JetJock

I just got a nail in the sidewall of my Potenza RE-030 235/45R17 tires. This gives me the choice of buying a set of Potenza RE-030 to replace, or buying a set of 4 new tires. My question is what tire to buy. I don't drive in the snow or rain, so A/S tires are not my choice. My car is garaged for weeks at a time, so flatspotting is a big issue. I'd like to get High Performance tires that are quiet and have a decent ride. I don't plan to increase the tire or rim size, so any suggestions would be appreciated. I've heard a lot of good things about the Michelain Pilot, but I believe they are all season tires that I'm looking for. I've also heard that the PZero has flatspotting issues. Any suggestions???

inky

Here is my brazen sales pitch to anyone interested..
OK TL community. I sold my TL for $$ reasons. I had the new Acura EL’s but had a set of Falken 512’s which I ran for 1,000 miles. Tires are nearly new with no holes or other woes. I bought them for $100 a piece and want to rid my garage of them. They are a great tire as evidenced by consumer reports Nov article. Energy efficient, quiet and good wet traction unlike the any version of the EL 42. I will ship and I assume UPS will cost me about $50. I will deal on these.
I would like to get back 50% of my costs ($200) and will pay half of shipping. So anyone game for $225 delivered to you or any offers out there. I live in Oklahoma and looking for reasonable offers but fair ones to you.
jcro3717@aol.com or reply here whichever. Will be out about a day and will check email Tues afternoon.

lakeman

Jetjock, I have the 030's as well. They are starting to get noisy and I may replace them before they wear out just to get some quiet tires. The tires I am considering are the Falken ST-115's. They are supossed to be the quietest high performance tire out there - specially designed for quiet. My problem is that I don't know how well they handle. The price is about half what the pilots are.
FYI the Falken 512's are very good tires, reletively quiet, but they are all season tires. They would likely be my second choice.

DMZ

Sure, Falken ST-115's or 451's

http://www.falkentire.com/tires_st115.htm
http://www.falkentire.com/tires_451.htm

Search for their reviews here in the forum.

JetJock

I'm more interested in a higher end tire like the Michelen Pilot Sport PS2, Pirelle PZero. Right now, from what I've heard, the PS-2 are HOT HOT HOT. The people at Tire Rack say they are just the best tire out there for an Acura TL....PERIOD!! Quieter than the older Pilot Sport, and slightly cheaper with new technology...the guy told me that if it were his car, and price were not a problem, they would be his choice.

3PUTT

spoken like a true salesman working on commision....
from my friends' experiences, Michelin tires are great but they tend to bubble on the sides when they hit potholes since they get pinched between the road and the wheel. from my own experience, i really like Yokohamas or Dunlop tires.....again, just my

JetJock

Breaking News!!! I just purchased 4 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's. They are some awesome tires. My only gripe is that they aren't the best looking tire, they look kinda bland...not at all like a HPT, but besides the so-so look, they're the best tire I've ever experienced. Quieter than the RE-030, better ride, and the handleing is right on. They inspire confidence with their performance in turns, and are predictable right up to the moment they loose traction. I'd highly recommend these tires for anyone looking to upgrade the tires on their TL. They aren't for snow, but their wet performance is outstanding from what I've heard since I haven't driven in rain yet. I really like these tires!!

lakeman

JetJock,
Sounds like you have found a really good tire. You say it handles right on. Is it grippier than the 030's? How about turn in and response?
I agree that they are not as wild looking as some HPTs but does that also mean they can be cross rotated ?(ie not unidirectional)
thanks
lakeman

seamg

Toyo Proxes 4...and that's that.

MyJohnson

Lakeman,

How many miles did you have on the 030's when they became Noisy. I'm ordering an '05 and considering the 030's to avoid the (even reformulated) EL42's. If I can get 20,000-22,000 miles out of 030's I'd be ecstatic but I think they'd last more like 15,000?

Also, where's Lake Hartwell? I'm thinking of moving to Columbia, SC and wondered what the name of the large lake near Columbia is called?

DC

lakeman

MJ, my 030's are just now getting a little noisy - especially over rough pavement. I now have 12K miles. It looks like I have at least another 10K in these tires. I will say that about 9K of the 12 are interstate miles. In a couple of mountain runs, I saw some wear, so if you use them for lots of twisties, don't expect 20K. One other point the alignment is critical. Some folks have gotten real poor wear because of this.
Lake Hartwell is on the SC/GA border on I-85. Lake Murray is the one near the north end of Columbia - my boyhood home.
Lakeman

MyJohnson

Thanks for all that info, Lakeman (geography and otherwise).

I'll probably go with the 030's and after a hundred miles have an independent shop check with a Hunter 9700.

Thanks again!

synoil

The Michelin sport ps2's interest me. I live in the Detroit area and need to trade my
new BS 2nd gen 42's for another set of tires for the OEM wheels for winter.
Is there any info on winter/snow performance with the ps2's.

I have Falken Torque 5 gunmetal rims with Falken ZIEX 512's for the summer and am
going to use the OEM wheels and different tires for winter.
Craig

Republican TL

Glad to see the Michelins are working for some. I'll never buy'em b/c they are french. My next set of tires which may be coming soon since I have HPT and I don't want to get caught in bad NY weather with them, will be Pirelli P-Zero Neros.

synoil

Anyone hear how the Falken 451's are in snow or wet? Sure have an aggressive looking tread design.
Craig

cvajs

it's a 280 summer tire, no snow. my guess it performs poorly in snow.

synoil

Thanks, I looked up this tire's ratings and it sure was not good in snow.
Craig