I've seen very little good said of the Nitto 450's or 555's and I don't think I'd choose them myself. I was using them as an example above although I'm looking for a new tire that's better than the RE92's but doesn't have to be a "max Performance" tire. The way I see it I have about 2 choices:

Michelin HGT Z4 Ultra Performance all season in 225/50-17 or
Pirelli P7000SS Ultra Performance in 245/45-17 (min rim = 7.0" and keeps us in Overall diameter spec)

Otherwise, I'm buying new 17X8 rims and RE730's (though I'd have a hard time getting that purchase through the household purchasing department head.......... )

Comments?? Have I missed some choices??

Thanks,
Toolin.....

oh, my GOD!!!!

All this trying to find a suitable all season high performance with the daffy sizing on the 17 inch rims (thanks a bunch nissan) has led me to look at the yoko avs sport max summer tires. 225/45/17 This will give me an extra 3500 miles per 100,000, but that's ok if the 100k miles are more fun for me. 2 questions:

1. Anyone know if/how I can get the odometer recalibrated for the smaller diameter tires?

2. Yoko avs are good for the $, right?

Hey massmax,
Don't blame you there... Nissan chose a 17" tire and rim combo very poorly.

I do have a general question though and the answer might help you: The standard SE has 16" tires in size 215/55-16 leading to an overall width of 25.3". Are all SE speedo's calibrated with this standard tire offering? I can't believe that Nissan re-calibrates the SE's that get the 17" package??
That said your 225/45-17 choice is 25" overall diameter and not that far off, especially if the speedo cal is done with the standard 16" SE tire size.

Looking forward to the snow tonight to try out my new Blizzaks, though the wheel covers and 15" steel rims sure look ugly!!!

Toolin.....

Any comments or suggestions welcomed.

I had Pirelli P7000-SS they were impressive but not all that to other tires that I have used like Dunlops and Bridgestone RE730s...

I think Loren has these, he loves them but they do have a seriously rough ride.

Hmmmm. I'm not sure I agree with that entirely. I suspect Nissan chose the tire and rim combo to keep costs down and provide reasonable ride quality on a "high performance" tire. If I'm correct, then from Nissan's perspective they chose the tire and rim combo very intelligently.

I also think that for the average driver, the stock 17" tire and rim combo is perfectly adequate. Only problem is, we're not average drivers.

Such is life!

[Edited by y2kse on 01-05-2001 at 06:50 PM]

I'll bet they like the kick-back from Bridgestone as well since the RE92 is practically the only tire in the "odd" size of 225/50-17. If Nissan had gone with a 7.5" rim a plethera of tire choices would then be available, some much less expensive and better performers than the RE92's. Kinda like a monopoly.....I agree, I think they knew exactly what they were doing...

-Toolin....