Pirrelli Sottozero Winter Tires- Review and Initial Impressions
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
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I recently purchased Pirello Sotozero 3 Winter Tires along with lighter wheels. I was previousely running Michelin Pilot Super Sports with heavy chrome wheels.
My fear with the Winter Tires was reduced ride quality, but after several terrible winters in the DC area I decided to go with a safer tire.
My intial driving impressions are as follows. These tires are incredible! Today it was 70 degress outside, and these Pirelli's felt better than many other summer tires I have used (i.e., Kumho, Conti. etc).
The ride quality is fantastic. I almost cannot even detect a reduced ride quality compared to my soft summer tires. There is a bit more stiffness, but it feels compliant and controlled. I also went over several small potholes today and the ride was still nice.
Noise is non-existent and even better than my summer tires. Traction seems outstanding, but I have not really had a chance to drive hard. Steering response is probably a little better with the Michelins, but it is stil very good with these winter tires.
Note that my observations to date are 70 degree whether. I expect that these winter tires will becomes even better when it actually becomes winter.![Woot](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
My wheels are 5 to 7 pounds lighter than my chrome wheels. I honestly cannot tell a difference at all in the reduced weight. If I did it over again I probably would have purchased another chrome set since they look so nice on my silver car.
When it gets colder I will update my review!
Lex
My fear with the Winter Tires was reduced ride quality, but after several terrible winters in the DC area I decided to go with a safer tire.
My intial driving impressions are as follows. These tires are incredible! Today it was 70 degress outside, and these Pirelli's felt better than many other summer tires I have used (i.e., Kumho, Conti. etc).
The ride quality is fantastic. I almost cannot even detect a reduced ride quality compared to my soft summer tires. There is a bit more stiffness, but it feels compliant and controlled. I also went over several small potholes today and the ride was still nice.
Noise is non-existent and even better than my summer tires. Traction seems outstanding, but I have not really had a chance to drive hard. Steering response is probably a little better with the Michelins, but it is stil very good with these winter tires.
Note that my observations to date are 70 degree whether. I expect that these winter tires will becomes even better when it actually becomes winter.
![Woot](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
My wheels are 5 to 7 pounds lighter than my chrome wheels. I honestly cannot tell a difference at all in the reduced weight. If I did it over again I probably would have purchased another chrome set since they look so nice on my silver car.
When it gets colder I will update my review!
Lex
#2
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I might join you soon - ordered a set of Falken Eurowinter tires and they go on tomorrow. Will post some impressions after I have ridden around with them for a week. Not expecting too much though cos they cost maybe a little more than half what Pirelli Sottozeros cost.
#4
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OK been riding around on my newly installed Falken Eurowinter HS 449 in OEM size on OEM 5 spoke twisties for about 24 hours now. I can detect a slight increase in road noise but nothing terrible compared with my Conti DWS. I get very minor vibration at about 45-50 mph but at highway speeds of 65-80, it feels solid. By comparison, for the DWS, I sometimes get minor vibration at 65 mph so I am not any worse off. It feels like cornering performance is little bit softer than my Conti DWS ( which are not the best for hard cornering anyway ) and it feels like braking performance in 60 degree temps are a bit less good than my DWS but I suspect the last two points will get better as the tires are fully broken in and temps drop.
Overall, for how much I paid for brand new winter tires ( $560 out the door, installed), I am totally OK with what I got for now.
As a comp, last December/Jan when I installed brand new Bridgestone Blizzaks on a spare set of 18 inch AMG rims for my Benz, I paid about $750 or so for tires, mount and balance and they performed pretty much perfect with no real difference in ride quality vs the OEM Conti Pro Contact ( also on 18 inch AMG rims ).
Net net, 24 hours into my new set of winter tires, I am reasonably happy.
LexBrett, let us know how your Sottozeros feel after a few hundred miles. I like your new rims BTW.
I'll post again on my new Falkens in a few weeks.
Overall, for how much I paid for brand new winter tires ( $560 out the door, installed), I am totally OK with what I got for now.
As a comp, last December/Jan when I installed brand new Bridgestone Blizzaks on a spare set of 18 inch AMG rims for my Benz, I paid about $750 or so for tires, mount and balance and they performed pretty much perfect with no real difference in ride quality vs the OEM Conti Pro Contact ( also on 18 inch AMG rims ).
Net net, 24 hours into my new set of winter tires, I am reasonably happy.
LexBrett, let us know how your Sottozeros feel after a few hundred miles. I like your new rims BTW.
I'll post again on my new Falkens in a few weeks.
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
OK been riding around on my newly installed Falken Eurowinter HS 449 in OEM size on OEM 5 spoke twisties for about 24 hours now. I can detect a slight increase in road noise but nothing terrible compared with my Conti DWS. I get very minor vibration at about 45-50 mph but at highway speeds of 65-80, it feels solid. By comparison, for the DWS, I sometimes get minor vibration at 65 mph so I am not any worse off. It feels like cornering performance is little bit softer than my Conti DWS ( which are not the best for hard cornering anyway ) and it feels like braking performance in 60 degree temps are a bit less good than my DWS but I suspect the last two points will get better as the tires are fully broken in and temps drop.
Overall, for how much I paid for brand new winter tires ( $560 out the door, installed), I am totally OK with what I got for now.
As a comp, last December/Jan when I installed brand new Bridgestone Blizzaks on a spare set of 18 inch AMG rims for my Benz, I paid about $750 or so for tires, mount and balance and they performed pretty much perfect with no real difference in ride quality vs the OEM Conti Pro Contact ( also on 18 inch AMG rims ).
Net net, 24 hours into my new set of winter tires, I am reasonably happy.
LexBrett, let us know how your Sottozeros feel after a few hundred miles. I like your new rims BTW.
I'll post again on my new Falkens in a few weeks.
Overall, for how much I paid for brand new winter tires ( $560 out the door, installed), I am totally OK with what I got for now.
As a comp, last December/Jan when I installed brand new Bridgestone Blizzaks on a spare set of 18 inch AMG rims for my Benz, I paid about $750 or so for tires, mount and balance and they performed pretty much perfect with no real difference in ride quality vs the OEM Conti Pro Contact ( also on 18 inch AMG rims ).
Net net, 24 hours into my new set of winter tires, I am reasonably happy.
LexBrett, let us know how your Sottozeros feel after a few hundred miles. I like your new rims BTW.
I'll post again on my new Falkens in a few weeks.
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