Tire Review Question - Pirelli PZero Nero M&S

[AJ]

Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $125ea

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/pirelli/pi_p_zero_nero_ms_ci2_l.jpg

Has anyone used these before? They are listed as "Ultra High Performance All-Season"


"The P Zero Nero (ne' ro - Italian for black) M+S Ultra High Performance All-Season tire was designed specifically for the North American market to provide cars with a sporty disposition, year-round traction and handling. The P Zero Nero M+S is Pirelli's choice for drivers who want to drive their car through America's various weather conditions, including occasional light snow.

On the outside, the P Zero Nero M+S radial's silica-enhanced tread compound is blended to provide adhesive characteristics during high temperatures in the dry and low temperatures in the wet or snow. This compound is molded into an asymmetric tread design that features stable outside shoulder blocks combined with notched, continuous center ribs that increase footprint rigidity to enhance grip during acceleration and braking. Shoulder grooves and circumferential channels allow water to flow through the tread design to resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction. On the inside, the P Zero Nero M+S features twin steel belts to provide strength and durability on top of a polyester cord body."


For my car (the Speed6) I only have two other listed choices for 18s:

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 $195ea
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/bridgestone/bs_bliz_lm22.jpg

Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero $149ea
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/pirelli/pi_winter_240_sottozero_ci2_l.jpg

These two are listed as "Performance Winter".

I Just don't know which would be better for winter driving on a daily basis if we get to the point where we need to drive both cars. And right now it looks like I will have a need to be driving both cars due to a PT afternoon gig a few days a week and saturdays as needed.

So what would people suggest? Another $25 for the winter performance tire or go with the All Seasons even though they are listed as "ultra high performance".

Getting a complete set of 17s just isn't in the budget right now for us.

[Kracka]

Get the "winter performance". Without a doubt, the true winter tires will be far better in all conditions below 40 degress. HP all-seasons are kind of a joke, they are never very good in snow, and I wouldn't take them through anything but a very light snow. All the M+S rating means is that there is enough empty void in the tread pattern, it has nothing to do with actual ability.

The car came with dedicated summer tires, you might as well get dedicated winter tires for the other half of the year.

[AJ]

Updated first post with correct 2nd tire info and name. Also, based on a getting a winter performance tire, woudl anyone take the Pirelli over the Blizzak for any other reason than the cost.

[Kracka]

Link me to the Tirerack description pages of each tire please. Can't tell much by looking at just a picture ;)

[AJ]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?width=215%2F&ratio=45&diameter=18&sortCode=53450&minSpeedRating=V&ratio=45&width=215%2F&diameter=18&minLoad=S&vehicleSearch=true&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&performance=UHPAS&performance=HPAS&performance=PAS&performance=GTAS&performance=ST&performance=AS&performance=W&speed_rating=Q&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&RunFlat=All&x=29&y=10

[Kracka]

The Blizzak will be better in deep snow, but the Sottozero will perform better on dry roads. If it were me with my money, I'd go for the Sottozero's since they will still dominate any all-season tire in the snow and on the ice.

[Jana]

I agree. I really don't think Blizzak's are worth the money, unless you plan on driving in snow all the time (which doesn't happen in MN).

[Kracka]

^ Exactly. Blizzak's are great if you do constant snow driving, but they wear out very quickly on dry pavement. Blizzaks are good for 2 seasons if you are lucky, you should get 3 for sure out of the Sottozeros.

Are the Dunlop Wintersport M3's available in your size? They are a great performance snow tire.

[AJ]

Thats the only 3 I saw avaialble form TR.

[CVD]

Word to what Hughes says. Hi-Po all seasons dont do dick in snow, they are just a summer tire with shittier tread, harder rubber, and a snow rating.
Go with the Pirelli snow tires. I'm guessing they are harder compound and should last longer than the blizzaks. Cheap snow tires, even ones with harder compound, are going to be better than almost any all seasons. You really cant go wrong, so go cheap.