tecman4

Hi,
I'm looking to change my tires to a more softer, maybe taller tire to improve the ride(I feel every little bump in the road)
I have a 2003 se.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Has anyone done this and seen good results?
Thanks

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

michelin pilot sport a/s 235/50/17's. expensive but the best.

Yakuza70

I was in the market for new tires too. I ended up getting Michelin Pilot Sport a/s (actually getting them put on tonight). From what I've read, the Pilot Sport a/s doesn't really emphasize comfort so I would check out other tires. Take a look at tirerack.com - good information there. The Michelin Pilot HX MXM4's seem to fit your criteria for improved ride comfort. You'll find there's a small selection to choose from for the odd size tires the Maxima requires. Good luck!

jjs

Look into a 225 55/17 size. Have a set of Yoko YK420's on mine for exactly the same reasons. They apparently are a model made by Yokohama for Discount Tire.

VMaximus02

iTrader: (1)

Taller tires will effect your odometer reading and sure will help absorbing the road imperfection/bump better. I have the Bridgestone Turanza LS-H and they are great! They also make Turanza LS-Z for higher speed rating. IMO, these tires are decent in price and good in overall performance. Check them out.

turbomolar

Will the 235/50/17 or 225/55/17 rub at all on the 02 Max?

tecman4

How much of a difference do they make?
would odometer or speedometer be incorrect?

jjs

I answer to the above two posts.

1. No, they won't rub.

2. Speedo error is minimal. If you want the exact difference go to a site like www.miata.org (or something like that...try a Google search on 'miata tire calculator').

Young04

are they significantly quieter than stock tires? i got turanzas (2k2 GLE), and they make a lot of road noise on the highway.

jjs

Not a whole lot quieter (but it has been some time since I was in a stock tired car). I just like the way this size helps absorb some bumps, fills the wheel well, and doesn't cost almost $200.00 a tire like some other options. Actually when I bought them they were $91.00. I just went in two days ago for another set (since I got only about 20K (relatively hard) miles out of them). Thing is, I had the printout from their website about a 65K mile warranty which they honored and only charged me the difference in price from then to now. Walked out the door with another set of tires for a total cost fo $150.00. I can live with that.

tecman4

How much smoother are they?
Do you think its worth taking the new OEM tires off for these?

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Check TireRack and see if Continental ContiTac Touring tires are made in the correct size for the Maxima. They are probably the softest touring tire out there.

tecman4

They are not listed in tirerack but I will ask around and see if I find them.
also I found something interesting
the SE tire size is 225/50-17
while the GLE is 215/55-17

jjs

If you have the RE92's, I would think it is worth taking them off and just walking!!! Those are horrible. Couldn't wait to get rid of mine.

Also, they are much smoother. One thing you should note, my YK420's are billed as performance tires and I like them. Actual 'touring' tires will be even more quiet and compliant.

VMaximus02

iTrader: (1)

what model of Turanza tires are on your GLE's wheels?

tecman4

Yep Thats what I have,
they are really that bad?
Strange that Nissan would put them on their flagship car
I'll take a look around for good tires
Thanks
Wayne

Galo

KH11's...they are supposed to be the 'touring' Kuhmo -but still adequately speed rated, cheap, too at somewhere in the range of 100 bucks/tire in the stock 225/50 size...

tecman4

Why is a speed rating good?
What is a speed rating?

Young04

i THINK they're EL42s...i'll check next time i go out to my car.

gt350mike

I'm chimming in a little late to this discussion but I bought a set of Continental tires (225/55/17) for my 01 car. It was the best selection I could have made for my car because I put about 40k miles per year. The previous set was the Nitto's and I don't recommend those unless your missing the type of ride you would get from an F350 truck. Those tires are a POS!
My Continental tires ride GREAT! You will loose a little bit of handling but my car isn't a race car (if I want to race, I get in the Stang). I don't recall the speed rating but if you keep it under 130 mph, I think you'll be fine! The tires have rubbed a little during parking, but only not often. Keep in mind my car has the 20th Anniversary molding so that might be my problem. The speedo is off but I think its only about 2 to 3 mph at 70. I paid $78 a tire at the Tire Rack and I will NEVER put a different set of tires on my car. I highly recommend getting the Continentals!