Time to replace tires on Cup Car

aaronazevedo

Veteran Member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Location
Carlsbad, CA
TDI
2010 Jetta Cup
I've searched and searched, and can't find much info out there, so I'm starting a new thread. I've got 40k on my 2010 Cup Car and I need to start looking for replacement tires.

The car came stock with Pirelli P Zero Nero tires. They have lasted much longer than I thought they would. I've been religious about rotating them every 5k miles. The main drawback to these tires is the road noise. They are a very noisy tire! Its rough to carry on long conversations over bluetooth without the person on the other end complaining about tire drone.

I understand there probably aren't a lot of Cup owners or folks running 18 inch wheels on this forum, but I'd be interested in first hand feedback. I've done some searching on tirerack.com where I can compare durability, performance, and noise, but again, first hand experience would be better.

thanks in advance, Aaron
 

ToeBall

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2010
Location
Houston, TX
TDI
2010 VW Jetta Wagon TDI
I've searched and searched, and can't find much info out there, so I'm starting a new thread. I've got 40k on my 2010 Cup Car and I need to start looking for replacement tires.
The car came stock with Pirelli P Zero Nero tires. They have lasted much longer than I thought they would. I've been religious about rotating them every 5k miles. The main drawback to these tires is the road noise. They are a very noisy tire! Its rough to carry on long conversations over bluetooth without the person on the other end complaining about tire drone.
I understand there probably aren't a lot of Cup owners or folks running 18 inch wheels on this forum, but I'd be interested in first hand feedback. I've done some searching on tirerack.com where I can compare durability, performance, and noise, but again, first hand experience would be better.
thanks in advance, Aaron
I ran the Bridgestone RE050 Pole Positions on my car for a while. They're also as loud and wear about as well but the wet and dry traction is unbelievable. Surprisingly, they actually did ok on snow, but they don't like ice.
 

aaronazevedo

Veteran Member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Location
Carlsbad, CA
TDI
2010 Jetta Cup
Sorry guys - I should have added that I live in SoCal and am fortunate enough to be completely spoiled weather-wise. Rain is seldom an issue and snow is never an issue. i'm just looking for the magical tire selection for good tread-wear, good performance, and QUIET! Thanks!
 

Pathy01

Active member
Joined
Aug 14, 2011
Location
Long Island, NY
TDI
2012 Golf TDI
Sorry guys - I should have added that I live in SoCal and am fortunate enough to be completely spoiled weather-wise. Rain is seldom an issue and snow is never an issue. i'm just looking for the magical tire selection for good tread-wear, good performance, and QUIET! Thanks!
I don't have a cup car, but I've been extremely happy with Continental Extreme Contact DW tires on a JCW MINI (215/45/17) and BMW 335i (245/35/19 & 275/30/19). They are a max performance summer tire that's extremely comfortable & quiet with excellent grip and very good tread wear for the category They're the quietest and best riding max performance tires I've ever run and they really don't give up anything when it comes to performance. I'd look at these or the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport which are getting rave review and are reasonably priced for now (expect the price to increase once they're established themselves in the market).
 

aaronazevedo

Veteran Member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Location
Carlsbad, CA
TDI
2010 Jetta Cup
I don't have a cup car, but I've been extremely happy with Continental Extreme Contact DW tires on a JCW MINI (215/45/17) and BMW 335i (245/35/19 & 275/30/19). They are a max performance summer tire that's extremely comfortable & quiet with excellent grip and very good tread wear for the category They're the quietest and best riding max performance tires I've ever run and they really don't give up anything when it comes to performance. I'd look at these or the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport which are getting rave review and are reasonably priced for now (expect the price to increase once they're established themselves in the market).
The Continental Extreme Contact DW also got great reviews on Tirerack.com. Price is great as well. Looks like I got a quick answer here. Many thanks!!!
 

veedubfreak

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Location
Denver, Colorado
TDI
2011 golf
The Continental Extreme Contact DW also got great reviews on Tirerack.com. Price is great as well. Looks like I got a quick answer here. Many thanks!!!
I ordered the conti dws's for my 19's. So far all the reviews seem to be glorious. Couple of the guys from the discount where I frequent said they haven't had anyone complain about them.
 

Pathy01

Active member
Joined
Aug 14, 2011
Location
Long Island, NY
TDI
2012 Golf TDI
I ordered the conti dws's for my 19's. So far all the reviews seem to be glorious. Couple of the guys from the discount where I frequent said they haven't had anyone complain about them.
Just want to clarify that the DW and DWS are very different tires despite their similar names. The DWS are an outstanding all season tire but like every all season, they are a compromise to maintain usability at lower temperatures and longer treadwear demanded by most all season users. The DW is a dedicated summer /3 season (or all year for those in warm climates like the OP) that trades sub 40 degree traction and tread wear rating for significantly better performance.

Both are great tires, but they are very different.
 

veedubfreak

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Location
Denver, Colorado
TDI
2011 golf
Just want to clarify that the DW and DWS are very different tires despite their similar names. The DWS are an outstanding all season tire but like every all season, they are a compromise to maintain usability at lower temperatures and longer treadwear demanded by most all season users. The DW is a dedicated summer /3 season (or all year for those in warm climates like the OP) that trades sub 40 degree traction and tread wear rating for significantly better performance.

Both are great tires, but they are very different.
Ya, dedicated summers aren't exactly an option in Colorado. I'm hoping to make it through this winter without snows. If we get absolutely crapped on this season I'll buy snows, but we got 3 whole snows in the city last winter so I'm going to chance it. Although I have a feeling 235s are gonna float a smidge :p
 

Pathy01

Active member
Joined
Aug 14, 2011
Location
Long Island, NY
TDI
2012 Golf TDI
Ya, dedicated summers aren't exactly an option in Colorado. I'm hoping to make it through this winter without snows. If we get absolutely crapped on this season I'll buy snows, but we got 3 whole snows in the city last winter so I'm going to chance it. Although I have a feeling 235s are gonna float a smidge :p
Yeah I'm in NY and deal with the same situation of really not getting a ton of snow, but summer tires definitely not being a good idea for any kind of frozen precipitation, or even giving much grip in the dry when it's cold. I usually prefer a summer tire for 3 seasons and a dedicated snow, but that has been on more performance oriented cars. The TDI is more of a practical, all around daily driver so I may stick with all seasons once I get a feel for how well they work this winter. If I was in Cali, and could get away with it, I prefer the way a summer tire performs.
 

bhutchins

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Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Location
SW Portland OR
TDI
Jetta TDiCup, 02Q built Sept 2010
consumer reports (Oct 2011) just rated 225/40R18 ultra high performance summer and all season tires, your P-zero-nero are rated #1 all season,they also rated UHP summer tires, for things including noise. Partial list (top 10)

Brand & Model, Approx price, Overall score, Dry braking, Dry handling, Wet braking, Wet handling. Hydroplaning, Ride, Noise, Rolling resistance, Tread life
Michelin Pilot Super Sport $211 90 5 5 5 4 5 4 3 4 4
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric $185 82 5 5 4 5 5 3 4 3 1
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT $184 82 5 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 $220 82 5 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 1
Continental Extreme Contact DW $163 80 5 4 4 4 5 3 4 3 2
Hankook Ventus V12 evo $112 80 5 4 5 4 4 3 4 3 2
Pirelli P-Zero $208 78 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 2 1
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT $167 78 5 4 4 4 5 3 2 3 2
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW $144 78 5 4 4 4 5 3 1 2 3
Kumho Ecsta SPT $102 78 5 4 5 4 5 3 3 3 1
 
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nhdoc

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Dec 14, 2009
Location
Nashua, NH
TDI
'01 GLS NB TDI 5 Speed
I've been impressed with the Pirellis which came with my cup car. When it came with them I dreaded the idea of running Pirelli tires after an experience I had on another car where a set barely lasted 15K miles but these have been wearing well and give acceptable winter performance. I suspect the hard rubber which is what makes them last so long plus the nature of super low profile tires contributes to the road noise, though, I must say, I don't think mine are "unusually" noisy. I would be curious to hear the OP's impressions of the new tires and how they compare noise-wise with the old ones.
 

nikhsub1

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Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Location
Los Angeles
TDI
2015 Golf R
I have 18" DWS on my JSW, I decided on them due to their all weather ability and reported long life. Being my car is a wagon and a diesel I figured I really didn't need super sticky max performance summer tires. I, like you live in los angeles and so far the DWSes have been the BEST tires I've ever owned. They are scary quiet and are very smooth. Their dry characteristics have been terrific so far and I have pushed them quite a bit in the twisties. I think I have found my perfect tire. I imagine the DWs should be just a quiet but with more dry weather grip...
 

Bluerabbit0886

Active member
Joined
Aug 18, 2011
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Golf TDI
Try Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs. I have them on my R32 and the traction is incredible both dry and wet. The tires are silent as well.

Fairly inexpensive for the level of performance you get from these tires (rated 2nd overall on Tire Rack).
 

Elfnmagik

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Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Location
Sherman's Ashtray
TDI
Currently De-Dub'd
I have a set of DWS on my TDI and a set of General Altimax HP on my Volvo 850, both installed at the same time. With the VW having a much, much more compliant ride than my old 850, I was shocked at how much the Generals smoothed out the ride comparatively. They are also quieter, have great grip, excellent in the weather, are cheaper, and they are also made by Continental. I wished I would have put them on my VW.
 

aaronazevedo

Veteran Member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Location
Carlsbad, CA
TDI
2010 Jetta Cup
I've been impressed with the Pirellis which came with my cup car. When it came with them I dreaded the idea of running Pirelli tires after an experience I had on another car where a set barely lasted 15K miles but these have been wearing well and give acceptable winter performance. I suspect the hard rubber which is what makes them last so long plus the nature of super low profile tires contributes to the road noise, though, I must say, I don't think mine are "unusually" noisy. I would be curious to hear the OP's impressions of the new tires and how they compare noise-wise with the old ones.
nhdoc - I too have been impressed with the p-zeros. I ran similar on my old 993 and it chewed right through them in 12k (maybe alignment!?) miles, but on my TDi Cup, like I said, I'm at 40k and have a bit left. I agree on the hard rubber. I regularly spin the front wheels in second (Revo tune) during weekend fun times. Other than that, on the weekday commute the tires have been great, but as they wear, they are getting SUPER noisy. I'll be sure to post on what I think of the DW's. I think I'm heading in that direction.
 

nhdoc

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Dec 14, 2009
Location
Nashua, NH
TDI
'01 GLS NB TDI 5 Speed
nhdoc - I too have been impressed with the p-zeros. I ran similar on my old 993 and it chewed right through them in 12k (maybe alignment!?) miles, but on my TDi Cup, like I said, I'm at 40k and have a bit left. I agree on the hard rubber. I regularly spin the front wheels in second (Revo tune) during weekend fun times. Other than that, on the weekday commute the tires have been great, but as they wear, they are getting SUPER noisy. I'll be sure to post on what I think of the DW's. I think I'm heading in that direction.
I'd check the old tires for cupping or a sawtooth pattern and if they have developed this definitely have the alignment checked (toe in especially) to prevent your new tires from the same fate.
 

bhutchins

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Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Location
SW Portland OR
TDI
Jetta TDiCup, 02Q built Sept 2010
I have a 4x4 for winter roads, and I cant stand the Dunlop SP Sport 01 A/S tires that came on it. An America's tire grand opening incentive of $100 prepaid visa for purchase of 4 tires + trade in of my old tires with only 7k miles, I'm putting on the Michilen Pilot Super Sports!
 

BovvyD

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2011
Location
Austin, TX
TDI
2011 6MT Golf TDI
Try Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs. I have them on my R32 and the traction is incredible both dry and wet. The tires are silent as well.

Fairly inexpensive for the level of performance you get from these tires (rated 2nd overall on Tire Rack).

I would second this. Fantastic tires. Tend to wear a bit fast though.
 

dpg

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Joined
Jan 28, 2010
Location
Chi-Town
TDI
2013 JSW TDI, 2010 JSW - retired
I used to have a set of vredestein tires on my vette and really liked them. Not sure if they have your size available though
 

AndySRT

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Location
cary il
TDI
2010 cup car
I would second this. Fantastic tires. Tend to wear a bit fast though.
I agree I have about 20 k mi on mine still a tiny bit of tread left. They get very loud after about 10k miles and ill be replacing them next year. 20k isn't bad for about 5 Autocross events and daily driving.
 

DasTeknoViking

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2010
Location
Palatine IL
TDI
B4 TDi, A4 R32
I used to change tires on my R32 all the time, had PZero Nero and couldn't wait to dump em early. I sold them used on Craig's List and replaced them with Toyo Proxes4 all seasons which where a night and day difference. I run Hankook Ventus V12 on the car right now, super tires ! Zero noises and handles like a dream. My next set will be V12s again.
 

VLS_GUY

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Joined
Sep 27, 2006
Location
Camarillo, CA
TDI
2002 Bug, Skid Plate, Stage 1 Upsolute
I have been looking at UHP Tires for my M3 and the sports car drivers in my town in Southern California think the best UHP summer tire is the Michelin Super Sport. The best value is the Hankook V12 based on price. The differences between the Hankook and the Michelin are:
The Hankook has softer side walls making it a better riding tire but it also looses responsiveness. I was told definitely not an autocross tire. It is also 2/3 the price of the Michelin.
The Michelin has better responsiveness and a 30,000 mile warranty. Be forewarned: The Michelin warranty only applies to cars that can rotate their tires. If you have staggered wheels sizes you can't rotate and this cuts the warranty in half. Meaning the warranty counts for little for such cars.
Bottom line for the Hankooks: If you autocross look elsewhere. If you are using your car for as a cruiser the Hankooks will do fine particularly if you have staggered wheels.
 
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