TEDDriver

Does anyone have the Yokohama YK520's on an '05 TL automatic ?
How many miles ?
How's the grip in the rain and on dry pavement ?
How's the ride, harsh, quiet, etc ?
How would you rate them ?

I have slightly less than 30K miles on my EL42's. I would like both performance, longer tread life than the EL42's, quieter and a little smoother ride without losing too much performance.

Or, is there a better tire that can last over 50K miles ?

Also, I need to have the alignment checked has anyone had any experiences with alignment issues ?

MrSparky

I'm getting a set on Friday on my '05 TL. I'm replacing the OEM Michelins after a 35K run (a long run for this type of tire). As for your quest for 50K life, I don't think you'll find anything in the Performance All-Season class that will last that long. If you make it to 30K, you're doing great.

csmeance

post in tires and wheels section, you will get a better response from the gurus that reside there. And for the EL-42, thats some pretty good milage most people only manage 10k from them

Will Y.

Welcome to Acurazine!
Consensus is that you won't have any problem getting a better tire than the EL-42s with both better performance and longer tread life. The Michelin Pilot MXM4s (standard on the Navi TL's) are reportedly quieter and more compliant than the EL-42s; I'm happy with mine so far (16K with no notable loss of traction compared to new).
Some members like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, others swear by the Pirelli P-Zero Neros.

MrSparky

I just got a set of YK520s today. First impressions, a touch quieter and smoother than the OEM Michelins and a touch less responsive (can't have everything in life). They look really nice. I'll give you an update on Monday once I've had more that quick trip back to the office.

Chas2

This is a fairly old article, 2004, but it gives you a perspective on why Honda (Acura) chooses the tires that they do, and the place performance has in the priority list.

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=279292

TEDDriver

...glad to hear your tires are quieter and smoother. I'm interested in your impressions over the weekend and if the touch less responsive is an issue still.

I'm wondering if your old Michelins were slightly more responsive than old EL-42's. If that would be true then my switch to the YK's should be pretty good over-all. I plan on replacing my tires either Monday or next Friday with the YK520's

MrSparky

With some mixed weekend driving under my belt, I'm quite pleased overall with YK520s. They seems to be very similar in feel to Michelins. They are a hair quieter and a feel just hair less connected. It really is a very minor difference. I'm expected them to probably get a bit noiser with a bit better feel once their broken in a bit more.

Based on what I've heard on the message board, the Michelins are much, much better tires than non-Nav Bridgestones. Given that, I think you will really like the YK520s.

I will key you into one thing that is a bit deceptive on the YK520s based on the Discount Tire site. They 60K treadlife warranty does NOT apply to size for TL. If you go to Yokohama's site they are very clear that 45 series tires are excluded. I suspect owners of 45 series tires have a bit too much fun for Yokohama to want to take the risk.

With the very similar performance to Michelins at about half the price, I'm very pleased with the tires. Also, I highly recommend pre-ordering you tires from the Discount Tire website. You can pick the tires, set up the appointment, and prepay for the tires online. I showed up for my appointment and the tires and paper work were ready to go. I was in the store and out in just over 30 minutes. With road hazard, installation, and tax, I spent about $680 for the set. That's a great value in my book.

AcuraVic

Thanks for the info, MrSparky. The YK-520 is my next tire. The 60K warranty was a big reason, and its dissapointing it won't apply. If I get 40K out of the tires I'll be happy.

AcuraVic

I called Discount Tire Direct (1800 number on website). The said the 60K warranty applies on all Yokohama YK 520 tires, regardless of size. Discount Tire Direct will honor the 60K warranty on the YK 520 sized 235/45 17.

MrSparky

Sweet. Thanks for the info on the warranty!

YK520s just got that much better. (I'm still very pleased with them.)

AcuraVic

Got my set last weekend. They look and ride great. The ride is ALMOST as smooth as my 530I, almost. 100% improvement over the last 4 sets I've had on the car, and they are: Bridgstone EL/42, Yokohama ES100, Yokohama AVS Db S2, Fulda Exsta Supremo.

We'll see how the YK520s are doing at 15K miles.

TEDDriver

Got my YK520's last weekend too. I also agree that they are 100% improvement over the EL42's but the YK's don't have 29-30K miles on them either. I have to recommend to everyone: check the tire pressure cold mine were set at 35 - 38 PSI (varied on all 4 !) and should be at 32 PSI. Also, verify the lug nut torque, s/be 80 ft. lbs. for '05 TL. These tires track nice and straight, quiet and smooth. Don't know yet how they do in the rain but according to the tread desing and 4 grooves they should do very well. I think they grip good on turns on freeway on ramps but, I have not put enough miles on them yet. I drive the car on the weekends, my wife gets it thru the week so, I need more time behind the wheel.

AcuraVic

We had heavy rain this morning (Atlanta) and the tires did well in the rain at 60mph. No hydroplaning through puddles.

thegabrielles

I just posted about my new Yoke 520's. I was told the 60k mile warranty is valid on the tires. I drove in the same storm as AcuraVic yesterday..... there is no doubt about the wet weather traction, it is very good.

Georgia had a $30 coupon that expired yesterday at discounttire.com. I also got the road hazard warranty for $17 a tire, seems lieka good deal. I had mine put on there and it litterally took less time to get the tires put on than a oil change normally takes. They torqued the wheels to specs and set the air pressure correctly for the car. Overall an excellant experiance.

AcuraVic

To get the best price (internet price), go online, price out your tires and print off the price. Then go to your local Discount Tire dealer and ask them to match the price.

thegabrielles

I was actually quoted the same price as was found on the interenet, plus they remeinded me to print the coupon and bring it in to save an additional $30, tires were about $650 out the door. with the road hazard warranty.

AcuraVic

Same here...$645.97 out the door with all the bells and whistles.

MrSparky

With 1K on the YK520s, I am very pleased. They seem to behave like the OEM Michelins (I think they are actually a bit better in the rain). They are definitely a great buy.

Clichy43

I am in need of new tires for my 05 TL and dont know which tire to go with. I replaced my OEM Bridgestone EL42's at 40K (amazing that they lasted that long) with Yoko Avid H4S tires which have lasted me almost 60K. Unfortuneatly America's Tire no longer sells the Avid H4S, so I am considering the Yoko YK520s or S-Drive tires. I do alot of freeway driving and really like having long lasting tires that will also give me a quiet ride. Any suggestions on whether I should go with the YK520's or the S-drive tires?