Uggghh, another tire thread....

[Qdemption]

'92 Q45, factory 15 inch wheels.... 215s' or 235s' Michelin Pilot XGT?

That is it. I read in a previous post from PalmerWMD that the majority of NICO members have gone with the 235s'.

Go or No Go?

I know, I know, use the search button. But I have, and I only came across one thread that suggested going with the wider 235s'. It got me thinking that is what I wanted. just wanted to make sure there was no horror stories. thanks for your patience, ...... Ben

[szh]

Your simple choices, IMHO:

1. Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP 225/60-15. I like. Dennis (Q45Tech) likes. Don't get if you encounter snow.

2. Michelin Pilot XGT H4 235/60-15. Dennis likes. I am not sure. (I am concerned about possible wet weather handling issues.)

Avoid the Michelin Pilot XGT V4. I know that this tire is dangerous in wet conditions.

Z

[szh]

And, fwiw, here are all the alternatives (that have the correct load index for a Q45):

Michelin Pilot XGT H4 215/65-15Michelin Pilot XGT V4 215/65-15 (but don't get this one!!!)Yokohama AVS dB S2 215/65-15 Continental ContiExtremeContact 225/60-15Michelin Pilot XGT H4 225/60-15Michelin Pilot XGT V4 225/60-15 (but don't get this one!!!)Yokohama AVS dB S2 225/60-15 Michelin Pilot XGT H4 235/60-15

All are available at Tire Rack.

Z

Edited: To remove the Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP 225-60/15. It is no longer available ... argh!

[Qdemption]

Thanks a bunch. If Q45tech likes it, I like it too.

Check out some prices and the 235 60-15, for two of them to be put on......... $306.00. WOW!!!

That is expensive. What about just buying the tires online and having them mounted. Or even buying them locally and them taking the wheel to a tire place to mount them. Is this a standard operating procedure to save some dough on tire installation, cause I aint made out of that shiznit.

[szh]

I get my tires on-line from Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com) - they have the best prices around for the brands they carry. If you go with some brands that they do not have (like Falken or Toyo), then you would need to check out Victoria Tire (http://www.victoriatire.com) or Discount Tire Direct (http://www.tires.com).

Mounting and balancing is relatively cheap at most place - the ones that Tire Rack has on their lists run from $10 to $15 a wheel. People on this forum have found Costco to be a good place for mounting/balancing, plus they occasionally have good deals on tires.

Z

[szh]

Whatever you do, please make darn sure that you get a tire that has a load index of 95 or higher - preferably with a VR or ZR rating (HR minimum). This is a safety issue with a heavy car like the Q45!

Z

[szh]

Argh! I just noticed that Tire Rack is now sold out of the 15" Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP (in a 225/60-15 size.) This tire model has been discontinued recently, unfortunately, and the inventory is dropping ...

Z

[szh]

Check out some prices and the 235 60-15, for two of them to be put on......... $306.00. WOW!!!

That is expensive. What about just buying the tires online and having them mounted. Or even buying them locally and them taking the wheel to a tire place to mount them. Is this a standard operating procedure to save some dough on tire installation, cause I aint made out of that shiznit.

If price is an issue, then consider the Yokohama AVS db S2 at 215/65-15. They are $74 each at Tire Rack. This is a a reasonably quiet tire, although perhaps not as long lasting as the Michelin's. (The Yokohama tire in a 225/60-15 size is a bit cheaper at $71 each, but this minor size difference is not going to give you more quietness or better handling - might as well get a better fit with the stock size.)

So, two Yokohama AVS db S2 would set you back about $200 or so (including shipping and mounting/balancing). Can't get much below that without taking a safety risk ... you do not want cheapo tires on a heavy car!

Z

[qship96]

with firestones track record of questionable quality,you are much better off with the michelins

[szh]

with firestones track record of questionable quality,you are much better off with the michelins

The Firehawk SZ50EP is a notable exception. This is an outstanding tire!

Z

[szh]

By the way, as a generalization, it looks like high load-index 15" tires are becoming dinosaurs - most of the newer high-end sedans seem to have migrated to 16" or larger rims. Tire models availability at those sizes is better, particularly if you pick a good width (like 7.5" or larger).

Might be time for members who own first-gen Q's with stock 15" wheels, to start thinking about wheel upgrades down the line, too! I.e., start a budget for it now.

Z

[PalmerWMD]

with firestones track record of questionable quality,you are much better off with the michelins

The firehawk SZ50EP's are among the best tires made.

PS: I moved this to the right forum.

Fred...

[qship96]

The firehawk SZ50EP's are among the best tires made.

PS: I moved this to the right forum.

Fred...

dont ever confuse performance with quality construction!think of a firebird-high performance,but certainly NOT high quality!firestone has a history of tire recalls and safety issues as far back as the mid 70s with their "high performance radial 500`s that were OEM on camaro & other performance cars,lets not even talk about the explorer issue or the one after that!

[Q45tech]

Tire Rack and I have discussed the Kumho KH11 @$49 in 225/60/15 as a safe suitable alternative for WARM WEATHER this is NOT a COLD weather tire. Better than the RSA and probably nearly a Pilot H4 except in cold weather.

Look at the tire test and compare the number with other tires.

But no promises about how they behave after 15,000 miles.At least they are not directional.

[szh]

dont ever confuse performance with quality construction!think of a firebird-high performance,but certainly NOT high quality!firestone has a history of tire recalls and safety issues as far back as the mid 70s with their "high performance radial 500`s that were OEM on camaro & other performance cars,lets not even talk about the explorer issue or the one after that!

Okay, I understand the reason behind your comments, but I will still difffer inre the Firehawk SZ50EP. I had excellent results with it (having tried many brands in 30 years of driving!) Nothing like personal experience to validate the results, by the way!

Little things like the fact that it would stay in perfect balance after many thousands of miles without problems (demonstrating solid construction), No problems with vibration (pretty much never went out of balance much at all - except when I had a nail through one), excellent adhesion, after 3/4 worn, the same as the day I got it (builds confidence in wet weather driving), etc., etc., etc.

If you are willing to search for some of my earlier posts about how impressive this tire is, you will see how I (and others who have tried it) feel about the SZ50EP! The Tire Rack ratings on many Firestone tires are poor, yes, but the SZ50EP ratings reflect other good user experiences too!

Z

BTW, the "Explorer issue" was clearly shown to be mostly (not all, but mostly) related to people who did not understand that keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure is essential to making sure that tall sidewall tires (on SUV's, in particular) do not flex a lot, and generate too much heat, and may thus fail.

[qship96]

like i said,dont confuse performance with quality,i may agree the tire performs well,but would not trust my family or q to the poor quality of firestone,their track record leaves much to be desired,much like general motors,some good performers,but sorely lacking in the quality department.michelin xrays every pilot before it leaves the factory,and my experience with them,plus their track record for safety makes them a much more trusted tire to travel at high speeds on the heavy q than most other brands,imo.

[szh]

qship96, I don't want to argue with you (since you are making valid points!), but ... in my opinion, the items I was referring to (balance retention, etc.) point to quality construction as well, not just performance!

However, the point is moot anyway - Firestone is dropping the SZ50EP, and there is no other Firestone model I would buy anyway. So ... my next tire for my M45 is likely to be the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S in a 245/45-18 size.

Z

[qship96]

truce,my friend! i think you will enjoy those new tires!just had the 12,000 mile pilots rotated and balanced,3 out of the 4 tires required no weights on the outside of rim,the 4th has a very small weight on the outside! and,9-32 tread depth measured at 12000 miles,new spec is 10-31 tread depth!enjoy the m!