Tire recommendations.

[MBrown]

I used to sell and install tires for 5 years in fact and I specialized in Michelin brands (Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal). Its been a while since I've been in the tire business, and I know Michelin are superb tires but I don't know if I can justified the price premium. I would really like to have some Primacy MXV4's don't want to drop that much money on tires. I wish I could get BFGoodrich Advantage TA's but they don't make them for the size I need. I think the Uniroyal Tiger Paws are a great deal (H and V rated versions have a 70k mile warranty) and I had a lot of happy customers that I sold them to, but I have been hearing rumors of Michelin phasing out the Uniroyal brand. Has anyone else heard of this? BTW I have a 2010 Impreza 2.5i 5MT 205/55R16 V-rated. RE92A's came with the car...teh suck!

Now I know a lot about the Michelin brand tires but not much about other brands aside form my OE RE92A's. I was wondering if I could get some input from you guys. I am looking for a sub $120 all season with at least a 50k mile warranty. I would like to stay away form directional tires because I don't think they would do well with an AWD car unless someone has had a good experience with directional tires and AWD vehicles. When I worked in the tire industry it was drilled in me to never ever select a tire that has lower speed rating that what the car specs, which for my car is V. I'd also like you guy's input on this as well because I checked prices at my Subaru dealer and they were giving me prices for H-rated tires. Again I have a 2010 Impreza 2.5i, 205/55r16 V.

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

 

[MBrown]

No recommendations?

 

[DominionSeraph]

I use Kumho Ecsta ASX's on my Grand Prix GTP. They're shit in the snow and tread wear ain't great, but they're very quiet, handle nice in the dry, and they're dirt cheap for a W speed rating.

 

[soccerballtux]

Tire tech changes all the time.
You basically get what you pay for. I bought some el cheapo $70 tires and they're lasting me about 15-20k, were rated as 40. I drive as aggressively as is possible in a Scion tC so that could be part of the problem

 

[natto fire]

Love my Falken Rocky Mountains, but they are only S rated. Those are the only new tires I have bought in a while that did not feel like I was not ripped off.

 

[DVad3r]

Conti extreme contact DWS?

 

[Jumpem]

I would get a set of snow tires, and swap between them and the stock all seasons. I've been satisfied with the Blizzaks and Michelin X-Ice tires I've had.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Do you really need V rated tires? Your subaru cannot even go that fast.
I would recommend Continental DWS. Great overall traction.

 

[MBrown]

Do you really need V rated tires? Your subaru cannot even go that fast.
I would recommend Continental DWS. Great overall traction.

Its not just about speed but also handling. Like I said I was taught to never go below the spec. Actually it was a bit more complicated than that. The place I worked for only sold Michelin brands, so Michelin would tell us than you can, but just have to inform the customer, but the place I worked for said absolutely not. So that's why I would like to get more input as to weather it is really as big a deal as people make it out to be.

 

[DVad3r]

You don't need V rated tires lol...

 

[jlee]

H-rated tires are good for 130mph - unless you're going to be exceeding that, you'll be fine. They don't want to sell tires spec'd lower than the car's OEM stuff just for liability reasons..i.e. if you're putting S-rated tires on a car that'll do 150mph and the tires come apart when someone goes out on the salt flats or something.

 

[MBrown]

What have you guys heard about the Bridgestone Turanza W/Serenity?

 

[Gibson486]

Its not just about speed but also handling. Like I said I was taught to never go below the spec. Actually it was a bit more complicated than that. The place I worked for only sold Michelin brands, so Michelin would tell us than you can, but just have to inform the customer, but the place I worked for said absolutely not. So that's why I would like to get more input as to weather it is really as big a deal as people make it out to be.

You were taught tha because they wanted the people to push the more expensive tire.

 

[ballmode]

you should go to tirerack.com and check out the test results for what category tire you want

 

[sisq0kidd]

I use the exact same tire size as you: 205/55/r16. Came from some Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires, and now have been using Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires for the past 2 weeks so I'll just comment on those two tires.

The Continentals have much better grip (dry and wet), have a smoother ride, less noise, but lots of roll, really soft sidewalls and they don't look as good as the Michelins. The Michelins gave me more confidence in corners with much less roll, but the grip was terrible and the ride was noisy and harsh.

With those pros and cons of each in mind, I wouldn't go back to the Michelins ever. The poor grip really became apparent when I switched to the Contis and realized that my wheels weren't supposed to slip all the time. But what I really miss is cornering without feeling like my car is about to roll over. That's the tradeoff I'm willing to make though as the Continentals were cheaper and better for me personally.

I got America's Tires to pricematch a local store.

$524 out the door for 4 Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires, installation, lifetime rotation, recycling fee (Ca), tax and a free Nook Simple Touch (through mail).

Edit: Don't know how I managed to bump a 4 month old thread, but sorry.

 

[Vetterin]

I put General Altimax HP's on my 2006 Legacy with good results. Hell, I only got H rated tires on my 85 Vette.

 

[vshah]

Conti extreme contact DWS?

i have these, great tires

 

[fstime]

I had MXM4's and they were terrible and expensive OEM tires.

DWS is probably a superior tire to the one you want.

I also like the Toyo Proxes 4 which I run currently.

In my experience, Michelins tend to be overpriced compared to over quality brands.

 

[vshah]

I had MXM4's and they were terrible and expensive OEM tires.

DWS is probably a superior tire to the one you want.

I also like the Toyo Proxes 4 which I run currently.

In my experience, Michelins tend to be overpriced compared to over quality brands.

the pilot pe2s that my car came with were excellent tires, but yes, way overpriced.