LexBrett

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.

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

OBP

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.

LexBrett

Here are my new tires and wheels!

OBP

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.

LexBrett

I will def give an update in a few hundred miles and especially when it gets cold. So far I love these tires..