I'm looking for new tires for my 97 SE because the current thread on the ones that are on now is almost gone. I stopped by a local shop and the guy suggested Egeal RSA's for $125 a piece. I was wondering what would be the best tires for my car, I'm looking towards grip and good performance in rain. I'm not sure of the measurements of the the tires I have on now, I think its 25/255/?. Thanks, David.

P.S. How would my car a 97 SE stock, do against a 2001 BMW 325i stock. I have this race for $500 dollars from a guy at work that will take place in a month unless I change my mind.

 

Dunlop SP5000s ALL THE WAY. Don't even look at anything else. I've had the Eagle RSA's, the TOYOs, the Dunlop Sport A2s and the Dunlop SP 5000. The SP 5000 is the BEST. GREAT in the rain, dry, snow and VERY quiet.
-Chad

 

Sounds great, thank you. Anyone else? If not Dunlop SP 5000 are my new tires!

 

I recommend Bridgestone Potenza RE950. They are THE BEST all season performance tire for any price!

 

yes - i like them alot too - toyo proxies are real good too(not the ones that come stock on the maxima though)

 

Proxes T1-S just remember these tires suck in the snow not that we got much this winter. But these are by far the best tire ive owned....

 

I heard the dunlops still lack in some areas of handling. what i like about it though is that they're quiet. that's a big plus.

i have the potenza re730s, not all season, but definately the best FULL performance tire money can buy (and damn expensive too!)

can anyone recommend a tire that performs like a potenza but is QUIET? the noise issue is a big thing for me.

 

Don't even start complaining about the noise of the RE730. I ran RE730s on my stock rims (which were the absolute best tires with great treadwear). Currently I bought some new rims with Yokohama Paradas wrapped around them, and those are the LOUDEST tires I've ever had. Even louder than back in my 4-runner with mud tires days. Trust me, RE730s are quiet compared to the alternatives, even the stock RS-As made more noise when worn down. What tire size do you run? Maybe that has something to do with it.

Back to the topic question, a good place to look for tires is at http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp
Especially check out the Ultra High Performance category. Personally I'm probably going for the Bridgestone Potenza RE730s in 225/40/R18 for my new rims when my Paradas wear out.

 

I'm not a tire expert with regauds to the Maxima. I just wanted to comment that I had some Dunlops on my old car and they lasted only 30,000 miles when rated at somthing around 60-70,000. I will NEVER purchase Dunlop again. The guy that sold me the tires told me that Dunlops were having treadwear problems and the store no longer carried them and that I could get a replacement set of tires at 1/2 off. Just my experience. Do as you please.

 

I have the Sport A2s and love them. I'm not in the market to replace them but was wondering how they were better? Mine are quiet, have reasonable traction (dragstrip) and are perfect in the rain. We don't get much snow here so... Thanks.
Otherwise, TheNip73 I'd recommend the Dunlop Sport A2s.

 

Not as pricey as the ones everyone else is recommending, but I would look at the Dayton Daytona HRs or ZRs. They are a WHOLE lot cheaper... and they perform really well. They are based on the Potenza.

I think they are a good compromise of performance and wet/snowy road handling. I had a couple friends that were skeptical of my "cheap" tires until they took a ride with me on a rainy day... they want some.

The Potenza RE730 is a good tire, but I don't think it is that great in the rain or snow... and I believe I have good experiences of the differences between a tire designed for high speed performance and one designed for poor weather conditions.

If you just want performance, I think I would buy Falkens in the FK-451 model... or if you are die hard, the Azenis Sport. Good bye, good weather handling though.

HTH

 

I'm thinking you should go 950s instead. They're all season and more quiet than the 950s. The 730s ARE noisy. Esp during highway speeds (roads make a HUGE difference in noise though) and I even hear the tires when I slow down to a stop sign.

The size I'm using in 225/55, which is a pretty high sidewall for a 16x7.5 inch rim. I chose thicker sidewalls because I wanted less noise, but that's not what I got...

The RE730s are great under ideal conditions, but anything else (other than rain) and they're unsatisfactory for me. They're noisy and HARSH (esp with AGXs) but they're the best in perforamnce if that's what someone is looking for.

 

Those were the exact tires that I had the problem with -- Dunlop D60 A2's. NEVER AGAIN.

 

I also have the Dayton Daytona HR's(225/50/hr16) on my 96 SE and i love them they wearing very good.The treadwear is very good 400 i think and are easy to clean and shine.Also i like Firestone SH30 but not sure what size they come in for the Maxima(i had them and still want them) good luck

 

Is your car a stick and is his car a stick? If you are both stick then its a drivers race. however if you are auto and he is stick forget it. Your a** is his.

 

anyone know anything about the michelin pilot sports or the cooper cobras...?

 

325i is way underpowered, you'll take him no problem........unless he's got some mods and hiding them.

 

I'm happy with the 234/45-17 Falkens 512s so far. Had them for nearly a month now.

 

DUNLOP SPORT A2. Have them on my 99. Heard the Cooper Cobras are also a good tire.

 

I have the cooper cobras 215/55-16 but I have yet to drive them in the winter... so far they're pretty quiet. They were on my car when I bought it - do you have any idea how much they cost?

 

Thanks that is what I thought. I'm still deciding on the tires but leaning towards the Bridgestone Potenza RE730. Going to see how much it costs to order them.

 

I highly recommend NITTO NT-450 EXTREME VR. I ran a 225/50/16 (they're available in the stock size of 215/55/16 too) on my 97 SE until I upped to 17" OZ Superleggeras and NITTO NT555 EXTREME ZR. The 450 is better in the wet than the 555 but I live in Tucson, AZ so wet handling isn't a problem. When the monsoons hit I drive my truck. Check em out at
Nitto Tire

Discount sells em for about $100/tire as I recall. They're always
willing to deal so it's worth a shot. Don't get the GoodYears or the Pirelli P7000SS. I've had both and neither set lasted very long. The Pirelli's had great grip but it wasn't worth it for their treadwear (gone in about 16K miles). By contrast, the 450s had 11K miles on them and looked barely used. Cool tread design too.

Cheers,

J

 

so i guess you're all performance, right? they're not an all season tire either. Personally they've done great in the rain in my area, but anything like snow, they'll slip n' slide.

 

How about Kumho 712?

I have a set on mine '97 SE and I like them.

 

What is the best size to get the Bridgestone Potenza RE730 if I have stock rims and are they really noisy? All reviews on these tires indicate they have uneven wear and are extremely noisy.

 

So why would you get them? I can't speak to their quality, noise,
or wear patterns as I've never owned them. However, I'll throw it
out there again that Nitto makes a great tire at a great price and I
don't think you'll be disappointed with either the 450 or 555. I
recommend the 450 unless you wanna drive really hard and then I'd say
get the 555.

Get a 215/55/16 or 225/50/16 in whatever you get.

Cheers!

 

Love my Dunlop A2's, quiet and good proformers.

 

Yeah they are alright but they last like 10k miles. Those were my last set. I got Michelin MX4 all season tires put on a few months ago, and I am 100% satisfied. Sure they don't have the grip of the Kuhmo's or some other tires but the ride and quietness is absolutely unbelievable. I took my car to FL a few months ago and I was literally blown away by the ride and comfort, which has alot to do with tires. My Kuhmo's were alright ride wise, but not like this. I'll trade grip for comfort, cause I take full advantage of handling about twice a year, comfort all the time.

 

Dunlop Sport A2s. cheap and very quiet. greate in snow and water. please go to tirerack and see it yourself.