Nitto Invo Tire Review

[tigerclaws1318]

This morning I went to a nearby Nissan dealer to get 4 Nitto Invo tires mounted and balanced. I had all 4 tires in the car and you probably wonder how they would fit. 2 tires fit perfectly in the trunk but was leaning against the trunk light. The light actually popped outta place so I just reposition the tire so it doesn't lean on the light. The other 2 tires were in the back seat covered up in blankets to protect it from the seats. Passenger seat had to be moved up slightly for them to fit.

In case your wondering how much the tires cost, they were $877 shipped. This is for 4 245/40/ZR19 98W. Let me know if anyone wants the site. Here's the tire specs.Traction: AATemperature: ATreadwear: 260

So after 2 hours of waiting at the dealer with the tires mounted and nitrogen filled at 33psi it's time for a ride. First thing you notice after driving off is the ride quality. Going over rough surfaces feels so much softer compared to the Bridgestone Potenzas. Now you might think handling wise or road feel is gonna suffer but it doesn't. Well with the Bridgestones steering responds was pretty good but with the invo it seems like a slight delay but I'm sure most people won't care or notice.

The OEM Potenza's were loud as f**k on the highway but after driving on the highway to get the tire pressure sensor to work the invo's are like super quiet. One of the main focus of these tires to make a quiet tire without sacificing performance. The key to the quietness is the treadblock in the middle which features variable pitch technology which fades out any kind of roadnoise.

This is my first day with the tire so I can't talk about traction or wet performance. They aren't even broken in yet. Just wanted to do a quick review for those who are interested in these tires for future purchases.They aren't expensive compared to other performance tires out there.

Here's a quick shot of the tire on the car. Tell me what you guys think.


Modified by tigerclaws1318 at 4:40 PM 7/12/2009

[07sportm35]

Trust me when I say you are describing every "brand new tire".

Slap 500 miles or so on them then you'll get a more realistic picture. Don't think that Bridgestones are awesome, quiet, so-on-and-so-forth when new? Think again!

[BigP]

I have Nitto Invo on my short list when I need tires next year. Currently I have Kuhmo SPT's with about 7,000 miles. I would appreciate an honest update once you get a couple thousand on them. Let us the exact mileage, the treadwear, the noise level, smoothness and handling.

thanks and good luck!

[tigerclaws1318]

I have Nitto Invo on my short list when I need tires next year. Currently I have Kuhmo SPT's with about 7,000 miles. I would appreciate an honest update once you get a couple thousand on them. Let us the exact mileage, the treadwear, the noise level, smoothness and handling.

thanks and good luck!

Yeah, I'll do an update when I get about 1000 miles outta these tires.

[MRider]

Tigerclaws, do you experience tramlining with the Nitto's?

Does anyone know what what the expected tread life on the Nitto Invo with a 260 rating?

Thanks in advance

[tigerclaws1318]

With these Invo's tramlining seems to be gone but not 100%. On very uneven road surfaces you will still experience tramlining not much to scare you or anything.

[kmk786]

Guys - pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is tramlining?

tigerclaws1318 - Tires look good, I have them on list for the M45 when the need should arise. Look forward to your 1000 mile review.

[ken in az]

Tramlining is when you drive on uneven surfaces and the tire forces the steering wheel to follow the unevenness of the road.

It's very anoying and is caused by a number of different things, but mostly your tire choice amplifies the issue depending on the characteristics of the tire. Some are very good and eliminate 99% of it and some tires are extremely bad and actually amplifies it.

[ken in az]

I have Nitto Invo on my short list when I need tires next year. Currently I have Kuhmo SPT's with about 7,000 miles. I would appreciate an honest update once you get a couple thousand on them. Let us the exact mileage, the treadwear, the noise level, smoothness and handling.

thanks and good luck!

BigP - I've got almost 1500mi on mine - albeit I'm on a staggered setup but I'm still on 19's stock size tire. Rear is a 275/30/19.

I think they are great, I'm not the formost expert on tires but these Invo's are great so far and I'm lovin them. They handle great - no tramlining - quiet - can't comment on wet weather performance as we haven't had any rain since we got them, but they are listed as decent and they do have 2 deep channeling grooves for water evacuation so they can't be that bad.

tread patter looks cool so you may get a few people oogling at your tread design if you park with your sheels turned out - happened to me 2 times already. Also the tire is known as the Flagship Luxury Performance Tire for Nitto so that makes you feel good too knowing you have the "Flagship" - lol j/k about that

[BigP]

Thanks for the update. My Kuhmo SPT's are on 8k miles and seem to be doing well. I think I'll get 20k out of them (at least I hope so). I just rotated them and they are a little quieter for now, but I expect that to change in the next 4k miles.

So I'll keep the Nitto's on my short list!

thanks, Mike

[Popsickle]

I've had the Nitto Invos on my car for about 5k-7k miles. I really couldn't recommend them considering they do become extremely loud over time and tramlining rears its ugly head sooner than expected. The ride becomes very harsh too! Another thing that caught me off guard was the fluctuation in tire pressure; I keep the tires at 29psi and by the time I get to work they're reading 35+ (8-10min drive@55mph). Keep in mind I'm in Texas and traction in the summer is nothing more than a melting tire.

D

[ken in az]

I've had the Nitto Invos on my car for about 5k-7k miles. I really couldn't recommend them considering they do become extremely loud over time and tramlining rears its ugly head sooner than expected. The ride becomes very harsh too! Another thing that caught me off guard was the fluctuation in tire pressure; I keep the tires at 29psi and by the time I get to work they're reading 35+ (8-10min drive@55mph). Keep in mind I'm in Texas and traction in the summer is nothing more than a melting tire.

D

Huh - My tire pressure is on par with any tire I've had previously so that's weird - and I hope my tires don't do what yours did - ouch! And from what I've read the tire is supposed to be quiet and stay quiet - wonder what went awry with yours??

[Popsickle]

These are the first tires I've ever owned that changed pressure that fast so I have no clue. All four tires do seem to stay within 1psi of each other, but they just air up to high. Probably the Texas weather (awful weather for a car junkie). After I get the new rims put on I'll inspect them since the tire company I bought them from doesn't seem to be all that reliable. It wouldn't surprise me if they were selling use or defected tires as new!

[M45Caliber]

I installed the Kumho Ecsta ASX All Season Ultra-High Performance tire on my M45 and now have almost 2,000 miles on them. They have a very good wear rating (460?) so should last 30K miles.

As my M "ate up" my Yokohama Avid w4s in 20K miles (severe cupping on all of the inside edges) I decided to try a less expensive tire that could also be rotated from side to side on the car, thus reversing the rotation of the tire AND mitigating (I hope) the cupping issue.

These were $109 each (Tire Rack) - damn cheap for an 18 inch hi-po tire. In Tire Rack rests, they basically tie with the Pirelli P-Zero Nero. What's intresting is that the tread pattern is almost a dead ringer for the Nero.

These remain quiet, no tramlining, great overall traction and response. Very pleased so far -- good choice, especially given the price point.

So far they have maintained the 35 psi that was put in them 2 months ago.

[szh]

I keep the tires at 29psi and by the time I get to work they're reading 35+ (8-10min drive@55mph).

This is very normal. As the tire heats up, the air inside heats up and the pressure rises. So, what you see is not unusual.

In fact, you are actually experiencing extra heating, because you are starting too low to begin with. Your sidewall is flexing more than it should, and generating more heat as a result, when the tire rolls.

Reducing cold tire pressure causes the load capacity to drop too. Remember the Ford-Firestone debacle? You do not want a tire failure at speed!

In any case, please start by keeping the tire pressure above 33 to 34 psi when cold - the fact that it may rise to over 40 psi by the time you get to work is not an issue.

Z

[szh]

These are the first tires I've ever owned that changed pressure that fast so I have no clue. All four tires do seem to stay within 1psi of each other, but they just air up to high. Probably the Texas weather (awful weather for a car junkie). After I get the new rims put on I'll inspect them since the tire company I bought them from doesn't seem to be all that reliable. It wouldn't surprise me if they were selling use or defected tires as new!

What is the manufacturing date (stamped on the side of the tire)? What is the load index of the tire you are using?

As a side point: people should never buy tires that are more than a few years old (good stock) and certainly never use any tires that are more than 5 years old. The rubber has deteriorated - through exposure to air and the sun - to a dangerous point by then.

Z

[maxnix]

I keep the tires at 29psi and by the time I get to work they're reading 35+ (8-10min drive@55mph).

That much variation in so short a drive is physics' way of telling your your initial pressures are way too low. Either that or you are running balloons.

Try 35 psi cold and notice the lack of variance. Please report back. The pressure generated by excessive heat is from the carcass flexing, not the weather.

I've had the Nitto Invos on my car for about 5k-7k miles. I really couldn't recommend them considering they do become extremely loud over time and tramlining rears its ugly head sooner than expected. The ride becomes very harsh too!

Another conformation there is no such thing as a regularly priced cheap tire that is good.

As ye pay, so shall ye receive.