I only have 4000 miles on my OEM Goodyears, but looking to improve handling (tires *always* come first in this endeavor)...

So my current possible configs are (on stock 5-spokes):

1) 235/50-17 all around

or

2) 245/50-17 rear, 225/55-17 front... both of these tire sizes will be about 1 1/2% too slow, so they should be OK.

I like that if I go with the 235s, I can rotate the tires easily, but I'm fascinated with having a fatter 245 in back and a slightly wider than stock 225 in front.

Any comments/warnings?


** edit: BTW, current pricing at Tirerack puts the 235s at $788 and the 245/225 combo at $782, so price isn't a problem.


Thanks,

-Max

'03.5 Ivory Pearl 6MT Sedan
'87 Chrysler-bishi Star-Quest 5MT<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by maximafia on 01/13/04 05:31 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

FYI - discounttiredirect.com is giving a $60 instant rebate on four Michelin tires. They were about the same price delivered as TireRack before the rebate. I just ordered a set of A/Ss, 235/50/17.

 

One thing to consider is that our cars have a slight tendency towards understeer in stock form. If you put wider tires on the back compared to the front, and do nothing else to the suspension, you'll increase the car's tendency to understeer.

The Pilot Sport A/S in 235/50R17 all around would be my pick from those options. I'm also considering 225/55R17 all around with either Bridgestone S03 Pole Positions or Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s.

I had been leaning away from the Michelins, because I wanted a dedicated summer tire. However, I'm hearing a lot of good things about the Pilot Sport A/S performance.

Only 4000? I have only 8900 miles on my Bridgestone Turanzas and they're worn down to about 4/32s. Almost time to replace them. (Okay, okay.. I autocrossed on them about 9 times over the course of the year, which probably accounts for why I also only have 20% left on the front brake pads. Shh, don't tell the dealer.... [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img])

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

 

Thanks ryoken. I suppose the 235's are the smarter choice then. BTW I was all torn up about the limited selection of summer ultra-high-performance tires in that size until I read more about the Pilot A/S. I had Potenza RE730's on my '99 Maxima and I *loved* the handling (esp. with Eibachs, Koni adjustables, and fat sway bar), but the tread life sucked. From what I hear the Pilot A/Ss have 90% of the dry handling capabilities, far better wet handling, and twice the tread life to boot... of course they cost about twice as much...

NE-ways, what about the 245's in the rear... is that too fat for the stock 7" wheels?


edit: oh yeah, my Goodyears show almost no signs of wear, never autocrossed, just a little spirited (tail-out) driving twice a day every day. Ever wonder if Infiniti dealers hire starving college kids to browse these forums and look for car abusers, then try to match them up to the cars that come into the dealer with timeslips in the center console and numbers painted on the windows?

hehe
Thanks.

-Max

'03.5 Ivory Pearl 6MT Sedan
'87 Chrysler-bishi Star-Quest 5MT<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by maximafia on 01/14/04 09:11 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Marty, thanks for the heads-up, let us know how you like them!

-Max

'03.5 Ivory Pearl 6MT Sedan
'87 Chrysler-bishi Star-Quest 5MT

 

Twice as much as what? Any decent tire in sizes for this car's stock rims run roughly $200 a piece, give or take $20.

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

 

Sorry Ryoken, I meant "twice as much as the Potenzas I had on the Maxima". You're right, the only viable tires I've found have been in the $160-210 range (the Potenzas were $96 each in 225/50-16 a few years back).

-Max

'03.5 Ivory Pearl 6MT Sedan
'87 Chrysler-bishi Star-Quest 5MT

 

Well, compare that to the 185/70R14 tires that were on my '92 Accord that I traded in for the G35. 70k mile touring tires for about $70/tire mounted with lifetime balancing. The only way to get anywhere near that price is to go with some Kumho KH11 touring tires for the G35. They should be comfy and last awhile, but they won't corner as well as the $200 tires. [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

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

 

I have the 225-50 pilot sport a/s on my sedan and am very pleased with them. the overall diameter of that specific tire is 26.1 which is slightly closer than the 235 tire to the oem size not that it makes much of a difference at all.

 

that's interesting fal... according to the tire size calculator on miata.net, the 235 tire should be closer to OEM size. Is it perhaps a miscalculation on Michelin's part?
link: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Nobody has commented on my question about 245s on stock rims (too wide?)... anyone?

-Max

'03.5 Ivory Pearl 6MT Sedan
'87 Chrysler-bishi Star-Quest 5MT