Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

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Mr Kleen
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Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

I'm shopping for winter tires for my stock wheels. I was originally going to go with another set of Blizzak LM-60s but after checking Tire Rack, the Pirelli tire is $31 cheaper and 4 lbs lighter. Both have speed ratings of 130mph or higher. Anyone have any experience with the Sottozero?

Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Blizzak LM-60
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drwrx
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by drwrx »

It looks like they still have the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 available for your vehicle at $179 each which is only $10 more than the Pirelli.
I'm not certain how agressive you drive in snow, but that would be my choice for snow tires $99.9% of the time.
They won't win any autocross days, but there is almost nothing more sure-footed on snow and ice.
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Sabre »

^^^ Agreed. I love my WS60's. Compared to the 50's, they are much better in the wet.
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by moxnix »

drwrx wrote:It looks like they still have the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60... They won't win any autocross days
No but the LM22's can...

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I have run both WS series and LM series tires on the miata (older versions). For bad weather the WS are much better but during dry parts of the winter the LM's squeal much less going around turns.
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

The WS is only rated for 106mph. The LM is rated for 130, the Sottozero for 149. In the states I wouldn't care, but here...
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

After doing some more research I decided to give the Pirellis a try. They should be here the middle of October.
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by drwrx »

Keep us informed of your experience.
You never know when you'll be in the market for a set of snows.
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Mr Kleen
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

Just got an email from Tire Rack, the Pirellis have been delayed and won't be in the warehouse till 11/04, that puts me till the end of November for delivery. That won't do so I'm going to have the order changed to the Blizzaks. I guess I'll go with the WS for the improved wet performance and I'll just have to keep it under 105 on the autobahn. :(
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Sabre »

A "friend" told me he had his WS60's over a 100 a couple of times and was fine...
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

over 106? ;-)
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Sabre »

Mr Kleen wrote:over 106? ;-)
He says "WAAAAY over 106... Something like 120ish..."
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by thermatico »

I have the LM-60's on my Infiniti G37-S. They worked out really well last season. I had great traction even on snow.
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by ElZorro »

Just ordered my WS70's... woooooootttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

I have an appointment to have the tires installed on Friday. I tried to get Monday but they're slammed with everyone swapping to winters here.
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by zaxrex »

On post or a domestic shop?
Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

On the economy. The AAFES shop doesn't have a machine that can deal with run-flats, so instead of $60 it's going to cost €90. :roll:
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Sabre »

:( Damn, that sucks!
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

Tire Rack let me down: They said 225/40R18 was the correct size but the tire installer wouldn't install them, said they would not fit. The stock sizes are 245/35R18 and 215/40R18. :roll:
Why didn't I double check the size?!? :puke:

FML
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

Preston at Tire Rack wrote:They are correct that the front and rear wheels are different widths, they would be 18x7.5" on the front and 18x8.5" in the back or your 135I. The tires we sold you have a width range of 7.5-9" though, so they should fit on both sizes without an issue.
Ze Germans refuse to install the tires and AAFEs can't install the tires. Yeah, that sounds about like my luck... :banghead:
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Sabre »

WTF man :( Is Tirerack going to allow you to return them and get the "proper" sizes?
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

According to Tire Rack they ARE the correct size. I've been a customer for well over 10 years and they've never steered me wrong.
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by scheherazade »

They are probably within the 'good range'.

IIRC in Germany they are super particular about exactly matched sizes to OEM.

You'll have to mount them yourself, or find 'a guy'.

note : You're not the first person I've read having this issue (or for that matter, similar issues. I.E. using different offsets, or rotors, etc.)

-scheherazade
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

The guy who repaired my mirror might be able to mount them, but I won't know for sure till his shop opens on Monday.

Good old German customer service...
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by Mr Kleen »

So my luck has learned to swim the Atlantic:

I took my car to the mechanic today to have the winter tires mounted. Not only was he unable to get the run-flat off of the rim but the tire pressure monitor sensor managed to come off and is rolling around inside the wheel. He put in a call to a friend that works at a different shop (BMW? Tire shop? who knows...) and is waiting for this person to send him a fax on what tire sized will fit my stock wheels (again with the reluctance to install anything other than the EXACT size that was removed). If, according to this fax, these tires fit he's going to try to get me in to his friend's shop to do the install and he offered to pay for the sensor if it's damaged in the drive over. At least he's been really nice about it.

I'm beginning to think I should abandon cars all together. :(
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Re: Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II

Post by zaxrex »

Here is hoping for good information in the fax.

Cool though that he isn't acting all German on you.

Just remind your luck that undocumented entry into a foreign country to commit subterfuge is a severe offense.
Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears
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