My 2k2 SE is at 19k miles and it's time to order new tires. I've heard nothing but good things about the Michelin Pilot Sports A/S tires. However, I want to make sure I'm not buying a bunch of hype. Discount Tire lists these tires to fit the OEM rims: Falken Ziex ZE-512 225/50R-17 94V, Nitto NT-450 Extreme Performance 225/50R-17 94V, Goodyear Eagle RSA P225/50R-17 93W, Falken Ziex S/TZ-01 P225/50R-17 94H, and of course the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 225/50ZR-17 94W.

I live in the lower-Midwest (Indianapolis) and need something that's capable of dealing with adverse weather. Which tires do you recommend for a 2k2 Max in this region?

 

All I can say is that the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S are a HUGE improvement over the OEM Potenza's, especially in the rain. I can't speak to the other tires since I've never owned them. The knock I've heard about the Michelin's is the road noise. To me they seem to have about the same amount of road noise as the Potenza's. Of course, the Michelin's will take a huge chunk out of your wallet but I feel they're worth it.

 

Continental ContiExtreme Contact. $111 each at tire rack. Go get em!

 

What size on the ContiExtremes? 225/45 or 235/45? Which one fits the relatively narrow rims of the Max better?

 

The Nitto 450s suck in snow big time!

 

I got the falken ze512 225/50/17.
Good tires so far. They do a great job in the rain. Don't know about snow yet, but they seem like they should do the job as well as any other all season. The sidewall could stand to be a little more firm for hard corners. However, they are very comfortable for highway + daily drive. I payed a little over $600 for tires + mount + road hazard + alignment + free lifetime rotation/balance.

 

ContiExtreme contact are rated great at Tirerack for 108 ea.
225/45-17

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

 

The ContiExtremes in 225/45 have a 3.4% error rate due to the size difference from OEM. On the FAQs it states: 1. OVERALL WHEEL/TIRE DIAMETER: You should maintain an overall wheel/tire diameter that is no more than 3% greater or less than the OEM wheel/tire diameter. Otherwise you'll incur an unacceptable speedometer error. An excellent tool for comparing overall wheel/tire diameters is located at:

What about the Continental ContiTouringContact CV95? They are rated higher than the OEM Bridgestone RE92s and are in the OEM size.

 

There are 50 BILLION threads about tires if you search. But FYI, a Discount Tire store can order the Kumho Ecsta KH11s for you, which come in OEM size for $130 a tire (plus I talked my local manager down). They handle great, and our very good in the rain. A few people have commented about noise; to me they make about as much noise as the Potenzas.

Good luck.

 

If you want to stay with the stock size, I would go with the Kumho KH11, I personally went with 225/45 yokohama's, but I don't have to worry about snow.

 

DUNLOP SP 9000's love em

 

TIRES? How about the Yokohama, AVID H4, the closest size is 235-45-17, Anyone driven with these in the snow. THe AVID-T is a T-rated tire only, but it does come in a 225-50-17, will the T-rated tire make a big difference. Any and all opinions welcomed. IS there an actual good all season snow that will fit the 17 inch 01 anniverssary rim. It kind of snows in Toronto and I am too vain to put on steel rims and snow tires

Thanx

 

Cooper Lifeliner SLE Touring H rated in the factory size for around $120/tire. http://www.coopertire.com/us/en/dealerLocator.asp
GREAT in last winter's SNOW overload. We have 17k miles since last December on them and they are great. Awesome in snow, rain and quited on most roads.

Travis

Mastercraft is made by Cooper with slightly diff tread. Prices vary but are around the same as the SLE.

 

Can only compare the stock Potenzas to the Pilot Sport AS. Absolutely transformed my wife's 01. Handles MUCH better - wet or dry. There is some more road noise but it's still a very quiet ride IMHO. (Much quieter than my Z). They are pricey but I got a pretty fair deal at the local Costco.

 

You cannot use these tires. Their load bearing ratio is only 90 and you need a minimum of 93. You would mess stuff up bad if you get just 90s

 

Read the FAQ, people..... and search around during midnight.


~limsandy