215/55/17 is stock, and the Pilot Sport 2's come in 225/45/17, do you think they would fit, they are only $166 on tirerack.com right now, i think i may go for it.

2004 Sedan
Black/Willow
Premium w/ splash guards
Clear Corners, Z-tube
Stillen Air box, drilled pedals

 

225/45's do not have a sufficient load index (see tireracks info on tire specs) if you can find an xl rated tire it might but i haven't seen one.

225/45 will throw your speedometer off by alot (3 mph at 60 mph)
235/45 will be off 2mph at 60 mph

see http://www.discountpartcenter.com/tirecalc.html for a tire size calculator

some 235/45's will have a high enough load index to work.

if you want 45 series, get some 17x8 rims and go 245/45

225/50 225/55 235/50 are all excellent sizes also

good luck

i went with Goodyear F1 GS-D3's

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Goodyear F1 GS-D3's 225/55/17, Custom Intake Tube, '03 "Z" Suspension, Magnaflow resonator, 6 Wire 4 Guage Grounding Kit

 

Do you like the Goodyears, would you recomend them for the signifcant price? They aren't rated as high on tirerack.com as the PS2's, but i don't want to buy new rims. I was also looking at the Yokohoma Parada Spec-2's as they are only $98 a tire and have some good reviews...have you heard anything on these?

2004 Sedan
Black/Willow
Premium w/ splash guards
Clear Corners, Z-tube
Stillen Air box, drilled pedals

 

No, the only tires I hve run on this size rim so far are the stock Goodyears, the stock bridgestones (EL42's), Pilot sport a/s's and the GS-d3's.

the GS-d3's are by far the best tire I hvae driven. They do have a short treadlife (say 15,000 hard driven, 22k easy driven) but at 145-155 each they are very reasonable.

Pilot Sport A/S's in 235/50 will give you the best treadlife/performance compromise. (however 180/tire MINIMUM)

I am curious about the Avon M500's. Go buy some of those (~100 each) and let us know how they work. The best TOURING (non performance) tire deal out there is the Kumho KH11's (~100/tire, probably 35k miles or more on a set.)

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Goodyear F1 GS-D3's 225/55/17, Custom Intake Tube, '03 "Z" Suspension, Magnaflow resonator, 6 Wire 4 Guage Grounding Kit

 

Where did you find the F1-GSD3's for that price? On tirerack.com they are $181 for the 225/55XL...wait, i just saw the 225/50 are $154 each, would those fit?

2004 Sedan
Black/Willow
Premium w/ splash guards
Clear Corners, Z-tube
Stillen Air box, drilled pedals

 

yes the 225/50 will work very well. I had the 225/55's this last time but I am going to the 225/50/17 next time. ( I have 2 on order right now to replace my front tires for the upcoming snow season.)

Brand new these things work as well as decent snow tires, but only for the first few thousand miles.

remember, these are PERFORMANCE tires, they may be louder than stock (225/55 were quieter but they were 6 ply). They will also not last near as long as the touring tires available.

if you are performance oriented you will love these tires, if you want high mileage tires you will hate these tires.

I burned thru a pair of tires in 8 months, the next two will only last another 2-3 months (I average 30k miles per year)

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Goodyear F1 GS-D3's 225/55/17, Custom Intake Tube, '03 "Z" Suspension, Magnaflow resonator, 6 Wire 4 Guage Grounding Kit

 

I am definately performance oriented, and i drive a lot, just not in long distances. My whole life revolves around school, work, and home, all within 2 miles, so my mileage is super low, but i drive hard. I've had my car for 8 months now and ive only put 6k on it. These sound like the perfect tires. Thanks bud.

2004 Sedan
Black/Willow
Premium w/ splash guards
Clear Corners, Z-tube
Stillen Air box, drilled pedals

 

"225/45's do not have a sufficient load index (see tireracks info on tire specs) if you can find an xl rated tire it might but i haven't seen one. "

You're going to have to explain this one. The PS2 225/45-17 has a 91 load index rating. My Coupe's Michelin PS also carries a 91 load index rating. Both are rated SL as well(whatever that means). I think a 91 rating should be fine in terms of it's ability to handle the load on a G35 Sedan.

 

A greater load index than oem is a very good upgrade [tremendous modification] especially on the front, as the higher the load index on the same brand tire the lower the slip angle will be for an equal turning force.

Roughly up to half of the increaed load index in pounds TRANSLATES [say 1400 > 1521 [a 95 index] ~~ 121/2 =~~60 or slip angle reduction of 4-5% at the exact same inflation pressure.

A secret that very few owners understand that all RWD oem cars are front tire limited.......the slalom and skid pad are limited by the front tire load strength.

 

Absolutely. But the argument had to do with whether or not the tire in question's load rating was high enough for the G35 Sedan. Not sure if you were directly replying to my post but I figured I'd make sure it's clear. =)

 

Legally high enough [to not be accused/found guilty of improper equipment or negligence in a court case] or high enough to satisfy some loftier goal like better handling?

The tire placard load index is the legal minimum, the minimum to get by for the average non performance driver.
You can never go wrong with a stronger tire even in the ultra performance category.

 

"Legally high enough [to not be accused/found guilty of improper equipment or negligence in a court case] or high enough to satisfy some loftier goal like better handling?"

Well I suppose legally by default, but in actuality, from a safety standpoint(to say the tire should hold up to the load the tire will see on that car).