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Just had my 1st experience with the potenza's in rain...yikes!

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Old Jun 17, 2003 | 07:48 PM
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Just had my 1st experience with the potenza's in rain...yikes!

They seem to do alright if the road is just wet, along with the occasional spinning of the tires from the tourqe of the 3.5, but if you go through any type of standing water what so ever.. then look out! I felt like I was in a video game.. and was afraid to pass cars in case I drove through a puddle and started hydro-plaining. A new suspension and better tires are definetely in order. I have this urge to make myself wait til the warranty runs out but we'll see how long that lasts.
Old Jun 17, 2003 | 08:06 PM
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Re: Just had my 1st experience with the potenza's in rain...yikes!

Originally posted by UCF_94lude
They seem to do alright if the road is just wet, along with the occasional spinning of the tires from the tourqe of the 3.5, but if you go through any type of standing water what so ever.. then look out! I felt like I was in a video game.. and was afraid to pass cars in case I drove through a puddle and started hydro-plaining. A new suspension and better tires are definetely in order. I have this urge to make myself wait til the warranty runs out but we'll see how long that lasts.
It has nothing to do with the 3.5, 3.0 or anything else. They just plain suck!!!

Get rid of them QUICKLY!!!

Welcome to the long list of those who have switched and not EVER looked back!!!
Old Jun 17, 2003 | 08:08 PM
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Re: Just had my 1st experience with the potenza's in rain...yikes!

Originally posted by UCF_94lude
They seem to do alright if the road is just wet, along with the occasional spinning of the tires from the tourqe of the 3.5, but if you go through any type of standing water what so ever.. then look out! I felt like I was in a video game.. and was afraid to pass cars in case I drove through a puddle and started hydro-plaining. A new suspension and better tires are definetely in order. I have this urge to make myself wait til the warranty runs out but we'll see how long that lasts.
I feel the same way. Most people say that they suck really bad but the rain performance has been fine for me. It wasn't until I went out one day with flooded / puddled roads that it scared the hell out of me. I was slowing to a crawl on the highway just to go through the water

So do other tires help with the displacement of a puddle of standing water? I saw other drivers go through them with no problem and I was like WTF?
Old Jun 17, 2003 | 08:11 PM
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Re: Re: Just had my 1st experience with the potenza's in rain...yikes!

Originally posted by spta97


I feel the same way. Most people say that they suck really bad but the rain performance has been fine for me. It wasn't until I went out one day with flooded / puddled roads that it scared the hell out of me. I was slowing to a crawl on the highway just to go through the water

So do other tires help with the displacement of a puddle of standing water? I saw other drivers go through them with no problem and I was like WTF?
Old Jun 17, 2003 | 11:36 PM
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In all honesty, these tires are actually pretty unsafe in the water or slick roadways. A while back there was a thread titled 'potenza caused accident' or something of the sort where a maxima rearended someone because their tires were not in very good grip with the ground...
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 12:50 AM
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I could drive better on wet roads with slicks then potenzas. THEY SUCK @SS! Now I can fly through water with no worries at all. I have Yoko AVS ES100's 235/45 on the stock wheels. You wont belive how much more stable it feels, especially on the freeways!
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 04:25 AM
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I loved my RE92's those things start smoking immediatly and are perfect to win burnout contests at Nopi
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 07:58 AM
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Yeah I know what you mean I still have my Blowtenzas on, and when I drive through puddles, it's feels like I'm actually hitting something, the car jolts and I can feel myself floating on the water and loosing control.

I'm beating on what's left of the Potenzas before I get rid of them. I've got 18K on the car so I hate to get rid of new tires, but it's becoming a matter of life or death so I'll have to get new ones soon regardless.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 08:14 AM
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i got rid of mine at 42k.. man were they death traps..love my Kumho Esta's.. they have so much grip!!
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 08:16 AM
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Fortunately, I live where it only rains on and off a few months a year (November-April). I figure if I can get through next season I'll unload these crappy tires for some better ones at that point. Most of the streets I drive on do a fairly good job of removing water anyway so I haven't had a problem yet.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 08:22 AM
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Originally posted by HitManSE
I could drive better on wet roads with slicks then potenzas. THEY SUCK @SS! Now I can fly through water with no worries at all. I have Yoko AVS ES100's 235/45 on the stock wheels. You wont belive how much more stable it feels, especially on the freeways!

ES100's!!

Old Jun 18, 2003 | 08:23 AM
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I just bought my 03 about amonth ago and have been reading in this forum since. You guys are really scaring me about these tires. I haven't had any bad experiences as of yet.

Anyways, I went to tirerack.com and found these tires, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, anyone have experiences with it? Kind of pricey at $197 each...


Old Jun 18, 2003 | 09:03 AM
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yeah the suck huge *****...got my p zeros on order
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 10:04 AM
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You guys might want to try BF Goodrich G-Force KDWS (the all-seasons)

I just suggested those to my friend after research and he loves them. He drives a mustang and says when it rains, it is much more stable.

Those are my next set of tires after the Teranza's tread dies
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 11:59 AM
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OK,

So it's not just me. I have never driven on tires that were so prone to hydroplaning. On top of that from the very day I bought the car with these Potenza's it's been an amazingly wet spring here in Connecticut.

Just happened again to me this morning on the way to work. Doing a lane change and hit a puddle. Whoo ride that Bronco Bucky

Are these going to be just as bad or worse when the snow hits this fall? I've never had the need for snow tires up here in New England so long as I had some decent all season tires under me. Pirelli P6000s worked fine in the snow on my '92 SE.

Will keep up with this thread to see what folks suggest for all season replacements. I'd gladly give up a little performance for less hydroplaning and decent grip in the snow and slush. Don't really want to deal with having another snow tires and dealing with the mounting and storing of four more tires in the garage.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 02:59 PM
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92 SE-R 02 SE
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i was trying to hold off on getting 18s on my 02, but the BLOWtenzas are making realize that I cant wait!! They SUCK! Like someone else said, BURNOUTS!! Once i decide on a wheel, (i already have the yoko AVS es100s picked out) the BLOWtenzas will be on max.org as a great burnout video! I never had such a $hitty tire on any car i owned! By buddies Hyundai had better tires!
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 03:04 PM
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No mystery, the outer blocks are closed.. How could water pump out?

this is <8K tread
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 03:18 PM
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Originally posted by GMoney
I just bought my 03 about amonth ago and have been reading in this forum since. You guys are really scaring me about these tires. I haven't had any bad experiences as of yet.

Anyways, I went to tirerack.com and found these tires, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, anyone have experiences with it? Kind of pricey at $197 each...


The Pilot Sprt A/S are the best all season tires out there for the maxima. you'll know what i am talking about once they're on your car.

just AMAZING!....water is no matter to them, you steer and the car just goes there at almost any speed it would on dry roads.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 03:24 PM
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Recently it's been raining like mad over in NYC. Everytime I go through a puddle or even a slick roadway I can feel my max slipping. Gotta get ride of these **** *** tires quick! I got about 30K out of them...
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 05:44 PM
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Re: Re: Re: Just had my 1st experience with the potenza's in rain...yikes!

Originally posted by chinaonnitrous1
I've never had a car that I felt comfortable driving in the rain. I don't know if it is possible in a tire. BTW, I've had like 13 cars.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 06:30 PM
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Get those crappy potenza replaced asap. That's the worst tires in the rain ever. Get Bridgestone S-03 pole position. Best summer tires, I mean the best.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 07:05 PM
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Bridgestone tires just suck.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 09:01 PM
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Originally posted by jreddington
OK,

So it's not just me. I have never driven on tires that were so prone to hydroplaning. On top of that from the very day I bought the car with these Potenza's it's been an amazingly wet spring here in Connecticut.

Just happened again to me this morning on the way to work. Doing a lane change and hit a puddle. Whoo ride that Bronco Bucky

Are these going to be just as bad or worse when the snow hits this fall? I've never had the need for snow tires up here in New England so long as I had some decent all season tires under me. Pirelli P6000s worked fine in the snow on my '92 SE.

Will keep up with this thread to see what folks suggest for all season replacements. I'd gladly give up a little performance for less hydroplaning and decent grip in the snow and slush. Don't really want to deal with having another snow tires and dealing with the mounting and storing of four more tires in the garage.

I had Pirelli p7000 supersports on my prelude and they were the ****. Excellent traction dry, and when it rained it was like driving on a dry road. Not only that, they lasted forever.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 09:29 PM
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I just got the Kumho Ecsta KH 11s for a 100 a piece and they are great. Its been raining and lots of streets with an inch or 2 or water and i havent had a problem. My Protenzas would loose traction and slip but these are channeling water great. Even my mechanic looked at the design and said these are good tires. If you dont want to spend alot, save yourself some money and get the Kumhos Ecsta KH 11's for a $100. I put them on my stock wheels, size 235/50/17 and its a perfect fit.
Old Jun 18, 2003 | 11:00 PM
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Originally posted by JCW915
Bridgestone tires just suck.
yeap, along with firestone
Old Jun 19, 2003 | 01:43 AM
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Didn't see a 1.5-2 inch deep puddle one day and flew through it at 60mph with no problem. The puddle was a good 6-7 feet in dia. I have SO-3s...I love em.
Old Jun 19, 2003 | 02:37 AM
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Originally posted by grey2002_ny
Yeah I know what you mean I still have my Blowtenzas on, and when I drive through puddles, it's feels like I'm actually hitting something, the car jolts and I can feel myself floating on the water and loosing control.

I'm beating on what's left of the Potenzas before I get rid of them. I've got 18K on the car so I hate to get rid of new tires, but it's becoming a matter of life or death so I'll have to get new ones soon regardless.
oh my god, yes i was on the hutch driving home last night (in NY its been raining umm NON STOP FOREVER) and i was going like 45mph the whole way and still sliding non-stop. I really thought i was gonna die lol.... not to mention my wipers need replacing.

but yes, you are EXACTLY right with that jolting... i feel like im gonna get pushed into a wall when i hit a small little puddle. there were 15 year old cars flying by me with no problem i was so mad lol
Old Jun 19, 2003 | 08:07 AM
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Originally posted by JCW915
Bridgestone tires just suck.
Not true...many people have had very good results with their S03's and even RE950's...and I have had great experiences with their light truck tires.
Old Jun 19, 2003 | 04:59 PM
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Originally posted by JCW915
Bridgestone tires just suck.
I guess potenza is the only thing you have from bridgestone/firestone.
All manufactures have something good and something bad.
Old Jun 20, 2003 | 05:41 PM
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I had the same experience with the stock Potenza's - driving on dry ground was fine but when it rained - watch out!! After much research (including here!), I bit the bullet and bought Michelin Pilot Sport A/S despite the high cost. Other tires were recommended but the Michelin's were so consistantly praised everywhere I researched. The difference in the rain is quite astounding - I have yet to hydroplane and the grip is MUCH improved. From a safety point of view, how can you NOT get good tires - how much is your life (or the people in your car or the ones you could collide with) worth?
Old Jun 20, 2003 | 06:00 PM
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Originally posted by Yakuza70
I had the same experience with the stock Potenza's - driving on dry ground was fine but when it rained - watch out!! After much research (including here!), I bit the bullet and bought Michelin Pilot Sport A/S despite the high cost. Other tires were recommended but the Michelin's were so consistantly praised everywhere I researched. The difference in the rain is quite astounding - I have yet to hydroplane and the grip is MUCH improved. From a safety point of view, how can you NOT get good tires - how much is your life (or the people in your car or the ones you could collide with) worth?
your car is only as good as the rubber its on.
Old Jun 22, 2003 | 11:49 PM
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Originally posted by JCW915
Bridgestone tires just suck.
Keep in mind that the S-03 Pole Position tires referred to earlier that have great reviews on Tire Rack are Bridgestone Potenzas. Also, the Ferrari Enzo Ferrari comes with Bridgestone Potenzas (can't remember the particular tire model right now). Better said, Bridgestone Potenza RE92s just suck.
Old Jun 23, 2003 | 07:21 AM
  #33  
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I was pretty good at Project Gotham Racing before I got my 02 Max. Maybe that's why I don't cosider sliding around in the rain so bad?

I really haven't seen any major problems in snow or rain with my OEM tires, but am shopping for better ones.

The worst tires I've ever had were the OEM Michelins that came on my '91 Integra. I replaced very soon after buying the car when I almost had a major problem in the rain. I missed sliding into a curb sideways by a couple of inches. I guess they didn't hydroplane as well when going sideways.
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