Help me choose a low cost tire

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robmcole
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Infiniti guys and gals,

I need some help on choosing between 3 different tires. I am looking for an inexpensive tire and I have narrowed it down to these:

Click on links for more information(1) Falken Ziex (2) Nitto NT460 (3) Yokahama Avid T4

Ive decided to go with the 225/60/15

I am on a college budget, so please understand I cannot get Pilots, or whatever $120 tire may be suggested. I have had these tires before on a Miata, but do not know what an extra 1500 pounds would do to these as of how they would handle or wear. I wonder if any J30 owners out there have tried them.

Thanks, -Rob 93 J30


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AZhitman
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Search here for Falken - I have them, and recently wrote a comprehensive review of them.

Yoko Avids were on there before, and were a PITA.

I've heard good things about the Nittos.

Make sure you give Grant at TireRack a chance to hook you up with a deal.

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PalmerWMD
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Yes go to our tire+ suspension forum and chekc with grant.

Fred...:)

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PalmerWMD
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For 15 inchers a really good all round size is 235/60-15.Keeps teh tire diameter closer stock and offer better load ratings.

Fred...:)

nuQ
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i just put the yoko es100's on my Q. so far they feel great. incredible dry grip and handling. in the wet, which was a big consideration for me, they really keep the big Q's butt planted very nicely. it almost has a "plowing" feel when going through deeper water, a little weird at first, but still holds the road with almost no hydroplaning.

as dennis has mentioned many times before, tough to truly gauge the tire's effectiveness when brand new, after 5-10,000 i'll let you know. but for the $93 price at tirerack.com, i'll deal with it's, possible, early demise(i really don't put that many miles on the Q anyway). jeff

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robmcole
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If you ever wonder what a new tire size would do to your speedometer, I used The Tire Calculator to figure it out. Very nice calculator. It looks like the 235 would only be a 3% or so difference. Will a 235 fit well on the wheel? I bought my J30 with aftermarket BBS wheels that the original owner said they bought with the car from the Infiniti dealership. So I do not know the width of the wheel.

-Rob 93 J30 Birmingham, AL.

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Jeff Williams
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I have the NT-450's (225/50/17) on my Q. They perform real well, but since they are directional tread, they sing a little more than the Michelins that were on it, before. I doubt they are any noiser than the next directional tire. I have 56,000 miles on them and counting.

I think any of the ones you have on your list would be fine, though. I agree with AZHitman, get the best deal from Tirerack.

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szh
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Hi, Fred.

[quote=" PalmerWMD For 15 inchers a really good all round size is 235/60-15.[/quote] But there is only one tire available in that size at Tire Rack: the Michelin Pilot XGT H4. This is a dangerous tire in wet weather, IMHO!

And it ain't inexpensive either. it is $112 versus the Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP 225/60-15 at $105 or the Yokohama AVS dB S2 225/60-15 at $70 or the Continental ContiExtreme 225/60-15 at $69.

Z

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Jeff Williams
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Rob, If you decide on the NITTO's give Jimmy or Floyd a call at Cahaba Tire 663-0433, and tell them Jeff Williams sent you. They might give you the same deal, with lifetime rotation, for free. They are right on 31, between Susan Schein Dodge, and Auto Zone, on the same side of the road as Auto Zone. I have been buying tires from them for over 20 years, and they are honest guys.

Also, FYI for future service work on your J,(If you don't want to use a dealership, Highway 31 Auto Sales (Jimmy Mitchell) has a Nissan Certified mechanic, and has done a lot to my Hondas, Nissans and Infinitis, in the past. He is on the other side of 31, right over the hill from the Dodge delaership. The only problem, is he is not open on Saturday. Also a fine, honest, man.

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Why do you think the Pilot H4 is dangerous in wet weather? We have been using then exclusively for the past 3 years on Q/ big Lexus as our recommended tire. Must have at least 100 customers who use them. We don't sell them we send then to Sams Club or their own reailer.

I have used at least 2 sets in the last 3 years.Like any tire you must replace when the tread is half worn to achieve optimum wet weather performance.

Of course not the wet weather tire the SZ50 was [the SZ50EP replacement is harder but not as hard as the Michelin].

Just because Michelin labels them as a 400 tread wear, on the Q they act more like a 300 in 235/60/15 size.

Most people who can put up with directional tires would be best served with the AVS DB S2 if cost is a concern.

I have ordered 255/50/16 Pilot H4 for my new/used 16x 7.5" Z wheels for the Q.

maxnix
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I agree with Z, the Pilots in H or V rating don't cut it in the rain and are easier to break traction than the Yokohama AVS Db by quite a margin. Maybe I'll try the A/S Sport, but would hate to waste the bucks if they are just as slippery when it's wet.

Q45tech
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http://www.me.udel.edu/meeg467...s.ppth ... /v...7.pdf

For winter tires a MUST read!http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel...2.pdf

"Nearly 90 percent of all new vehicles today are equipped with anti-lock brakes, and many also have traction control. Some new vehicles also have "stability control" systems that automatically apply the brakes without the driver's intervention or knowledge to help the vehicle corner better and maintain control when making quick steering maneuvers. These high-tech ABS systems are closely calibrated to the friction characteristics of the OEM brake linings and tires so it's important that aftermarket replacement linings and tires closely match the OEM specifications to maintain the same operating characteristics of these systems."

http://www.rfidjournal.com/art.../1/1/

http://www.energy.ca.gov/repor...2.PDF

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szh
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Hi, Dennis.
Q45tech wrote:Why do you think the Pilot H4 is dangerous in wet weather? We have been using then exclusively for the past 3 years on Q/ big Lexus as our recommended tire. Must have at least 100 customers who use them. We don't sell them we send then to Sams Club or their own reailer.

I have used at least 2 sets in the last 3 years.Like any tire you must replace when the tread is half worn to achieve optimum wet weather performance.

Of course not the wet weather tire the SZ50 was [the SZ50EP replacement is harder but not as hard as the Michelin].

Just because Michelin labels them as a 400 tread wear, on the Q they act more like a 300 in 235/60/15 size.

Most people who can put up with directional tires would be best served with the AVS DB S2 if cost is a concern.

I have ordered 255/50/16 Pilot H4 for my new/used 16x 7.5" Z wheels for the Q.


On my 1991 Q, I had the Michelin XGT V (OEM), one set of OEM XGT V replacements, and then switched to Pilot XGT V as the last set before trading the car in. Tread lasted well in all cases.

On my 1995 Q, I had Pilot XGT V originally (last owner had them), switched to Bridgestone RE940 and then had to get the Pilot XGT V's again for one more try because of a serious problem with the Bridgestone (inner sidewall gave way unexpectedly - fortunately, I was not at high speed!) and the local tire dealer only had the Pilot in the right size. My current set is the Firestone SZ50EP.

On all the Michelin's - whether original OEM version or the Pilot replacement - I had serious concerns about their wet weather braking and handling. Even when tread was relatively okay - like over 5 to 6/32's. I skidded and spun the car (both Q's) on more than a few occasions in light to moderate rain. Starting out from lights was always an exercise in gentle modulation of the accelerator to prevent tires from slipping and the car from sliding around - turning from a light was another thing entirely!

After tread dropped below 5/32, my driving on the highway (in rain of course) would beome what I will call a "white-knuckle" experience. I would maintain an long extra distance between cars and drive slowly - a classic "old guy behind the wheel" syndrome. Way too tense a driving condition for me! :eek:

Hence my complete wet-weather distrust of the Pilot XGT V! :( As far as I am concerned, I have driven enough miles on the XGT V and Pilot XGT V to be certain about my concerns!

But, I have to admit I do assume the same "worst wet behavior" of the H rated tire too, which may be unfair since I have not used them.

Regardless, compared to these XGT V and Pilot XGT V experiences, the Bridgestone RE940 was a major improvement and the Firestone SZ50EP is just a totally awesome change!

Z

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szhosain wrote:Yokohama AVS dB S2 225/60-15 at $70


I second those as a good tire for the money. Very strong too.

The Yoko Avid T4 is a bad idea (insufficient speed rating).

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AZhitman
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I am VERY fond of the wet-weather performance of my new tires... I don't get much opportunity to test them, but I gave them a good shakedown last week when we got a real gully-washer.

Almost as good laterally in the wet as they are on dry pavement, believe it or not - And they seem to displace an AWFUL lot of water (looking at the tread design you'd see why).

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SmithSR
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Hitman, it's good to hear how pleased you are with the new tires. I'm wondering what kind of mileage you'll see from the Falkens.

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Rex
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Jeff Williams wrote:I have the NT-450's (225/50/17) on my Q. .... I have 56,000 miles on them and counting.


Whoa!!!! :eek: Does ANYONE else get that kind of life out of their tires on a Q?

My Q had some super soft Potenza's on it when I got it and they werre toast in less than 15K. I stayed on top of air pressure and rotation to no avail. Looks like the BFG's should get em closer to 25K this time.

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Jeff Williams
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Quote »Whoa!!!! Does ANYONE else get that kind of life out of their tires on a Q?[/quote]I made a typing error, they actually only have 36,000 miles on them, but I fully expect to get more.

99% of my driving is at 77 MPH, on the highway. I droive about 150 to 300 miles a day. The roads between my home and office are extremely smooth, and are all blacktop, which is easy on rubber. I do most of my driving before 6:00 AM, and after 7:00 PM, so it is much cooler as well.

I usually replace my tires every year, which is 50,000 to 60,000 miles of driving. I went 110,000 on a set of NITTO's on my old Mazda truck, but they were wasted, and I had patched 17 holes in them. (I did a lot of contruction work, back then).

Just to give you an idea of how good the tread is, still. It has rained more in the first 5 days of August, than we usually get all month. We have over 30 inches, for the year, so far. I was driving home last night, with my wipers on the highest setting because of rain, and had to keep telling myself to slow down. I kept speeding up to 80 and 85, to pass trucks. The tires are great in the rain. I only feel the hydroplaning, when I hit a puddle, or a deep groove full of water. The only drawback to the NITTO's is I do not like the noise they make. These are a lot more noisy than the Bridgestone RE92's I had on the car, or the Continental Sport Contacts. I will probably go to a 245/45/17 Yoko db2 tire(not sure of the exact designation, but lots of adds now, for quiteness), next. They run about $140 each, where the NITTO's ran $115 each. The Bridgestones last about 15, 000 to 25,000 miles, and they run about $165 each. (This is what I have on my 2000 I30t).

Sorry for the typing error, but I am still impressed with NITTO, and always have been.

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NY94J30
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AZhitman wrote:Search here for Falken - I have them, and recently wrote a comprehensive review of them.

Yoko Avids were on there before, and were a PITA.

I've heard good things about the Nittos.

Make sure you give Grant at TireRack a chance to hook you up with a deal.


Greg, I cannot find your thread on Falkens - which is strange b/c when I put in Falken as a term and your member name, I don't even get this thread as a result.

anyway I was wondering what Falkens you have on your Q?


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