darth62

So, most of the threads below discussing tire replacements have focused on all seasons. Living in Los Angeles, I see no reason to get another set of all seasons. I want to get summer performance tires. I figured I'd swap out the heavy OEM wheels, and also "upsize" to 225-45/17 tires.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

BTW, I don't care about ride quality that much, but I'm not all that interested in going with anything more than 17.

VeniceBeachTSX

If you're going to 225/45s (which are a bit smaller in diameter than stock) then you get a lot more choices. My favorite has been the Bridgestone RE750, which is available in that size. It's not a super-performance tire, but frankly is more than adequate for the capabilities of this car. You can get more tire if you want to spend the money, but I doubt you'll feel much of a difference on a sedan like ours with close-to-stock tire sizes.

I chose that tire on my Audi TT (in that same size) and was not sorry. I was never able to push them beyond their limits, yet they were also much quieter and more comfortable than the crap Pirellis that came with the car.

If you want to stick with the stock size, the Fuzion ZRi is very nicely priced, and is basically a cheaper version of the Bridgestones.

The Bridgestone Expedia S-01 and the Yoko ES100 are available both in stock and the 225/45-17 sizes and both have pretty good reps, however the Yokos are known to get noisier as they get older, something I didn't experience with the RE750.

darth62

Thanks! These are all great suggestions.

vwong

If 225/45/17, my favorite tire has always been the Bridgestone Potenza S-03. Very grippy tires, but quite expensive. Other tires that I would choose and avialable in that size are,

- Falken GR Beta FK-451 - a little noisier than the S-03, but much cheaper. Very good grip too
- Toyo Proxes T1-S - also noisier than the S-03, cheaper than the S-03 but slightly more expensive than the FK-451. Similar grip to the FK-451.
- Kumho Ecsta MX - the most noisiest of the bunch, price is about the same as the T1-S. Very good grip, could possibly be slightly better than the S-03, but wet grip is questionable.

Just my opinion, if I were you, I would go with 235/45/17 if I stay with 17" wheels. The main reason is that I personally prefer to choose a tire size that is the closest match to the stock tire size O.D. In this case, 235/45/17 is the closest match. 225/45/17 is shorter, not by much, but enough for me not to choose it.

darth62

Thanks, Vwong. The only concern I have with 235/45 is that the tires are going to start getting heavy.

I suppose I could stay with 215/50 but then the choices in a summer tire are somewhat limited.

TSX Hokie

The Toyo T1-R should be stateside in a couple months. They are a replacement for the T1-S, which most people like a lot. The T1-R is supposedly better in the wet, less noisy, and has stiffer sidewalls. This is the summer tire I plan on buying. They will come in 215/50/17 too.

darth62

Wow! That is good news.....