Replacement tires for 02/03 Max SE
Replacement tires for 02/03 Max SE
I hate to........... 
..but I'm having a tough time trying to figure out what tires to get. As you can tell, I have an '02 Maxima SE and it has less than 20k miles. There's no way I'm going through another winter with the Potenzas - they're horribly dangerous.
I live in the Chicago area so snow is a concern. I realize that most anything I get has got to be better than the Potenzas and only true snow tires are going to work really well in snow.
I also want to add that my lease is up on the car in March of 2006 and I will not/cannot put $200 tires on my car.
I'm looking for tires in the stock size (225/50-17) that aren't total garbage but aren't super expensive either. The Falken 512s come to mind along with a few others.
It seems that one person posts that the Falkens are "great!" and others post that they wouldn't touch them.
I've read various opinions on all the tires that are in the stock size so I really don't know what would be the best choice.
Can someone, preferably someone who drives in snow, vouch for any of these "budget" tires? I just need them to last 15-20k miles.
What about the Cooper Lifeliner Touring SLE?
I never thought that I'd have a FWD car that handled WORSE in rain and snow than my previous car - a '96 Thunderbird V8 (RWD). At least that car was fun to drift....heh..
..but I'm having a tough time trying to figure out what tires to get. As you can tell, I have an '02 Maxima SE and it has less than 20k miles. There's no way I'm going through another winter with the Potenzas - they're horribly dangerous.
I live in the Chicago area so snow is a concern. I realize that most anything I get has got to be better than the Potenzas and only true snow tires are going to work really well in snow.
I also want to add that my lease is up on the car in March of 2006 and I will not/cannot put $200 tires on my car.
I'm looking for tires in the stock size (225/50-17) that aren't total garbage but aren't super expensive either. The Falken 512s come to mind along with a few others.
It seems that one person posts that the Falkens are "great!" and others post that they wouldn't touch them.
I've read various opinions on all the tires that are in the stock size so I really don't know what would be the best choice.
Can someone, preferably someone who drives in snow, vouch for any of these "budget" tires? I just need them to last 15-20k miles.
What about the Cooper Lifeliner Touring SLE?
I never thought that I'd have a FWD car that handled WORSE in rain and snow than my previous car - a '96 Thunderbird V8 (RWD). At least that car was fun to drift....heh..
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 73
I agree that the stock Potenza's suck....even more so in the rain.
Take a look at either the Kumho Ecsta ASX or Continental Extreme Contact and the Pirelli P-Zero Nero also is supposed to be good. From what I've heard and read on www.tirerack.com the Kumho is a great, great tire for the money. I had a really good wear and low noise on a previous car with Kumhos.
I've talked to more than a few people who have the Falkens - generally not on Maxima's - that strongly recommend against using them on snow. In fact, my tire guy (whom I trust) basically said he wouldn't sell them to me as all-season tires.
I'm getting tires in early November, and I can't decide on the Kumho or Pirelli at this point. I guess price will decide. I know that here in Minneapolis I can get the Kumhos installed with a road hazard warranty for $123/tire....the Pirellis would be about $40 more per tire.
Also - ask them to check for 235/45 17 sizes. The stock 225/50's are hard to find. Changing to the 235/45 is the same overall height and just slightly wider, a very conservative change.
Take a look at either the Kumho Ecsta ASX or Continental Extreme Contact and the Pirelli P-Zero Nero also is supposed to be good. From what I've heard and read on www.tirerack.com the Kumho is a great, great tire for the money. I had a really good wear and low noise on a previous car with Kumhos.
I've talked to more than a few people who have the Falkens - generally not on Maxima's - that strongly recommend against using them on snow. In fact, my tire guy (whom I trust) basically said he wouldn't sell them to me as all-season tires.
I'm getting tires in early November, and I can't decide on the Kumho or Pirelli at this point. I guess price will decide. I know that here in Minneapolis I can get the Kumhos installed with a road hazard warranty for $123/tire....the Pirellis would be about $40 more per tire.
Also - ask them to check for 235/45 17 sizes. The stock 225/50's are hard to find. Changing to the 235/45 is the same overall height and just slightly wider, a very conservative change.
Same here....
I have been asking myself the same question and i also need to buy some good, but affordable tires within the next 2 weeks or so.
I had the Falken 512 on my old Audi and honestly, they weren't that great. When new...the car wasn't sliding at all - wet or dry. Almost quiet, cheap and looked good. They weren't as wide as i wanted them to be. However, my Audi always pulled to one side after i put these Falkens on. I did the allignement, rebalance and etc...more than once and no one could fix the problem. And, to top that, these tires lasted only 20k miles or so and the at the end, they were scary in wet.
So, even though i hear from the .org memebers that Falken 512 is a great tire, i somehow don't feel comfortable putting it on my Maxima SE.
Currently, i have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my rear wheels and the crappy Potenzas in front - getting bold. The Michelins were $190 each and they do stick very well to the road. I love them in wet and dry and i feel secure. When they were in front, cornering was very nice too. Only 2 issues with them - they seem noisy now and i read that the more they wear, the worse it will get. And they are $200 each. Don't put them on a leased car. I myself doubt that i will pay $400 for two more tires and all that noise. I am trying to find something cheaper for the other axle.
So far, my choices are the 3 season Avon 500 tires (tirerack - $125), Bridgestone Turanza LS-V (ALL season) and the "summer" Good Year Eagle F1 Gs-D3 (tirerack). I also looked at the Hankook Ventus 405 (all season - cheap - $70)
For your application, based on all the reviews i have read, i would recommend the Bridgestone Turanza's or the Hankook Ventus. Both are all season and they will do the job.
I am still not sure which brand i would pick...its a tough choice, especially when snow traction is not a big concern for me. I have a pair of nice new snow tires on steel wheels for the slopes. Let me know about your choice when you decide on what to get.
Good luck!
I had the Falken 512 on my old Audi and honestly, they weren't that great. When new...the car wasn't sliding at all - wet or dry. Almost quiet, cheap and looked good. They weren't as wide as i wanted them to be. However, my Audi always pulled to one side after i put these Falkens on. I did the allignement, rebalance and etc...more than once and no one could fix the problem. And, to top that, these tires lasted only 20k miles or so and the at the end, they were scary in wet.
So, even though i hear from the .org memebers that Falken 512 is a great tire, i somehow don't feel comfortable putting it on my Maxima SE.
Currently, i have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my rear wheels and the crappy Potenzas in front - getting bold. The Michelins were $190 each and they do stick very well to the road. I love them in wet and dry and i feel secure. When they were in front, cornering was very nice too. Only 2 issues with them - they seem noisy now and i read that the more they wear, the worse it will get. And they are $200 each. Don't put them on a leased car. I myself doubt that i will pay $400 for two more tires and all that noise. I am trying to find something cheaper for the other axle.
So far, my choices are the 3 season Avon 500 tires (tirerack - $125), Bridgestone Turanza LS-V (ALL season) and the "summer" Good Year Eagle F1 Gs-D3 (tirerack). I also looked at the Hankook Ventus 405 (all season - cheap - $70)
For your application, based on all the reviews i have read, i would recommend the Bridgestone Turanza's or the Hankook Ventus. Both are all season and they will do the job.
I am still not sure which brand i would pick...its a tough choice, especially when snow traction is not a big concern for me. I have a pair of nice new snow tires on steel wheels for the slopes. Let me know about your choice when you decide on what to get.
Good luck!
Originally Posted by pharmer
I agree that the stock Potenza's suck....even more so in the rain.
Take a look at either the Kumho Ecsta ASX or Continental Extreme Contact and the Pirelli P-Zero Nero also is supposed to be good.
Also - ask them to check for 235/45 17 sizes. The stock 225/50's are hard to find. Changing to the 235/45 is the same overall height and just slightly wider, a very conservative change.
Take a look at either the Kumho Ecsta ASX or Continental Extreme Contact and the Pirelli P-Zero Nero also is supposed to be good.
Also - ask them to check for 235/45 17 sizes. The stock 225/50's are hard to find. Changing to the 235/45 is the same overall height and just slightly wider, a very conservative change.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 73
Originally Posted by MadMax1996
None of those three tires come in the OEM size. Changing to that size may be ok - but the overall height is smaller and it would effectively make the already huge fenderwell gap even bigger. I've read that a 235/45 is really pushing it for the 7" wide rims.
However, the tire guy that my family has been buying tires from for 30+ years says it's okay, and Tire Rack confirms that they usually offer that size as the alternate for our stock 17x7's. I guess I'm torn on who to trust here, and talking it over with you has just made me want to do more research.
Post or email me with what you decide on.
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 42
Before everyone starts bashing "potenzas", lets be clear about which Bridgestone Potenzas we're talking about. Yes, the OEM RE92s do suck. They hydroplane if you spit on them, and the dry traction is weak, not to mention mediocre tread life.
However, I recently purchased a set of just slightly used Bridgestone Potenza S-03. As you likely know, the oem size is 225/55-17. These are 235/45-17 and fit the factory wheel perfectly. They are a tad wider and a butt hair shorter. (My only complaint is that this increases the annoying wheel gap, esp up front, but I intend to remedy this soon with some new springs, at least)
Although I have not yet taken them skiing, I have had the opportunity to drive them in the dry, and in the heavy rain. My conclusion? - They are one of the best performance tires available in our size. Period.
On dry pavement, they are sticky as a *****, turn in response is crisp, and the feedback through the wheel is solid and predictable. I have yet to near the traction limit on these tires, testing mainly on wide entrance and exit ramps at 60-70+ MPH. When I do, I'll provide an update.
On wet pavement, I thought I was in a Suburu WRX for a minute until I looked down at my much more luxurious, leather interior. On RE92s, I could go 60 max on the highway while raining. On the S-03s, I can easily follow the SUVs and Volvos at 80-90 MPH!
Honestly, I wasn't too excited about putting another set of Potenzas on my Max, considering the lousy performance of the RE92s. However, I am now a big fan of the Potenza S-03 and would recommend them to anyone looking for a serious performance tire upgrade.
The only thing is that if you buy them new, which is usually your only option, they are a bit pricey. About $180 - 220 a tire. I got a barely used set locally for less than $100 a tire. Needless to say, I'm happier than a pig in S&@T!!!
However, I recently purchased a set of just slightly used Bridgestone Potenza S-03. As you likely know, the oem size is 225/55-17. These are 235/45-17 and fit the factory wheel perfectly. They are a tad wider and a butt hair shorter. (My only complaint is that this increases the annoying wheel gap, esp up front, but I intend to remedy this soon with some new springs, at least)
Although I have not yet taken them skiing, I have had the opportunity to drive them in the dry, and in the heavy rain. My conclusion? - They are one of the best performance tires available in our size. Period.
On dry pavement, they are sticky as a *****, turn in response is crisp, and the feedback through the wheel is solid and predictable. I have yet to near the traction limit on these tires, testing mainly on wide entrance and exit ramps at 60-70+ MPH. When I do, I'll provide an update.
On wet pavement, I thought I was in a Suburu WRX for a minute until I looked down at my much more luxurious, leather interior. On RE92s, I could go 60 max on the highway while raining. On the S-03s, I can easily follow the SUVs and Volvos at 80-90 MPH!
Honestly, I wasn't too excited about putting another set of Potenzas on my Max, considering the lousy performance of the RE92s. However, I am now a big fan of the Potenza S-03 and would recommend them to anyone looking for a serious performance tire upgrade.
The only thing is that if you buy them new, which is usually your only option, they are a bit pricey. About $180 - 220 a tire. I got a barely used set locally for less than $100 a tire. Needless to say, I'm happier than a pig in S&@T!!!
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 42
235 45 17s fit perfectly. I just did it last week on my 03 TE SE 6-speed. They are just a hair wider and a hair shorter. This will increase the noticible wheel gap, expecially up front. Your ride will be slightly harsher, although not drastically, and you will certainly enjoy the handling improvement due to the shorter sidewall.
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 42
by the way MadMax96, a 235/45-17 is not the "same overall height" as the 225/55. The overall height is shorter, and you will notice a just slightly larger wheel gap if your car is sitting next to an identical stock 225/55 tire Maxima
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 73
Yeah, I think we were all bashing the OEM RE92's. I think everyone agrees that they are crap.
The S-02's sound really nice, thanks for the fitment information. I don't know if I could detect 0.2" smaller - it's just not much. And I think I will probably put new struts/springs on, too, which will further minimize the gap.
The S-02's sound really nice, thanks for the fitment information. I don't know if I could detect 0.2" smaller - it's just not much. And I think I will probably put new struts/springs on, too, which will further minimize the gap.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 73
Originally Posted by Stevoreno007
by the way MadMax96, a 235/45-17 is not the "same overall height" as the 225/55. The overall height is shorter, and you will notice a just slightly larger wheel gap if your car is sitting next to an identical stock 225/55 tire Maxima
Originally Posted by Stevoreno007
by the way MadMax96, a 235/45-17 is not the "same overall height" as the 225/55. The overall height is shorter, and you will notice a just slightly larger wheel gap if your car is sitting next to an identical stock 225/55 tire Maxima
Bottom line is I don't want to stray from the stock size. If I intended to install lowering springs on my car I wouldn't care about the gap - but the car is staying stock (again, it's a lease).
There's another thread talkin about those Toyos.... http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=341274
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