Softest-riding and best overall tire for our cars?
First, let me say I am currently riding on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport All-Seasons...
That came about because I originally complained about how squirrely the regular PS2's got in the torrential rainstorms we get down here in FL, once they get a little wear on them. So the tire shop suggested these instead, and I thought "great, sounds like a winner"
But unfortunately, from almost day 1 I have been very unhappy with the ride quality. They transmit every single road imperfection, to the point that I think I am going to have the mechanic check my nitrogen spheres to make sure all is working properly.
You feel every little bump in the road, and potholes really jolt you and rattle the car around. I am tired of it, and want another set of tires. If I have to slow down in a rainstorm, then fine by me...I tried it the other way, and the tradeoffs just aren't worth it.
So what do you guys suggest? I basically want the cushiest, softest-riding tire that I can fit on my car and still have a Z-rating. The PS2s rode nice, so I could go back to those, but then I am back to getting 10k+/- mi out of tires, which also irks me. Is there anything better out there?
By the way, I have done a search and read the gazillion threads on tires, but none of them really addresses ride softness which is my primary concern.
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I would check out the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season tires. I've put about 2500 miles on the set I got and I've been impressed. They ride much better than the previous tires I had, which were Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's. The new all season tires have a Carbon Fiber side wall reinforced with Kevlar. The also have a treadwire of 420 compared to the Mid to high 200's of the competitive tire. They are a new generation tire that just came to the market recently, as compared to most other tires that have been around for years.
The other good thing about them is they have a 30 day guarantee. So you can put them on - drive around a bit - make sure you like them and if not, you can return them!
I would check out the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season tires. I've put about 2500 miles on the set I got and I've been impressed. They ride much better than the previous tires I had, which were Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's. The new all season tires have a Carbon Fiber side wall reinforced with Kevlar. The also have a treadwire of 420 compared to the Mid to high 200's of the competitive tire. They are a new generation tire that just came to the market recently, as compared to most other tires that have been around for years.
The other good thing about them is they have a 30 day guarantee. So you can put them on - drive around a bit - make sure you like them and if not, you can return them!
Chirs, I have nothing but good things to say about my Nitto's
First off, they totaly eliminated that annoying road noise that I had with my Dunlop 9000's.
Secondly, they grip almost (if not as well) as my drag radials.
And third, they are surprisingly long lasting (despite my burnout fetish).
Notice how they compared to my NT555's (which I can already vouch for).
Just by looking at the comparison chart I can almost guarantee that the INVO's are probably going to be your best bet for all around performance.
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Chirs, I have nothing but good things to say about my Nitto's
First off, they totaly eliminated that annoying road noise that I had with my Dunlop 9000's.
Secondly, they grip almost (if not as well) as my drag radials.
And third, they are surprisingly long lasting (despite my burnout fetish).
Notice how they compared to my NT555's (which I can already vouch for).
Just by looking at the comparison chart I can almost guarantee that the INVO's are probably going to be your best bet for all around performance.
You may be onto something. I have a friend who swears by nittos...and they aren't anywhere near the rip-off prices that the Michelin's go for.
I guess my main question is the ride-quality? Do they soak up the bumps? I want a "floating on a cloud" feeling, that can still get down and dirty when it needs to...although I know that is something of a contradiction. How are the Nittos on potholes and such?
The are def a lot better than the GS-D3's i had on there prior. They don't ride on air like you had asked - but I'm not sure any low profile tire will do that.
They feel much softer than a friend of mine that lives locally that has Mich. PS2 Sports. Riding in his car reminds me more of riding on a skate board.
The thing that attracted me was the money back guarantee - the new technology of tire design and build- and the 420 treadlife wear. All season performance isn't mandatory for me.
They are quiet so far - handle very well - ive taken 35mph turns at 55+ and i get scared before the tires start to squeel.
I'll see if i can snap a photo of what they look like on the car so you can take a look, if you are interested.
The tires that Tech-Tune suggested look pretty decent too! I like the rounded edge of the outer part of the tire. The goodyear F1's dont have that. They are more "block-ish"
But 220 wear / 420 wear at a hit to my checkbook will keep me in the goodyears. Its hard to find a decent tire that can last a while at the same time.
I have Pirelli p-zero rosso on my Jaguar and they have about 8500 miles on them with the treadbar already showing.....no good.
I love my PS2's here in SoCal and I don't have ADS. I really think it's more a function of the sidewall. When I put a new set of 205/65-15 on my 1989 560SL what a dream ride. I mean really! Compare a 35 to a 65 series sidewall........... My honda Pilot wth SUV sidewalls rides smoother than my SL500.
Now I must say I haven't tried these tires but I have heard good thing's about them from 'SL BRABUS' and others at Pirelli PZero Nero M&S
Notice how they compared to my NT555's (which I can already vouch for).
Just by looking at the comparison chart I can almost guarantee that the INVO's are probably going to be your best bet for all around performance.
Alex, will my car allow for either a 295/35ZR-18 or a 285/35ZR-18 with my stock 5 spoke AMG staggered rims. The price for the Nitto NT555 out the door is $917.00 at Discounttire.com and the Nito INVO is $973.00 that's a far cry from my PS2's at about $1250.00 actually the Nitto's are closer to the price of the Pirelli PZero Nero M&S.
Your thought on rear size please? The wider the better, w/o rubbing, as far as I'm concerned!
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Like Akebono pads, we cannot get Nitto tyres here in this godforsaken country of ours because Nitto never applied for an 'e' mark. Without an e mark you cannot sell a product in Europe, BUT if you import a car from Japan, it quite legal to use the Nitto tyres it might be fitted with (shows how crazy the UK is)!
A friend of mine imported a Japanese Porsche and swore by the Nittos for what it is worth, saying that it made a GT3 suspension 'almost bearable'.
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