This might be a stupid question so I API if so. I've been told by a tire salesperson that treadwear numbers (I have Potenza OEM tires RE050A "140 treadwear)don't matter that much when using summer performance tires. He said that buying the best quality tire matters most. Is there any truth in this?
Is this why potenza tires cost so much with a low TW count while I see tires with a 560TW count that cost 40-50% less?

 

Treadwear ratings are relative. They are to be used to compare one model of a certain brand to another model only of the same brand. A Bridgestone 140 isn't necessarily the same as a Michelin 140.

Lower treadwear number simply means a softer rubber compound on the tread that will wear away faster. Generally that will also indicate greater dry traction as well. You generally wouldn't expect a tire with a very high treadwear rating to be a soft sticky tire with tons of grip. Thrill be a touring tire that doesn't have the traction performance if a summer max performance tire.

So he's kind of right but that's a bad way to explain it. You can find tires with greater treadwear than 140 that still perform very well. Some as high as 300 or more.

 

Any suggestions as to what to replace the OEM 19" wheels with that will offer similar perfomace that might last longer. At this rate I will need new tires at 5000 miles.

 

^What he said...but again there are other factors that can contribute to grip. The construction of the tire, stiffness of sidewall, and tread pattern all affect handling and grip.

Generally yes, a softer compound will heat up quickly and stick to the road, but will wear faster as a result. A harder compound tire wont grip as well in most cases, but also won't wear as quickly.

It really comes down to your priorities and how much life and your willing to sacrifice for performance or vice versa.

 

So Knowing this what tire/s would your recommend to replace the OEM Potenza's?

 

A lot of people seem to like the Hankook Evo V12 as a inexpensive replacement especially with after-market wheels.

 

Hankook Ventus V12 evo, Yokohama S-Drive, Sumitomo HTR Z III are a few to consider that all provide good performance and have better treadweear than the OEM Bridgestones.

 

Meant to say replacement tires
Not replacemet wheels. The wheels are 19" OEM's. Does that change your opinion of the
Hankook's.

 

Get the Ventus V12's. You won't be sorry.

 

Thanks to all for the info

 

i have the hankooks ventus v12's and the only thing i dont like is the sidewall is way too soft. im going to look into vredestein ultrac sessanta tires next.

 

Anybody else? Please feel free to chime in. Any feedback on Yokohama S. Drive tires?

 

Are you concerned about multiple layered compounds or heat cycling? If that sounds like a foreign language, then stick to the above mentioned tires.

Also, are you exposing the tires to aggressive driving (turning)?

 

I have similar concerns. Any thoughts on Continental DWS or General (AS-03) for the 19's?

Tirerack doesn't list the DWS as directly compatible....

 

My main concern is how the tires handle through aggressive cornering in dry and wet conditions.