Treblig

At what level of enthusiatic driving does the TL start to reveal its FWD-ness? 9/10ths? 8/10ths?

cpurick

It becomes apparent above half-throttle. Unless you're really stomping on it in turns, it never becomes an outright "problem."

svtmike

With the stock EL-42s, it's at about .40985. With good tires, it's more like .8734822.

Mike

Shinj1EVA

i hate these tires.

ZQQM

I notice the FWD in anything over 7/10th driving. I think the weight distribution, which is baised at more the 60% ( 6mt ) over the front wheels, as the real down fall of this cars dynamics.

Intox1221

Not to get off topic, but which tires would u guys recommend then?

ncsubum

what do you hate about the tires? my dealer gave me a loaner TL for the weekend to try out and i've been driving the hell out of it. no problems to speak of. i put 400 miles on it yesterday (sat.) and loved every min. of it...those miles included highway miles, city driving, and of course the twisties (at 5am this morning) it took care of business in all the different driving scenarios. on the ultra curvy ass roads i was driving on last night i was keeping the 5at in 2nd and 3rd the whole time, going between 50 and 90 (love the brakes) between and around the sharp S's and U's and up to 120 on the straight aways. the car handled like a dream the tires squeeled a little bit but held non-the less. after getting used to the weight of the steering wheel and the somewhat lack of feedback and the slight torque steer (just had to figure out how much to relax the wheel when i gunned it) it really became an awsome drive. i'd like to consider myself a good drive, but...the traction control the save my ass one time, i hit a 20mph curve at 60 just out of another fairly sharp turn (didn't see the 20mph one coming up) slammed on the brakes and felt the car start to slide to the outside...the bright orange VSA light flashed on the dash and somehow (i think its magic) the car gracefully pulled itself back on my line and kept on going. Its probably the most impressive sensation i've ever felt driving.
I love the car. I'm going to be putting my down payment for an 05 6spd w/navi on monday when i have to take the loaner back.

caball88

the fwd limitation is one thing but also the large turning radius really puts a damper of the handling.

cM3go

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S

svtmike

I've had them since January and they are great.

Mike

neuronbob

First, WELCOME TO THE FORUM! And we're glad you're planning to purchase.

You probably have a loaner with less than 10-15k miles. What sucks about the Bullshitstone Terroranza EL-42s is that they wear so easily, have poor rain traction, and by 10k miles for me they were hydroplaning.

You would do very well to work a tire trade in at the time you put numbers to paper.

Search for "EL42" or "Turanza" in the "tire" subforum and you'll see multiple complaints.

Aegir

Huh? That would be one hell of a hairpin turn. I've never encountered a turn on a public road that was too tight for the TL to make it. U-turns maybe...

Aegir

I think everyone defines 8/10 and 9/10 a little differently and that it's often based on driver confidence more than car capability. Drive it for yourself and see.

caball88

yeah i wasn't refering to any hair ping turns or at any high speeds. just manuevering around smaller spaces seems to be a limited by the radius.