to my wife's Fabia vRS 5 months ago and I think they're great all-rounders. Appear to be decent in the wet/cold but yet to test them in the dry/warm. I'm not sure if the sidewalls are the most durable though as we already replaced one where a sidewall had failed - no visible evidence of pothole damage, but the same apparently happened to a mate's PZero Nero too.

My CSLs came with P-zeros and the sidewalls bubbled on 3 of the 4 tires within 6 months. I replaced them with PS2s.

 

[a11y]

We fitted PZero Nero's to my wife's Fabia vRS 5 months ago and I think they're great all-rounders. Appear to be decent in the wet/cold but yet to test them in the dry/warm. I'm not sure if the sidewalls are the most durable though as we already replaced one where a sidewall had failed - no visible evidence of pothole damage, but the same apparently happened to a mate's PZero Nero too.

My CSLs came with P-zeros and the sidewalls bubbled on 3 of the 4 tires within 6 months. I replaced them with PS2s.

Hmm, that's the exact same thing that happened to the failed sidewall was as you describe: bubbled. Perhaps best avoiding them (in the UK at least) until the old stock is gone.

 

[powerontap]

A sexy 17'' ?

 

[czechT698]

wow, I hope my will turn up OK. Ok so regarding the performance: (Note: z4 = my 1st car, my 1st sport car and I can only comapre to the Eurofi@ runflat)
-amazing dry grip
- braking much better
- corners I did at 70 with death in my eyes I now cut at 90 with a grin on my face

thats about it... Stay tuned to wet review

Definately the sexiest 17" setup. 245/35/17 might also be cool if lowered