I'm thinking of being ghetto fabulous and just getting new tires for the front and not the back for now. When it's rotation time, I'd get the other pair. Bad idea? Or a good way to save some cash?

 

Traction on the back is important too.
Most places can do 6 months same as cash type deals. Go for that if you have to.
I got falken ze512's for 600 with road hazard, free rotation/balance, and alignment. It's worth doing right. Trust me.

 

I would rather replace all four tires at the same time. Your car will handle better IMHO. Are you replacing worn tires or just tired of the OEM tires?

 

Just tired of the OEM ones.

 

Go for replacing all four at the same time. I got Kumhos KH11, much cheaper than stock, and perform much better (also a lil bit noisier i think).

 

1. Replace all 4 at once.
2. If you can only replace two, replace the rear ones. Think about what happens in a high speed turn. If you lose traction, it won't be in the front- it will be in the rear because you will fishtail.

 

I'm sorry if I sound dumb, but doesn't fishtailing only happen with rear wheel drive vehicles??

 

No, fishtailing is not always the result of wheel spin. In fact, I have fish tailed many more times by pushing a car just a tad too far no matter if it was rear drive or not.

 

Just change all of them at the same time.

 

My local Costco shop will only mount a new tire on the rear (if you're buying less than four). They have a sign pre-printed from Michelin, I think, stating this policy taped to the counter. I talked to the manager about it, and he says they absolutely follow this policy. (He refused my request to mount a single on the front of my non-Maxima car).

The Michelin placard had pictures and stuff, and stated that this goes for all cars, FWD, RWD, and AWD.

Sign said something like "contrary to popular belief, you need the newest tires with the most traction on the rear of your car, regardless of which axle is powered" or something like that.

Was news to me! But it wasn't a handwritten sign from Costco, it was from a major manufacturer, I think Michelin.

 

i just got those falkens too ben, there pretty nice

 

Yeah, they are sweet as hell in the rain! A tad soft in the corners, but well worth the trade. Quiet on the highway too.

Anyway, back to topic. Try driving your max hard into a wide turn. See wich breaks loose first, the front or the back. Then go replace all 4 tires.

 

is it true the 512's dont hold up well in higher speeds -past 110mph?

 

Ummmmmmm....how often are you going over 110 mph?

 

not much...but the Potenzas held their own many times at high speeds

someone mentioned this in the tire forum- they are V rated tires that should
hold up to 149mph- but they mentioned thay get shaky over 110- just wondering what others have to say that have gotten these...

 

OK, I guess this would be a situation where I shouldn't be a cheap a$$. Thanks for the info!

 

I have 512's and love them. They have been up to about 105mph with 3 people in the car (+me) and skiing/snowboard gear on the roof and in trunk (so, loaded down)......I did not feel any vibration, felt in total control....But like was mentioned before, how often are you going 110? If it's often, please tell me where you drive so I can stay away.....

 

Maybe the balancing on that person's tires was just a little bit off....that could account for vibration at very high speeds......that or bad alignment (or could be bad struts causing high speed vibration)....just a thought.