New Tire Time: For realsies this time.

[Raza]

It's time for new tires soon, and I want to find something that's good all around for a decent price.  Tire size is 225/45/17.

Right now, I'm looking mostly at the Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grids.  

Also, a friend of mine runs General Exclaim UHPs on his M3; ultra high performance summer tires.  He runs them in the winter too, and says he has no problems.  He swears by them.  Any info?

All suggestions welcome guys.  I won't be able to run a second set of wheels and snow tires this year, so consider that please.

[S204STi]

I've been interested in the Generals for a while, but lack of the load rating I want has caused me to cross them off my list.  They seem like a good tire though.  I mounted a set of truck tires back in the Summer and was impressed with the construction and lack of balancing required.

[Raza]

Per Tirerack:

The Exclaim UHP is General Tire's Ultra High Performance Summer tire that was developed for the drivers of sports cars, coupes and sedans. While meeting minimum tread design standards to be "M+S" branded, the Exclaim UHP is designed to provide high levels of traction, response and control in dry conditions, along with superior hydroplaning resistance in wet conditions. We do not suggest Exclaim UHP tires be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

The Exclaim UHP uses a 2nd generation, ultra high performance silica compound molded into a directional tread design that features wide, solid shoulder tread blocks and a high-tech contour to combine responsive handling with dry traction. Its Double-V directional tread pattern enhances wet performance. Together, the tread compound and design help sweep water away from between the tire?s contact patch and the road to improve wet grip while reducing the possibility of hydroplaning. The tire?s internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wound jointless nylon on top of polyester body plies to combine responsive handling and cornering stability with high-speed durability.

[S204STi]

Yeah, your friend might have good luck with it in the snow but if you want an all-season tire I'd look elsewhere personally.  Unless of course you want to get a set of steelies with snows mounted to them.  That way you have the best of both worlds, tire-wise.

[Raza]

Yeah, your friend might have good luck with it in the snow but if you want an all-season tire I'd look elsewhere personally.  Unless of course you want to get a set of steelies with snows mounted to them.  That way you have the best of both worlds, tire-wise.

He's running an E46 M3; if he doesn't have problems, I don't know why I would.  I ran through some of the reviews, and many of them mentioned that they have surprising grip in the wet.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I thought we already agreed on Potenzas

[Raza]

I thought we already agreed on Potenzas

Yeah, I was set on them, but my friend with the M3 keeps pushing Generals.  And they're $27 cheaper per corner.

[S204STi]

He's running an E46 M3; if he doesn't have problems, I don't know why I would.  I ran through some of the reviews, and many of them mentioned that they have surprising grip in the wet.

Do whatever you think is best.  I just prefer to run snows in the winter and summers or at least more three-season oriented tires in the summer.  A lot of it would depend on how bad the snow days are where you're at, and whether you're allowed to call in due to weather.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Get snows and summers like they do in your car's homeland.

[rohan]

I've recommended before and stand by it 100%- Continental Extremecontact.  WE're running them on all our patrol cars now from Nov. until snow goes away. Excellent snow tire in disguise of a performance tire.  I think the ones we run are W rated but I can't remember. 

[Raza]

I've recommended before and stand by it 100%- Continental Extremecontact.  WE're running them on all our patrol cars now from Nov. until snow goes away. Excellent snow tire in disguise of a performance tire.  I think the ones we run are W rated but I can't remember. 

I'll look into those as well.

Does anyone know about Hankook R-S2s?  They're on closeout because they've been replaced, and they're $78 a corner.  Another friend recommends them highly. 

[Raza]

Summer's around the corner, which means a good 5 months of clear weather.

Also, my passenger front was flat as the midwest this morning and I spent Sunday night hydroplaning down the turnpike, so I really do think it's time.  The Generals are out, I'm leaning towards something Bridgestone or Continental.  I'll be buying this week (possibly tomorrow, depending on how well Fix-a-Flat holds up through the day today).  Suggestions?  Price isn't that much of an issue, but I'd like to be under $130 a tire. 

[Byteme]

Look at Yokohamas

[VTEC_Inside]

Look at Yokohamas

After my experience with my Advan S4s I'm going to have to disagree with that.

I love the tires, but despite having them balanced and re-balanced several times (3 different balancers) they have a minor vibration that comes and goes and changes slightly, but they are never 100% smooth. I even had two of them replaced under warranty and still have the issue.

Next time its probably going to be one of the Potenzas for me.

[r0tor]

S-Drives or P-Zero Nero's would be a good all season choice...

[Raza]

S-Drives or P-Zero Nero's would be a good all season choice...

Are Pirellis really worth it?  They look to be $140+ on TireRack (and of course installation is going to be like $80 on top of that), and I know they're very exotic sounding and all, but are they worth the premium over Bridgestones or Continentals?

[Byteme]

After my experience with my Advan S4s I'm going to have to disagree with that.

I love the tires, but despite having them balanced and re-balanced several times (3 different balancers) they have a minor vibration that comes and goes and changes slightly, but they are never 100% smooth. I even had two of them replaced under warranty and still have the issue.

Next time its probably going to be one of the Potenzas for me.

Don't know what to tell you.  I've never had a problem in the 3-4 sets I've bought in the past 5-6 years.

[The Pirate]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

I've heard very good things about this tire.  As of two months ago, it is available in my car's tire size, so that's what I'll be likely getting.

[VTEC_Inside]

Don't know what to tell you.  I've never had a problem in the 3-4 sets I've bought in the past 5-6 years.

I don't doubt you for a second, just that my experience has soured me on the brand as a whole.

The only good thing that has come out of the experience was that I finally found a tire shop where the guys aren't hacks.

[SVT_Power]

I've been looking at the General UHP's as well. Seems like a good bang for your buck and IIRC, the treadlife rating on those is a lot higher than anything else in its price range (in terms of summer/performance tires)

[The Phantom]

Check out the Sumitomo HTR Z III.  I'm considering them for my Goat, and they're just a tad over $100 per tire from Tire Rack, plus shipping.

Tire Rack gave it a really good review.

[Byteme]

I don't doubt you for a second, just that my experience has soured me on the brand as a whole.

The only good thing that has come out of the experience was that I finally found a tire shop where the guys aren't hacks.

That in itself is a major achievement these days.   

[Raza]

I don't doubt you for a second, just that my experience has soured me on the brand as a whole.

The only good thing that has come out of the experience was that I finally found a tire shop where the guys aren't hacks.

I'm the same way with Michelins.  I've never had a good set, but I know people who swear by them. 

[CJ]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

I've heard very good things about this tire.  As of two months ago, it is available in my car's tire size, so that's what I'll be likely getting.

Some friends of mine have them on their C70.  Excellent tires, they say.

[The Phantom]

I'm the same way with Michelins.  I've never had a good set, but I know people who swear by them. 

Yeah, I've never had a bad set (even the stockies on the Acura), but they cost too much.  Same with Bridgestone, although they're a bit less expensive.

[Eye of the Tiger]

1. Don't put fix-a-flat in your tire unless it's a real emergency...
2. Potenzas

[giant_mtb]

1. Don't put fix-a-flat in your tire unless it's a real emergency...
2. Potenzas

How 'bout dat green slime shit???????????

[Eye of the Tiger]

How 'bout dat green slime shit???????????

Meh. If you're changing tires, it's basically mandatory for shops to replace your in-wheel TPMS sensors, but all that gooey slimey shit may really fuck them up in the mean time.

[AutobahnSHO]

How 'bout dat green slime shit???????????

good for bikes.

Cars are not bikes.

[The Pirate]

good for bikes.

Cars are not bikes.

No, no.  The mechanic at the LBS will hate you if you use slime in your bike tires and he has to change a flat (as will happen eventually).  If you change them yourself, then it's cool.  But that crap is stanky when it's been inside a tube and it gets everywhere.