I'm in the process of getting some new wheels.
I need some new tires go with my Konig Tantrums-18's

An auto shop around my way recommends the Nitto 555 235/40ZR18, what are your thoughts on these tires?

 

I like my Nitto 555's a *lot*. They are ideal for phenomenal handling at high speeds, cornering, etc. on DRY pavement. They are OK on rain/wet, but clearly designed for dry. They are my summer tire set (just put them on this week) and I had forgotten how great they were ...

just my 0.02

 

They are an incredible tire. But I feel they are an excellent rain tire as well. I can launch pretty good in the wet. And still corner fairly hard.
Wet or dry, they are a vast improvement over all season. As long as you have a set of winter tires.

Think hard about 18" though (unless you already bought them) Because I went from 16" stock wheels to 17" with the Nittos. And ride quality suffers noticeably. So does the 'eagerness' off the line. What I mean is the car feels a little more sluggish. And I think it has to do with the wheels being heavier. I never weighed the stock wheels, but with the Nissan 17" wheels with Nitto tires, 47 lbs each. My Blizzaks on the steel wheels are 34 lbs each. And the car does 'feel' a little more spritely. And rides MUCH better. Though they are higher profile.

Anyway, hope you dont mind feeling EVERY bump with the 18's.
But back to the original point- for the price, I dont think you can do better than the 555s. Unless you spend twice as much.

 

I have to agree with JimmyH on the wet traction with the Nitto's. However, I think they are horrible in the dry performance-wise. They are quiet at speeds, but cornering is just terrible. Another good thing is they don't seem to wear out very quickly. This is probably the last set of these I'm going to get.

Just another opinion.

 

I can say this, I can push the car harder in turns than any car its size has any right to. I was originally going to get Potenzas, but the Nittos were cheaper, and I heard great things.
My wife's MR2 has Potenza RE040. Awesome tire. Not available in very many sizes though. Now if you want a car that can corner...

 

same here...my car slides bad when i corner hard...i got the Nittos because they were cheaper than other brands like TOYOs...but i wish i'd have gotten the toyo FZ4s..i had them before and they are better tires than the 555....but the 555s are excellent in wet traction...that's where that W on the sidewall comes in...

 

hey, to me, there's nothing more fun than a four wheel drift...