InspireUA5

I need to replace a set of All Season tires. Currently I am using Falken ZE 512 A/S but not very happy to it because of durability. This set of tires only lasts approx. 35000KM.

Rims are 02-03 17" TL Type-S 17X6.5

My choices currently are...
1) 215/50 WR17 Bridgestone RE960 A/S
2) 225/45 ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S
3) 215/50 VR17 Toyo Versado LX A/S

Which tire should I get according to ride quality, handling, winter traction and durability?

Thanks all

sbuswell

why not Yokohama V4S's or Advan S.4's?

InspireUA5

I have been reviewing those tires for days. All of my friends told me that Yokohama tires are very good at the very first couple thousand miles. After that the performance drops so fast and stuff.

Blue3.2TL

I have the 960's on my other car and have about 10K miles on them with no sign of wear. They were the #1 rated ultra high performance tire at the tirerack. My only beef with them is they tend to flat spot but that may be due to the car sitting more then being driven.

OneCleanTL-S

On my mothers 05 XG350L, we had Yokohama on there. Really good tire. Very grippy!, COULD not light the tires up. even with T/C off, handled awesome, Brake really good, with out even activating the ABS, Good in the snow & Rain. But wore way too fast. Only got like 20K miles out of them @ 35 PSi... But over all, they were a awesome tire. Even my friend has the SAME tires on his 02 Avalon, and again, can not spin the tires, handles good, grippy as can be. Its a long night, so tired.

TLAwesome

Inspire,

Out of the choices you listed, the RE960 would be the best based upon current available data for wet & dry. The Pilot Sport A/S Plus has not been tested,* but it is the same tread design as the original Sport A/S which was superior to the RE960 in the snow, particularly in straight-line traction as well as cornering. So, when it comes down to the RE960 or the Sport A/S Plus, just ask yourself how important is the snow capabilities of the tire and base your decision accordingly.

The Versado LX is a touring tire and simply not in the same league as the Pilot Sport A/S Plus or RE960.


* = The newer compound of the Pilot Sport A/S Plus may make it more competitive with the RE960 in the wet, however, we simply do not know if this will be the case.

InspireUA5

Thanks TLAwesome

In your knowledge....if the snow capabilities of the tire are important to me as well as wet and dry road conditions, RE960 or Pilot Sport Plus would be the best pick for me?
Thanks.

snowman81

I used to have the Yoko AVS ES1000 or something like that, and your friends are right. Of course, if your not lowered it probably wouldn't be as bad. They do have pretty crappy tire wear though. I just recently put Nitto Neo Gens on my car (about a year ago actually) and I love them. They are non directional so you can rotate them properly (X pattern) and they are all season high performance tires. The grip in dry weather is amazing, as well as in rain. We don't get much snow so I can't say anything about that. I would highly recommend them though. They were the second highest rated tire according to consumer reports and the people that I know that have them love them...myself included. I'll probably get another set when it's time to replace these.

sbuswell

yoko V4S' have a 60k mile thread wear warranty though. If they wear out too soon you'll credit on a new pair.

TLAwesome

Two independent reviews (one by Tirerack, another by Consumer Reports) state the same exact thing... the original Pilot Sport A/S (non-plus) was considerably superior in the snow than the RE960. Not only is this a function of compounding, but tread design. The Plus version should perform the same or better than the old one. Thus, if you must do considerable traveling during the snow and do not wish to get dedicated snow tires, the Michelin will be a safer tire than the RE960.

Michelin touts better dry & wet handling than the RE960 and F1 A/S with their new Plus tire, but curiously, they do not provide any data from their supposed "independent test." Thus, I still believe the RE960 will be better in the dry, and probably better in the wet. I don't appreciate companies that make a boast about their product based upon alleged independent tests, yet refuse to reveal the details of such tests.

TLAwesome

The NeoGen is a great tire, but it's not very good in the snow.

fsttyms1

I had the PS A/S and got about 50k out of them. They were very good in dry and wet and handled snow really well for a HP A/S.

The Goodyear F1 A/S seems to be a good tire as well.

InspireUA5

Thanks all....
so my question is ... which one should I get? Bridgestone RE960 a/s or Michelin Pilot Sport Plus a/s?

which one will last longer?

Michelin P/S doesn't have the size of 215/50 R17 but 225/45R17.
Will there be a problem for stock 17" TL rims? since stock rims are 6.5

derrick

Michelin PS Plus A/S in 225/45/17 is not recommended on a 6.5" rim width. Some installers won't install them due to legal reasons. Recommended rim width range: 7.0-8.5")

Instead ... you can use 205/50/17 ... but your dry performance will suffer due to smaller contact patch with the road (but will improve on winter / light snow performance -- re: greater traction).

Edit -- nevermind ... load rating for the 205/50/17 is 89 ... it is recommended that you'll need 93XL if you drive the Type-S. (And our cars are very nose heavy ...) You might be better off with 225/50/17 but you run across the rim width dilemma ...

TLAwesome

Actually, derrick, the approved wheel width for the 225/50 R17 is 6.0" - 8.0", go figure. If he wants the Pilot Sport A/S, 225/50 R17 will be the one to get. A little bit taller, but hey, it will fill the wheel well better

AlanW

After researching Tire Rack and other sources, I am about to order a set of the new Goodyear Eagle GT UHP All-Season tires.

They are mid-level priced tire if you get them from Tire Rack. I think they may be the new hotness in UHP all-season tires.

fsttyms1

and throw off your speedo and have a squishier ride and handling. Id stay as close to stock as possible.

snowman81

I wouldn't go with a larger sidewall. The ride may be a little better but cornering will be a lot worse. I have 225/45 17 on my car and the speedo is off by about 2-3 mph, of course that is with the Neo Gen, not the PS A/S.

TLAwesome

The speedo isn't thrown off by more than 1MPH at 65MPH (will read 66). At the lower speeds, the speedo isn't thrown off at all.

We're also talking a total wheel diameter of 0.4" larger. This too really isn't that big a deal. If he wants the better snow performance of the Pilot Sport A/S Plus AND keep his OE wheels, 225/50R17 is his only choice for that tire. I'm not suggesting he do that, only that it can be done. I'd be more concerned though, with throwing off the ABS.

The RE960 is a great tire, and comes in 215/50 R17. That would be my recommendation for this application.

TLAwesome

Certainly for wet & dry. In fact, there might not be a better wet- UHP A/S tire. Snow traction will be questionable, and noise is an issue compared to the quietest UHP A/S.

AlanW

That's why God made sound systems for automobiles

TLAwesome

I thought God made sound systems for automobiles for lazy ppl like me who waited forever to replace my worn rear sway bar bushings. :P Talk about noisy!

illmat1k

iTrader: (1)

I got a brand new pair of Michelin HX MXM4s for sale. Where are you located? Maybe I can give you a quote for them obo.

AlanW

They say God has a plan for all of us......

TLAwesome

How much are you offering us to take those POS tires away?

illmat1k

iTrader: (1)

Make me an offer. lol I have only 2, NOT a set. If you are local, $150 picked up for both. I don't know the shipping cost on them yet, but if there are any serious buyers I'll go and get a quote.

TLAwesome

So, InspireUA5, what's it going to be?

derrick

DO NOT the original poster's thread. Use the PM (private message) or better yet ... post your sale of the tires in the off-topic > black market like everyone else does ...

InspireUA5

I got RE960 A/S yesterday finally

TLAwesome

Woot. Enjoy them!