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Problem with Pirelli Pzero System !

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Old 03-08-2002, 10:32 PM
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Jean-Marc
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Post Problem with Pirelli Pzero System !

I recently felt absoluetly horrible vibrations in my car. It was really weired as sometimes I could feel that the vibration was coming from the rear (i.e. shaking in the but and the dead pedal) and when breaking or releasing the throttle, from the front (i.e steering wheel shaking). I decided to go to a local shop in Atlanta where they balance tires both on and off the car to see what they could for me. Well, they lifted the car and turned each wheel on its own freely and showed me tire deformation on the inside and all around each tire. They told me that it was typical with Pirelli and that that's why they never recommend Pirellis. I've had 4 sets of Pzeros and this is the first time that I have something like this... Anyway, they told me that they had a bunch of similar Pzeros at the back of the store and claimed that Pirelli does not help customers who have this issue. Bottom line, I ordered a set of SO3s even though these tires (N3s if it matters) had les than 4000 miles and are not worn at all!!!
Bummer. Anyone else with similar issue?
BTW, my car's a 996 but not many guys on the 996 forum know as much as you guys so I posted here
Old 03-08-2002, 11:08 PM
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PorschePhD
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I had the exact same thing happen to me. I thought I had lost a wheel bearing or something. Ended up the left rear tire ripped on the inside of the wall. I ended up doing the S03 route my self. Now I have a different problem now. Firestone bent all four of my hollow spoke wheels. LOL, I can't win
Stephen
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Old 03-09-2002, 12:19 AM
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ads 993
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I had a similar experience with pirelli 6000s when they first came out(not on p car). They shifted belts on 3 of 4 tires with only about 5000 km. By that time they were so worn out that prorated warranty was useless. Following this I had the sidewalls blister on the p-zeros (on a volvo that my wife drove).

I will never buy a pirelli tire again.

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Old 03-09-2002, 01:48 AM
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Viken
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Jean-Marc,

I am pretty sure that your case is isolated and this is not a common Pirelli occurrence. I have had several Pirelli tires (P7, P6, P700, P600, P-Zero) on many different cars over 20+ years and have never experienced this problem. OTOH, I've had out-of-round tires on occasion and none were Pirelli's. Also, I find it strange that all four tires exhibited the same thing. It could be a bad "N3" production batch for which, I would contact Pirelli and request an investigation.
Old 03-09-2002, 01:55 AM
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Jean-Marc
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[quote]Originally posted by Viken:
<strong>Jean-Marc,

I am pretty sure that your case is isolated and this is not a common Pirelli occurrence. I have had several Pirelli tires (P7, P6, P700, P600, P-Zero) on many different cars over 20+ years and have never experienced this problem. OTOH, I've had out-of-round tires on occasion and none were Pirelli's. Also, I find it strange that all four tires exhibited the same thing. It could be a bad "N3" production batch for which, I would contact Pirelli and request an investigation.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Viken,
As I wrote, it's the first time on 4 sets... The guys at Gran Tursimo however have told me that 40% of the Pirellis they sold on Porsches came back one way or another... As you know, I've always been a proponent of Pirelli (bot for street and slicks on my cup car) but it appears that this is indeed a common occurence. You should have seen the tire when it was spinning. It looked like it was "blistered" everywhere, kind of a wavy pattern instead of the round...
Anyway, I'll post on the SO3s. They go on Wednesday (BTW, $2500 of tire/mounting/balancing etc on the street car in 6 months does NOT make me happy!)
JM
Old 03-09-2002, 03:13 AM
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RT7
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Jean-Marc,

I had similar experience couple years ago with Michelin MMX. Both rear tires went out like yours at the same time, couldn't figure out why.

Peace!
Ron
Old 03-09-2002, 05:06 AM
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kevin993c4
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Jean-Marc, I think you'll like the S03s. I just had them installed on my car couple months ago. They have been awesome so far.
Old 03-09-2002, 05:21 AM
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993RS
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kkcy993c4,
How did they compare to the S-02's?
Old 03-09-2002, 07:08 AM
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TB993tt
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I have put 10K miles on a set of S03s 225/40-285/30 on 9"x18 and 11"x18 and would give them an N4 rating for 993 use. Excellent grip (similar to S02) in the wet and relatively (breakaway in a tuned 993tt is never gradual) gradual breakaway in the dry. They're maybe 50% worn at the back yet which is a bonus.
Old 03-09-2002, 07:46 AM
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TB993tt
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Forget that 50% worn, I have just got down on the floor and checked. There is about 3mm of tread left on the rears. Bearing in mind how much there is to start with they are probably 75-80% worn. Still not bad though
Old 03-09-2002, 03:40 PM
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RS,

Check this out. It should give you more information.

<a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/bridgestone/bs_s03.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/bridgestone/bs_s03.jsp</a>
Old 03-09-2002, 04:04 PM
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Chris C.
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JM:

The guys at another tire dealer I used to frequent told me the same stories, blaming it on Pirelli's quality control.

With all due respect to Viken's preferences, I know of no one else who likes the P-zeros. They have the added disadvantage of not offering a rim protection ridge, too.

I up for one more set of s02s on the rears, then I may have to try the s03s. Please post your experiences.
Old 03-09-2002, 04:25 PM
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Jean Marc,

Sorry to hear about your problems. About 6-7 years ago, I swore off Dunlops because of repeated out-of-round experiences with their 8000 series of tires.

I used to put Pirelli P6's on my 1985 Honda Civic and found them to be excellent tires. In addition, the Pirelli Dragon Evos on my Duc are hands-down the best motorcycle tires I've ever experienced. Hopefully, my new P-Zero C's will work well for the DE season this year, without any of the problems exprerienced above.

Like others, I've also been pleased with the S-02s on my 993TT, and may go to S-03s for street use the next time around.

BTW, if I hadn't just purchased the M3, I'd be very interested in your beautiful Cup car!!
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
Old 03-09-2002, 04:33 PM
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Jean-Marc
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Thanks guys. You know I've also like Pirelli a lot and this is the first problem in 4 sets but my only other comparison was Continental which are all round tires and not at all sports tires so noe that I have this problem, I'm almost looking forward to the change it's juts 10,000 miles too eraly!
JM

PS Anir, the cup car will stay for sale for a long time so you may still be able to buy it someday....
Old 03-09-2002, 04:34 PM
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Jean-Marc
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