I'm wondering about upgrading my tires during the summer. I plan on getting dedicated winter tires in late fall (for max. traction in the white stuff).....so should I get Max. Performance summer tires like Michelin Pilots, Potenza S-03's, or Goodyear F-1's or are performance all-seaons like Michelin Pilot A/S or g-Force T/A KDWS, or Pirelli P-Zero Nero better on the TL for increased comfort and noise control?

 

I like Falkan tires personally....their ST115 is a great, sporty tire that has fantastic treadwear and the least amount of road noice I have ever heard from a tire

 

Which dealers or chains sell Falkans? Tirerack?

 

If you're planning on buying dedicated winter tires anyway, then why bother at all with anything other than max performance summer tires? If I were doing what you are, I'd buy dedicated summer tires.

Falkens are sold at multiple places but not at Tire Rack. Edge Racing has excellent prices on Falken tires.

 

bridgestone s03 pole positions, super stick tire with great grip. don't even think about getting all season if you are planning on using another set for the winter. don't want to spend 800 dollars for tires and not get the absolute best results in ther summer.

 

SEARS

 

I saw that one person suggested Sears, the Falken website has a number of dealers noted. I am actually buying the ST115s for the rims I am getting, and am very confident with the tire. Another nice thing about the Falkens is that they have built in rim protection (an extra bead of rubber sticking out from the tire), which should help keep me from curbing my $2800 wheels.

By the way, here is the website- http://www.falkentire.com/tires_select.htm

The tires I am talking about are in the luxury sport area.

 

Try http://www.tires.com/. They have the Falkens as well. I got the Falken Ziex ZE 512's from thema and am very happy with these tires.

 

Something's a little confusing about those Falkens......when I looked up the Hi-performance ST-115's, it has a higher treadwear rating (360 vs. 300) and is rated quieter than the all-season 512's.......and the prices are nearly identical!.......so what's the reasoning then with going with the all-season 512's?

 

Simple answer. Some of us have no place to store a 2nd set of tires. And if you live in the northern part of the country, you have to have tires that will carry you over and assist braking ability on snowy and icy roads. Summer tires are just that, non-Winter conditions. Where are the 115's rated quietier? Consumer Reports rates the 512's as quiet as any other all-seasons.

As for treadwear, I'm going with their 245/45/17's --> 360 treadwear rating.

 

I'm not sure where they are rated as quiet...on various sites where you can buy the tires, they are noted as being some of the most quiet on the road. Also, many of my friends have them and love them, also, I have ridden in their cars and there is almost no road noise. Its lovely.

 

I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/40ZR-18's installed on A-Spec rims last Thursday, even though I have Blizzak LM-22's on the factory 17" rims for winter, I went for the All season tyres because living in Ontario (Canada) I find the weather so unpredictable that in October or April we can get a light dusting of snow, and in the past two years I have found myself slip sliding home from the office with my pure summer tyres on, and the fact that ever 12-18,000km I have to replace my 180 rated summer tyres get to be both a costly exercise and a pain in the arse.
Cheers, Manumad (Anthracite/Ebony 6 spd)