JCW915

Is our maxima the only car out there that has a weird tire size? It seems like everywhere I go trying to find them, no one ever stocks them for the Michelin Pilots. Sooo weird. I ended up going to costco and ordered it cause they were the cheapest. Been 2 weeks and i'm still waiting for my tires. If I have to drive anymore in the rain with the potenzas, I might as well put a boat motor underneath the trunk and add some fiberglass body kits and hope I float very well.

Maximax2

Search under tires or Potenzas for lots of info on this. FYI, I bought the Kumho Ecsta KH11s which I really like, for approximately $550.

01SE02SER

Because of the high price of the Pilot Sport A/S tires, the average car owner probably wouldn't go for them. This would mean overall demand for them would be low, so that doesn't give tire shops real reason to stock them in any great quantity. This would also mean that Michelin wouldn't produce an over-abundance of them like they might for their more popular, lower-priced tires.

That's probably why you're waiting.

MaxVader

I have the Kumho's as well and I have no problems. 580 total mounted and balanced with pep boys road hazard.

jmh8

I have the Continental Contiextremecontacts which are awesome!! 235/45/17. Check out the reviews on tire rack.com

fishhouse

iTrader: (1)

just got some Yokohoma's YK420's from Tires.com (Discount Tire, Inc.). they are size 215/50/17 and where $135 each, for my 2k1 wheels - love them!

jtortorella

Have you had any issues with the larger tire size? The 235's are approximately .4 inches wider than the stock 225's. Also, how big of a difference did it make for the fender gap with using a lower profile tire?

The reason I ask is that I am also looking at putting 235/45's on my '02 SE.......which has also been lowered by 1 1/2 inches. I don't want to run into a rubbing problem with wider tires.

Thanks!

jmh8

No problems what so ever. I got several opinions from different places before going with them including tire rack. These tires look awesome and drive even better. When it rains hard, it feels like I'm driving on dry pavement. You wouldn't believe the tread on these things. Pics don't do them justice.

jtortorella

Very Kewl! Any idea of how long they last (mileage wise)? The ContiPremieres have a 60000 mile warranty.........but the ContiExtreme's don't have any mileage warranty listed (at least not on TireRack.com).

][ 35

iTrader: (2)

I also have ContiExtreme with 234/45/17 and it's great.... i think the tires have 400 AAA rating so it should last pretty good....

maximo-SE

iTrader: (7)

boston has made my tires super sucky. These are factory, so it sucks already. Just want to know what replacement tires are good? Good priced, and would prefer if someone knows if BJ's or COstco stocks them. I think our tire size is P225/50VR17.

(not I only have 7,500 miles on my tires, but for some reason after my tire rotation... the car doesnt feel like it can handle on curves anymore.... is it just me?)

jmh8

maximo-SE

iTrader: (7)

i see the 4 continentals for 556 (not including shipping).... is that a good deal??

JCW915

199 for each pilot sport a/s Z rated, that's including installation.

Weird how you guys say the continental tires are good! My dad's car had contiental tires stock, and they really really sucked. Probably because it was oem. But then again, the replacement tires was 280 each. Dunno. Maybe just a heavy car?

But yeah, i've been dreaming about what it's like not to drive with potenzas. Must be great huh? No more hydroplaning!

MaxVader

Im running 235/50 17 Kumhos KH11

jmh8

These Conti's just came out this year. Check the user reviews on tire rack. $556 is a good deal. The Conti's are awesome. No comparison to the other Continental's out there including the Conti touringcontact which comes OEM on Audi, Jaguar and BMW.

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

Not to flame you jmh8.....

But if the Conti's just came-out this year, wouldn't it stand to reason that the reviews on TireRack wouldn't have that many miles behind the buyers' opinions?????

I usually look for reviews that have eclipsed 15-20k on a particular tire.
This is the TRUE test of a tire's performance, since most hi-perf tires don't last much beyond that milage range.
The first 5k don't mean squat to me.....

Just food for thought for you prospective buyers out there.

Personally, I REALLY can't decide which tires are gonna replace the Blow-Tenzas when it's time. I'm at 14k now and they're just not gonna die before 25k at this rate. They're not SO bad, unless it's raining.

For me, it's either the Sumi HTR+'s, the Yoko ES100's, or the (god help my wallet) Michelin Pilot A/S's in 235/45/17.

gr

jmh8

Go ahead and flame all you want. There are reviews with more than 20k on the tires. I have 15k on mine and no sign of any tread wear. I really don't give a sheet what tire you get. I am personally giving my experience with these tires. These aren't for everyone. If you live down south maybe you should go with something else. I live in Chicago so an Ultra High Performance, All-Season makes sense for me. The bottom line is this is the best bang for the buck out there. If you look at the survey results and the reviews you will find people that have previously had the Dunlop's, Michelin's, Goodyear's, and just about every tire and love the Conti's. So flame on brotha.

F23A4

Great thread guys!! You've all been very helpful to me, as I'm also looking to replace the stock RE92s. Sounds like I'll be going the '235/45ZR17' way also and I'm leaning towards Yokohamas (AVS)

Thanks.

jjs

Yeah, they are pretty good tires. Went with 225 55/17's on mine.

maximo-SE

iTrader: (7)

yeah i agree, great thread. planning to get the continentals because I live in Boston, and the potholes and weather doesnt help at all. The potenzas really do suck in the rain, my tires have 7500 miles on then, and when i was running the nice curve on storrow drive during the rain, I fell it skidding. A new car with sheety tires... just hate that...

sysadlight

Hi there. I actually got 235/50/17's this morning Pilot A/S tires from Tire Rack and when the guy put the fronts on, the tire rubbed the back of the wheel well. Tire rack says they'll fit, but no such luck. With the car sitting on the rack, and just turning the wheel, the fronts rubbed at 3/4 turning. I can imagine they would rub even more cornering and braking. You sure you's don't rub at all? Or is it really really close and looks like it might but doesnt? I bet i could only slip a few sheets of papr if that between the back of the tire and the wheel well. Anyway, told the rack to come get em and send me 225 50 17's instead. The 235's looked awesome on the rim...very sad to see them not fit...but didnt want to take the chance with them rubbing as I drove and then not being able to send them back...

Ideas?
Thanks!!

.45

You have a GLE or SE, your profile doesn't list it? I ask because I consulted with TR on Monday re: Pilot Sport A/Ss on my 02' GLE running stock 17 x 7JJs (1.57" offset vs 1.75" offset). They stated max fit (I know...conservative but I trust the response) is 225/50-17 Pilots and would not guarantee 225/55-17s or other...

As a result, I'm going with 225/50-17.

jjs

Having had them for over 30K miles, I can definitely say there are no issues with 225 55/17 on a stock suspension.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

buy mine...

.45

I'm glad to hear that and I may come back to you for some questions if that's OK. Because...one of my objectives is to maintain the GLE "fat-a$$" ride characteristics and I had hoped to go with Pilot Sport A/S 225/55's for that reason (more sidewall, etc.) but three things have/had changed my mind:

1. TR's "guranteed fit" discussion
2. The calculator outputs
3. The spec comparisons on TR (stock EL42s map very closely to the replacement 255/50 Pilots).

Thanks for the FYI.

jjs

PM or e-mail me if you have any questions. As for your issues...

1. They don't know what they are talking about this time. Maybe just unsure about the Max rubbing in particular.
2. Difference is only 3.4%, hardly worth me caring.
3. Depends on which 55's you end up looking at.

sysadlight

I have a 02 GLE. Yup there seems to be about a inch or little more clearance with the stock tire to the back of the wheel well when the tire is turned. The 235's were touching the back of the wheel well. I am hoping that the 225's will be in the middle... The TR guy said their fitment guys do state that it will fit and was puzzled that it didn't and told me that he will talk to them and have them re-check. But, there seem to be people on this board that have 235's and no rubbing or issues...can't figure it out. Maybe the Pilot's are a different fitment or something? Different than the Continentals or something with tread or outer rim or something....

As for TR, I am a very happy first time customer. They have so far been treating me well. They told me they will pay for the pickup of old ones, ship new ones and pay for the $34 it cost to test the one tire that didn't fit. I know they should do this, but it was nice not having to argue and fight for them to do it.

gt350mike

I took JJS's advice and went with the Continental 225/55/17. It rides SOOOO much better, and I save a ton of cash ($78 per tire + shipping, mounting, & balancing). I drive about 33k miles per year and I hated the idea pouring money on the 50 series that would wear out faster than the average tire. I had Nittos but you couldn't pay me to put those POS on my car!!!!

jjs

Hey bud!!! Glad to hear you like your decision!

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

JJS, are the 225-55/17 in spec with the stock 7" rim width on the 2K2 SE? I am just wondering because I know the 235-45/17 is not, although a lot of org members have gone with this size without any trouble.

.45

gt350mike - 02' SE and jjs 01' AE
Sorry for the redundancy/overkill here fellas but..."it's in the details right?"

1. I want to re-verify, you are both running on stock wheels correct? What specific size?
2. Do you know / can you tell me exactly what offset you have?

Thanks in advance. I'm trying to do this right the first time with Pilot Sport A/Ss so...if I can definately get away with 225/55's versus 225/50's I'm open to it.

nissan5788

Gt350..how's the profile look on those 55's? I'm lowered on Teins, just had the Conti 225/45's put on yesterday and the return of wheel gap is somewhat irritating The stock 50 series looked fine, wheel gap was almost non-existant w/Teins. I'm wonderin if 55's would be too 'tucked' in the wheel wells?

jjs

BIGFLY-- Unlike going to a 235, my choice stayed the same width as 'stock' only a bit taller tire. No fitment issues.

.45-- Yes, bone stock AE wheels. No offset, etc. issues for me to worry about.

I just like they way they fill out the wells visually, and also prefer the additional comfort of a 55 series without giving too much up in cornering, etc.

gt350mike

My car is a 01 SE 20th Anniversary w/the stock wheels. I do have a little "rub" occasionally when I'm turning the car while backing up (I have no clue why it rubs only when I'm backing up). I think the 20th anniversary cars have more "flaring" in the wheel well so that may be the reason why my car rubs (sometimes) compared to a standard SE .

I have about 25k miles on my tires as of today and I think I have at least another 25/35k remaining. My next set will be the same: Continental ContiTouringContact CH95. I just checked Tirerack and the price has gone up to $90 (it was $78). Its still the best buy anywhere!

One note......your speedo will be off a few mph (it will read 60 when your actual speed is about 62).

gt350mike

Thanks for the advice!

Rich96

iTrader: (2)

I got a nail in my Blotenza the other day and it turned out my sidewall was damaged. I said f it, I needed new tires at some point and was tired of the lack of traction, wet or dry. I ended up getting the Goodyear Eagle RSAs in a W speed rating. I got Sear to match them at $134 each from Tire Rack because I needed them asap. The A-holes didn't believe me that they were that cheap and refused to let me use their computer to look it up. They were pretty suprised when they found out I work for the wireless phone company and was able to whip out my laptop with an Aircard and get on the internet right in their shop.

So far, I'm pretty happy. They handle REALLY good in the rain and rather well dry. Would I prefer a Z rated total performance tire? Hell yes, but I drive 30K a year for work and couldn't handle the drawbacks.

FUEL

Do you have any pics because I too am considering them over the Pilot A/S. The Contis are so fugly though. If you could post a pic that would be awsome I can even host it for you if you like. Or you can hit me up
AIM = Nightwalker447

limsandy

iTrader: (1)

Dude, do you really care what the tires look like? As for me, i don't really care if it looks like ****, but if it handles well and performs well, then it's for me!


~limsandy

Architect

There are four additional things to think of here.
1) What's the speed rating of a replacement vs. stock tire?
2) Does the replacement tire come with a load rating equal to or greater than the stock tire?
3) What's the difference in circumference of the replacement tire?
and
4) Does the TIRE MANUFACTURER say that the tire will fit your wheel?

Consider that stock tires are V rated and carry a load rating of 91.

The Yokohama AVS ES100 tires (just bought some myself), at a size of 235/45-WR17 WILL fit a stock 17x7" wheel.

1) Higher speed rated (W vs. V).
2) Load rating of 93 > 91.
3) Speedometer error < 3%.
4) Yokohama's factory data says that 7" is (barely) within the range for wheel widths with this size of tire.

They aren't terribly cheap or terribly expensive, at a cost of ~$130 per tire. They handle very well in rainy conditions.

But what do I know; I may very well be full of crap...