I need new tires and want to keep the original size on my '01 Max SE. However, the original equipment Bridgestones are poor, especially for wet traction.
I know the Michelin Pilots are favored, but I hear the wear is terrible (as is the price). Want a reasonable replacement that will perform well and give me 50,000 miles with reasonable driving.

Suggestions, please.

Bob

 

Really?

 

The thread rating on the Pilots are 300 I belive. That should last you atleast 30,000miles no matter how hard your drive and 50,000+ if you drive like a grandma. I dont know were you heard they wear fast. You can also get the nitto 450 but those arnt the best for traction in water. Id just go with 235/45 to get a better selection of brands, its out of spec but it will fit. I have the Yoko AvsEs100's on mine as does y2kse I belive and they are 235/45 and no problems as of yet. Most any tire is better then the stock re92's.

 

Close, HitManSE. Actually, the tread rating on the Pilot A/S tires (and I believe that's what Bobiam is referring to) is 400. That means that they should wear like iron unless they're driven extremely hard.

 

You can also try Nitto 450s. They have tires that match the stock size. Discount Tire has them.

 

I guess I undersetimated it then, I knew for a fact it was over 300 but I didnt know it was that high. I think the ES100's are at 280 or 300 not 100% sure but the stock re92 is at 180 and those lasted me 25.3K miles and were nearly down to slicks, im not even exaggerating on that. The new tires are like a day and night diff between the potenzas. Well if he has an auto 3.0 he cant drive hard, you cant burn those tires even at WOT off the line. Unless hes doin dognuts on a regular basis those tires should last him 50,000miles weither he likes it or not.

 

I have the Nitto 450's now and I'm at 34 thousand miles, but they're getting close to the end. My suggestion is not to buy them. When mine finally go out (which I'm hoping is the next 2 or 3 months) I'm gonna go w/ Sumitomo HTR+ in 235/45. Was going to do the Pilot Sport in 225/50 in spite of the cost, but when I had to replace one of my Nitto's I realized that I'd be less than happy if I had to shell out another $200 for a replacement.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport All season is what fits, not regular pilot sport. The treadwear is 400 on those, lightyears more than any other tire in class. Get them, you wont regret it.

 

$200 for a replacement? I only paid $113 for mine. Nittos are good for everyday driving, and some track use too. They aren't the best tire overall, but they are definitely a step or two above the Potenzas.

 

My bad...when I said "$200 for a replacement" I was referring to having to replace a P. Sport A/S tire, not a nitto. And I think they stopped making the original P.Sport and replaced it w/ the A/S, right?

 

I have Nitto 450 extremes.

I have only 1000 miles on them or less....so i cant exactly recommend them...havent driven in rain or snow. the tread looks nice and agressive and i got em for like 115$ each shipped. from discount tire direct i think

 

Have only 800 miles on these new pilots. Weather here in the Northeast has been very wet, with some snow and sleet. They worked perfectly in all different conditions and hold the road well. But remember I'm still breaking in this new SE.

BTW, felt so stongly about the Bridgestone OEM tires that they came off after 20 miles. A pricey mod, but one I'm happy with so far. I'll check back after 50K miles to describe wear, but past experience suggests they may last past 60K miles.

 

They deceived me like that too. I saw the tread pattern and got giggly like a school girl. Different story when I put the tires on. They were great until it rained, and it was then that I realized that I got duped. Wouldn't buy these again. Like I said before, ante up for HTR+ or (if you're one of the big boys) the Pilot Sport A/S.

 

well that really sux....hope I survive! lol

 

You'll survive. My wife has Nitto 450s on her 2K GXE and they're better than my old Potenzas. Just don't push them too hard in wet weather.

 

Word of advice.....water and 450's don't mix.

 

Sumitomo HTR's are nice dont slip at all on in rain or dry roads

 

I'm also considering a Cooper Lifeliner SLE. Not flashy, but substantial. $130+ each in 225/50/17.
Any knowledge of these????

 

I have had these on my car for about 5,000 miles now and I can tell you that they are definately a better handling wet tire than the Potenzas. I live in MA and I have had these tires long enough to test them in the snow and wet roads. I immediately noticed the difference in the snow.

Overall, I am happy with the Cooper's.

 

Falken Ziex 512's!

 

I agree with the other guys. Go with the 235/445/17.They fit fine on the stock rims. I am one of the few that actually got good tire wear out of the Brigestone Protenza'a. I didnt replace them until I had almost 60,000 miles. However i probably should have earlier....the traction was horrid. I read all the consumers responses about a good replacement. I decided to go with the Sumitomo HTR+. I LOVE these tires. Great tread, great traction (especially in wet), quiet and very smooth ride. But, the best thing about them is the price.....$104 each. Best tires i have ever owned. Go to tirerack.com and read the reviews on this tire....they out rate even Michelin.

 

Thanks for that feedback, kronnman. By the way, you own a 2002 andyou have 5000 miles on your NEW tires. Did you take the Bridgestones off real early or just wear them down quickly?

Bobiam

 

I drive alot. I now have just over 30,000 on my 2K2. I had about 25,000 miles on the Potenzas and I hit a pothole and that blew out both right side tires. I saw that as a blessing and replaced all 4 tires.

 

I just bought Dunlop Sport A2s. Read about it here.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=207504

 

How about the 245/45/17s. A pinch bigger and closer to the rolling diameter of the OEM Bridgestones. Heard about any problems with clearances, or rim sizing????

Bobiam

 

You don't have to start that discussion again. There are pages of it in the FAQ... very good information.

Some will say it's great and have been rolling on them for 10s of thousands of miles safely, some will say you're out of spec and could die. Read here and make up your mind.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=3

 

hi bob -

1) suggestion is to try the FAQ (page 5 i believe) has a TON of stuff on this matter. also you can do a search and that will bring up 1000s of hits. i recently went through this process and it was invaluable.

2) the '01 is a 16" rim, right? if its 17" then you are stuck. i actually went w/ a narrower tire (215/50) ... sumitomo htr+ and what a difference. a lot more confidence in wet, rain, etc. they are a great deal.

3) you will hear a lot of opinions on 235/45. the point is they are an inch wider (8") then your rims (7"). and that's out of spec. they will work, they will probably be ok, but they will certainly not be what is recommended by a dealer.

good luck!

 

Same size wheels as you guy's (17-7), all I care about is dry traction that will get me off the line better (not concerned with wear, or wet weather), is their anything better than the nitto 450 for around 115.00?

 

Falken 512 Ziex... Overall I've heard much better things about these than the Nitto 450s... and they are cheaper than the Pilots AND come in OEM size...

 

I was going to get those tires (Falken). But decided not to. I read too many bad reviews about them. Loud, wear way to quick, etc. So I decided not to get them. Also, places that carry them do not keep them in stock and I didnt want to wait 2 weeks.

 

I have heard the same for the Nitto's, I guess it is the lesser of two evils. Did those reviews say anything about dry grip, that's all I really am concerned about.

 

To see the reviews go to http://www.1010tires.com/
Search for the tires and click on the reviews.
Sorry, I cant post the link to the reviews because it was in a pop up.

 

OK I went there and was looking at dry traction, just to give you some numbers the Toyo Proxies T1-S rated a 4.9, Yoko AVS ES 100 rated a 4.6, the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 poles rated 4.6, and a new tire from Falken called the Azenis ST-115 rates at 4.8 for dry traction, and the best part is shipped I can get them for 109 each from discount tire. Has anyone heard of these???

By the way a 99 Maxima owner left a review and said that they were excellent dry tires, everyone who wrote a review gave them a good rating for traction and very low noise. This low noise has to do with some new design, here is what discount says

Quiet ride base tread rubber contains micro vacuum capsules that suck up road noise.

Round shoulder profile won't interfere with suspensions or fenders.

Stylish graphics & rim protector ridge deliver good looks and protect your wheel investment.

Wide grooves and directional tread look good and deliver excellent wet and dry traction.

Performance casing design features polyester plies with an extra sidewall reinforcing ply, full-width steel belts and nylon cap plies...the latest technology.

Low profiles, high speed ratings, long wear: 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 series; V & Z-speed rated, UTQG 360AA

This seems like a great price "109.00" for 235/45/17 ZR shipped opinions please.

 

wait... i'm new with this tire thing and this might be a stupid question... but can u put235/45's on the stock 225/50/17 rim??

 

Check out this topic in the FAQ's.

 

Others have said that with their personal exprience it is fine, have you heard differently?


Again anyone heard things about Falken Azenis ST-115