[bombfactory]

I figured I couldn't go wrong with Michelins, even used. Unfortunately the PS2 is no longer available (and hideously expensive anyway) new in the rear size I wanted to use - 285/30-18. All tires appear to be in fine shape though. Fronts are about 75%, rears around 50-60%, dated 2009. I'll check the direction on them when I get home, and fiddle with the air pressure a bit.



BTW, the noise is a steady roar, not a humming or whirring type tread noise. The tires have no unusual tread wear at all.



Nothing like solving one problem only to create another. Seems to be my typical MO on this car...!

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[flash]

do yourself a favor, and lift the car and spin the wheel, looking for variances in the tire.

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[ds968]

Ron must have bought them from the guy that sells oranges at the Hollywood freeway / Sunset Blvd exit ramp..

Ron ? Ron ? Bueller ? Bueller. ..? Where are you ? Besides, if we know Ron, he would have detected a problem with a piece of chewing gum stuck to the tire tread throwing it out of perfection.. ;-)



I also heard PS 2 is no longer manufactured, and has been replaced by PS 3 ..also hideously expensive.. Is this true ?

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[bombfactory]

The new Pilot Super Sport looks like it has the same tread pattern as the PS2.



Just checked pressure - 39 lbs. all around. So that explains the slightly harsh ride. I took 'em all down to 34 lbs. I don't see how it would, but I'll see if it has any effect on the noise this weekend.

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[flash]

you'll lose some harshness and likely gain some noise. you'll also lose some traction. the soft sidewalls won't like 34 on an 18"rim either. prepare for inner corner bruising. been there, bent that

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[bombfactory]

Maybe the tires, being used, are 'worn in' in one direction, then got mounted on my car going the other direction, and don't like it. Could that be why they're so noisy? They're not directional, so I'll try swapping wheels left to right this weekend and see if that does anything.



Are any tires these days directional? In other words, there's a specific left and right side tire?

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[flash]

absolutely could be a wear pattern thing.



not any normal street tires that are specific left and right that i know of, but you would have to dismount and remount them to swap sides if they were normal directional tires. mine are like that.

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[bombfactory]

PS2's do have a specific inside and an outside, but evidently the tread pattern is not so directional that they require the tire to rotate in a particular direction. If swapping sides solves my noise issue I'm going to be a very happy boy. I'll git er done tomorrow.

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[ds968]

I'm getting a similar vibration in the MBZ with the Bridgestone Turanzas which have about 30k mi on them now. Not a steering wheel shimmy, or shudder, just a perfectly even, consistent, very light vibrating chair-like turbulence felt throughout the entire chassis and seats. It's more noticeable at higher speeds but that's to be expected. No noises of any kind ( as in a wheel bearing, or tire howling, ) associated with this and accelerating, decelerating is very smooth as is everything else ..) Since I have free lifetime rotation and balancing service at the tire store where I buy these I'll have that done first, and if the "vibe" is still there afterwards I'm guessing it's most likely the wear pattern on the tires and will look into getting new ones. Pity because at 30k miles the tread left on these is still more than 60% according to the tire store guys that measured it.

I'm getting a similar vibration in the MBZ with the Bridgestone Turanzas which have about 30k mi on them now. Not a steering wheel shimmy, or shudder, just a perfectly even, consistent, very light vibrating chair-like turbulence felt throughout the entire chassis and seats. It's more noticeable at higher speeds but that's to be expected. No noises of any kind ( as in a wheel bearing, or tire howling, ) associated with this and accelerating, decelerating is very smooth as is everything else ..) Since I have free lifetime rotation and balancing service at the tire store where I buy these I'll have that done first, and if the "vibe" is still there afterwards I'm guessing it's most likely the wear pattern on the tires and will look into getting new ones. Pity because at 30k miles the tread left on these is still more than 60% according to the tire store guys that measured it.



sorry, not sure why it posted the paragraph twice, but it won't allow me to edit one of the segments out..

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[Rap]

I am looking for new tires and as I read these threads it seems somewhat like this decision can be hit or miss. Is there a tire that people have used with success?

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[Cloud9...68]

Tires are very hit and miss, because there are so many factors that impact how happy you'll be with a particular type. The reviews on Tire Rack might be helpful, but you'll find a huge range opinions on the exact same tire. It depends on the type of car, driver preference, inflation pressure, alignment, and on and on and on. Plus I suspect there may in fact be a fair amount of variation even within a specific model of tire. Personally, I'm thrilled with my Sumitomo HTRZIII's, but I've read and heard of people who absolutely hate them. At least they're inexpensive, so if you don't like them, you won't have wasted $1000.

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[Rap]

Yes I have been on Tire Rack and noticed the divergency of opinion. Thanks for the lead though.

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[ds968]

The Summis HTRZIII are getting great reviews from everyone I know who has them on a 968 ( granted, we're talking about only three people in that category, but I have neither seen nor heard any negative views on those tires yet ..). However, since my experience with PS2 has been nothing short of stellar, I will probably graduate to the PS3 next ..just to stick with a sure thing.

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[lbpesq]

I also have the Sumitomos. I love how they handle, both in dry and wet weather. My rears wore out pretty quick, but the toe-in may not have been set right and I've heard around here that that will adversely affect wear. Nevertheless, at the price, I don't mind going through them fast.



Bill

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[Langley968]

I also have Sumitomos and they have been very good.

No "tramlining", very quiet, good traction and a great price!

One of the rear tires has worn out prematurely on the outside, probably because I did NOT get a four wheel alignment.

I should have got Sumitomos for my SAAB last month... Next time...

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[bombfactory]

I took a close look (and feel) of the tread on my used tires and noticed some very slight feathering - to varying degrees on some of the rows of tread blocks, one edge of each block is slightly higher (maybe 0.5mm) than the other edge. This is what's causing the tread noise.



Yesterday I took the car out to Cook's Corner (on part of the route we took on the Ortega run), and the noise has dropped considerably since the tires were first installed - I decided not to swap the wheels left to right. I think they just need to wear in a bit on my car and they should be fine.



And overall handling and steering is MUCH improved - these tires have transformed the car and brought it back to life! Once I get the alignment done at West End, it should be a cornering monster - finally!

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[Cloud9...68]

Hmmm... I wouldn't expect the "feathering" (aka "cupping") to get better as the tires wear. The original Pirelli's on our old 1993 BMW 325is (a wonderful car overall) started developing a significant amount of noise at about 10K miles, and by 20K, the sounded like an early-90's Hyndai with 150K miles on it. BMW replaced the tires for free. If I were you, I'd go back to the store you got the tires and point this out to them, especially given how much they cost.

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[bombfactory]

I got them all used, about a hundred bucks a pop, from three different sources, so returning them is pretty much a no go. They make the car handle so much better though - I'll live with them and endure the noise until I can set aside the cash for a new set.



Earlier I mentioned PS2's were no longer available in 285/30-18. Well, I just saw this on Tire Rack:



   



Check the price though. Ouch.

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[Cloud9...68]

"Check the price though. Ouch."



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



That's just nuts. PS2's are definitely good tires, and have always finished near the top in competitive tire tests, but I can't remember reading a test where they came in first. They're good, but they're not THAT good.

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[ds968]

IMHO, they might not necessarily be the best in every single category ( though even in that respect they manage to always stay in the top two or there ) for the first 10k miles or so, but after that and for the rest of the tire's life/ performance I'd doubt anything, any other tire can match it..

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