Re-Tireing a G Coupe

[JHof]

I bought my '05 Coupe about three months ago .Obviously,it was used,since the odo said 47,000 and just as obvious,the car was shod with what had to be it's SECOND set of tires,at least.The car came with a nearly-new set of Michelin Pilot Sport P2,the Gold Standard in performance rubber.I figured they had about 12-15,000 miles on them when I got the car.The Dealer didn't know anything...They are also R-rated,meaning the prior owner probably wouldn't have driven the G very fast for very long.

Pilot Sports are distinguished for using a very odd tread pattern--twin deep grooves carved into the center of the contact patch,with a spiderweb of sidewall detail,all of it designed to wash away water,fast.

I don't like these tires,due in part to their speed rating( I PLAN to go fast,and often I do go into the 120-MPH range,just for grins )--and in another part for the odd handling characteristics they seem to give my Coupe.

My previous car (a much-missed '03 350Z) had a great set of Goodrich G-Force tires,WR rated,and the handling was as crisp as biscotti.They were the third set for the Z in 56,000 miles,replacing a set of nearly-worn,30,000 mile WR-rated Bridgestones that were,in turn replaced by the Dealer under Warranty when the 350's front end went wonky and wore the original front Potenzas out in 15,000 miles,back in ought four.The G- Force set had maybe 12,000 on them,and they were fine.

When I first drove the Infiniti,I didn't pay as close attention to the subtlities that the Michelins allowed,but as I have come to know the car well during the last 9,000 miles I decided that I don't like the way the car seems to track along irregularities in the pavement at high speed,how the front end tends to follow left-hand camber and how the front seems to wiggle and scramble for grip during vigorous cornering.Plus,according to Tire Rack,they cost around $250 apiece.The Michelins must go.I'll drive them through Winter,but come the thaw I plan to change my tires out and Go North.I want a nice set of new rubber for the ride.

I don't especially need All-Weather tires,since in Florida where I'll do 90% of my driving the only weather available is rain,or not rain.I do want something W-or-Z-rated,so when the insane craving for sheer speed takes over me,I can go there with the confidence that only a set of "performance" tires provide,but I DON'T want tires that are rock-hard and deliver a rough,350Z-like ride.And I want to get tires with a wear rating of at least 40,000 miles before they cry out for replacement.

Nothing with a Michelin name,a Bridgestone name nor a Goodrich name.Although the G-Forces were OK,I want to try some other brand of tire.Fronts:225/45/18Rears: 245/45/18

Any suggestions???

[champagneG35]

That's all the good names though J/K There's a few others. I'm not sure you're going to find anything with grip comparible to the Max Performance Summer Tires with a 40K life

Normaly you sacrifice performance for treadlife. Before I read the bottom of your post I was going to suggest you try the PS1s instead of the PS2s as I've had them on my coupe and even at 140mph it leaves me feeling confident. I've never tried the PS2s.

I'd see if you can find a set of Yokohama Advan Neovas or Sports but the tread life wont be that great is the only thing. Perhaps a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s ?? They're supposed to have slightly better treadlife.

Not sure what to tell ya though when you're looking for super grip + treadlife they just don't seem to go hand in hand so much. Sure you can find some with about the same grip as say Michelin PS1 with slightly better treadlife for example as stated above the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (you'ld have to slightly change the front tire size though they don't come in 225/45/18s) it wont be dramatic treadlife either, I don't think anyway.

From what I've heard the Advan Neovas and the Potenza RE-01Rs are supped to be awesome. With the Neova's though you'ld have to bump up the rear tire to a 255/40/18 which is only like 3 thenths of an inch taller than stock in diameter and 796 compared to 805 revs per mile so the speedo shouldn't be noticeably affected. The RE-01Rs does come in correct sizing for our coupes Sorry though the potenza's are by a brand you wanted to stay away from. Neither will help with treadlife either.

Modified by champagneG35 at 1:12 PM 12/29/2007
Modified by champagneG35 at 1:14 PM 12/29/2007

[SVTCOBRA]

Try the Yoko's. Just put a set of Avids on the wife's sedan. Like them so far. I'm sure you will want something a little more aggressive though.

[Kenrik]

I have these tires: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...ace=0

They grip very well, they are Z rated and have very good treadwear! I have had them for 10k miles and they still look like new! I expect to get 30-40K out of them. One thing to think about is that I have 275/40/18 in my rear (10 inch wide wheels) so I they will grip better then a set of 245s.. IDK how well they grip in that size.



My previous set of front tires (on the G35) were Khumos and they were AWFUL!! after only 500miles they started cupping with the stock negative camber on my coupe which made the wheel vibrate over 20mph! they only lasted 10k miles.

In the rear I had Dunlop Sportmax tires, they were OK but not great, not much grip and sucky at high speed, they only lasted 20k.

The set before that on my 240sx were Dunlop FM901 tires, they had the same cupping issue that the Khumos have and they only lasted me 7K miles

[joe603]

Love my Toyo's!!

245/35 -19 Front275/35 -19 Rear

[infinitgkid]

Have you considered Falken's? Especially the new Falken FK452... From what I hear those tires grip the pavement as if the tread was lined with super glue, and the ride is as smooth as silk... Now don't quote me on this, I have yet to try them out but this is what I've heard from other people who own these tires...

oh and for the record, I donno why, but I loved it when you said, "...handling as crisp as biscotti"

lol that is so COOL!

[Sentientbydesign]

Hey Kenrik.

Did you have the Kuhmo Ecsta SPTs? I'm looking at getting a set because the Potenzas wear WAY too fast and the others available in the "correct" size are over $300 a pop.

[gwoods]

I have Kumho SPT's... I love them. I will buy them again next year but I'll go up a size to 245/45/17'.

CONThey do follow lines in the road!! Not any worse then other directional tires I've had but you can't take your hands off the wheel on uneven payment.

PROThey are quiet and ride better then the Goodyear RS-a's the car came with. Handling is amazing, traction is amazing (AA rated). They are W rated a must for me once in a while I do top speed runs on private property and have had my G past 150 mph a couple times.

My 2nd choice would have been Falken 452's!

Your not going to find a resonably priced tire that delivers both performance and tread life. I choose performance tires with 300-320 durometer ratings and get about 20k miles out of them replacing every year. But at $560 out the door why not replace your tires every year? Rubber does not age well so if your a performance geared driver do you want to be racing around on 3 year old performance tires? I don't.

Jeff

[Kenrik]

Hey Kenrik.

Did you have the Kuhmo Ecsta SPTs? I'm looking at getting a set because the Potenzas wear WAY too fast and the others available in the "correct" size are over $300 a pop.

Yes and I can't say enough BAD things about them..

I would go with the Generals (I hear they are really good) or the tires I posted above.

[Sentientbydesign]

Yes and I can't say enough BAD things about them..

I would go with the Generals (I hear they are really good) or the tires I posted above.

They don't come in the right size for the 19" sport rims.