New Tires for 2000 Q45 Anniv. to replace Bridgestone RE92

[vpaultimko]

Is this where I post a tire question?

I need two tires for my 2000 Q45 Anniversary Edition (which I think makes it the Touring option).

Reading the reviews and ratings on all the web sites can be confusing. Is there a clear consensus on this site as to the best option to replace the OEM Bridgestone RE92s on this car?

The Michelin's (Pilot MXM4 or Sport) seem like the prefered option of my dealer and a lot of web reviewers, but tirerack.com does not have them rated very highly. Also, can I pair two Bridgestones with two Michelins?

[deezlins]

yup, you came to the right forum.

What are you going to be doing with the car? What are you looking for in a tire, performance, mileage, comfort? How much do you want to spend?

Yes you can have 2 michelins in the rear and 2 bridgestones in the front or vice versa. I have 2 different pairs of tires on my car right now. It might affect handling characteristics, different pairs will have different grip and sidewall flex, etc. So if you put less grippy tires on the rear and more grippy tires on the front it will probably oversteer more, or if you do the opposite it will probably understeer more.

[vpaultimko]

Thanks for the reply.

I answer the tirerack.com Tire Decision Guide as 1-Ride/Noise Comfort, 2-Handling, 3-Treadlife. Wet traction is also high on my list. I would probably spend whatever I need to get the best ride with some grip, as long as the tires don't wear out in 15K miles, but the $200 for the Michelin is probably more than I want to spend. I would probably only get two tires at that price and leave two of the Potenzas on. They only have about 17K to 20K miles on them. They don't seem to be bad tires, even though they are not rated very highly. But I also don't have anything to compare them to.

If I could trust something like the Kumho Ecsta KH11 or Avon Tech M550 A/S--both of which are rated pretty highly and can be had in the low $100s--I would replace all four tires. The problem I have with depending on the ratings and reviews at tirerack.com is that the RFV plays a big factor as to whether I get vibration. I don't know if that is an issue with any of these tires on the Q45. The Avon reviews are all glowing. the Kumhos are not all glowing, but I am still not sure how either of these would be on the Q45.

The Bridgestone Tauranza LS-V also looks good right in the middle of the price range, but there are some not so good reviews about noise--which is my first priority.

I would lean toward the Avons today and buy all four. The only downside to these is the unknown at this point--I've never heard of them before (and I'd have no idea how they would be on the Q45).

[Q45tech]

Kumho Ecsta KH11:

Tried them on my Q, just on rear........they had severe imbalance problems from day one and only got worse. They developed conicity [and strange wear---belt weakness] at 8,000 miles and were retired to the junk pile.

If you don't travel over 100 mph [130 mph rated when brand new] especially in heat the Michelin Pilot H4 has been my choice for years.......on my 4th set now. [every 30k.......but you can stretch to 40k with care]

More of a medium performance highway tire than an ultra performer but surprisingly good on Q [where most fail in some manner] and non directional so you can flip/mount and rotate with ease.

The Avon might be a good choice but not the Kumho in this application.

[jamesmost]

what is your take on Avonany idea about falken

[vpaultimko]

Well, I ended up getting two used Pilot MXM4 HXs. They are on the back becuase that's where the flat tire was. They seem a little louder than the RE92s, but I could just be hearing things bacause my ears are tuned in to try and find something. The car seems to just plain ride better. I haven't noticed any problems with traction--wet or dry. They are really good looking tires, too. Some of the traction problems may be with other cars than the Q45. I am loving them.

I was ready to go to Costco and buy two Pilot Sport A/S (205.99 installed, balanced, everything), and I thought I would take one last chance and find two used tires. For anyone within driving distance of Atlanta, there is a yellow house on Buford Hwy east of Beaver Ruin called R & J Tires that has a lot of good used tires. They first brought out two Nikkos but the tread pattern was too aggressive for me. I asked if he had any Michelins and he brought out two almost new MXM4s. Total price for install, balance and disposal of my two was $76.00. I haven't measured the tread, but they should last me for at least two years.

I may never buy new tires again, but if I do I might try the Avons.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[Exar-Kun]

...

I wouldn't trust used tires farther than i can throw them.

Good luck though, glad it seems to ahve worked out.I have had similar experience with Kumho's that Dennis has.

-Chet

[xyoufailmex]

Why wouldnt you trust them? Ironic enough, I recieved a set of 4 RE92s wrapped around my Enkei Meshes and they're great

[Q45tech]

When you study The Industry tire reports made to government on creating a National Tire reliability test, you see all the data proving safe life [point at which curve rises exponentially] is only 2 years under extreme conditions [and a Q aggressively driven] is an extreme condition especially in warm climates.

Buying a used tire messes with the chain of evidence, as unless you read the date codes.....you don't know how long they have been sitting after initial use.

The data was supplied by Michelin [for Michelin tires] to help government understand the Firestone problem.

More useful temp placeholder ppt files. Will edit laterhttp://www.prtassoc.com/librar...0.pdf

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/agenda...2.ppt

http://www.cb-racing.com/PilotCup_Presentation.PPT

[maxnix]

Falken might make a decent tire, but on either the Avon or Michelin, I would get the summer G500 or PS2 in Atlanta. All-season is a marketing euphemism for not working very well at all in the snow while delivering less performance in the dry and wet above 40° F.