greg84mk2

My wife's 2K SE with factory 17's needs new tires very soon. All Ive found in the stock size is the Potenza RE92's and Goodyear RSA's. What other choices do I have? Can I deviate from the OE size a little bit?

This is my wife's car, I dont need ultra hi-performance grip - just something all-around good, and yes, even all-season. More important are outright cost and wear ratings.

Thanks!

Nyc2kMax

go to www.tirerack.com they have great choices on tires and all the reviews you need... besides get rid of those stock potenza they are killers in the rain.

notesfield

I am struggling with the same decision and tirerack.com has some answers.. Tirerack suggests optional use of 215/50R17's. THis helps a great deal since the choices for the 225/50r17 in an all season performance tire are so limited and costly. (The 4th generation Max with 16" rims allowed us so many great choices) The 5th generation 17" rim/tire size is tough. Going with a 215 in place of the 225 gives you additional choices which based on the reviews at tirerack sound promising, check out the Sumitomo HTR+ or the Conti's, they both are offered in all season performance and are a great deal less money than the stock size potenza's. The question is, has anyone here tried the 215's in place of the 225's? I am tempted to try the Sumitomo HTR+ or the Continentals, but would like to hear from others who can vouch for them before I take the plunge. My 2001 SE handles okay with tired Potenza's, so I can only do better I think. ....Be sure to post what you decide on.

totttalled

I have the Bridgestone EL42's on my Max, which are even worse than the Re92's. Yesterday I got stuck in the car wash, which shows how bad they are in the wet.

I'm not making this up. It really happened.

I too have looked closely at replacement tires. I have found the following helpful:

tirerack.com

and

the tire size calculator found at: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Also, when choosing an alternate size, be careful not to go below the load rating of the original tire. Not only the speed rating, but the load rating. Some would argue this is not necessary, but I wouldn't bet my life on it.

RI-2k2

I installed some Cooper Touring Lifeliners in the stock size about 2500 miles ago. I am very happy with them. About $575 installed.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

dunlop sport a2. good price (about $100 each) and VERY good/safe in rain. tread life is also very good.

pruizgarcia

iTrader: (1)

Should have my new wheels and Sumo's HTR+ by Tuesday. Will let you know my first impressions.

Pedro

SEmy2K2go

iTrader: (10)

You may want to double-check the size of your wife's tires as the 2000 SE came with 16" wheels. I'm going with the Continentals vs. the Pilot A/S from Michelin, about $100 savings per tire.

WVmax

I'm getting Mastercraft 225 50 R17's put on my 2000 SE Monday.

greg84mk2

Thanks! No question we have the 6-spoke 17 inchers as they were avl mid-year. I wld be interested to see how both the 215 and 235 widths look, as well as the 55 sidewalls. Can anyone post pix of these mounted on the OE wheels?

Guess Im concerned than 215's will look wimpy, and that 55 sidewall will look like balloons. 235 sounds nice and beefy - but might they rub?

Hey soonerfan, what size are your Dunlop A2's? You got them installed on the factory 17's? Ive owned those tires on another car previously and was quite happy.

And WVmax... what are Mastercrafts, and where are you getting them from?

Thanks again everyone!

Instingkt

I just put a set of Mastercraft Avenger LSR's on my 2k2 Maxima yesterday. They are made by Cooper...V-rated, 360 treadwear, temperature rating: A, traction rating: A.

Got 'em at the local Nissan dealership. They were marked for $124.

So far, they seem to handle well (no wet surfaces yet). Rather quiet. Oh, and they do smoke really good when you want to play around. LOL!

TZapper

Kumho ECSTA KH11 225/50R17, W rated, Grand Touring Summer tires for $98 per tire at Tirerack. Excellent choice.

Treadwear 280, Traction AA, Temperature A

pruizgarcia

iTrader: (1)

Got my wheels and Sumo HTR+. Very satisfied with TR, tires well packaged and prompt delivery. For the Sumo's, so far I am happy with them. Waiting for the next good rain in Florida to see how they do in the wet. Just a note, my 99 Max SE was a lot quieter then my current 2002 Max SE. You hear a lot of wind and road noise in this car. Is it just me?

Pedro

HerBlue2kSE

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.

WVmax

Yeah, Mastercrafts are made by Cooper. I had Mastercrafts on my 3rd Gen and I really liked them. They had good tread, and lasted a long time. A good all-weather tire. So, I recently had Mastercraft Avengers put on my 2000SE. I got them for $96 per tire, $417 in all (installed). A good deal. I am pleased with the tires. They have good tread (which is good for these unpredictable West Virginia winters). And, they look good on the car too.