My Maxima needs some new tires. I'm debating between the Michelin XGT Z4 and Pirelli P7000 Supersport. I've narrowed it down to the two tires. Is anybody familiar with these, and if so, what are your thoughts? I'm interested in ride quality, wet traction, and quietness.

The Toyo FZ4s I have on my car are too noisy for me, and I want to avoid that with my next purchase.

Thanks for your help.

 

The Michelin XGT Z4's are ancient tires. Were you referring to the Pilot XGT Z4's? If you were referring to the old XGT Z4's, then the Pirelli tires are a better choice. If you were referring to the Pilots, then the Pilots are probably better, but have you ever noticed that Michelins are at least 1.5x the cost of all other tires?

If you are looking for an all season ultra high performance tire (like the Pilot Z4, SS7000) then look at the Dunlop SP5000. It is an awesome tire and I think everyone here who has tried them has been completely satisfied. I have a set on my Maxima right now and they are so good I will definitely be going with these again once they wear out.

 

I have Dunlop SP5000s now and had Pirelli SuperSports awhile back. The Pirellis were pretty good but my initial impressions of the Dunlops are already more favorable. The Pirellis just didn't handle quite as well as I had thought, and they got pretty noisy at the end of their life. The Dunlops on my car are brand spanking new right now but they are ultra quiet and pretty comfortable (noticeably less jarring ride than the last set of tires - SP8000s). I think either tire is fine - you can't go wrong - but I'd try the Dunlops. I'd stay away from Michelins because all the reviews I've heard have just been *okay* and they are far more expensive than the Pirellis or Dunlops. Why bother with the added price?!

 

Go Michelin. Nissan just replaced my stock Potenzas with my choice of Michelin Pilot series. I opted for the HX MXM4. The improvement in ride and confidence this car now exhibiits with this set of tires is nothing short of amazing when I contrast it with my experience running the Bridgestones. The car felt jittery and nervous when pushed to higher speeds and quick maneuvers. Too much tire vibration was passed through, to the wheel, pedals, body, etc. Now I feel the road, not the tires, if that makes sense. Whatever you choose, good luck and enjoy your ride! srm

 

I have Pilot XGT Z4's(all-season) in 18" on my GS400. It's great, good dry/wet traction, and more importantly, it handled the snow well.

 

Thanks for all your advice on this. After much debate, I am going to purchase a set of Dunlop SP 5000's. I appreciate everybody telling me how quiet the tire is, not to mention how much cheaper than the Michelin it is ($66.00 a tire.)

My only problem is that particlar type of Dunlop (SP 5000) isn't available here in Europe - so I have to have the Tire rack mail them to me. $90.00 shipping charge for all! That sucks.

As soon as I get the tires in and have them installed, I'll post a report on how these things perform of the authobahn.

 

 

I want to go on the Autobahn too! Dammit

 

While the autobahn can be very fun, it can also be very dangerous. It is actually nerve racking if you take a couple hundred mile drive on it. You have to drive many, many, car lengths ahead of yourself to anticipate anything developing in the roadway ahead of you, while at the same time keeping a constant eye on your rear view mirror for the fast moving Porsche, BMW or mercedes. There is a very interesting article about the autobahn on page 106 of March's Car and Driver magazine. It's good reading and is pretty truthful.

However, on the rare occasion that the autobahn opens up in front of you...enough said.

On open stretches, the majority of the traffic runs 85-95 mph. What is really surprising is the diesels over here. I have seen some of the Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen diesels running over 130 mph...incredible!

There is something about the Maxima that does on the Autobahn; the cruise control doesn't work above 92 mph.

Okay, can't pass up a few autobahn stories:

Audi TT with twin turbo - can't stay with Max in drag race starting at around 90 mph. It's top speed is only marginally faster.

BMW 740 - Don't drag race one of these starting at 110 mph. You'll only be embarrassed, like I was.

Chrysler minivan(?????) I couldn't get away from this thing from 110 mph through 130 mph. I would leave him after 130, probably because of the aerodynamic drag on the van. I wonder what this thing had in it. Whatever it was, it hauled butt.

BMW 535 Alpina BiTurbo - I just had to try, and the results were as expected.