blooms4

I am running 225 45 17. Started with original equipment Potenzas and had several bubbles on the sidewalls. I have now switched to Pirelli P6000 and have had good luck for about 8 months. However, now another bubble problem. Any advice for going to a different tire of the same size versus switching to a higher aspect ratio. I live where there are many potholes.
Thanks!

Spdgeek

Both those tires are fairly known for bubbling, try Toyo T1S or Mich Pilot Sport

Digger Killer

to make a long story short, i went though 6 potenza's (4 bubbles and two blowouts). i did some research and although the michellin's may not be the best summer tire, or have the best traction, they have the strongest/thickest sidewall construction, and that is what i needed, and it seems to be what you need. after having them for this long w/o ANY problems, i can attest for the michellin's to be a superb tire in the dry as well as in the rain, i HIGHLY reccomend them; look @ www.tirerack.com for their review and info/prices. BTW, i have the ZR rated, it's worth the extra $11 for added performance.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12294/pilotsports2.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12294/mi_pilot_sport.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare2.jsp?compare=true&partNumber=&make=&model= &price=&width=225%2F&ratio=45&diameter=17&sortCode =&speedRating=&qty=&stockMessage=&type=T&URL=&newC ompare=true&AddToUser=true&manufacturer=Michelin&s tar

muppco

while some have stronger sidewalls than others, as a whole, 45 series tires will just not hold up as well to pot hole impacts as the same tires in the more traditional 55 and 60 series.

I've put approx 14,000 mi. on my RE040's so far with no problems of any kind - but I carefully avoid pot holes in the summer and switched to 215/55x60 winter tires during the winter months when roads are at their worst. That was about 4,000 mi. on bad roads w/o any tire or wheel damage.

blooms4

Thanks for the information. I'm leaning to going with the Michelin Pilot Sports. However, mulling going from 45 series to 55 series. I guess 55 is the best protection from bubbles. But does this mess up the odometer and speedometer? Can my dealer recalibrate easily?

agent s

Are you refering to top speed or grip? From what I understand, the Z-speed rating is a general speed rating for speeds over 149 MPH. A Y-speed rated tire is good for speeds up to 186 MPH.

Digger Killer

just get the new tires and drive more carefully IMHO

agent s

but your steering response and handling will decline.

S42002

If you switch to 16" rims then you can either go with P205 55 ZR 16 or P225 50 ZR 16. Either of these sizes will keep the total circumfernece of the tire patch the same, while increasing the sidewall height. If you want to go this route the I would suggest you either do a search on 16 inch tires on this forum or call Luke at TireRack to determine which 16" rims fit the S4. Hope this helped some. Either a Y or a Z speed rated tire would be fine.
As far as tires that bubble are concerned I have read about the following bubbling, in order of reports: Bridgestone RE040, Pirrelli P6000, Continental, Michelin Pilot Sport. I have not read of any issues with either the Toyos, the Yokohamas or the Bridgestone SP02s & SP03s.

Rook

Z's have softer rubber than V's, which translates to better grip.