Author Topic: Yet another "what tire" tread... '07 Mazda 6 (Read 2470 times)

CyberNick · « **on:** March 22, 2010, 02:52:11 pm »

My original tires are within a half millimeter of being flush with the wear bars. I took 'em off in the fall and I intend to replace them before the winters come off.

So, I've been shopping for tires, here's where I'm at so far.

This is the OEM tire:

Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 (Grand Touring All-Season)
Size: 215/50R17
Serv. Desc: 93V
Load Range: XL
UTQG: 300 A A
Tirerack Price: $195.00 (each)

This is the tire I picked as the replacement after reading reviews, etc:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position (Ultra High Performance All-Season)
Size: 215/50R17
Serv. Desc: 95W
Load Range: XL
UTQG: 400 AA A
Tirerack Price: $154.00 (each) - total for 4 with shipping, duty, taxes and installation in CAD ~ $1,115
Costo CAD price: 212.99 (each) total for 4 with taxes and installation with $75 off promotion ~ $975

So it turns out it's better to get them at costco, saves me ~ $150 and I get bonus road hazard protection which is standard with any tire bought at costco.

They didn't have them in stock at one of the Costco stores in the Ottawa area. They could order them however.

The guy at the Costco counter offered me other choices, many of which I knew not much about. I wasn't going to buy something for that kind of money before doing at least some research on it, but he was trying pretty hard and some of the choices were quite a bit cheaper... His words were "Why do you need those? They're more then you need." At that point, I got an impression that he was used to dealing with more clueless people who didn't offer as much resistance to his recommendations. I wasn't there more then 2-3 minutes but a line formed after me, so I got pricing for a few of the models they have in stock and I left.

I did my research at home on those and I didn't think I want any of them for various reasons, I thought I had already made a pretty good choice. Sure the ones I picked might be more then I need, but isn't more always better? Anyway, that episode left me doubting if I'm being too picky and if I'm making the right choice by spending so much on tires...

Help!

quadzilla · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2010, 02:55:58 pm »

Quote

Sure the ones I picked might be more then I need, but isn't more always better? Anyway, that episode left me doubting if I'm being too picky and if I'm making the right choice by spending so much on tires...

Preaching to the choir. I wish more people thought that way instead of picking something that might just get them by as long as x, y or Z doesn't happen first.

I'm sure other will chime in with some similar tires to choose from.

toolatecrew · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2010, 05:34:07 pm »

Just ordered 4 225/45R17 Yokohama AVID W4S from tire rack. 105 US each. 1010 tires was $225.

Right now with US dollar close to par its a great time to buy from tire rack. Even with the big shipping charges you can still save big $.

Pricing on those 215 50s isn't very good. Weird size maybe.

The RE960s are killer tires. They might be a bit more than you need for that car but you can never have too good a tire. In that size they are the same price as the lower performing Grids.

I would have recommended you save some $ with the COntiental DWS or the Yokahama's I got but they look like they are backorderd

tortoise · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2010, 08:31:32 pm »

What were the other tires he was suggesting?

CyberNick · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2010, 08:59:31 pm »

BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid

EDIT: Those are only the ones I seriously considered, others were mentioned as well that I do not recall the names of but were not in this category at all.

tortoise · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2010, 11:32:29 pm »

I have the BFG's on my P5 and quite like them. The sidewall is reasonably firm without being punishing. Good traction in the wet and dry. They have a treadwear rating of 400 which I think is a little optimistic though I suspect they'll last a little longer than my Proxes4's. Road noise isn't too bad but seems to be creeping up as the tires age.

Overall I'd recommend them.

FordEscort · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2010, 10:54:53 pm »

I installed a set of BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S on my friends Audi and he loves them.

Nathan@1010tires · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2010, 02:23:08 pm »

Quote from: toolatecrew on March 22, 2010, 05:34:07 pm

Just ordered 4 225/45R17 Yokohama AVID W4S from tire rack. 105 US each. 1010 tires was $225.

Right now with US dollar close to par its a great time to buy from tire rack. Even with the big shipping charges you can still save big $.

Yokohama Canada has their head in the clouds. Don't blame us for that one.

Quote from: CyberNick on March 22, 2010, 08:59:31 pm

BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid

EDIT: Those are only the ones I seriously considered, others were mentioned as well that I do not recall the names of but were not in this category at all.

The G019 is my choice for the car out of all of the tires listed in this thread. I believe we spoke on the phone the other day, but unless you are an aggressive driver the RE960 is overkill and will not last as long, and is more expensive.

CyberNick · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2010, 08:07:18 pm »

Hey Nathan, no that wasn't me you talked to.

Thanks for your suggestion, the G019 seems to do OK in the reviews on tirerack, so it may be worth a second look. Yeah, do push the limits from time to time... it's not a super powerful car but it's a lot of fun in the turns... I was at first considering a summer only tire but I changed my mind about it, deciding to give up some of the dry road grip for better hydroplaning resistance by going with an all season. I do have dedicated winter tires as well which also might be considered by some as "too much for the car" - Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. This is their third and I think, last winter season.

Sorry, but 1010tires isn't competitive with costco on the G019. They have 'em at $186.99 vs. $205.99 from your website. On top of that costco has a $75 rebate when buying 4 and you've got a $50 shipping charge, it brings the total difference after taxes to ~ $200.

Also, I want to thank everybody else who's given their input so far... I'm still not decided. Keep 'em coming....

blur911 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2010, 09:56:12 pm »

Quote from: CyberNick on March 24, 2010, 08:07:18 pm

I was at first considering a summer only tire but I changed my mind about it, deciding to give up some of the dry road grip for better hydroplaning resistance by going with an all season.

I doubt an all-season will provide more grip than a summer performance tire with good rain grooves? You don't see anyone racing on all-seasons in the rain. Rain is not a season.
Get something like a Goodyear Eagle GS-D3.

Loudpedal · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2010, 10:11:16 pm »

I had the G019's on my Infiniti G20, and I'd say it's just average. The price was ok, along with the ride and had low noise. However, in the wet they had a 'greasy' feeling and lost grip very easily. Also, I found them to be very noisy when cornering moderately hard or more. On the other hand, they looked great and seemed to be a good quality tire.

If I were looking for new tires now, I'd be seriously considering Bridgestone RE760's, General Exclaim UHP's, or Kumho SPT's (which I really enjoyed on my Civic SiR).

There was a good tire test in Car and Driver a few months ago. A good insightful read http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/tire_test_nine_affordable_summer_tires_take_on_the_michelin_ps2-comparison_tests

toolatecrew · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2010, 11:23:15 pm »

A lot of people on this board have had good experience with the General UHPs. I persoanlly found them above average in the rain (maybe due to tread design) I've read other comments supporting that. Although I've seen them called All Seasons I've also seen them called summer only. I'd never even think of using them in the snow. I tend to buy all seasons myself becuase of the higher wear ratings as well as the ability tonuse them as "3 season" tires so that I feel comfortable using them into October and putting them back on in April. With our weather it wouldn't be uncommon to get a temperature drop in October or April or even a surprise dusting of snow or freezing rain. With an all season I could at least creep home and put the snows on where I feel a summer tire would be undrivable

the UHPs are usually on sale at CT most of the time.

CyberNick · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2010, 11:41:07 pm »

Loudpedal: thanks for the link! Good info there!

toolatecrew: You might be onto something... It seems that a lot more tires are available in your size then mine. I am considering switching as the difference is minimal (2.2%) and the selection is much better.

CyberNick · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:08:38 am »

Hankook Ventus V12 evo seems to stand out, even though it is in second place in that C&D Comparison Test, the positive note about wet handling is reassuring. They are available in my size and the price is a lot easier to take - although with UTQC of 280 they may not last as long as the Potenza RE960AS or other A/S tires.

So I'll be rid of 'em sooner if I don't like 'em.

I don't think that will be the case...

Quote

With above-average wet and dry performances, and tying for quietest on the street loop, the V12 Evo is an impressive and well-rounded summer tire. And, at $106, it’s a bargain, too.

And they're still a bargain at tirerack, just $95. It will cost me $720 to drive an hour to the US to pick them up or about $800 to have them delivered locally. 1010tires is out of the race again at $179.99 sorry guys...

I'll check if those are available elsewhere locally and what price...

toolatecrew · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2010, 08:06:19 am »

Lots of 6 owners seem to have gone to 225 45 17 on the stock rims. 235 45 17 gets you within 1% but DO NOT go there on stock 7 inch rims. Too wide. 225 45 on 7 inch rims is fairly common stock.

There is a lot more choice and becuase its common better prices.

Only thing to think about with a pure summer like the V12 Evo (beside wear) is how long you will run them. Even if there is no snow a compouind like that will turn to rocks if the temperature drops. If I had them in NS I wouldn't think of running them past September and probaly wouldn't feel comfortable putting them on until May.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2010, 11:53:08 pm »

I got a quote of $145/tire for Bridgestone RE760 W-rated summer performance tires in size 205/50/17. Plus they're offering a $50 mail-in rebate in the form of a cash card for four tires! Seems pretty reasonable to me. 580 - 50 rebate = 530.00. They're also available in 215/50/17 which is OE size for the non-MazdaSpeed versions of the 6. Didn't check the 225/45/17 size in that tire, though I did in the BF Goodrich g-Force Sport (about $190 ea.)

BTW, the price includes mounting and balancing. Kal Tires on Startop Road.

CyberNick · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2010, 10:08:39 am »

Quote from: toolatecrew on March 25, 2010, 08:06:19 am

Only thing to think about with a pure summer like the V12 Evo (beside wear) is how long you will run them. Even if there is no snow a compouind like that will turn to rocks if the temperature drops. If I had them in NS I wouldn't think of running them past September and probaly wouldn't feel comfortable putting them on until May.

OK, so I've given this some thought and I figure this is what I'm going to be doing:

My 3 season tire will be on the winter side. I've winter performance tires that are a fair compromise (not the greatest snow and ice traction but not too bad performance otherwise, wet or dry). I'm going to replace them with similar type this fall. With alloy winter wheels, the look isn't bad either.

For the few months of warm weather, I'm going with Hankook Ventus V12 evo summer performance tires.

CyberNick · « **Reply #17 on:** June 07, 2011, 12:50:18 am »

Got my new rubbers Friday last week... 215/50ZR17 Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 and 205/60R16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

As I mentioned in an other thread... kooks seem to be great... very quiet and smooth... no "spirited" driving has occurred on them yet... getting a four wheel alignment done tomorrow and after that we'll see...

My friend, driving the van pictured got 225/60R17 Hankook Optimo H727 (not pictured). We went down to Ogdensburg, NY at Latham Auto where we had Tire Rack ship them, they did install and balance them for $22.50/each.

My total for both sets, shipping, installation, duty, taxes came out to $1,250

My friend's van tires total came out to $720.

rrocket · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2011, 12:55:44 am »

Nice!! I'm sure you'll love the Hankooks....

Loudpedal · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2011, 11:19:13 pm »

Sweet! Let us know how you like them. Btw, did you have to pay any duty bringing them back to Canada?