I want to ditch the widowmaker Potenzas before winter weather arrives (I live in Michigan), and I'm finding that there aren't many options at 225/50R-17.

So far, I've found Goodyear RS-A tires at $640 a set, Falken Ziex ZE tires at $460, and Cooper Lifeliners at $480. I'm told the Coopers would not have much in the way of performance characteristics.

Any advice?

 

Michelin Pilot Sports A/S , the best for Maximas. Wet traction & snow traction is excellent , I heard. Better than the stock tires.

U can find it in tirerack.com

I plan to buy these tires after I have worn out my stock tires. I live in Michigan too but I don't drive very far to work, so it is ok.

 

I am planning to do same thing, but I am planning to get 235/45 R17 tire because of tire choices and prices. Many people here run this size and everything seems to be fine. I wouldn't get Goodyear RS-As as they might be as crappy as Potenzas.
I found two very good tires in 235/45 size. Sumitomo HTR+ and Continetan ContiExtremeContact. I know some people here already running HTR+. I am trying to decide between those two tires.
And btw, HTR+ cost about $89 a tires and ContiExtreme about $107 much cheaper than Pilots and they as good as tires Pilots.

Here some nice chart: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/uhpas.jsp

Of course if you really don't want to go 235/45 size, you will have to pay up for 225/50 Pilots or other crappy tires that are available in that rare size.

 

can we really use 235/45 R17 ? it would be nice if it is possible as the Michelin tires cost 200 bucks per piece....$800 for all 4, a lot of dough for 4 tires.

 

times, I'm intrigued by your Org name...you from around there?

 

I am from Singapore but working in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I figured the handle would be striking for people who knows Singapore.

 

Two questions: If I go with 235/45 R17 tires, will they fit on the stock rims, and will they mess up my speedometer readings??

 

they will fit stock rims and check out this thread for info on speedo screw up http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=239104

 

I have had the Cooper Lifeliner SLE's on my car since February. I have already put 16,000 miles on them and they still grip quite well. (More than I could say for the Potenzas at that mileage)

They also perform OK in the snow. (HUGE difference from the Potenzas)

Wet traction is excellent. I could feel the front tires lose contact with the road on the Potenzas going through the slightest puddle. I have not experienced this with the Coopers.

You will lose some of the performance characteristics on dry pavement but it was a trade off that I was willing to make.

 

I understand and am willing to accept less performance as a tradeoff for possibly saving my car and body from slamming into a bridge abutment. However, how is the road noise off of those Coopers? I don't want to be driven batty in the summer by the hum off the pavement.

 

I can say that I have not really noticed a significant humming from the tires. I'm not saying that they are completely quiet either.
I have never really paid attention to listening for any road noise from these tires. But I know that if they hummed like an SUV tire, I wouldn't be riding on them too long.

 

I've had the Goodyear before on my Grand Prix. IMO..They are worse in the rain than the Potenzas.

 

So can you use the 225/45/17's?? Will they fit the rims and what kind of consequences relating to ride quality will be suffered? Also, when you get the tires shipped from tire rack, if you are not installing them yourself, do you get them sent to where you want them installed?

 

merlion is right, from everything I've been reading, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S is the way to go...I know thats the tires I'll be picking up...yeah, they're a bit steep, but it helps when the dad of one of your buddies is a VP for Michelin

 

SEmy2K2go,

Now the key thing is can u hook us up ? any special deal for Michelin tires

I think what we should do is to do a group buy when we are ready to buy some tires. Probably can negotiate a deal with them.

 

Why not purchase a set of winter wheels/tires??

I'm close to Michigan and when winter comes I'm gonna get some 16" steelies with tire...should cost no more than 700cdn.

That way you can use Potenza's during Spring/Summer/Fall...and use the much better Winter tires for Winter

 

Duh. Why didn't I think of that? I have the four OEM rims sittin' in the garage. I can probably get 4 snows for $200

 

I've got the Sumitomo HTR's and even though it does not rain a lot in SoCal, when it does, it's very slippery. The Sumi's are WAY better than the Potenzas in wet, and in dry. Road noise is a little higher, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I got the 45's so there's less cushion.

 

I just ordered the Continental Extreme Contacts. I went with the 235/45/17's because of the options available for that size. I did a lot of research and found nothing but positive reviews for this fairly new tire. Tire rack had a great price but I got them from Discount tire for $550 out the door which isn't bad. This includes lifetime rotation, etc. The tires are on national back order, but they found a set for me in Ohio that is being shipped here (Chicago) on Tuesday. I'll let you guys know how they are when I get them on.

 

I just installed 245/45-17's and they fit like a glove.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=239863

 

if you guys need tires, i have a set for sale. heres the link to it.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=239887

I prefer selling the rims and tires as a set but am willing to spit them up. Or you can just buy the rim and tire set and sell the rims to someone else later on.

 

I just put on Goodyear RSA tires 2 weeks ago, they are 100% better than the potenza tires. I just got back from Mass driving from NJ, rain non stop, I could finally drive 70+ in the rain and feel confident, handled great in the rain. Taking turns in the rain were great (I drive my max hard all the time). Bad thing I have found so far is they squeal very easily. Like other threads here, the Michelins were my first choice, but the price was too much. Good luck on your choice.

 

I have the pilot sport all seasons, they are the best way to go.