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Subaru Impreza Tire/Wheel Questions

114 messages,  Last post on Feb 07, 2012 at 8:31 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Tires, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 9 of 12

#75 of 114 OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT by isilverboy

Jan 11, 2011 (12:22 am)

Bridgetone Potenza RE92A, high performance tires, rated to go over 140 MPH. Really bad in light/ deep snow as well as ice. They cost $254 each at tire rack.
 
TIRERACK TIRE REVIEW HERE
 
Hello guys, my first post here. I've spent hours looking for info on the tires that Subaru installed on my new 2010 Subaru Impreza Sport Auto.
My wife drives this vehicle with my kid in it, my point, my most precious things in life ride in it.
I'm so upset, it is unaceptable.
Bought the car for the safety, and its AWD bread and butter that sells each Subaru.
I noticed how bad this vehicle handled on the snow last week (First week of Jan-2011) in Denver. The car went everywhere(I know there was ice on the road) and it didn't feel safe so I let my wife drive my 2011 Scion XB instead for safety (bare with me here) since it stops and handles better in snow than the Impreza.
I had so many cars and this is the worse in the snow.
Call me crazy, I was ready to trade it for different vehicle but then, I figured it out, after checking the OEM tires that came with it. At tirerack those tires are rated so poorly in light/deep snow and ice.
MY GOD, they are rated so poor.
I called Subaru and asked why they installed a high performance tire that I can drive over 140 MPH and not handle light snow?
I asked why Subaru installed this tires in this area(Denver/lots of snow) and putting safety aside?
I asked Subaru why those tires came in my car? I have the regulat 170 HP, not the WRX or STI.
I asked Subaru that, since their bread in butter (selling point is their AWD) why they installed those tires so my family wouldn't bee able to stop or turn during 1" of snow on the ground?
I don't care how good their AWD is, I don't do off road races, I got that car so my family will drive in a safe car, instead the car wouldn't stop when I made a turn last week going 10 MPH (yes, that fast). Pathetic it is.
 
Got in touch with Subaru and all sounded so great, yes they offered to pay for replacement tires. So I made the appointment to go to GO SUBARU WEST(in Golden CO). The minute I made the appointment and the next day when I spoke with the service manager I realized the reason why I didn't buy the car there. The SM started telling me on how great those tires are and that Subaru will not pay for new tires. The first time I had an issue with this car was the front speakers, rumble noise at low valume(all the Impreza have this problem 2008-2010) and I was told by their mechanic "I don't see what the big deal is, I live with that problem in my Subaru for many years. I don't even listen to the radio". I told them that I paid a lot of money for that car and I expected the radio to sound normal w/o vibrations at low volume. They fixed it. What a way to explained a problem to a costumer expecting not to fix it. Also, that dealership is so greety, I drove 40 minutes to Groove Subaru and saved $2K in the car purchase, no hassles, too bad they are so far away, great dealership. They were so good that I went back 9 months later and purchsed the Scion from Groove Toyota.
 
Anywho, going back to Subaru, I left and tried to get in touch with Subaru again, many times (four calls- wasting 30 minutes average just to speak to a rep)now they are not even calling me back.
Everytime I tried to call, there is a least a 25-30 wait to speak to someone live. I told every single rep the same story and I was told they will call me back, I'm still waiting. I called again and explained the rep that at least some one shuld call me before the day was over, she told me they would, never happened. The rep told me today that the service manager from GO Subaru in Golden has not call them back, mind you, this is five days later. Why haven't Subaru call that stealership. Also, the rep agreed with me last Wenesday that the Service Manager in that stealership was "short of fuses with his attitude'. I told the rep to do something about it!
 
So my take is, I will make sure to post this info so Subaru can start installing better tires in their great AWD. Those tires, the Bridgetone Potenza RE92A go for $254 a piece.
I have the Pirelli P4 four seasons installed in my FWD 2011 Scion XB and are rated #2 by tire rack in all conditions and that vehicle stops and turns better than the AWD Impreza.
My first and last Subaru.
Poor 4 speed transmition, worse radio. Also having a loud noice from the A/C but is not consistant, sounds like water pump is bad.
Can I just go and replaced the tires with a better brand to keep my family safe and avoid all those headaches?
why? that car is new and Subaru should do something about it since they brag so much about the safety on their vehicles. Really?
 
If you have this type of vehicle, you should also call Subaru and complain. The rep told me that they agreed, those tires need to go. I'm still waiting.
 
Long post, thanks for your patience.
I drove a Hyundai Tucson today(AWD) the cost? $2,500 more, well worth it. Even comes with better tires.
 
Feel free to post your advise, thanks.

#76 of 114 Re: OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT [isilverboy] by xwesx

Jan 11, 2011 (1:12 am)

Replying to: isilverboy (Jan 11, 2011 12:22 am)
I absolutely agree - those RE92A are pathetic tire (I don't even hold a very high regard for them during the summer months) that they have used on the Impreza and Outback/Legacy for years. I think they started putting a different tire on the O/L with the 2010 model year, but before that it was RE92A for a long while. I *HATE* those tires. They literally hobble a fantastic car in slick conditions. That said, I did drive them through a winter in my '08 Outback with 4EAT because it was a short-term purchase and I did not want to spend the money on a second set of tires, but that sucker sure liked to break loose. I smile every time I think about it - so fun (but not what you would want to send your wife & children off in!).
 
I run two sets of rims with a winter and summer set of tires. Sure, you have the initial $500-600 cost for the second set, but with only 50% of the year (here in Fairbanks, AK) for each set of tires, they both last twice as long.
 
Before you judge your car too harshly, get that new set of rubber and go have some fun and/or peace of mind.
 
I am sure to slam Subaru about the RE92A when I get the chance of it. I hounded them about it on both new owner surveys I completed for Outbacks purchased with them.

#77 of 114 Re: OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jan 11, 2011 (9:15 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 11, 2011 1:12 am)
All OEM tires are a compromise in cost, noise, ride, etc.
 
The Blotzena RE92 are especially poor, though. I replaced them a bit early on our Legacy.

#78 of 114 Re: OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT [ateixeira] by xwesx

Jan 11, 2011 (9:29 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 11, 2011 9:15 am)
What really blows me away is that they are, as the OP mentioned, a very expensive tire off-the-shelf. I wouldn't pay $50 per tire for them, let alone over $200!

#79 of 114 Re: OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jan 11, 2011 (9:44 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 11, 2011 9:29 am)
Marketing? The average consumer has no idea...

#80 of 114 Re: OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT [ateixeira] by isilverboy

Jan 11, 2011 (9:55 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 11, 2011 9:44 am)
Marketing?
I agreed, the typical consumer has no idea.
I did a lot of research on this vehicle but didn't check the tires.
Can I get a second set of tires and spend another $500? I shouldn't.
I live in a metro area not the mountains.
A part time AWD like the CRV/Element or a 2011 Hyundai Tucson handle better. I know they are diff cars but my point is, since SUbaru bread and butter is AWD why install those $254 per tire on that vehicle that will not assist you to stop as well as a more cheap tire (Pirelli P4 four season) rated #2 tirerack and other cosumers. That is the type of tire I have installed in my 2011 Scion FWD Xb and the car stops and turns better than the Impreza.
 
Anywho, the purpose of this thread is to educate future consumers looking into buying a Subaru.

#81 of 114 Re: OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT [isilverboy] by ateixeira

Jan 11, 2011 (9:58 am)

Replying to: isilverboy (Jan 11, 2011 9:55 am)
Sure, marketing can convince people that they need a mediocre product.
 
Example: pet rock.

#82 of 114 Re: OEM 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA TIRES ARE REALLY BAD AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT [isilverboy] by xwesx

Jan 11, 2011 (11:10 am)

Replying to: isilverboy (Jan 11, 2011 9:55 am)
the car stops and turns better than the Impreza.
 
That it will, because it is the tires that make all the difference in those situations. Even with the crappy tires, though, the Impreza will still "out-go" the Xb, which is a great testament to the quality of the AWD.
 
Frankly, I would much sooner buy good winter tires for "metro" driving than for mountain driving because there are far more stops and turns in the city, not to mention the density of vehicles and less margin for error.
 
Your point stands, though - the RE92A is a terrible choice for an OEM Subaru tire.

#83 of 114 New Subie by cooners77

Jan 11, 2011 (3:41 pm)

Okay, I have a question in regards to our new Impreza, not really a tire question but wasnt sure where to post it.
It now has about 615 miles on it, and i know you are supposed to be nice to it the first couple thousand miles and break it in. So we really really wanted to drive up to Yosemite tomorrow in the snow, would that be bad to do???? We are new to this and just want to take care of our Subie.

#84 of 114 Re: New Subie [cooners77] by ateixeira

Jan 11, 2011 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: cooners77 (Jan 11, 2011 3:41 pm)
1000 mile break-in, but that trip should be fine. Just don't use cruise control so you vary engine speeds, and try not to put TOO much of a load on the engine. If possible keep it under 4000rpm.

Messages Page 9 of 12

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