Hello, I am looking for some tire recommedations for a 2K2 Maxima. Tire size is 245/40/18. Summer driving only, wet traction is important. Considering Pirelli PZERO Nero M+S, Kumho Ecsta KU19, Kumho Ecsta MX, Kumho Ecsta 712, Falken GR-Beta FK-451 and Nitto 555. I am open to all feedback and other suggestions. Please only recommend tires you have personally used or had personal experience with. Thank you!

 

I am doing the same thing
Pirelli PZERO Nero - new tire, excellent result so far, treadwear might be an issue (its a Pirelli)
Kumho KU19 - good performance compared to more expensive tires, tradeoff is treadwear
Kumho MX - very good summer tire, tread is shallow, being compared to famous Bridgestone S03
Kumho 712 - great tire for the price, gets noisy as miles add up, sidewalls damage easily
Falken 451 - ???
Nitto 555 - Quiet, largest contact patch, not extremely sticky, treadwear is good.

Others to consider: Yokohama AVS ES100 and Bridgestone Potenza RE750

I don't have experience with these. This is just information that I have read.

 

I'm planning on buying the Falken GRB-451's in a few weeks - a friend has had them on his S4 for the last few years and is in LOVE with them - excellent wet and dry traction, and equally excellent treadwear - try epinions.com for some reviews of these tires, i know the 451's are on there.

 

I had good experience w/ Nittos 450 and 555. Tread life is good and performs good in dry and rain.

 

The 555's tread wear is awesome. I'm at 26k on mine and still have half the tread. If your looking for a sticky tire, give the MX a try.

 

Awesome feedback. Thanks everyone. I'm still interested in more responses, comments recommendations.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards the Falken. From what I've been able to find out it is an excellent tire. I don't know how it would compare to the Ecsta MX in the dry, but I think it will out perform it dramatically in the wet, especially regarding hydroplaning . . .

 

I have the MX's on my Z and have not had a hydroplaning concern so far ..... 255f and 275r
I use the car for fun and autox ....Max is the daily driver..... I think the MX's will kill the Falkens in the dry.... I have autox'd in the rain with the MX's and owned the guys in my class on R compounds