Best tires to buy?

[rstylez]

Hello all I have a 07 M45 sport.. looking to get a new set of tires on stock rims 245/40/19
any recommendations
what is everyone getting these days?
By the way I live in California Bay area
Looking for long lasting tires

[Ilya]

This topic has been discussed ad nauseam (can be found via search)...but most people seem to like the Continental ExtremeContact DWS or DW (all-season or summer, respectively). The Michelin Primacy MXM4's were decent too.

Please update your profile location for future posting. Thanks.

[EniGmA1987]

Although Continental DW and DWS have long warranty and say long tread life, I do not think anyone on this site has had the tires last anywhere close to the rated life. Personally, the Pilot Sport A/S 3 are by far my favorite tires in comfort, noise, and handling, and look like they are going to last longer than the DWS' and Hankook V12 EVO's I have used in the past. BTW, Im also in California.

[Larz]

Enigma is correct. Tires do NOT last for the miles promised - regardless of what you spend on them. That said, I used to swear by my Michelin Pilot AS Plus Super Sports which they replaced with the Pilot Sport A/S 3's. I started using Hankook Ventus s1noble2 tires on my 07 M, and they perform so close to the Michelins I got another set on the 09 M. To be clear, NOTHING does as well as the Michelins in my book, but these Ventus come unbelievably close. I also went with a 255/40/19 size for the extra stability and wider tread. These are both in the 'ultra high performance' category. If you are looking for a reg grand touring tires, I recommend the MXM4's by Michelin.

[antzrus]

A number of years ago I was one of the original posters on this site that found the Conti ExtremeContacts/DWS nullified the '06 M's tendency to tramline. I have used these tires since and I can truthfully state they have no equal (in my perception) for an all weather (rain, lots of snow etc.) tire here in North Central WA State.

However, because they do so well in inclement weather they must be made of softer stuff and hence they do wear out more quickly than other tires.

In my perception it is an issue of safety/handling vs paying the price for an extra tire change after 30k miles. It's like buying a cheap motorcycle helmet vs getting the best $$$ money can buy; easy choice for me.

In the past year or so, Conti has changed the DWS makeup; the DWS 2.0. I'm ready for a new set this fall and hopefully they might last longer with no detriment to their handling in the rain/snow we get here in WA State.

[EniGmA1987]

My main issue with the conti's was that their handling performance especially in wet weather drops off a cliff when the tires get past half their tread life.

[Ilya]

I can't say I agree. I drove in rain from Upstate NY to North Jersey last weekend and had no issues. Are they as good as new? No, but still very good and I'm nearing the end of life with them. I've had 3 or 4 sets for a reason.

[steelcity]

I like Japanese tires on a Japanese car. Im looking into the Yokohama S-lines.

[TOMatBMR]

When I lived in NJ and was looking for a good all season tire for my Evo X a few years back I also ran the Conti DWS and I loved that tire. I didn't own the car long enough to see half tread life on the tire so I can't comment there.

[steelcity]

I just ordered yesterday: Yokohama S- Drives (245-45-18)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... 01105524:s

[Larz]

I just ordered yesterday: Yokohama S- Drives (245-45-18)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... 01105524:s

Those should do you very well in summer. As you know, summer tires should not be stored or driven below 40F so I would recommend checking out Tire Rack for the brands mentioned in the posts above. Since you live in the north, you will need winter or all-season tires on all 4 wheels during the cold months.

[TOMatBMR]

You will like those, I have driven on them and they perform well. As previously mentioned, make sure to get something else when winter comes around!

[steelcity]

Even though they're summer tires, I was going to drive them all year round. This year it was cold here, but we had no snow really. What happens to the tires at those temperatures? I can always keep these Good Years I have.

[TOMatBMR]

Even in extreme cold without snow a summer tire will perform drastically different than in the summer. The rubber will become very hard and not want to grab traction. If for some reason you have any snow accumulation it will be extremely difficult to get going and even harder to stop or turn. With 12+ years professional automotive experience, and 10 of those years being in auto repair and tire shops, I HIGHLY advise against winter driving on summer tires, it just is not worth the risk. Plus, if an accident does occur the insurance company may try to deny your claim, but that is less likely.

[Larz]

From the Tire Rack website and Tire Manufacturer guidelines:

When faced with near- and below-freezing temperatures, drivers should leave their summer performance tire-equipped vehicle at home and drive a vehicle equipped with all-season or winter tires.

Summer performance tires feature tread compounds engineered to provide traction in warm to hot ambient temperatures. They were never intended to experience near- and below-freezing temperatures, nor the winter driving conditions that often accompany them.

As ambient temperatures get colder, typically in the 40-45° Fahrenheit range, summer performance tires lose a noticeable percentage of traction as their tread compound rubber properties change from a pliable elastic to inflexible plastic. The tire industry uses the term "glass transition" to describe the temperature where a summer performance tire's grip/slip performance changes dramatically. Fortunately, glass transition is a reversible condition that allows the tires' normal traction to return as the ambient temperatures climb.

If ambient temperatures drop to near- or below-freezing, driving a vehicle equipped with summer rated tires risks the possibility of tread compound cracking. The compounds in the sidewall and tread area can actually 'freeze' and crack or breakdown. Tread compound cracking and breakdown is a permanent condition that requires the tires to be replaced. The other condition that can be caused by running summer performance tires in cold temperatures is the possibility of chipping away the edges of the tread blocks.

Since both of these conditions only occur as the result of what's considered improper use or storage, they are not typically covered by the manufacturer's warranty nor car insurance companies when this leads to an accident or damage. Insurance companies 'could' site 'improper use of motor vehicle and deny all claims.

[Ilya]

Definitely don't use summer tires in anything below 40*. Bad bad bad.

[steelcity]

Wow. Im a d***! I use to have summer Nittos on my Maxima and I use to drive it all year round. There was a difference in the performance of the tire. I would not want to see my tires get damaged. I like the "Fortunate" part Larz. At least they go back to normal in warmer temperatures.

[Larz]

Maybe not so fortunate. The bit that reverses itself applies ONLY to tires stored in cold weather. If you actually drive them in cold weather, that is where the cracking bit comes in and that is NOT reversible. You'd be better off changing back to the all season tires soon as the temps start to drop.

[steelcity]

Ok good to know. I'll keep my Goodyears.