jvanbrecht

This is semi related to the Sears thread I started. If you want to details, go read that.

When I am driving, if I zig zag, it feels like I am steering a boat.. (kind of like you would do when you try to avoid a deer in the road and go around it). The rear end is very very floaty and does not track the same lines as the fronts.. Is this normal?

I had these installed this past Monday, they seriously overtorqued the bolts, and now I am worried they may have damaged something based on the handling characteristics I am currently experiencing.

I do have an appointment with MB to deal with the fuel rail pressure sensor issue I am constantly having, when they do that they will take a look at the wheel assembly.

Of course, it could be nothing, and the tires just suck.. I am hoping that is not the case, because I have used even cheaper tires that handled better.

rage2

What are the tire pressures when the tires are cold?

jvanbrecht

42 front, 45 rear.

bhamg

It's normal. I went 6k miles on V12's. On the road the sidewalls feel very soft and squishy...that's the first thing I noticed. When the tires were new the handling IMO was better than how it felt subjectively, but the V12's seemed to progressively lose grip (perhaps as they heat cycled - temps are 100+ a large part of the summer) fairly quickly. That was disappointing. Definitely the softest-feeling performance tire I've ever driven some distance on.

edit: I run 37F, 36R all the time, all brands of tires.

Even Money

That's high for cold. Try 38 all around and see how it feels.

CoolBDPhenom03

It might be the sidewall properties. I think I read reviews online about other brands that differentiated characteristics in the tire design and the drive properties. A stiffer sidewall is supposed to feel more planted so maybe those Hankooks aren't very firm? Correct me if I'm wrong.

derspi

Sorry to say it but the Hankook V12s just suck for a heavy German sedan. I couldn't wait to get rid of them earlier this year for some Michelin Super Sports. It's a night & day difference in terms of cornering stability & confidence. They're great for the price & ride quite well because of their soft sidewall but in terms of stability, they plain suck.

Like others have mentioned, I would lose a few PSI all around - I typically run 35 front & 36-37 rear.

jvanbrecht

Thanks, I will try dropping the pressures.. I figure I would try them.. but as of right now (done about 300 miles on them), I prefer the Conti DWS all seasons, might not have as much grip, but certainly feels more stable in the corners, and the sidewalls do feel a little squishy.. I was hoping it was not that though.. oh well.. I do 100 miles a day round trip commute.. so they will not be long for this world..

gthal

I had the Hankooks on my first M3 and I regretted it every time I drove it. They are OK tires but leave a lot to be desired IMO. If all you care about is a decent, budget summer tire than these are fine. If you care about responsiveness, predictability, turn-in, firm sidewalls, etc, they are NOT the best choice. I think they measure well in tests for grip but they "feel" very badly... the difference between the PSS and the V12s is very meaningful IMO and well worth the price difference.

sighting

What sizes are you running?
Did you change all 4?

jvanbrecht

I'm running 235 front, 265 rears on stock 18's. I did change all 4. They just have a very soft sidewall, I did a few hundred miles on them this weekend running various pressures from 35 to 46 over the course (letting the tires cool down as much as possible). Same result, just a very squishy ride.

I'm going to go back to the Conti DW's when these are dead, I went the cheap route this time, I have not used the PSS yet, but I have had DW's and they handle perfectly fine for me (drive it like I stole it with a little kick out in the rear every now and then when I want to). I do not trust the Hankooks at this point to do any high speed cornering..

staislav

I need to get a new tires for my car, and I read several positive things about Hankook Ventus V12 but still I need to see some personal experience. I want to know how long can they last and they are a good bargain.

Thx

CoolBDPhenom03

For what car...a Golf?

jvanbrecht

A 1 post count user..... in a golf.. I'll bite.. sort of...

Sorry.. I doubt there are any comparisons here to the performance and wear that you will see on a golf.

That said.. on a heavy vehicle, I would not recommend these tires.. they do not track very well. (and I do not mean race track)

BK63amg

I had the V12s on my car last Summer and wasn't overly impressed. They definitely felt like a step down from my stock PZeros - softer and less confident turn-in by comparison.

This Summer I am running Vredestein Ultracs and am pretty happy, however, I still feel the PZeros were the best tire I've had on this car so far. I've been through three different sets/brands of performance tires in the past 18 months - thinking about going Michelin PSS next.

IRIDIUMSILVER

Woh! Thats a bit high for cold psi values, thats high for hot too... l find that 36 front and 38 rear cold is just about right from a handling and comfort perspective.(mine)

-good luck.

gthal

Its actually pretty close to what MB suggests. Also, my understanding is that an XL tire only maintains that load rating if inflated to 42.

Now, comfort may dictate lower values but I find 42 all around comfortable personally.

SonnyakaPig

I agree. I had the V12's. I probably disliked them a bit more than most. But, I had PZeros up front. So, it's not entirely fair to blame the ride on the V12's. Although, they felt like square blocks rather than wheels.

I also really liked the PZeros. I thought they provided very precise handling. Although, they wear out so quick and once they start wearing the car's ride becomes very firm and unforgiving.

I'm using the Michelin PSS's now and I love them. Best tire I've tried thus far.