So, i got my G, and im really in love with its power, never driven a car this fast, and im just having a blast. The only thing at this point that im desiring would be a better quality tire. I have the regular tires (non-sports package) and im just not getting the kind of grip id like. Could someone make some recomendations as to what a nicer set of tires would be to fit on the Stock 17" rims. Ive got a 2004 sedan, 5AT. Im looking at spending under $600 total. Some links and advice would be great. Thanks guys!

 

If your looking for a good all season, I'd highly recommend Michelin Pilot Sports A/S..they're about $200 a pop so might be out of your budget, but it's the only all season tire I'd go with. Check out tirerack.com, they've got a great knowledgable staff there and you can read reviews, compare etc. By the way, on your stock rims, you can go with a 235/50 R17 so that does open up a larger selection of tires.
Good Luck.




Good Luck.

 

the 235/50/17's are the closest match to the stock tire diameter, but you can fit a couple other sizes as well that are very close.

Check out 225/50/17 and 225/55/17, both of these are within 2% of the speedometer and open up some excellent dry tire capabilities. But as the bloke above said, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's are the very best A/S tire you will find, bar none, for the G's stock rims.

others have stuck 235/45, 245/45, 245/50 and 215/50's on but those all have varying drawbacks from speedometer errors to outside manufacturer's recommended rim width to insufficient tire load index.

by the way, OEM G sedan tires are 215/55R17 94W make sure your new tires have a load index of at least 94 and a speed rating at least of H (need W only if you plan on exceeding 130 mph often)

Go spend a few days spare time reading the reviews on various size tires listed above on tirerack

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit

 

My oem tires are actually rated 93V.

There are three tires that come on these cars.

Goodyear Eagle GS-D (summer performance)
Goodyear Eagle RS-A (all-season performance)
Bridgestone Turanza EL42 (all-season touring) -- what mine has

3point5SE_Auto mentioned many of the things I would have about alternate sizes. If you're looking for summer performance tires, and not all-seasons, you can find the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position and the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 in 225/55R17. Several of our members are happy with these tires as well as the Pilot Sport A/S.

tirerack.com is a good source for looking at tires. In addition to entering your car and looking at tires for the stock and their suggested alternate sizes, it's also good to look for tires by size (such as 225/55R17) to see other choices. This Tire Size Calculator will help you determine how far off alternate sizes will be. Also, TireRack has specs on various tires and sizes, which includes rim width requirements, so you can make sure they fit on a 17x7 rim.

If you're not so interested in high performance, the Kumho ECSTA KH11 in 235/50R17 is a good alternative to the oem Turanza for a touring tire, and at only half the price.

I'd recommend a minimum of V-rated tires, not H. (Except for winter tires.) Not that I'd go that fast, but the tires should be able to handle the max speed of the car.

 

Check out the new BFG g force KDW tires. I've heard really good things about them and they last longer then most performance tires.

2003 G35 Coupe 6mt Diamond Graphite
AIM= bkchang79

 

If you want a good price and performance try Toyo. Look at www.treadepot.com

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Prem/Winter/Aero/Tint/Rims
69 Chevelle Hard Top BB/4.11's/Posi

 

MOST IMPORTANTLY, do NOT get the eagle RS-A's. Those are possible they worst excuse for an all season performance tire i have ever used. I had those stock on my eclipse gt with 17" rims, and they didnt grip in the dry or in the rain. They pretty much sucked all around. Just my .02

 

g35audioman: I agree. Had a Eclipse GT with those sorry excuses for tires RS-A's. I'm glad my 6mt came with the GSD's. Not the best but a whole helluva lot better than RS-A's.

As far as new tires, like the others above me said, I'd go with the Bridgestone Potenza S-03's or the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's or the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S in 235/50/17 or 225/55/17.

04' G35S 6MT Ivory Pearl, Willow, Premium

 

Thanks a lot for the info guys, im gonna go check out tirerack.com right now. I live in SOcal, so we get like 30 days of rain a year, so im defiantely going to get a summer preformance tire. Thanks again!

 

Could you guys tell me what the ratings on the tires mean, 215, 55, 17. Also, i was being told about the different ratings people were putting on their car's, but whats the advantage to a 215 to a 225 to 235, etc. And 45 to 50 to 55. Thanks!

 

Just go read on tirerack, they have several pages that explain all this with pictures.

But quickly the first number (e.g. 225) is the tire width in millimeters, the second number is the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width, the third number is the diameter of the wheel, the 93V or 101W is the load/speed rating (see charts on tirerack).

More width is usually better for handling, worse for gas mileage, Some tire brand/models are so much better than others that you can get a better handling tire in a 205 size than a 235 size due to the composition of the rubber and technology that is in it.

I spent MONTHS researching the tires I bought. You probably should spend a decent amount of time as well.

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit