I want to get a set of tires for my Max and I hope to save some money by going with Summer tires because that's when I drive it. What do you recommend for this situation guys.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/tires-wheels-53/

 

i would go with some 18's or maybe 19's infiniti wheels and other nissan wheels look and fit great on our cars.

 

Uhh...how do summer tires save money?

They are built to maximize performance at the cost of tread life; look at the UTGC tread wear ratings. They are also generally no cheaper than all seasons. They also won't increase fuel economy.

Having said that, I try to use summer tires as much as possible for the performance benefits. And snows in the winter for similar reasons.

Edit: for low money summer tires look at:
-Continental DWS
-Dunlop Z1 Star Specs
-Hankook RS3

You know there is a seperate forum for this?

 

This and this, both.

I always use summer tires for performance, and snow tires for safety. It's a total PITA and not at all cost efficient, but that's where my priorities lie. OP, by all means, pursue this arrangement. But don't kid yourself that you're doing it to save money. Do it for real and justifiable reasons.

You store your Maxima in the winter? (That's pretty cool... wish I had that option.) That being the case, I can vouch for the benefits of running summer-only tread, as opposed to all-seasons. It is a noticeably superior way to go.

Goodyear Eagle F1 - Free the Whales! (and empty your wallet)

 

General Tire Altimax HP Great tire IMO. Has good ALL AROUND characteristics. I really liked the wet traction compared to a few of the other brands ive had.
Can be had for high 80$ to low 90$ per tire.

 

An additional note: take advantage of the test data/comparisons the Tire Rack provides for the tires they sell (most major tire brands).

For example:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=118
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=120

While an inexpensive option (and an all season), these tires (and any General) are not comparable in performance to other summer tires. My previous list of tires will provide better summer tire value (performance/cost).

While good tires (especially in the wet), they performed comparably with the Conti DW which is significantly cheaper (even with the F1s on sale) and available in a wider range of sizes (hooray 255/45/17). These will likely be my next summer tire; replacements for the RE-01Rs even though they will be a performance step down.

EDIT: Be wary of tire advice as everyone has an opinion, but few have experiences with several tires. Thus increasing the value of the Tire Rack's work.

 

Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110s outperformed the Pilot Sports in the dry and was right behind them in the wet in a recent Car and Driver test. Probably going with them next when my Bridgestone RE-050's need replacing.

 

I thought about getting a set of those for my Saturn. They look like a good all around tire.
I may put them on the Max too, we'll see.

The Max (for summer) has a set of Falkens the P.O. gave to me, they're a season or 2 left topps.

 

2slow: Are you saying that 255 45R 17's will fit the stock wheel? I was looking at the Sumitomo something-or-others and they have that particular size for around $100 per tire.

 

I would. Again, like many others...I was looking at a good all around tire. No care for performance tires for any specific weather. That's what my karting and race cars are for. As long as I have the Max, ill be using GT tires.

 

Yeah I store it. My VE 5pd does the extra work. What is the general consensus about Nexen tires.

 

I've had the Hankooks for 10k miles now. They're good when it's warm outside, but in the cold they're useless. No traction at all. When it's cold and wet I can spin 3rd just by mashing it and into 4th. With cold and dry 1st gear is pointless (as expected haha) and don't bother shifting hard into 2nd, either. They're almost done for, too. I'll get another 1-2k out of them. I have HLSD, also.

I'm slappin on some more Riken (Michelin off brand) Raptors. I have them in the rear and they're flawless. I drive fast and over lots of holes and debris and both sets of tires haven been very rugged. Got a few holes in the Hankooks. Nothing a plug kit (big nail) and fix-a-flat stuff couldn't fix.

Too much money, but Toyos are the best I've used. Great traction and ultra tough. Once when I changed tires I had about 10 screws/nails/etc in EACH haha.
Same goes for Yokos, ultra sticky in the summer.

 

Do this...........

 

I like my Goodyear Eagle GT's, 245-45-17, on 350Z 7-spokes all around! Great performance and a 400 treadwear rating. They're all-season, though.

 

The Bridgestones I have are useless in the cold in a straight line too (less so than the Falken ZE912s were though), but that is typical of a summer performance tire. Look at the Tire Rack ads in the car mags where they have the disclaimer "Like all summer tires ___________ is not intended to be driven in near freezing conditions, through snow or ice". On the (sort of) plus side, it has made me realize the gains on top end from the NWP block plate because I can be getting traction and at 3800 rpms the tires break loose.

Summer tires aren't going to last all that long, but you should be able to get 20k miles out of them.

 

Nope, just that will likely be my next tire & size; I will sacrifice some performance for a quieter, longer lasting tire.

I chose tires based upon tire performance and then fitment. From my experiences a better performing tire will outperform a lesser tire in a wider size. Also note many brands don't produce a true high performance summer tire.

Not to sound like too much of a snob, but are your B-stones a middle of the road offering? These tires are usually more compromised (for noise, comfort, wear, etc...) and lack the outright grip of the top end models.

 

These are outright performance tires, treadwear rating of 140. I am 2-3 mph faster in cloverleaf offramps with zero squeal than I was with the Falken ZE912s, Michelin Pilot HX-MXM4s or Yokohama YK-520s. Come standard on BMW 335s which pull around .90 gs on the skidpad stock. Straight line traction is pretty decent once it gets above 50 or so.

 

Ok, but which Bridgestone model are they? There are considerable differences in tire performance with the same treadwear rating. For example, Bridgestone's best performing tire, the RE-11 has a higher treadwear rating (180) than lesser, or more compromised models (S-02@140, RE030@140, RE040@140, RE050APP@140-280, etc.).

On another note, the other tires you listed are either OE or economy (compromised) all seasons and should be outperformed by nearly any summer tire (in the dry above 50F).

 

Already mentioned they are RE-050s but it is sort of buried in the thread now. They are seriously sticky through curves, decent straight line when above 50. Hooking real good when I was in Phoenix and it was the 70s.

 

I have the nexen n3000. this is the 2nd or 3rd winter ive had them. cant remember. i love these tires. look nice. grip good, great wet weather and light snow duty...very light. i just havent had the timeor money to invest in winter tires so i use these all year. crazy i know. Best of all they arent that expensive i think i paid 64 a tire for 225.50.17.

Grand hustle that is a sweet looking max. Man i need some rims...