I need new rubber, what to buy???

[Mike 91 318ic]

Tire size 215/40/17

I've been researching many brands and reading many reviews on tire rack and as soon as I think I've found a good tire I read how they became noisy, or wore out quickly etc... I need at least 25k miles out of them, they must be excellent on both wet and dry, and stay quiet. Price range I'd like to stay in is 150-170 per tire. I drive mostly in the city, little hwy, and the odd autox 1-2 times per year.

tks
Mike

[Mike 91 318ic]

I've narrowed it down to these... These are C$ prices.

Dunlop SP SPORT FM901 $179 ea.
Falken FK-451 $175 ea.
Pirelli P-ZERO NERO M&S $200 ea.
Toyo PROXES T1-R $260 ea.
Toyo PROXES 4 $184 ea.
Yokohama AVS ES100 $196 ea.
Fuzion ZRI $145 ea.
Bridgestone RE 750 $250 ea.

Experienced opinions greatly appreciated.
tks
Mike

[Mystikal]

For what you want, either the Nero M&S or the RE750. Both excellent in their own rights, the Pirellis just slightly softer and longer lasting than the Bridgestones. The T1-R's are awesome, but don't sound like what you're looking for.

Stay away from the FM901's and the Proxes 4's. The rest are solid choices, just not as good as the first 3 I mentioned.

Oh, and I recognize those prices. Browsing Tiretrends? ;)

[nando]

I like my RE750s, not sure if they'll go 25k or not though. The Toyo Proxes 4 is probably not a bad choice for street driving, and in my experience they were excellent in the rain. they also last a long time.

[RCWells]

Personal experience is the Bridgestones are awesome tires. Excellent traction dry AND wet, and so far as I could tell, wore very very well. Low noise and good ride as well. Killer tires!

[Gus]

heard really good things about the FM901 from road rallying guys over here, got a nice big blocky tread pattern so it doesnt wear too badly...apparently...unfortunately dont make em in my size anymore so i went with the replacement direzza dz101 which i am happy with so far

[heelN'toe joe]

Sounds like Michelin's Pilot Exalto PE2 is right down your alley. I got the same size (215/40/17) for $152 a piece at Tirerack. They're new and don't have any ratings yet, but by Michelin's standards, should be a long lasting, quiet tire. check it out-

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Exalto+PE2

[Mike 91 318ic]

I opted for the Pirelli Pzero Nero's 215/40/17's and I'm very pleased with them. For some reason the car doesn't track anymore, and they're super quiet. I acutally thought my diff was going but it turned out my old tires were very noisy. I haven't driven the car hard yet as I want to break them in a bit first.

M

[Mike 91 318ic]

another review after a 250 miles

Wow these Pirelli's work amazing well!!! I went to Whister Thursday morning to go boarding and they really made the car stick in the twisties. They are very quiet, turn in is sharp, and the side walls didn't fold over at all but yet the ride is smoother not so harsh like before. Any ways to my surprise this morning I look out my window and I see 1 foot of snow on the ground!! The weather network said 22" of snow was forcasted and since I HAD to get back into town I thought I'd brave the storm before it was too late. Even though my car was a snow plow on the back roads I didn't get stuck, or slip off the hwy which had 2-4" of snow. Conditions were so bad a bus loaded with passengers flipped into a ditch!!! While emergeny crews took care of the situation it started to snow harder and harder and I was pretty worried I was doomed... Driving a slow 40 kph in bad spots and 60 kph the car never got out of control. After I got back to Squamish the snow was gone, but it was raining really hard, again these tires wouldn't slip and no more hydroplaning Basically these tires rock in dry, wet and probably saved my life in the snow. If you need new tires give these a try, I'm sure you'll be amazed.

[trent]

So far the best 215/40/17 I have used (and I hsve used most of the above tires) is the Hankook Ventus K104. These are a fantastic tire for the price. They are direct ripoff of teh Michelin Pilot Sport.

HTH

[golde30]

So far the best 215/40/17 I have used (and I hsve used most of the above tires) is the Hankook Ventus K104. These are a fantastic tire for the price. They are direct ripoff of teh Michelin Pilot Sport.

HTH

thats pretty interesting. its always nice to find a way to rip off the big guys...

[Mystikal]

Damn Mike, good thing you chose one out of two all-seasons listed. ;)

[M42Technik]

Damn Mike, good thing you chose one out of two all-seasons listed. ;)

Are the prices on TireTrends in Canadian dollars? I might have a better source for my tires for my BBS's now....

[jht3]

i run proxes t1-s in a 225/45/16

very strong sidewalls and very grippy. just don't head out in a snowstorm. i run them on the street and on the track at driving schools and they are excellent. my friend says they are louder on his audi s4 than his old pilot sports. my engine and exhaust are too loud to pick that out.

[Mystikal]

Damn Mike, good thing you chose one out of two all-seasons listed. ;)

Are the prices on TireTrends in Canadian dollars? I might have a better source for my tires for my BBS's now....

Yeah, click the little USA flag on the upper bar for American pricing. I'd also look into import duties/taxes, I know we get hit with them ordering from your side.