Howdy all- Had Discount put a new set of rubber on the Q last night and curious if anyone has any experience w/ them.
Put on Yokohama YK420's in 245/50/R16 96V. Looked em up last night and they're not on Yokohama's or TireRack's websites but I suspect they are nearly identical to the Avid T4. (awaiting email response from Yok.)
Boy the wider rubber sure looks nice! In limited driving so far the ride is not much different (was a little more drifty but could be just that they're new) and that's a releif cuz I was worried I'd lose that smooth ride. Of course, time will tell...
Anyone had these before?
New tires for the Q!!!
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dougs98Q45
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Still no official word (that I have seen) about recall. Looks like the tire is being swept under the carpet, so to speak.
I noticed you said "Looked em up last night and they're not on Yokohama's or TireRack's websites"
This could be due to the fact that there is an internal recognition of a problem with these tires, and it's being quietly handled. aka: phased out of the lineup..
What other models/brands did the Discount guy pitch you??
I noticed you said "Looked em up last night and they're not on Yokohama's or TireRack's websites"
This could be due to the fact that there is an internal recognition of a problem with these tires, and it's being quietly handled. aka: phased out of the lineup..
What other models/brands did the Discount guy pitch you??
Just for kicks, check the build date in the DOT stamping.
if they are a Discount-only tire, this means special bulk order from Yokohama at a steep discount just to get them moved. They built too many and demand was never what they had aniticipated.
The tires have been sitting in a warehouse for over a year, I would wager.
95% of tires we install daily have build dates from '03. Usually mid-to-late '03. The remaining 5% are "special purchase" tires that were wholesaled to us at a deep discount.
There's good profit margin in selling bulk order models/brands, but for a Q45 driver, we(tire shops) aren't doing them justice by selling the cheaper tire. Hopefully, if you DO have trouble, then Discount will man up and treat you fairly with a credit, and a different tire selection.
if they are a Discount-only tire, this means special bulk order from Yokohama at a steep discount just to get them moved. They built too many and demand was never what they had aniticipated.
The tires have been sitting in a warehouse for over a year, I would wager.
95% of tires we install daily have build dates from '03. Usually mid-to-late '03. The remaining 5% are "special purchase" tires that were wholesaled to us at a deep discount.
There's good profit margin in selling bulk order models/brands, but for a Q45 driver, we(tire shops) aren't doing them justice by selling the cheaper tire. Hopefully, if you DO have trouble, then Discount will man up and treat you fairly with a credit, and a different tire selection.
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dougs98Q45
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Jeff Williams
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dougs98Q45
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Just got off the phone w/ the discount guy- he was really cool about it. The car is getting parked for a few days (like 20 miles on the new rubber) while he orders me a set of Pirelli P7000's which will then be swapped out straight up. Thanks for the reminders guys. I had actually read all these posts before and I guess it was a case off over saturation w/ all the info I'd found. I've been trying to make up my mind on a set of tires for quite awhile. Now I know how Homer feels when he goes 'Doooohhhh!!!'
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szh
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Doug,
Since you mentioned 16" rims before, I assume you are getting the Pirelli P7000 in a 245/50ZR16 size. This is $104 at TireRack, by the way.
I do not mean to second-guess your decision too much, but, IMO, for a bit more money ($125), the Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP in 255/50ZR16 is a way better tire. It is much stronger (1687lbs vs 1565lbs load rating) and a slightly better diameter (26.1" vs 25.7") compared to stock sizes, thus giving you less speedo error. Admittedly more expensive ...
By the way, SZ50EP is 340 AA A 99. Dennis gave the specs for the Pirelli.
Z
Since you mentioned 16" rims before, I assume you are getting the Pirelli P7000 in a 245/50ZR16 size. This is $104 at TireRack, by the way.
I do not mean to second-guess your decision too much, but, IMO, for a bit more money ($125), the Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP in 255/50ZR16 is a way better tire. It is much stronger (1687lbs vs 1565lbs load rating) and a slightly better diameter (26.1" vs 25.7") compared to stock sizes, thus giving you less speedo error. Admittedly more expensive ...
By the way, SZ50EP is 340 AA A 99. Dennis gave the specs for the Pirelli.
Z
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dougs98Q45
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I appreciate all inputs! Pirellis are going on tomm. I was under the impression that Discount didn't sell the Falkens. Now it appears they do, they just don't stock them? I would have paid the extra no problemo but this guy has been really nice and put up with enough of my dithering so the Pirellis it is. Not his fault. I can deal with an under 2% speedo error (esp. if I know about it!) I just want a decent tire that will last a reasonable amount of time. Will definately look into the Falkens next time in whatever incarnation they are then. 40PSI eh? I must admit, I'm curious to see how they turn out....
Edit- said Falkens but meant Firestones. Both were tires I had interest in but beleived that Discount didn't stock.
Edit- said Falkens but meant Firestones. Both were tires I had interest in but beleived that Discount didn't stock.
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AZhitman
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YK420 is a "store brand" built specifically for Discount by Yoko.
Not a 320 treadwear as Dennis stated but a 420 rather.
Discount carries the Falkens as well, and aside from the fact that mine were FREE, their prices on the Falken Ziex-512 are competitive. If you decide to do these, consider the 255/50/16 as they are identical to stock diameter and have a 99W rating, and look spectacular.
Also, never pay the first quote at Discount - They have some "haggling" room.
Not a 320 treadwear as Dennis stated but a 420 rather.
Discount carries the Falkens as well, and aside from the fact that mine were FREE, their prices on the Falken Ziex-512 are competitive. If you decide to do these, consider the 255/50/16 as they are identical to stock diameter and have a 99W rating, and look spectacular.
Also, never pay the first quote at Discount - They have some "haggling" room.
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dougs98Q45
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Right then- revision #2: there was a snag ordering the Pirellis so I took that opportunity to see iff AZ's reccommended Falkens in 255/50/16 are available. They are (mid-next week).
AZ- you run the second gen 16's right?? So I think I'm okay w/ rim fit, just wondering about wheel well clearances. Know any second gen cars running this size? This is kinda sudden and I'm stuck at work so I can't tear into it yet.
AZ- you run the second gen 16's right?? So I think I'm okay w/ rim fit, just wondering about wheel well clearances. Know any second gen cars running this size? This is kinda sudden and I'm stuck at work so I can't tear into it yet.
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szh
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Hi, Doug.
I put the Falken Ziex's on my 1995 Q (in a different size ... 245/45-17) and they seemed very good! Not quite as nice as the Firehawk SZ50EP for handling and quietness, but they were certainly much less expensive, so the trade-off was easy to make (particularly since the Firehawk was not available in that size, either!)
I cannot comment on the fit on the second-gen Q, but I would guess that if your wheel offset is in the 35 to 40mm range, it should work just fine. FWIW, the Firestone might be a better fit in the wheel well, since it has a narrower tread-width and a bit more of a "curved" section shape.
Z
I put the Falken Ziex's on my 1995 Q (in a different size ... 245/45-17) and they seemed very good! Not quite as nice as the Firehawk SZ50EP for handling and quietness, but they were certainly much less expensive, so the trade-off was easy to make (particularly since the Firehawk was not available in that size, either!)
I cannot comment on the fit on the second-gen Q, but I would guess that if your wheel offset is in the 35 to 40mm range, it should work just fine. FWIW, the Firestone might be a better fit in the wheel well, since it has a narrower tread-width and a bit more of a "curved" section shape.
Z
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dougs98Q45
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Q451990
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dougs98Q45 wrote:255/50/16 are available...So I think I'm okay w/ rim fit, just wondering about wheel well clearances.
I think you'll be fine - I'm running your wheels (standard 97-00) and that size in the Michelin XGTH4. They fit fine, and the car handles very nicely with that size tire.
It appears that the 15" 1990-1996 tire fitment and the 16" later wheels were still designed for the same overall tire diameter and width, if I remember correctly.
Heath
I have Fulda Extremo 245/50/16's on my Q. I would recommend them highly. However they are pretty expensive. The tires are Z rated for speed and the load rating is a 98, 4 points higher than what the car requires for driving. I was able to test some high end yoko's, pirellis, and continentals. Another good thing about the Extremos, they are the only directional tire I have driven on that can actually grip in snowy weather.
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dougs98Q45
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They're on! Just had the 255/50/16 Falkens put on tonight. All okay so far and I will update after some miles are on 'em. In 20 miles I can already say that the have less 'lane drift' on the freeways than the Yokos but that could be misleading as they're so new. They are quieter also. That my melon head can tell this in 20 miles on each set makes me feel pretty good about my decision. Thanks once again to all of you good folks that chimed in. Probably saved me from a future headache! Also, kudos to Discount for putting up w/ my you know what and being nice about it to boot. I'll be writing a thank you letter! And while I know it's FAR from the most important thing about tires, DANG they look nice!