Pirelli P Zero (2016)

[notabenem]

Hi Everybody,

My DSG Cupra 290 arrived with Pirelli P Zeros. After some googling, investigation and comparing thread patterns I came to the conclusions that these must be the new Pirelli P Zeros, specifically the "Luxury Sedan" type announced back in April 2016.

More info here: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-New-Pirelli-P-Zero-Launched.htm
and here: http://www.pzero.com/en-gb/pzerohub

The article states, that these (the luxury sedan type) are only available through OEMs.

My impressions with this tyre are mixed. On one hand, they are silent above expectations (or the car is for that matter, comfort mode, 130kmh), but wheel spin is below expectations (sometimes even in comfort mode, dry road). I am far from the sub 6s 0-100 acceleration, because of wheel spin. Some may point out it may be because the tyres did not reach their working temperature and they may be true. Could not find any material about the optimal temperature for this tyres.

These tyres were also given a very respectable 2nd place in the latest tyre reviews test: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/91860/pirelli-p-zero-review
Note that the article mentions specifically the 'replacement' tyres, i.e. the 'sport' version, no the luxury saloon (OEM) types.

The point... I will have to change these tyres, eventually, especially since I am about to go for a racetrack in a week and who knows how will the OEM tyres look like afterwards? As this is an event organized by SEAT I may even collect some information about the optimal tyre temp.

Anyway, I'd like to solicit some knowledge whether to go for the 'sport' Pirelli P Zeros (not the super-sport model codenamed 'CORSA') as a replacement for more traction and +- same noise/comfort, or should I rather go for Michelin's Pilot Sport 3 or Pilot Sport Cup 2? The PS4 reaching #1 position in the latest tyrereview apparently is not manufactured in 235/35, so it's out of choice.

What should I expect from the Pilot Sport or Sport Cup 2 tyres in terms of noise? I've already read that in terms of grip they are wonderful.

 

[notabenem]

please move

Mods, please move this topic from the FAQ to the regular Leon 5f forum and then delete this (2nd) post. I posted here by mistake.
thank you.

 

[notabenem]

Took my Cupra for a little work-out today: 20 min on a racetrack. Me and the car absolutely loved it.

The lessons learned:

• These Pirellis likely don't reach nowhere near optimal temperatures when on regular roads. When they reach it, however, they stick to my finger as a glue. Means I can't expect full performance on regular roads/highways.

• Had absolutely no wheel spin on the track, but this for multiple reasons:

• the tyres reached optimal temperature

• 
  the track is covered with rubber, hence extra traction is available

• it's rare to go below 50kmh on a racetrack

• 
  it's great how in corners the tyres let you know you're getting close to the limits. That progressive whistle is fantastic indicator. But given that this was my very first day on track, I am sure I was quite far from the real limits. Better safe than sorry. Still, it was a very exhilarating experience.

I wonder how do the Michelins compare on road and on the racetrack?

 

[Dean290]

I also have the P Zero's and I have had the same experience. From a standing start while experimenting the other day (after normal driving) the tyres still spin up and don't let me get a quick launch. I'm still learning how to best launch the car but I am not impressed at all.

In the wet they are bloody awful, having a play on a damp/wet twisty road but with no standing water the other day, A road I know very well and have driven on a lot with all my previous cars and the tyres were gash.

I will soon be looking at replacing all 4 so I will be doing a bit of research into which are the best to go with

 

[notabenem]

Reportedly the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is one hell of a tyre and the best for the Cupra - for a mix of performance and comfort on road.

I haven't had them, but am a bit afraid regarding the noise level. The the P Zero's are quite quiet, which I like, as 80% of my drives are with family. For this reason (and a bit lesser price) I am looking into Michelin Pilot Sport 4 as a potential replacement in 2017. Hopefully, by that time they'll start producing the 235/35 R19 sizes as currently it's not on offer. After 9000 km the P Zeros still have more than half of the tread.

In case you decide to try the Cup 2s', let me know, what do you think about the noise level.

 

[notabenem]

Switched yesterday to Continenal WinterContact 850P tyres (235/35 R19).
On a wet road they definitely provide a better grip. In dry... yet to be evaluated. They are brand new. Today I noticed that in some cases they were slipping without any extraordinary noise and the ESP did not kick in.

As for noise level, they a bit noisier than the Pirellis. Same road, same speed (50kmh), same car, same discs, same measurement devices they tend to give 1-2 dBi more noise in average. I have also noticed cyclic tyre noise that I haven't heard before with the Pirellis. Will post back later.

 

[Das Chin]

winter tyres will always work better from start and in colder weather. they have a very different compound and construction to summer tyres with more silicon in the rubber compound. Even when its freezing cold they feel soft to touch not hard like summer tyres they have more tread depth and the tread pattern is more aggressive and you will see more road noise with winters or even all season tyres.

winters are designed to work under 7 degrees and they are much softer so will grip better and bite into a cold road.

get them hot or run them in hot weather and your car will under steer like a cross channel ferry and the tread will start to break up as it over heats! bit like running wets on the track and then its stops raining. time to get off and quickly!

PZeros will need heat to really get working and they are a summer tyre as opposed to all season so you will see wheel spin and lack of grip in this weather and when starting. once you have heat into them then they will start working fine.

Cup 2s are great tyres....as long as its warm and dry. I run them on my GT3 but this is a summer car. try running cup2 when its 1 degrees outside and damp. your car will be all over the place, wheel spinning and be a pig to drive. mind you they are a lot better than the Cup1s which offered no grip or feel when wet or cold.

get it on track and the Cup2s come alive with the new compound and harder sidewalls. helps with grip and steering feel.