m35 sport - times to replace tires

[previnwaas]

Guys - have 30,000 miles on the car and time to replace tires...Dealer wants $1,550 for original tires and I want something that lasts a little longer...Any of you have any experience with different tires/ prices and any views would be welcome..ThanksP

[szh]

Check out the tire info in the stickies in this forum.

I strongly advise against the stock Goodyear RSA OEM tire (assuming that is what you have right now). Although the Bridgestone RE050A is a fine tire too.

If you are willing to spend a bit of money, I'd recommend Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. You can get these (and the Bridgestone RE050A too!) from Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com) for a lot less than what the Dealer is asking!

I do not know if you have the Sport wheels or not, so some of the recommendations may not be available in all sizes. However, in a 245/45-18 size, the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is an outstanding tire. Not a snow (or cold weather) tire, but since you live in San Mateo, this is not an issue!

Z

[previnwaas]

Yes I do have the 19" sport wheels and hence less options...Also, there is a possibility that I might have to move to the East Coast within the year so that is a consideration,,,,,

[Q45tech]

For most people WET BRAKING DISTANCE is the critical safety parameter.When a tire wears below 5/32" the distance go thru the roof!COOL [below 50F] WET is another dismal case and can add 20-100 feet.

Tire Rack has excellant 50mph to zero panic warm stopping distance tests. These test show that even a 30 foot variation is common depending on tire grade and quality, unfortunately the longer a tire lasts the worse the braking distances are.

30 feet [2 car lengths] is important in a rear end collision or a tree, but afterwards will you be proud to point out how much you saved on tires and tell your insurance company it was your fault since you chose the tire brand.

[bdhill]

Has anyone tried Michelin Pilot A/S? I have them on another car and am quite impressed by the quietness, handling and decent snow performance. I am in OH, do most of you use a dedicated snow, or an all season...i am intersted in an m35 sport.THanks

[szh]

Has anyone tried Michelin Pilot A/S? I have them on another car and am quite impressed by the quietness, handling and decent snow performance. I am in OH, do most of you use a dedicated snow, or an all season...i am intersted in an m35 sport.THanks

Yes, I am currently using the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my 2003 M45 in a 245/45-18 size.

They worked decently in very light snow - trip to go skiing in Lake Tahoe in April. However, they are definitely not as good as the summer tire I had on before: the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. These Eagles are outstanding in wet weather (handling and braking) and excellent in dry, but simply cannot be used in snow - let alone temperatures below freezing!

Since my need for the Pilot Sport A/S was because of the trip to Tahoe, it was something I do not regret much, but I wish I had simply rented an AWD car and bought summer tires again. So, as soon as these tires wear out (which may be a while unfortunately), I am going to go back to summer tires - maybe try the Pilot Sport PS2 or the new Pirelli P-Zero or back to the Eagle F1 GS-D3 again.

In general, you should think of All Season tires as being neither as good as summer tires in wet and dry warm weather, nor as good as snow tires in light or heavy snow weather. They are simply compromises.

If I lived in an area where some of my daily diving might occur in snowy conditions, I would also definitely get true snow tires on a set of cheap wheels. Any high-power RWD or AWD car is going to need this ... having lived in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for many years, I speak from personal experience with a minor accident - that could have been a lot worse!

Z

[szh]

Yes I do have the 19" sport wheels and hence less options...Also, there is a possibility that I might have to move to the East Coast within the year so that is a consideration,,,,,

I'd still recommend getting good summer tires right now! If you end up moving to the East Coast - into snow belt areas, of course - then simply buy a set of cheap (steel) wheels and snow tires at that time. You will be happier both here now and there then!

Z

[MinisterofDOOM]

Agreed! The stock 19" wheels aren't ideal for snowy winter conditions anyway: they're wide and need low-profile tires. A set of narrower winter tires (like blizzaks or similar) will do MUCH better in the snow than anything you can put on the stock 19'' wheels. You can just have a set of winter tires mounted on spare wheels and swap out when the snow hits.

When winter hits here, I'm trading my 17x8 inch (255-45-17 shod) wheels and tires for some 15x7 inch wide wheels with 215-60-15 winter tires for the same reason.

With my old FWD car I could get away with running high performance all-seasons year round. I'd never think of it with any of my RWD cars.

[maxnix]

Has anyone tried Michelin Pilot A/S?

Remember that "all season" is a marketing euphemism for "compromised summer performance tire and not very good winter performance."

The PS2 is in a different universe from the PS A/S. Get an extra set of wheels for your winter use and mount summer and winter tires, respectively. Surprised you would need winter tires in CA.
Modified by maxnix at 4:20 PM 7/18/2008

[previnwaas]

OK - so summer tires it is....Any recommendtaions on what a good summer tire might be for me considering the 19" wheels? Ideally something that will last more than 30,000 miles if you ask me..P

[exbmwdude]

When my RE050A's wear out, I'm going to put on another set. They are an excellent tire and Infiniti chose well imho. The Michelin Pilot Sport is another great choice.

You bought a high performance car with 19" rims - put some decent rubber on there and live well in the knowledge that you have the best grip possible.

exbmwdude2006 M35S

[BadQ45t]

previnwaas, I have your answer for you. Go to the Tirerack and get the goodyears GS or Bridgestone 050A Pole Positions and than get Richard's Auto install them. Hey are right by the airport and listed on the Tire Rack site. You will have way better tires than you could get from the dealership. Even if the price is the same than you are still getting much better tires.

I have had several sets of tires and many friends do it, tell either Barry or David that Jeff Leeds sent you, I have like 10 friends now that did it with them. THey will do it while you wait.

[szh]

OK - so summer tires it is....Any recommendtaions on what a good summer tire might be for me considering the 19" wheels? Ideally something that will last more than 30,000 miles if you ask me..

Keep in mind that "good summer tire" and "longevity" do not go hand in hand. What lasts 30k miles will certainly be not a good summer tire to begin with, and all tires degrade as they wear down. Internal belts are stressed (sometimes snap if the load index is too low), tire flexing hardens the rubber material, etc., etc., etc.

If you need that many miles, then the ones that I recommended: Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 and Michelin Pilot PS2 are probably not the right ones for you! These will probably last between 18k to 25k till you get to the tread-wear markers at 2/32". And, of course, note that I recommend changing tires at the 3/32" to 4/32" mark (if you are concerned about wet weather braking - like I am!).

If you were successful in getting 30k miles out of your RE050A tires (I assume that is what you have!), then I am impressed. You might as well get the same tire again as the other 19" tires available are not going to go that far.

But, if you had Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, then I would recommend against them, even if you got good mileage from them (which they can do). These are very mediocre tires at best, and, IMHO, dangerous in wet weather.

Z

[previnwaas]

Thanks guys...so going with stock seems to make the most sense...Will use Richard near the airport..ThanksP

[szh]

Thanks guys...so going with stock seems to make the most sense...Will use Richard near the airport..

Do compare "Richard" to Tire Rack prices: http://www.tirerack.com first though. Just in case they are a lot cheaper.

You can assume approximately $20-23 per tire extra to mount tires at local places if you order from Tire Rack.

Z

EDIT: Ah, you meant "Buy from Tire Rack and have Richard Auto install them". I get it now!

[THT]

With my Maxima, I've tried both the F1 GS-D3 and the Toyo T1R and I can say that in all aspects, the T1R is a superior tire. Wear, ride noise, wet and dry handling, breakaway predictability, etc. Plus, they're cheaper from tiredeals4less.com Both tires are fantastic however the Toyo delivers more for less.

[previnwaas]

Went with the RE050A tires from Tirerack - $1,305 for all 4 shipped which includes tire hazard..P