I can't see paying $350 per tire for these michelines again. What are the other alternatives?

 

$350 per tire? Which Michelins were they?

I'm in the same dilemma as you. I still have the OEM EL-42s on my '04 manual TL, but I like to start my research well before I am in need of tire replacement. Since I had put Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on my former 2002 Altima SE, I am leaning towards them. But I have also been looking at the Michelin Exalto A/S, the Yokohama AVS dB S2, and the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z.

Man, I just don't know for sure. The Pilot Sport A/S tires handle really great. They track super and have excellent turn-in. But there is a little noise after around 1000 miles (believe it or not, that's the approximate break-in mileage for this tire).

I'm still looking and trying to make up my mind, but I won't need tires for another year.

 

I have the Michelin OEMs on my '05 NBP 6MT w/Nav so I'm probably going to run those until I need to replace them. I've already been doing some casual research on tirerack and like the Michelin Pilot Sport a/s or the Michelin Pilot Sport ps2. Since there's no snow where I live, I'm leaning slightly towards the ps2s. Both are about the same price but the a/s have a higher treadwear rating.

 

Toyo Proxes 4

 

For my '04 TL I will probably go with Toyo's in the Spring. My '02 TL I just replaced the OEM Mich's with Yokohama Avid V4S - so far they are great. I may check out Falken for my '04 as I had them on previous car and liked them.

 

I just got the Proxes 4's after 26K on the EL 42's. After 1K miles, the tires are quiet and handle very well. And at <$600 installed, they are a much less expensive solution than the Michelins. These are consistant with other Proxes that I have had in the past (94 Legend). Hope this helps.

 

The user reviews on Tire Rack for those Yokohomas are spectacular. If you're on a budget, consider the Falken Ziex 512's. Do a search in the forum for them and you'll see those of us who have them are very satisfied.
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Toyo Proxes x4

 

relpacing my stock Turanza's with BF Goodwrich G Sport 235/45/17....any comments on these???

 

and

 

Toyo Proxes 4 245 45 17

 

i got Falken st115 .. they are ok.. can't complain (much) ... though I still like michelins better.. but the price.. ouch !!!

I got those Falkens for under $100 each

 

the Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval tires yet..Look very promising and the price is not too bad either. I am thinking of 245/45/17...my local firestone willing to sell any tires for me at half price because i am trading in my EL42 which still have 5/32...These tires are suppose to be the same as RE750 from brigstone but a little cheaper and much quieter...

Huy

 

Toyo Proxes 4! STS Tire still has them for buy 3, get one free. Just got 4 w/ installation, etc., for about $600, stock size. It was raining when I left STS and I felt the difference right away. Some guy was there with the exact same car as me replacing a blown out EL42 for about $198! CRAZY.....too bad I didn't get there before him. I would have given him the EL42's for free. These tires are a GREAT VALUE!

 

It seems everyone is paying about $600 for the Proxes. Costco will give me the Pilot Sport A/S out the door for $800. Are they worth the extra money? I live in Northern Virginia, so I need decent snow traction.

 

I posted this in another thread - please someone correct my math...

"Wait a second - buy 3 get 4th free = $600 OTD?

The tires sell for like $110-$120 each x 3 = $330 -> $360
6% Tax = 19.80 -> 21.60 (not sure if just on the tire or if they do on total)
Mount and Balance like $25-$30 per tire = $100 -> $120

Total should be = $449.80 -> $501.60

I am not seeing the "4th tire free" if I carry the math out. "

 

I've always wondered about snow traction on the Proxes 4 myself. It seems like everyone who has them has never talked about that. My last 2 choices for tire replacement were those and the Pirelli P-Zero Nero. Went with the Zeros and love 'em, but this was August so no snow usage yet! The reviews on TireRack for snow on that tire were fine, so I'm hoping they'll be OK. (I drive the Balt-DC corridor all the time, and up to PA and over DE. Sometimes NY.)

I'd say in Northern VA the Mich Pilot Sport A/S is a fine choice, but more $$ than either the Proxes 4 or the Zeros. On all-around quality on the TL, you'd make a good choice on either one, for all-seasons.

Proxes 4 folks, tell us your NE or Canada snow stories!!

 

Back to GSXR60097's question, my

If you want performance all-season tires, my advice would be to check out, in no particular order, Pirelli P-Zero Nero, Toyo Proxes 4, Kuhmo Ecsta ASX, Avon Tech M550 AS, and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. If snow traction isn't too much of an issue -- perhaps you drive a different car in snow -- Yokohama AVS db2 are good performers but a bit lacking snow, based on reviews not my experience. Yoko makes a number of very good performing tires in all classes, so it's worth finding out what they have to offer as well.

If you prefer a very quiet and comfortable touring tire with decent performance and good all weather grip, check out B'stone Turanza LS-Z.

As a fellow Marylander, I think all-seasons are a good choice due to our variable winters. For best possible performance characteristics in every season, you need to go with summer & winter tires and switch 'em out.

Use the internet and this forum for research. TireRack.com, 1010tires.com, and other on-line sources not only sell but provide good info on user experiences.

Have fun!

 

i just got pirelli pzero's and they are awesome.

 

I agonized about which tire to pick to replace the EL42 which were gone at 20K with moderate driving. Ended up with Kumho Ectsa ASX, an alll season tire. After 3K miles I can say that they deliver a quiet and smooth ride, handle well in dry and wet, and cost $92 WITH the unheard off guarantee of 30K miles from Kumho. Maybe they do not deliver the ultimate performance but for me its a great package. And now no worries about the aquaplaning anymore. Contact Tire rack and they will set you up. Then negotiate a mount/balance price from the installer which you can pick.

 

Hi TBone - Your math is right but the numbers are different than mine. I quoted out the Toyo Proxes 4 at 2 stores last month and STS was lower ($135/tire and what they called "sales" prices). This B3G1FREE deal mean to me I would pay $495 instead of the $540 which I thought represented a good value to begin with (of course now the tire price has gone up for this different "sale" to $165/tire) . The value to me was tires safer in rain and snow at a price significantly less than the stock tires. I paid $55 for the 4 tires to be mounted and balanced and another $10 "NY tire waste management fee" which brought me to $560 plus sales tax. So far I'm very satisifed with the feel of the tire in wet conditions and noise hasn't been an issue.

 

Toyo Proxes 4!! 245 45 17 if you like. Got these from Edge Racing for $476 shipped.

Haven't put many miles on them, but so far love them (I'll reserve final judgement till I have them good and scrubbed in) - Seem to have SLIGHTLY less turn in response than the RE030's (might be the increased size), but much more composed, stick like glue, and ride much better!! (quieter too!). Overall a steal at the price!

P Zero Nero's are also good (more money), Avon Tech's arent bad (Tire Rack's testing showed them not to handle as well as P Zero Nero's).

 

Good to hear you are happy with the tires. I will probably go with them myself. That is a good mounting price. Mine is usually like $25 per tire.
If they don't get us on one thing it is another!

I will probably order them online - I can get them for like $111 each. But will check with my local guy, sometimes it costs more to mount when I bring in "outside tires" - I will see how much he wants for them. I can let you guys know.

 

I had the HPT option on my '04TL. To make a long story short, I damaged one and replaced the RE-030 tires with Michelin Pilot Sport PS-2's. They are super quiet compared with the older version PS or AS. I got 4 tires for $850 so they're not cheap, but they are the best tires I've ever had. They have unbelievable driving feel, are very quiet, and are very predictable in a slide. They do wonders for your confidence in high performance driving. I'll buy them again when they wear out. Worth every penny. Don't take my word for these tires, read the reviews on Tire Rack...everyone loves them. Expensive but they seem to be made for this car.

 

December Car and Driver has a test on some of the best performance tires.
11th Kumho Ecsta MX
10th BF Goodrich g-force t/a KD
9th Bridgstone Potenza REO%OA
8th TOYO Proxes T!R
7th Perelle P Zero Rosso Asimmetrico
6th Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
5th Hankook ventus R-S2 Z212
4th Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
3rd Yokohama Advan Neova ADO7
2nd Continental ContiSportContact2
1st Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

Well there it is.

 

Anyone buy tires from edgeracing.com? They have the Toyo's for $111 each - but it sounds like STS according to post here is like $165 and my local guy just quoted me $154ea. Are the tires from edge any good? big difference in price.

Also, I heard going from 235 to 245 could mess with your ABS (I knew about speedo, but not ABS) Any truth to that?

 

I have the LS-Z on my TL, I've had them for about 13000 miles now. Acura paid for the swap out of the OEM EL42s at 9000 miles. The LS-Zs are great tires and perform well in snow. Costco has the Michellin Pilot A/S around $180 a piece and the LS-Z around $190. Too bad they don't sell the Toyos.

I know that if you get the 245, you'll get better rim protection but why would it mess with the speedo? the tire size is still the same isn't it?

 

I was looking at the BF Goodwrich G Sport 235/45/17 also. They are made by Michelin but you are not paying for the Michelin name.

 

What is EL-42? I have 04 Automatic TL; Bridgestone 235 45 R17 93W M+S as original equip. I would like a better riding tire that is good w/ some snow.

 

I am with Dr. Murdock. I got my Pirelli P Zero Neros put on last Friday. They are awesome!!!!

Hey ddoolan,
EL-42 is the Bridgestone Turanza tire that is stock OEM on most TLs.

I went through a lengthy evaluation process and finalized on Pirelli. BTW, I live in KC and drive several states. I must have an all season tire. These are so much quieter and more comfortable than the Turanzas. i wish I would have done this sooner.

Best thing to do, go to www.tirerack.com. There you can put in your car, your wants, and start your evaluation process to determine what is right for you.
They can ship to your preferred installer or you can use it to make the installer match the price. You won't be dissappointed.

Good luck.

 

I just dropped my baby off at the dealership tonight. They're suppose to tke a look at my crappy Turanza's in the morning. I have about 8200 miles now..

When I head down the road for the first time each day, the entire car shakes for the first 10 miles... then a little better for the next 5... then it drives fine after.

We'll see what they say tomorrow. Fingers crossed for new rubber

 

the tire is about 1/2 inch taller

 

Scribesoft: You've got Flatspotting!! Known issue on those tires, actually any tire using Nylon in its construction. The Zeros flat-spot a bit too on cold mornings, and they ride kinda hard until they warm up a bit. It's common and there's not much to do about it -- it's in the tire's nature. Wonder what the dealer will tell you

 

They actually called me back this am and said the tires were wearing out pre-maturely..... They put 4 new tires on under warranty (I asked if they were the same as what they took off... meaning the Turanza's) and the guy at the desk said he thinks so, but isn't positive.

My wife is going to drive me down to pick it up in the next hour or so.. I'm really hoping they're not Turanza's again.

Funny thing, when I droped it off yesterday, I took a look at the tires on all the new 6MT's on the lot and they all had different tires on them. Some still had Turanza's, while others had Michelins.. (all were '06) I think it's odd that the exact same car is being sold with different rubber. Guess that's something for a new buyer to keep an eye out for.

 

AArrgghhh!! Got the car back today with a new set of Turanza's on it!

Now I have a completely new issue (mentioned in quite a few threads here). When I accelerate, the car really pulls to the left! When I let go of the throttle, it straightens out again.. Very frustrating. I'll call the dealership back tomorrow and see if they can do something about it. They put over 25 miles on it to "test" the new tires.. not sure how they missed that left-pull in 25 miles of driving..

 

sorry to hear you got those bridgestones again, but hey, you got 8k of free tire life, could be worse. at least at this point you have gotten some value out of the initial cost what with the free tires.

 

Absolutely. I do agree with that... but now it's kind of scary on the highway when you're at 60 or so then give it even 1/2 throttle.. It wants to veer left and I basically have to pull the wheel to the right just to keep it straight.

Tire for tire, I did get 8k of free wear, so I can deal with the Turanza's and still be happy, but the left pull with the new tires is a safety hazard. The more gas you give it, the stronger it pulls left..

Car never did it before so it kind of surprised me each time I hit the gas and I did a little swerve (quick pull to the left followed by a quick correction to the right).. Completely takes away from the joy of driving my car...Once the old tires warmed up it was ok, now I have a constant issue that doesn't go away after a few miles..

I'll give the dealership a call today and see if they can fix that issue. At this point, I'd rather go back to my old flat-spotting tires.

 

Hey Scribesoft,
what did you find out from the dealer?

 

Sorry, I ended up bringing it back in yesterday and told them about the left-pull which was introduced with the new tires.

They simply changed the drivers-side front and rear tires (moved rear to front and front to rear) and the left-pull went away. I could have done that in 5 minutes at home, but wasn't sure if I had a defective tire or not so I felt better bringing it back to them for review.

I drove it last night quite a bit and it goes straight as an arrow whether I'm hitting the gas or not.

So, all and all I'm happy. The Turanza's don't give a perfect ride, but it's acceptable at this point.. and I'm starting out with free new tires at just over 8k miles. Can't complain about that. Free tires are free tires... Hopefully these will not wear pre-maturely like my old tires did. When these are worn out, I'll get a better set myself.

 

I read through the posts here ... Is it "normal" for the OEM tires on the '04 TL to last only 25K miles? I just returned yesterday from the dealer and they said my tires need to be replaced. They asked if I had had them rotated regularly (I rotated every other oil change ... every 6,000-7,500 miles ... as they originally recommended). Then she said that it could be an alignment problem, but since the tires needed to be replaced they wouldn't know if there is an alignment problem until after I get the new tires and they do an alignment.

In any case, the treadware on the OEM Bridgestone Turanza (260?). I guess I'm looking for the impossible (am I?): First priority, a quiet tire. Second priority, a tire that lasts many more than 25K miles and lastly performance. I live in a moderate snow state, so I do need to do some snow now and then. Any suggestions on what I should get? I have been looking at Tirerack ... the site generally pushes me back to the Bridgestone Turanza, which I'm not sure is the best idea since these wore out too soon.

Thanks!!!