taking off 18" wheels and going back to 17"

[keithhr1]

I am coming from a 2006 M35 great ride quality, and my 2008 ex35 with 18" Pirelli P6 Allroad tires is killing me
when driving on rough roads. Question is, would I benefit greatly from going back to stock wheel and high quality
tire package. I've got to do something, I went into San Francisco and I couldn't lean back on the seat the roads
were so repaired bumpy awful and painful,
I would appreciate hearing from people that upgraded wheel size and are sorry, or never upgraded and like
the 17" wheel ride because something is terribly wrong with the terrible ride I'm getting. The frontage road by
the dealer was glass smooth, little did I know.
I need all the help I can get. I'm ready to buy a whole wheel tire package if it will help make the EX35 ride
better,,,,

[jmess]

You have checked your tire pressure? Overinflated tires can make for a rougher ride.

You might consider replacing the tires with Michelin 245-50-18 MXM4s. For me they have a much plusher and quieter ride than the stock 225-55-18s at 33PSI. The H rated sidewalls aren't as stiff and the wider tire is a better fit for the 8" wide stock rim. If you want a little more steering response adding 2-3PSI tightens things up nicely. These tires have transformed my cars ride and the handling is still good also.

[keithhr1]

I actually did check the tires today, 32 lbs, I rechecked the tires and they are Pirelli P6 plus tires, and on smooth roads I have a nice ride, uneven roads, not good.
I've been contemplating a wheel and tire change, or maybe just a tire change and I called a couple of Infiniti dealers today and might just as well have called the Russian
Embassy to find out what the Giants baseball schedule was for the weekend.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

If you head in this direction, I wouldn't think you should have any trouble selling a set of 18" OEM rims here on the board, but personally...I think your issue is the tires themselves--not the rim size. I just sold my 2005 Subaru Outback XT (turbo) which had 225/55-R17 tires on it. They were Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and they were a perfect mix of comfort and handling. I'm looking at Nokian WRG2 SUV tires for my 2008 EX once winter approaches, as I don't feel the EX needs an ultra-high performance handling tire--but would benefit from a tire designed for small SUVs with greater winter capabilities.

Tires make more of a difference in ride quality and stiffness than most people realize. In my opinion, Pirelli P6 tires are awful--and I think you'll see the ratings on sources like Tirerack.com support that. Check out either a set of Michelins or the Goodyear ComfortTread tires which many folks here rave about.

Hope that helps,
Tim

[keithhr1]

Tim, thanks for your reply, I saw that the Pirelli P6 plus tires I have do not rate well on the tire rack,, comfort being 5.9 as opposed
to the Goodyear comforTred grand touring that were rated over 9

[keithhr1]

I purchased the Goodyear Assurance comforTred grand touring tires from tirerack, am having them shipped to wheel works which has an agreement with tire rack as a selected installer and when I called Wheel works back again to tell them Iwasn't going to buy from them just get an install for about 1/2 what they quoted me. I did offer to give them a good review on the selected installers portion on tire rack. I'm at least expected a much improved ride.
My wife has been using Goodyear on her camry for many years averaging over 80,000 miles per tire so
I thought I would take the Pirellis off the car and try this highly regarded tire

[EXceptional]

Keep us posted on the Install process and the resulting Ride, afterwards.

Everybody getting new Tires, has got me itchin to ditch the Duncrap's a lot sooner.

The Wear-bars are quickly coming to the surface, so it won't be much longer.

[keithhr1]

GoodyearAssurance ComforTred Touring(Grand Touring All-Season)
.
2008 Infiniti EX35


Size: 225/55R18
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 97H
UTQG: 740 A B
Price: $155.00 (each)
Estimated Availability: In Stock

Set of 4: $620.00
Add To Cart

will notice the 9.3 is for ride comfort from the tirerack surrvey the 8.8 8.8 8.5 9.2 are some other key
parts of the survey, but at average an 8.7 this is the highest rated all season passenger tire on their website and I read the reviews last night for a second time, it appears as though this tire, designed for comfort and added good handling characteristics is just what I was looking for. They will be mounted by
next week and I'll leave some driviing impressions, live and learn and then share!!

Results based on 102 submissions of our online tire survey.
Survey Tabs
Surveyed Averages 1 100% 8.1 8.8 8.8 8.5 9.2 8.5 8.6 8.1 7.7 9.3 9.0 8.9 969,367

[jmess]

There is some real world test data on the Tire Rack that may be interesting to compare against owner survey results. Living in the rain belt emergency wet braking and handling is a big factor.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/tes ... p?ttid=138

[keithhr1]

I read the test scores versus the reader scores and it seems like the testing doesn't closely relate to the real world surveys. The tests that I read did not ring true at all. I would much rather combine the opinions on a few hundred real world experiences versus one test. According to the surveys done on tire rack, the Goodyear Assurance Comfortred tire had the highest overall rating and the tops in several categories. I know there were a lot of people saying that the new Goodyear Assurance elevated their driving experience, a lot of different ways in a lot of categories.
I will know within a week how they compare to my current Pirelli tires that I currently have. If they are an improvement it will be a very cost effective upgrade. I must say that I appreciate all remarks and comments from everyone

[CDNicecube]

To the OP
Odd, I have 18" and would consider 19" for the crisper handling it would provide. 18" are plush, quiet, smooth and comfortable on my 2010 EX so I am surprised by your experience. Anyhow, if anyone is interested in an even trade (18 for 19) let me now ! (the OEM tires have less than 5000m on them) ((sorry for highjacking the tread!)

[keithhr1]

I actually saw an 2008 M35 with 20,200 miles, so I took back my ex, took a small loss on it and got back the car
I really loved, a Slate Blue with graphite interior with everything but the premium package on it. I am so happy
and I just put on 4 Hankook tires, two of which I had in backup on my M. (Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110
245/45R18XL 100Y VSB) they are a summer high performance summer tire that has exceptional wet weather
handling. So getting back an M with such low mileage I was able to turn my cancelled 2006 warranty to a 72 month
Infiniti Elite warranty with 60 coming after the original warranty expires, once again through Scottsdale Infiniti
via Courtney Mutema who Is organized and get her business done quickly!!

[EXceptional]

So basically you traded the "EX35" for a "M", cause you had crappy Tires?

When our crappy Tires wear out, I'll just buy better ones.

Me thinks you always liked the "M" better... and thats why you went back to one.

Sounds like you got a good deal, too.

[keithhr1]

I didn't trade in the ex because i had crappy tires, the ride wasn't world class either. I got into a beautiful low mileage 2008 M35 because that is what I
had wrecked and it saved my life. My new car had 20,200 miles on it, I just didn't fit well into the EX and the back storage space
was way less than the M. I absolutely love my M and I paid dearly to get it. I traded in a week old car and paid another
California sales tax suffered a dealer loss on the EX and paid more for the M. In the end I am so happy that I got an updated M as well with most of
the tech packages that are difficult to find

[ANBYOND]

I just didn't fit well into the EX and the back storage space
was way less than the M.

Sorry, the EX has more back storage space then the M. 18.6 cu ft for EX vs 14.9 cu ft for the M. Drop the back seats and the EX is far more useful for carrying things than a sedan like an M35.

[keithhr1]

the only problem is when dropping the back seats down, everything placed back there is in public view and could tempt thieves and then leaves no room for any
one to sit back there. The Ex35 is the equivalent of large 2 seater hatchback. I didn't want to leave an expensive electronic scooter in the open for all to see.

[jmess]

I carry a shipping pad/blanket that I use to cover up things in the back when needed.

[canuck99]

To the OP
Odd, I have 18" and would consider 19" for the crisper handling it would provide. 18" are plush, quiet, smooth and comfortable on my 2010 EX so I am surprised by your experience. Anyhow, if anyone is interested in an even trade (18 for 19) let me now ! (the OEM tires have less than 5000m on them) ((sorry for highjacking the tread!)

I agree with CDNicecube. We just got a 2011 EX35 and feel the ride is very plush on the factory 18" wheels.