I have the factory 15" SE rims back on. While it's not exactly bad looking, the factory 215/60R15 Goodyear RSA tires are not very desirable. I'm looking to replace them with one of theses 225/50R tires:

Dunlop Sport 9000($150 each)



OR


Dunlop Sport 8000($99 each)





OR



Nitto NT 450 Extreme Performance($89 each)



What do you guys think? Any other tire suggestions?

 

Btw, if I get new tires, I would need to them balanced, right? I know that might be a silly question, but I want to be sure. I don't need to do an alignment again, do I?

 

I have Michelin XGT V4 Pilots on a 96 SE, the Goodyear RSA's were not that good a tire in my opinion, after the RSA's I got Yokohoma's and they were pretty good, and not expensive either. The Pilots were around $90 from Sears/NTB and have been my favorite. They may not be as high performance as you are wanting though, those Dunlops look good. All you need to do is get them balanced, unless you have hit a real bad pothole or something like that recently, you shouldn't need an alignment

 

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I like the Dunlops too. Just not sure which one to get yet. I want the SP 9000, but not sure if it's worth $150 each.

 

I just ordered four Y-rated Pirelli P6000 215/60R15 (not the crappy Sport Veloce) for $115 a piece from Discount Tire. They are OE on some Porsches. I think the tread looks nice, and while they are listed as "High Performance" and not "Ultra High Performance" on tirerack.com, they still have some very positive reviews. Just my opinion of course.

Those Dunlop Sport 9000s look pretty nice though. As far as Nittos if I were to buy those I'd have to go all out and get the 555s

I plan to get some BFG ZR Comp/TAs when I buy 17x8" wheels. I was looking for them in the stock 15" size but no dice.

Have fun with your new tires

 

Well, I went ahead and ordered the Dunlop SP 9000. Even though it's pricey, I think they're worth it. Man, my credit cards are getting close to their limits.

 

$90 for the Michelin's?! What state are you from? I went to my Sears in Chicago last week, cause I needed new fronts (ha ha...too much you know what), and the XGT's were $175 apiece! I couldn't swing it, so I went to my local tire place, and bought used Toyo Proxes. They were very fresh, no wear at all. I think the guy upgraded his rim size..... paid $70 installed for both. The only thing I dislike is the H-rating, instead of the V I have on the back. The Toyos are very sweet, nice and soft for the street.

 

Yup. Definitely balance them. Good choice on the 9000s. Judging simply from the looks of their tread, the 8000 looks like its a very very good dry tire, but in the wet, watch out, especially with our light weight Maximas. This is just a visual observation. I may be totally off.

The Nittos and 9000 look like the the wet/dry handling are more evenly matched.


I just ordered a pair of Kumho Ecstas 712 to replace my worn out fronts. They were cheap, like the Nittos. My Pirellis were alright, but as they aged, boy did they get noisy!

DW

 

Try the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 they are absolutly awesome in the rain. I have no complaints at all on these.

 

I agree. I thought the Kumho's were going to suck because of their price and where they're made. I got a set on my Miata (205/40R17 size though) and they're relative quiet and have really smooth predictable breakaway characteristics. They don't have that absolute maximum grip, but the predictability let's you drive the car that much harder. I've only put on a couple thousand miles, so I can't comment on how they handle as they wear or how they are in the wet. I don't take this car to the snow, so can't tell you about that either.

I have the Michelin Pilot XGT-H4 on my Max and they're ok. Seem to last pretty long and be a good compromise tire if you neeed a tire that is slightly above average in dry, above average in the wet, and quite useable in the snow. Also a progressive tire at the limit, though not as much so as the Kumho's. They seem to have worn gracefully and even near the end of it's tread, are still decent. They are slightly noisy when pushed hard (squeal). But hey, that's just the tires talking to ya!

I had the Dunlops before, and they're pretty good when they're new, but as they wear, tend to let go unpredictably. But the Dunlops were a definitely a fun tire. It could've been they didn't handle good on my car because I pushed them past their limit all the time.

-V

 

I just got a set of 215/60-15 Bridgestone Potenza RE950's. So far they are great. Very quiet and grippy. Good rain traction too. Plus, they look bada$$.

 

I live in Nashville, the Sears close by had them on sale. I think they only had a few left in stock so they wanted to get rid of them.

 

Anybody able to compare the Nitto NT 555 Extremes, The Bridgestone Potenza RE730's and those Dunlop 9000's?

Those are what I'm looking at on 18" rims. I'm looking at Enkei RS5's 18x7 5-100/114 40S size.

These would be from tires.com. Going on a superblack SE with 5-spd manual.

Any comments?

 

215/60R15??

for those who wanna keep their 16" stock, go for the Potenza PP SO-3. Just $170+ a pop!

with that in mind, I will go for a 17" tire/wheel package when it's time to change the tires.

 

How come you'd go with 17" and not 18"? Are there disadvantages to 18", 19" or larger other than cost for rims and replacement tires?

What's better, 7", 7.5" or 8" wide rims. Seems they all take a 235 tire.. oddly enough according to tires.com and tirerack.com

 

If it was me I would go with a round set of tires. Plus they would have to be rubber plastic ones are not a good ride.

 

Discount Tire said the Dunlop SP 9000 tires are out. So, I would have to go with another type. Maybe the SP 8000. I don't know. Should I just stick with the factory 215/60R15 size instead of the 225/50R15 I want to go with? Discount Tire told me the bigger size tires will fit, but it's too short, will affect the speedometer/odometer, and make my car slower? Hm...

 

Im having trouble selecting tires also. Dunlop SP5000s have been reccomended, are these the best tires, if not, which are ?

 

It will affect your speedo and odo, and as for theslower part, since the newer tires will be shorter, I think what the discount tire rep meant was that your top speed will be lower. Your speedo will read 135 or whatever, but your true speed will be less. However, your acceleration will be better. Your 0-60 and quarter mile times will be better. Also, since they are 225s as opposed to 215s, your cornering ability will improve also.

DW