Z vs W rated tires

[Zef]

I'm at the point to replace my tires on my 84...is there any differences between these two rating that you can feel on the road....?

[Zeke]

Not unless you are going over 140.

[old man neri]

Originally Posted by milt

Not unless you are going over 140.

Never driving in Montreal have you?


W = 168mph
Z = In excess of 149mph.

I think it is much more important to get a tire that is right for your individual needs (traction, wet, price, durability...etc) as oppose to worrying about a speed rating that you can't reach.

[Zef]

Thanks guys....Impossible here to go over 140 mph....The cops are everywhere and the fines are (HO MY GOD)...

[Porsche_monkey]

The sidewall is typically stiffer for each rating you move up in speed. Probably not noticeable between those two ratings.

[KTL]

Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey

The sidewall is typically stiffer for each rating you move up in speed. Probably not noticeable between those two ratings.

True. Sidwall stiffness is not a direct proportion to speed rating. Continental SportContactI have some of the floppiest sidewalls i've seen and they're Z rated. Yokohama AVS ES100 are W rated and they're floppy too. Kumho MX are Z rated and they have seriously stiff sidewalls like the Kumho R compounds.

Don't forget that there are Y rated tires too..........