Yellow in N. VA

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/TiresTires.JPG"></center><p>I said in a previous post that I would give an update on my visit to "Tire Rack" during my return to VA. (My "spare"(never used) Pirelli 7000SS had a "bubble".)

My visit suddenly increased in urgency today when I hit a "bump" (not the bone -jarring kind) near West Des Moines, on the interstate. At the next gas-stop I looked at the tires and was horrified to see a new LARGE side-wall bubble on the impacted tire. The bubble curse lives & no spare without a bubble!

At some point I missed an exit (co-pilot/wife was asleep w/GPS+laptop) idiot driver drove 100+ round-trip miles out of the way.
Some quick calculations indicated I would not get to T.R.("Tire Rack") before closing so I upped the speed a weeeeee bit (more than one w/a bubbled tire ever should). I thought I could maybe make it at my new velocity. Maybe.
One of Indiana's finest was quite well hidden & took exception to my rather, lets just say, "unconventional speed". I don't know why, but this guy seemed a little appalled by my velocity. With amazing insight into my fine character he let me off with a warning. Well, maybe it was the look of sheer terror on my wife's face. Regaurdless, I continued on to T.R. at a somewhat reduced speed. Maybe in hope that I mis-understood the silly 4pm closing time. No one closes at 4pm on Friday! Well, Eddie told me they do. I got there at 4:30pm and a few folks who were still there kindly let me in. I told them my story(shorter than this) and I guess they took pity.(they didn't want to hear the long version?)

To get to the point(finally) they inspected both tires and immediately replaced the unused & useless "spare" free. The "bumped" one was at 50%, and they mounted & balanced both at N.C. All after closing. What great folks!

While I was there, Luke introduced himself & showed me all the wheels they have that fit an S4 plus the S4 they test with... it had, of course, Michelin Pilots & 18" BBS's (how are yours doing Jim D?)

Seriously, my opinion on the 7000ss's: another "tender" tire that outperforms the OEM's in varied conditions. Would I buy them again? Unfortunately, yes, when you travel from 4000+ miles in dry conditions on vacation & still need to handle heavy snow in the mountains, what else makes sense? It's a little tight to carry "snows" in the trunk with the luggage that does not fit by-itself, and I refuse to drive 4000+ miles with noisy, ill-handling snows on dry pavement.

Now, when is Michelin going to make an "all weather-performance tire" that fits the stock rims. Then I can beat-up their tire.

Again, my thanks to all those at "Tire Rack" who helped me out.

(Luke, thought I thought I should call your bluff and post the picture of my car in front of "Tire Rack")


ps. The worst thing about this "trek"? I will miss the PCR-QCUSA meet/drive tomorrow. I really wanted to go on that. Have a blast guys, and avoid the "bumps"!

nubS4

Dunlop SP5000's are supposed to be a "better" alternative vs. the P7000SS.

Yellow in N. VA

No doubt it is a better tire but it is not available in the 225/45x17 size

Luke@tirerack

You can run a 235/45-17 Dunlop SP Sport 5000

MoBrazen

Re: Why not SP 8000's???

Yellow S4 in N. VA.-TRB

In case anyone had a little too much time on their hands and was wondering why two names:

I am "Yellow S4 in N. VA.-TRB" on my desktop computer & "Imola S4 in N. VA.-TRB" when I am at my laptop. Just another idiocy.

Dank

You know you can log in as yourself on any computer... I use 4...

Yellow S4 in N. VA.-TRB

Only if you remember your password!

Luke@tirerack

no clearance problems of noticable side wall difference on the Sport 5000 ($116.00)