Gotta get tires which tires NOT to buy?

[szh]

Whatever you do, DON'T get Goodyear Eagle RS-As.

zerothread?id=160447

TOTALLY agreed. The RS-A ranks among the worst tire I have ever driven - I just do not know why so many car companies (including Nissan and Infiniti ) specify them as OEM tires.

Admittedly, they are very quiet, but the performance and handling is pathetic and the wet weather results are scary. Braking (wet or dry) is pretty poor too.

They are among the worst tested tires in the Tire Rack tests (I mean the actual drive tests, not just the reviews!).

Avoid them like the plague.

Z

[szh]

This is very helpful but what about Falken tires? Anyone every tried those?

I have used Falken Ziex 512 on my 1995 Q45 and they are pretty darn good. Low cost and reasonable wear and noise. Did not have them long enough to see how they handled after some miles.

Among some of my more recently used tires in the past 15 years or so (multiple sizes, multiple cars), I would say relative ranking is approximately as follows:

10 - Firestone Firehawk SZ-50 EP (discontinued)10 - Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D38 - Falken Ziex 5128 - Michelin XGTV (OEM Infiniti Q45 in 1991, now discontinued)7 - Bridgestone RE-940 (discontinued)6 - Michelin MXM45 - Michelin Pilot Sport XGT-V (dry was 7, low ranking is due to wet behavior)4 - Goodyear Eagle RS-A

Z

[szh]

Here is the ranking order from the Car and Driver article in Dec 2005 (for that size and vehicle combination, of course!):

1 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D32 Continental ContiSportContact 23 Yokohama Advan Neova AD074 Michelin Pilot Sport PS25 Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z2126 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx7 Pirelli P Zero Rosso Asimmetrico8 Toyo Proxes T1R9 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A10 BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD11 Kumho Ecsta MX

OVERALL SCORE

Goodyear: 1050.4Continental: 1031.9Yokohama: 1027.0Michelin: 1018.7Hankook: 1015.4Dunlop: 1002.2Pirelli: 1002.1Toyo: 999.7Bridgestone: 993.9BFGoodrich: 993.0Kumho: 990.7

Max pointsdry performance (x2): 600wet performance: 300price: 100tread wear: 100total possible: 1100

So, remember, of course, that the overall ranking includes factors that may be different from your personal criterion. For example, price brought the Hancook up and Michelin down! Different criterion might result in slightly different results.

Z

[nucking futs]

All I have to say is y'all rock.

You all are most helpful.

[maxnix]

The The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is one of ther preferred tires of a lot of NSX owners. That says smething, I think.

It says the Goodyear works well on a lighter car.

Unfortunately for Q45 owners, in the ideal 255/40-18 size, it is only available in the 95 OEM minimum load rating. The PS2 and Asymmetrico are available in a 99 rating. Big Difference!

[szh]

It says the Goodyear works well on a lighter car.

Unfortunately for Q45 owners, in the ideal 255/40-18 size, it is only available in the 95 OEM minimum load rating. The PS2 and Asymmetrico are available in a 99 rating. Big Difference!

Ah, but the 245/45-18 (which is a close enough size ... see my spreadsheet on tires for more info) is available in a 100W - better than the 95 minimum!

Z

[elwesso]

Ah, but the 245/45-18 (which is a close enough size ... see my spreadsheet on tires for more info) is available in a 100W - better than the 95 minimum!

Z

Youll never notice the difference in the speedo!!

[szh]

Youll never notice the difference in the speedo!!

Very true!

Z

[RSGPCI]

I also have a 99t and about a year ago I put on the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, 255/45 -17. I went a little wide with the 255's, but they handle really nice, are quiet and look mean.

If I had to do over I would get 245 or 235's in front and keep the 255's in back. In addition, they are excellent in my Los Angeles climate - rain and shine but no snow or ice.

With regard to wear, I am surprised how well they are doing. The unusual tread pattern still seems as deep as when purchased.

After a year on freeways, streets and twisty canyon roads, I would recommend these tires.
Modified by RSGPCI at 5:00 AM 2/25/2006

[maxnix]

I also have a 99t and about a year ago I put on the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, 255/40 -17. I went a little wide with the 255's, but they handle really nice, are quiet and look mean.

Actually, you went a little short. Should be 45 aspect ratio for correct OEM diameter.

[maxnix]

Ah, but the 245/45-18 (which is a close enough size ... see my spreadsheet on tires for more info) is available in a 100W - better than the 95 minimum! Z

Probably a good compromise, though just a little tall.

Probably take GPS to determine speedometer error.

[RSGPCI]

Actually, you went a little short. Should be 45 aspect ratio for correct OEM diameter.

You are correct, they are 255/45's

[RobertsnewQ]

I like the 245/45/18 size, but I am annoyed that the KDWs rub when the RE040s didn't with the 350z wheels.

[johngalt]

Interestingly enough, my 99 Qt came with Kumho Ecstas on it - not 100% sure of the model, pretty sure not the MX, and it is late night now - I don't mind road noise a lot, but I don't have much to compare between, so a quieter tire might be better for me in the long run - but I ain't about to change them any time soon.

[szh]

I like the 245/45/18 size, but I am annoyed that the KDWs rub when the RE040s didn't with the 350z wheels.

Different section width, clearly!

Thanks for noting this. Your experience shows to everybody here that picking tires based on size, wheel width, offset, etc. is not always a simple task. It can depend on a lot of other tire-specific factors (like the section width, track width, etc.) in the extreme cases.

Everybody, please learn from this!

Z

[szh]

Probably a good compromise, though just a little tall.

Probably take GPS to determine speedometer error.

Yes. The 245/45-18 is a better fit for the speedo on the 2003 M45 and the current-gen Q45. On the 1990-1996 Q45, the error is slightly higher, of course, since the OEM wheel size was 15".

My spreadsheet (I will see if I can attach it here!) has all the details.

EDIT: Hey, it seems to have worked. Folks, please download this into Excel and see if it works for you. Use the little arrows in the top row to filter the display for various things (like Mftr, tire size, etc.)

The data is not complete for 16" wheels for the Q45 ... still need to do some work!

Z

[Q45tech]

You cannot go exactly by the labelled sizes on tires as these change with the weight on the tire due to differences in sidewall design stiffness and inflation....................all 245 says is that it probably is not a 235 nor a 255.

It could be a 237 or 245 or 253.

[maxnix]

You are correct, they are 255/45's

Should be perfect on a 8.5" rim with the correct offset.

[maxnix]

You cannot go exactly by the labelled sizes on tires as these change with the weight on the tire due to differences in sidewall design stiffness and inflation....................all 245 says is that it probably is not a 235 nor a 255.

It could be a 237 or 245 or 253.

I think the Tire Rack specifications sheet for each tire model will reveal this if one peruses them closely and compares across same size of different tire models.

[Q45tech]

Those numbers come from manufacturers brochures. What ever marketing says looks right.

For example, they never specify the rolling diameter [revs per mile] at the test weight or inflation.

They never point out that this will change 10/32>2/32 =8/32 =1/4" new to worn............heck the same tire will be 0.12-0.2" different front to rear just because of the weight differences front to rear. Assuming sidewall stiffness differences of 1000-1500 pounds per inch........every tire and size is different.

[szh]

You cannot go exactly by the labelled sizes on tires as these change with the weight on the tire due to differences in sidewall design stiffness and inflation....................all 245 says is that it probably is not a 235 nor a 255.

It could be a 237 or 245 or 253.

Very true. Which is why I use the revs/mile (when it is available) in my spreadsheet to calculate the effective speedometer error!

Z

[szh]

Those numbers come from manufacturers brochures. What ever marketing says looks right.

For example, they never specify the rolling diameter [revs per mile] at the test weight or inflation.

Hmmm ... I was under the impression that they used a "standard" of 36 psi for these numbers (although I do not know if these was under load or not.) Including showing what exact wheel width was used for the section width and track width numbers shown.

I guess I'll eventually have to spring for the Tire and Rubber Association book ... it costs $80 or so and I was trying to avoid buying it!

Z

[BobE]

All I have to say is y'all rock.

You all are most helpful.

Ditto fer me too! After spending most of yesterday & today reading here & tirerack I just came home from Discount tire with some 225/60R-15 95H Yokohama YK420 on my 95Q. Think I'm gonna like 'em, my old tires were Goodyear Allerga 215/65/15 95T. They were pretty well worn when I got the Q almost 2 yrs ago & haven't gotten any better.

[Q45tech]

This Yok 420 tire has not proven an acceptable tire [after half worn] on Q45........we have had 4-5 customer who purchased. Primarily they go out of round, have high radial force imbalance and wear weirdly on the front.

Rotate them every 3,000 miles for sure! Seen a few with tread carcass separation.

These tires were made especially for Discount to sell, low price to them high [for what you get] to you.

Sorry, but I though you deserved the explanation!

[BobE]

Thx for the info. I'll keep an eye on 'em and rotate & balance them often. My out the door price was $365 with full warranty so I'll be pleased if work well until half worn.

[maxnix]

Thx for the info. I'll keep an eye on 'em and rotate & balance them often. My out the door price was $365 with full warranty so I'll be pleased if work well until half worn.

Only catastrophic failure on this board on a G50 that i can recall involved the YK420.

Definitely not a tire for the Q45. One member even had his replaced by Discount at little or no expense to him.

[audtatious]

Sumitomo HTR+ were cheap, relatively quite, and lasted OK. AZHitman had them on Quella before the PZeros.

I would say Sumitomo HTR+ were some of the worse aftermarket tires I have had from a longevity standpoint. They are absolutely awesome for the first 10-15k miles. Once you get down to 1/2 tread left they are ice skates. I had two of them blow as well which sucked.