Has anybody had any good/bad experiences with Sumitomo HTR+ all-season tires? I had originally chosen Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S's in a 235/45-17 size to mount on my stock Sport 17" wheels, because the Tire Rack reviews were pretty much all positive. However, a guy here at my local tire shop recommended the Sumitomo's and said they were the best for a lot less than Pirelli's. I want an all-seson tire that performs great in snowy/icy weather, is very quiet, and has great wear life. If the Sumitomo's are a great tire, then I'll go for the bargain...but I don't mind spending a little more if the P-Zero's are so much better.

Prices for (4) incl. mounting & balancing:
Pirelli P-Zero $664.00
Sumitomo HTR+ $485.00

Any ideas?

 

I can give you some feedback on the Sumitomo HTR+, but I used them on my last car (2000 Eclipse GT). On that car, I had 17" rims and used 3 different sets of tires over the years: Goodyear Eagle RS-A, Sumitomo HTR+, Kumho ECSTA ASX.

The Goodyear's were the stock tires, lasted the longest, and were the quitest, but they also had the worst handling. The Sumitomo's were next and had very much improved handling. However, they were the loudest of the 3 and only lasted about a year and a half. Also, they didn't seem as straight-line stable. The last set were the Kumho's and they were easily the best of the 3. Great handling (on par with the Sumitomo's), much quieter than the Sumitomo's, and they felt very stable and much more connected to the road. I believe that the Kumho's treadwear rating was on par with the Goodyear's as well.

I don't know if winter driving applies with you, but I drove all three sets through all 4 seasons of Minnesota and they were all very close in handling for rain and snow.

Hope that helps.

 

+1 on the Kumho....my Ecsta Supra 711s outlasted my old Nitto NT 555s by almost twice the age...

 

I would go with the Sumitomo's. My brother has them for more than 2 years already and they still look like new. My friend has them also and I didnt' hear any complaints. I think they are great tires. Kumho's in my opinion are cheaper brand like hankook or something. Although I had Kumho's ecsta on my previous car, and in the summer and rain, they were truly superior, even with bubbles on the sidewalls.
Good luck.

 

check the treadwear rating on the tires they give you a decent indication of how long they will last. The EL42s have a 200 I think. I know you can get a decent performance all season tire with a rating of 360 which should last about twice as long.

I have been hearing good things about avon tires as far as price, performance and wear goes.

 

I have the Sumi's on my Maxima, they're inexpensive, look good, and handle great. I have unfortunately had to replace three of them in the past year due to a "bubble" forming on the sidewall, not sure if it's my unusual 18" tire set up or not, but the next set will not be Sumitomo's.

 

http://myrotarycar.com/mazda-rx8_2004_Sumitomo_HTR.asp
Check this link for another review.

 

Although I'm forced (current budget restrictions) to ride on the stock Goodyear RS-A's until they are done, and I have no choice but to replace them, I have decided on the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S's as my next tires due to almost 100% positive consumer feedback no matter what site you check on. Wear seems to be better than the Michelin's, and I don't know enough about the Avon's to make that a viable choice.

The Sumitomo's seem to me to be a compromise. I can pay just a little more and get a lot better tire...