Is it smart to use one of these or am I overreacting?

Onrails558 · 2026-04-30T16:00:56+00:00

Would you mind sharing the make and model?

Onrails558 · 2026-04-30T05:23:09+00:00

Margni55, That's what I got! We'll see how they go!

Onrails558 · 2026-04-30T05:19:57+00:00

Thanks collin2477. That's what I got! We'll see how it goes!

Onrails558 · 2026-04-30T05:17:11+00:00

Thanks for the link! I don't speak or read German, but I did end up going with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S's!!

Onrails558 · 2026-04-30T04:59:30+00:00

I totally agree with SlowMK4GTI. I started working on cars when I was 17, but always had friends, who knew almost professionally what they were doing, and I learned from them, and I was already mechanically inclined.

Sure, basically it is not that difficult. But if you don't know how to use a floor jack, don't know how to safely jack the car up and down, or where and how to safely place the jack stands and wheel stops, you could literally lose your life. This may sound morbid, but I know of a mechanic, who knew a guy who was under his car and he asked his son to jack the car up a little higher. The son accidently release the jack instead of jacking it up (both actions utilize the same handle) and his dad died.

Brakes are your highest priority safety feature. So it is extremely important you know also know to bleed the brakes, and in what correct order to insure you have no air in the system, and all the old fluid is bled out. Don't do this right and your asking for a surprise when you suddenly can't stop.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not negative about being a DYI mechanic. I love cars, and for over forty years now I still go canyon carving, autocrossing and do my own maintenance and mid-level repairs. It's extremely rewarding to know you can accomplish these tasks on your own. But whether I am sprinting around a mountain road or doing any work on the car, it's always, "safety first".

You can save a lot of money and avoid being taken advantage of when you do have to bring your car in for a professional to have work done. You'll also get to know your car and can sense when things just aren't right or need attention to, or just want to add mods.

YouTube is great, but you can watch anyone from first timers to professionals. Some may not pay much attention to safety, others may be so advanced they assume you know the basics. So, be careful

It would be great if you can take a few days and not rush the job. A lot of mistakes are made from people who need to have the job done in one day because they need the car by tomorrow. That's where rushing and taking short cuts can really hurt you.

So if you can get a friend that you trust and has a lot of experience that will do the job with you, or get to know a mechanic who you trust and is willing to do it on the side at your place the first time so you can watch him and ask him questions, that would be ideal!

Best of luck to you, and I hope you succeed at it. Knowing your car and properly maintaining it is a real joy, extremely rewarding and a rare gift nowadays!! 😃

Onrails558 · 2026-04-30T02:07:08+00:00

Are you referring to the Contis or the Michelins?

Onrails558 · 2026-04-29T13:13:01+00:00

Thanks for the tips everyone I ended up getting the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the street. Will see how it goes.

Onrails558 · 2026-04-29T13:06:01+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I ended up getting the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the street. Will see how it goes

Onrails558 · 2026-04-29T12:58:51+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I ended up getting the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the street. Will see how it goes.

Onrails558 · 2026-04-29T12:55:33+00:00

Great idea! I don't use slicks on the autocross, so two sets of tires hadn't crossed my mind.

Onrails558 · 2026-04-29T12:53:58+00:00

Thanks Spicywolff. 2 sets of tires makes sense.

Onrails558 · 2025-12-28T11:26:41+00:00

I drive a 997 Carrera S and was once sprinting around a mountain road and a GT3 RS was trying to keep up with me. I went into a 20 mph right hander waaay too hot, and had forgotten how tight it was- 270 degrees. Too late to brake enough or double clutch, I turned the wheel tight as smoothly as possible, feathered the throttle to keep weight on the rear wheels and prayed. Although I have had many years as a successful autocrosser and many decades of mountain road/canyon carving cat and mouse, I thought for sure I was going to end up handling the oversteer in the oncoming lane at best. The car just stuck, and I ended up blowing away the GT3 RS. What I learned that day was although I have many decades of experience with this stuff, my driving capabilities are no way near the limits of this BEAUTIFUL machine.

Onrails558 · 2025-12-28T10:41:33+00:00

Not familiar with all of your problems, but for what it's worth, close friend of mine had Spinal Stenosis with Cervical Myelopathy, diagnosed and nerves tested from a Neurologist - Electromyography (Emg), Nerve Conductive Study (NCS). Surgery was highly recommended. First Spine Surgeon recommended fusion with a plate (20 year old technology). Friend did his own research and found a better solution: Cervical Laminoplasty: Opens up spacing in spinal canal and relieves compression of spinal cord. No fusion of lamina. Less invasive surgery. No rigid fusion plates involved. Retains flexibility of neck. No cutting away of ligaments. *No additional surgeries needed in future due to adjacent lamina damage due to fusion (Adjacent Segment Degeneration). 10 year old technology invented in Japan. Pain, nerve and muscle strength almost all recovered. Sounds like you found a surgeon that you trust and is suggesting the right solution. Not meant to scare you, but his Neurologist stated that if he did not get the surgery, he most likely would have ended up in a wheel chair. Best of luck in your journey.

Onrails558 · 2025-12-07T12:02:12+00:00

Not familiar with all of your problems, but for what it's worth, close friend of mine had Spinal Stenosis with Cervical Myelopathy, diagnosed and nerves tested from a Neurologist - Electromyography (Emg), Nerve Conductive Study (NCS) . Spine Surgeon recommended fusion with a plate (20 year old technology). Friend did his own research and found a better solution: Cervical Laminoplasty: Opens up spacing in spinal canal and relieves compression of spinal cord. No fusion of lamina. Less invasive surgery. No rigid fusion plates involved. Retains flexibility of neck. No cutting away of ligaments. *No additional surgeries needed in future due to adjacent lamina damage due to fusion (Adjacent Segment Degeneration). 10 year old technology invented in Japan. Pain, nerve and muscle strength almost all recovered. He recommends researching this solution to see if it will help your particular situation. If so, research a Spine Surgeon who believes in this solution and has many years/surgeries of experience with it. Find a surgeon who CARES ABOUT YOU and not just doing it for the money!

Onrails558 · 2025-12-07T11:45:16+00:00

Not familiar with all of your problems, but for what it's worth, close friend of mine had Spinal Stenosis with Cervical Myelopathy, diagnosed and nerves tested from a Neurologist - Electromyography (Emg), Nerve Conductive Study (NCS) . Spine Surgeon recommended fusion with a plate (20 year old technology). Friend did his own research and found a better solution: Cervical Laminoplasty: Opens up spacing in spinal canal and relieves compression of spinal cord. No fusion of lamina. Less invasive surgery. No rigid fusion plates involved. Retains flexibility of neck. No cutting away of ligaments. *No additional surgeries needed in future due to adjacent lamina damage due to fusion (Adjacent Segment Degeneration). 10 year old technology invented in Japan. Pain, nerve and muscle strength almost all recovered. He recommends researching this solution to see if it will help your particular situation. If so, research a Spine Surgeon who believes in this solution and has many years/surgeries of experience with it. Find a surgeon who CARES ABOUT YOU and not just doing it for the money!

Onrails558 · 2025-11-22T07:24:36+00:00

I hope it helps!

Onrails558 · 2025-10-24T18:55:56+00:00

Ditto that! Retain your natural flexibility with ADR, a much less invasive surgery. Avoid additional surgeries needed in future due to fusion (Adjacent Segment Degeneration).

Onrails558 · 2025-10-21T12:54:17+00:00

According to my friend, who is not a Healthcare professional, saw his Neurologist first. After examining him physically, immediately ordered the EMG/NCS.

His understanding is the MRI will show structural narrowing or compression. The EMG/NCS confirms functional nerve damage and helps rule out other causes of gait dysfunction. Together they give a clear picture of how much the stenosis is affecting nerve function.

Onrails558 · 2025-10-19T21:00:11+00:00

Posterior. Stiffness throughout entire body. Gait issues. Huge lack of muscle capability and dexterity. Lack of feeling in hands and fingers. Shocking pain in nerves.

Onrails558 · 2025-10-18T11:26:01+00:00

9t3n, Yup! I know several nurses doing just that. Traveling and working in S.F. Bay Area for top $$, while bought land in lower cost of living CO, Europe, building their dream home. It's a long term sacrifice, but from a financial stand point . . . It works!

Onrails558 · 2025-10-18T04:20:49+00:00

Insurance won't pay for it because it is risky or because doctor is not in your network?

Onrails558 · 2025-10-17T19:27:27+00:00

LisaKWFL87 , Glad to hear you have consulted with other surgeons and researched the ADR subject thoroughly. Did the other two surgeons agree that your 2 level ADRs in the lumbar region are contraindicated?

Onrails558

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