I have the "sports" and "winter" packages, but I didn't realized that the "winter" package killed my performance tires (W rated). Trying to find differences between the all season (from "winter") and performance (from "sports") tires, I saw their dimesions to be identical: 215-55 R17. So, it's only the "V" rated versus the "W" rated. The "W" is pretty bad in winter and rain (it's just a summer tire) whereas the "V" looks OK for any season. The "W" is the next level up from "V" so it's not quite a big deal (I would say). The dealer is willing to change my "V's" to "W's" but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just stay with my "V". The difference in max speed is too small (and pretty much unreachable in my area !) but the "V" would offer me a better run throughout the year. Is the "W" grip worth it ?

What do you guys think ?

 

"V" and "W" are just speed ratings, and have no bearing on performance with respect to summer or all-season tires. "V" tires are rated at 149mph, and "W" tires are rated at 168mph. Note that it's possible to get W-rated high-performance all-season tires, though not in our stock size, and not cheap.

The three possible tires that come on a G35 are Bridgestone Turanza EL42, Goodyear Eagle RS-A, and Goodyear Eagle GS-D. And, as luck would have it, these are the only tires currently available aftermarket in a 215/55R17. The GS-D's are the W-rated summer tires. The RS-A's are V-rated all-season performance tires. The Turanzas are V-rated all-season touring tires. The Turanzas have good performance, and provide a smoother and quieter ride than either of the Goodyear choices. I haven't seen anyone compare the two Goodyears to each other, but I imagine the GS-D's would be a little rougher and have better dry performance, but not as good wet performance as the RS-A's. How much better I don't know. Performance all-Seasons generally don't have as good a dry performance as dedicated summer performance tires.

TireRack.com is a good source for researching such things, plus you can search the forums here for tires, as the subject has come up repeatedly before. (The search button is in the nav bar at the top. Check the Wheels and Suspension forum.) A common tactic seems to be to switch to 235/50R17's, where there's a wider selection of tires. It also depends, of course, on your local weather. Here in San Diego, we can get away with summer tires year round. I'm going to stick with my Turanza's until they need to be replaced, and hope that something else appears in the market in the stock size by then.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Thank you very much for the info. I'll probably stay with my stock "V's".

 

If you want to bump the tire performance try the Mich Pilot A/S in 235/50 17. I am currently saving the cash to get them. The tirerack highly reccomends them. If you look on their site(www.tirerack.com) you'll notice, under survey, that the El42s and RSAs are in the would not buy again catagory. That makes me feel so good:P I am glad we got crappy tires in a funky size...makes replacing them just sooo easy.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Premium/Winter/Aero
69 Chevelle BB/4.11's

 

If you want to pay around $100/tire, you have to drop back down to 16" wheels. Low-profile performance tires cost a bit more. I'm not sure what the logic is behind which tires you get from the factory, but I think you get Bridgestones with the winter package. Or maybe it's sport+winter.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

That's a good point. I'll probably keep my stock tires for now (I belive mine are Bridgestone Turanza) and get new types when they wore out.

Does anyone else have "Turanza", it just seems that people have the "Good Year" brand ?

 

My G35 came with GYr's GS Ds. Great on dry pavement, so-so on wet. Predicted to be terrible in light to moderate snow. Looked up MT, R&T, Automobile, Tiretrack.com and others for reviews. Bottom line: Stay away from GYr's RSA, and later model GS DII. I purchased Micln's A/S sport (m+s) 225-50R 17. Handles quite well in lite to moderate snow; excellent on wet pavement, and astounding performance under gforce acceleration and handling on dry pavement. The tread groves are deep, and forward positioning. Yesterday, discussed Turanzas with a Z driver. He was sorely disappointed with its performance on wet pavement. Allowed him to drive my G35; I sat in the passenger seat. He was so carried away that he tripped out to the local Sears' store and ordered a set.

 

Everyone with a sport package got the Goodyears and we how don't got the Bridgestones. Both tires suck for the most part. I am really considering dumping the Bridgestones for the Michelin Pilot A/S in 235/50 17 but at $205 a tire its a bit of a stretch right now. I wnat to switch to larger rims for brake up grades but the 17s offer alot of tire choices once you get beyond the the weird factory size.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Premium/Winter/Aero
69 Chevelle BB/4.11's

 

I know this is an old thread but I have a follow up for you guys (I've only had the car for about 3 weeks and just getting to ALL the details).

I, too, have both the SPORT and WINTER packages and also noticed that the WINTER package tires (V-rated all season) override the SPORT package tires (W-rated summer). In may area (east coast), they put on Goodyear Eagle RS-A.

Here's the question: how do I know they are V-rated (does not say it anywhere on the sidewall)?

2003 G35 Sedan, Brilliant Silver, Graphite Leather, Premium, Sport, Winter, NAV

 

Never mind...answered my own question (it's the 'V' in 93V). Reason I originally asked is because, back in the old days, they used to incorporate the speed rating into the tire size (e.g., P215/55VR-17). It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of worrying about such details ('84 300ZX).

2003 G35 Sedan, Brilliant Silver, Graphite Leather, Premium, Sport, Winter, NAV

 

Hey Watsac, My G-Sedan was delivered to me with Turnanzas which I liked a lot having had them on my 2k2 Max. They gave great performance in all kinds of summer weather but marginal at best in winter driving. I would recommend them to others. In my area in Southern Ontario it meant snows for the winter season.
As far as the Pilots on my Coupe which are 'W' rated, they are nice and I like the handling. But they are totally useless in any kind of winter driving. Great in dry conditions, good in wet, but dangerous in winter. I would have been just as happy to have V rated A/S (Pilots) which would have done me fine in the summer and pre-winter/late winter season. I would still recommend snows for the dead of winter on both cars tho.
The other thing I would have done if I'd kept my Sedan would be to change the odd -ball size from 215/55/17 to 235/50/17. Affording a little more of a performance stance, and more selection at replacement time.
When it comes to replacing my Sport Pilots, I'll get the all season Pilots in one size. I don't like not being able to rotate my tires conventionally at least Front to Back.
Glad you found the older thread. There's still value in a lot of them.
Good luck with your Sedan. It really is a special ride.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=green>GSM</font color=green>

 

Coming from a 2k2 altima owner, you are closer to the 215/55 diameter with 225/45/17's. the 225/45's in certain manufacturer's (depending on stuff like treadpattern and type of rubber) are closer to the 26.5" (I think that's right) of the 215/55. I went ahead and put the 235/50's on my 3.5 altima for the extra 10 mm of surface and am very happy with them. But be aware that the 225/45 size opens up a lot of CHEAPER tires (even performance, like Nitto, Yokahama, etc)

Selling my altima now to by a G35 Sedan 6MT in case you are wondering why I am here

 

225/45R17 is too small. 225/50R17 and 225/55R17 bracket the diameter of the stock 215/55R17's.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Yeah, 225/45-17 would seem way too small. Even 245/45-17 is smaller than stock, but probably within an acceptable range. Unless you mean 225/45-18 which would also be okay.

<font color=green>GG</font color=green>