I just got a set of new tires this week.  They were Pirelli Pzero
Nero M+S in a stock P205/55-R16 size to replace the horrendous
Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires that came on my Subaru Impreza
WRX.  I don't know what it is about the Bridgestone model that
makes it so popular as an OEM tire.  Handles poorly, doesn't
inspire confidence in the rain, and costs a ton to replace.  I'm
guessing manufacturers get a special deal on them, and they have
been purported to increase fuel economy.  However - I will say
that they do seem to last a while (even with a treadwear rating
of 160).  I rotated once, and still had more than 2/3 of the
original tread left at 11K miles.

That being said, I didn't like the "mold nubs" or whatever those
things are called that stick out of the sidewall (especially near
the rim).  So I pulled them out by hand.  Could there be any
problem from that?  I didn't bother with the ones on the tread,
since they'll eventually wear down.

BTW - these tire have a rim flange protector, but the flanges on
my stock rims are a bit wide and stick out.