Rubber Soul Searching

By John Grafman

The world of tires is a bit like the latest, trendy beverage. There’s a whole lot of hype, and you don’t really know what you’re going to get until it’s too late.

Oh sure, there’s reviews from those that plunk down good money to put some new rubber on their baby. Typically, these reviews are coming from a consumer that only had a well-worn set to compare it to. So, most of the time the new set by default will be a step in the right direction, and that throws any hope of a helpful review out the window.

Of the several worthy brands on the market, we gathered a set of three curiously interesting tires. Pirelli came to play with the P-Zero Run-flat tires. Yokohama is touting its new Advan Neova AD08 R. The final player is Bridgestone with the RE-11.

To keep this as fair as possible, we use the supremely competent installation of CEC Wheels on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. Claus Ettensberger and his team have been working on some of the most elite automobiles since 1990. Furthermore, you won’t find anyone more enthusiastic than Claus, regardless of the car, from Mini to Maserati.

Just to prove the point, we enlist a trusty Mini Cooper as our test mule for the tire evaluation. The Cooper has several things going for it. Besides the fact many Angelenos find this to be a wonderful commuter car, the go-kart like handling allows us to get some decent feedback on each set, without the expense of a Lotus, Ferrari, or Porsche.

Just as no parent says they favor one child over another, we really didn’t have any expectations coming into this, thus we could have three outstanding products to compliment, or three duds.

Each tire is being put through its paces with rigorous daily driving activities, from running errands, to extensive freeway driving over various surfaces. Plus, we use our secret spot in the Malibu canyons to really push these tires as hard as we dare. And speeds range from slow crawls to closing in on significantly higher speeds on open highways. And, the results actually surprised us.

Pirelli P-Zero

The first set CEC Wheels installs is the Pirelli P-Zero Run-flat.

Yes, we are letting the cat out of the bag. Forget everything you’ve been told before about run-flat tires, or at least as it applies to the Pirelli and the P-Zero, as these are simply amazing!
Common wisdom concerning run-flat tires is, stiffer sidewalls allow these to run on little to no air will in turn lead to a rough and noisy ride. Well, the P-Zero is an uncommon tire. It didn’t take long to realize that the Pirellis were the quietest tires we’ve ever had on this Cooper. Ever! Certainly, the Italians did their homework. So, how could this be possible?

On close inspection we do notice these are constructed with a sidewall visually differs from the other tires in our group. In profile, the sidewall is not a flat, vertical section, but has a rather curved section to it. Aside from that, only the wording on the tire itself set it visually apart from most tires.

When driving over less than ideal surfaces these tires absorb sound more. Even roadways with bumps and holes it won’t transfer the irregularities into the passenger compartment. Or, at least it keeps it to a bare minimum.

The Mini does have a somewhat stiff suspension, and it isn’t at all uncommon to have noise issues. The P-Zeros are clearly special, but these Pirelli run-flats are actually even more unique. The sidewall is embellished with a star designation. Those denote a special series that BMW approves for its cars. We can’t say that those without the star symbol are dramatically different, as we don’t have a set for comparison. Nevertheless, the Pirelli P-Zero Run-flat rides totally counter to the negative stigma associated with run-flats.

Now, the ride quality in itself is reason to rejoice. But the good news doesn’t end there. Pirelli endows the P-Zero with performance characteristics that are not lost on the Mini Cooper. Taking this on tight, little explored canyons off of Mulholland Highway in Calabasas and Malibu instills a sense of confidence.

Over more than 700 miles, the rubber is squealing only on the rarest of occasions and only slightly gives up its hold. However, over a lengthy period it became obvious that the curved section also allows for a slight amount of roll. The tire tread pattern does have a bit of squish, so steering input isn’t as crisp as some other tires. Nevertheless, the P-Zeros are substantially better than we could ever have hoped for.

These run-flats do have one small problem. The latent issue involves cold weather uses. The Pirelli P-Zero tires, as well as other summer performance tires, don’t like temps nearing zero degree, and this can lead to damaging the rubber itself. Hardly an issue right now, as the heatwave in the Western USA doesn’t want to relinquish its grip on. However, as we all know, everything changes given enough time.

After a few months, the P-Zero feels like a blend of performance and all-season tires. As horrible as the roads are in Los Angeles, it’s easy to fall in love with these Italians.

Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R

We have to yield the Pirelli P-Zero Run-flat for our next set - the Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R. We say good-bye to the amazing Pirelli P-Zeros a bit misty-eyed.

Claus at CEC Wheels is here to oversee the comparison. As before, the install is smooth as silk. While the install takes minimal time, there’s barely enough time to full appreciate the various and impressive wheels in stock in his upscale Santa Monica Boulevard facility.

The Yokohama also had a surprise for us as well. In the past, the Yokohamas S-Drive tires we’ve tested gave up their grip early. Sure, the predictability of those would have been nice for drifting. But, drifting in a front-wheel drive car isn’t a good idea, unless you wish to test the understanding of your insurance company.

The holding power of the Advan Neova AD08 R left a smile on our face from ear to ear. Yes, this is what the doctor ordered, especially if the doctor is a card-carrying member of the SCCA.

Take a good look at how these are constructed. Unlike the typical block tread pattern, or some deviation of that, these look more like a tire on a concept car where the tread pattern was milled out of the rubber, rather than molded into it. On first blush you question the methodology and presentation of the Advan Neova AD08 R. But after a few minutes with these, they might just change your mind.

After numerous jaunts over the same hills of Calabasas and Malibu, the Yokohamas keep feeling better by the mile. In fact, we continued to push these for over 1,300 miles (in part due to a delay mid-testing, necessary for a transmission replacement and a new clutch. A well-known weak spot in the Mini in combination with hard driving). These simply have no squish and the tire response is nearly immediate, minus anything caused by the steering system.

The lack of a clear, linear strip of rubber and groove that circumnavigates the tire surface means that there is very little resistance to turning. On the other hand, these lack the ability to stay on center. Fortunately, these don’t wander aimlessly in either direction. Our impression is, if you aren’t looking for that on-center feel, you may not even notice.

Roll, what roll? Isn’t that something you find at a deli? These Yokohamas are solid confidence builders. There is no outer-limit to what these can handle. On street surfaces these hold on for dear life and never give up (no tracks are involved with this test, as really so few drivers have access to that). It’s almost impossible to get these ultra-stickies to break loose on any road we encounter, and the warning lights for ABS or traction control never once suggest we cool it.

On the other hand, these amplified the road. Sections of smooth, asphalt freeway produce pleasing results. Concrete creates a notable drumming sound. And, as road conditions depreciate, so does the ride quality. And, relatively minor bumps and potholes result in bangs and unhappy sounds.

But, the deficiencies are easy to overlook in the Cooper as the fun-factor is off the chart. These beg to be driven hard. Really hard! We drill-on. These Yokohamas don’t buckle or get squirrelly under pressure.

The virtues of the AD08 R really come to the forefront in the canyon portion of the Las Virgenes Road - on the way from the 101 (Ventura Freeway) to Surfrider Beach in Malibu. With an ambulance meaning business, hot on the heels of the Cooper, and with no turn-offs available, the only solution is to put the pedal to the metal. At least this legally unacceptable behavior is undertaken for the benefit of the EMT. Needless to say, it only takes a couple turns before a sizable gap begins to open up between us.

To put it mildly, the Advan Neova enhances the already kart-like handling of the Mini. The transformation with the AD08s reminds me of slot cars for grown-ups! Granted, the Cooper has a hamster on a wheel in place of where a motor should be. Yes, the Mini Cooper with the base powerplant could use more juice. However, the grip in corners with the Yokohama AD08 R tires means less braking and being able to maintain momentum. This allows the coupe to come alive.

The bottom line is you have to take the good with the bad. No, the Yokohamas don’t do everything right in terms of ride comfort, but when it comes to performance driving the Advan Neovas will never be an issue.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

Back to CEC Wheels for the final install. I can see that Claus is just as interested in hearing how the trio shapes up as much as we are. Again, the change-out is quick and error-free.

We’ve been smitten with the Bridgestone Potenzas RE-01 tires in the past, and our RE-11 are the evolution of those. The RE-01s from a few years back struck a chord with us for the blend of handling and comfort. So, the expectation is, these should fare well.

The last time we faced-off the Bridgestones against two other brands (BF Goodrich and Yokohama), it was easy to fall for the ’Stones. But, this time it’s a tough call with heady brands and tires in the comparison.

The Potenza RE-11 tires do recall some of the goodness of the RE-01. These are summer performance tires that transfer less noise than the Yokohamas. Drivers can push these Potenzas as hard as they dare, and not a peep! The RE-11 tires are providing the confidence that any enthusiast would find gratifying.

This pilot is experiencing neither howling nor faltering grip while going gonzo in the canyons. Also, the amount of noise or hum on all road surfaces is less obvious than the Yokohamas, but distinctly more than the Pirellis. Of course, every driver has his or her own threshold of pain. And, the Mini doesn’t exactly have the Get Smart “Cone of Silence” feature when it comes to the interior. What is obvious in the Cooper might be dumbed-down in many other cars, but still exists.

While it isn’t obtrusive, these Bridgestone tires provide more straight-line stability than the Yokohamas. The difference is minimal, but it’s there.

The Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 does provide a more conventional tread design, and able to handle less than track-like conditions. The se-sawing effect of onshore and offshore wind is causing small amounts of dirt to come sliding off the step and barren canyon walls.

Nevertheless, coming into this from around blind corners didn’t freak out the Potenza or this driver. The Potenzas are compliant with last second changes in direction to avoid road debris.

Sadly, the weather is uncooperative with this testing, to say the least. The lack of rain isn’t allowing us to test these in the wet. Both the Bridgestones and the Pirellis have a tread pattern that appears to be useful in the wet. Alas, we won’t know until maybe later this year, if and when the drought abates. However, The online reviews on Tire Rack from those in damper climates could offer a few clues.

This grouping from Bridgestone, Pirelli, and Yokohama doesn’t have any losers, and depending on the situation we’d definitely consider installing any of these on our cars on a permanent basis. What this really shows is, there is no perfect tire anymore than there’s a perfect car for all occasions. But, the right choice can turn a good car into a great ride!

Photograph above of Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R tire by John Grafman. The writer-photographer is Senior Editor for LA Car. To read the full review and see more photographs, go to LACar.com.