I need some car tire help

[davidjinks]

I have a Nissan Altima 2.5S. The current tires are Continental, ContiProContact, P215/60 R 16 94T.

So far I've gone through 5 tires in a year and a half. 1 tire was trashed from a nail and the other 4 have been trashed because of rocks. Yes, rocks as in a stone road.

I drive about 30,000 miles a year. Usually I'm driving on hardball roads but it isn't uncommon for me to be driving on dirt/unimproved roads or gravel/stone roads.

So far I think I've looked at every tire ever made. And yet I haven't a damn clue which one is "Best".

So, any of you car guys out there that are in the "Know" I'd like some advice. I appreciate any help you all have.

[montanadave]

Call Rudy at TireRack.com (http://www.tirerack.com/) or shoot him an email (http://www.tirerack.com/about/salesman_contact.jsp). If he doesn't know, he'll hook you up with one of his sales associates who can give you some good choices. I've had good luck with these guys.

And if you've already been around the horn with them ... well ... never mind. :laugh:

[E-man930]

+ 1 to what MD said...

[chadbag]

I have the Michelin MXM-4 (not MXV-4) on my Passat. They drive really nice, and wear well as well. I had previously had Bridgestone and a lesser Michelin on the car and they did not work out as well -- especially the Bridgestone.

ETA: I got them at Costco (special order) and have gotten all my tires at Costco for the last 15 years or so. When they run their $70 off coupons (couple times a year), it brings the price down to lower than I have been able to price the same tires at the online places that run their own local installation shops and they have a good road hazard warranty, which I have used a few times.


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[davidjinks]

Never heard of that outfit. I will fire off an email tonight. Thank you.



Call Rudy at TireRack.com (http://www.tirerack.com/) or shoot him an email (http://www.tirerack.com/about/salesman_contact.jsp). If he doesn't know, he'll hook you up with one of his sales associates who can give you some good choices. I've had good luck with these guys.

And if you've already been around the horn with them ... well ... never mind. :laugh:

[orionz06]

Michelin, nothing other than Michelin.

[davidjinks]

I've got an email out to the TireRack people. Thanks Dave.

Orionz06:

There are a couple people here at my job site that have said the same thing you have.

Thanks for the information gentlemen!

[orionz06]

I suppose to add to that, during college and a year or two before I worked in two major garages doing all sorts of things, to include some sales. Between sales, installation, and other work I can count on one hand the number of times there were issues with Michelin, fewer that were actually the fault of the tires. None of which were paid for by the customer, all covered by Michelin.

I would never, ever, ever consider Goodyear again. Flat out trash. ****ing garbage. Even after having a chance to ride around a test track with them, take some driving lessons to abuse the shit out of their products, and then do it again. I cannot honestly suggest them. So damned problematic. Couple that with a fellow engineer who I work with now who tells me all sorts of things that likely break ethics that make me not even want to give them a dime.

Michelin is the way to go, BFGoodrich (Michelin owned) does get a fair amount of trickle down. Uniroyal has not been great for most people I know, also Michelin owned.

The only time Michelin or BFG would not cover a need would be when that need is specialized (pure offroad) and so on. For spirited driving and so on they cannot be beat.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

While we are talking about tires, what are the best snow/ice tires for SUVs? It looks like the serious choices are between Bridgestone Blizzaks and Michelin X-ICes and Alpin?

[orionz06]

Between those two it always came down to whichever one was the newer model.

[warpigM-4]

Goodyear RSA are what was on My police car I bought really tough tires. But I went with Nexen Directional tires for a smoother and quiet Ride they have been GTG .My cousin is a mechanic and recommended them to me ,won't bust your wallet to bad .
But I did Check tire rack .com they do have some great deals

[feedramp]

I've had great experience with multiple sets of Yokohamas on a variety of passenger cars, but I don't know how they would do with so much driving on gravel roads like you mentioned.
They wear well though and stand up well against potholes and such.

[E-man930]

You reminded me that I needed to replace the tires on my wife's A4 - ordered these ==> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireModel=Ecsta+LE+Sport&tireMake=Kumho on Tuesday (I like that they come with a manufacturer's road hazard warranty so I don't have to buy a separate plan and I get a $50 prepaid Visa gift card as a mail in rebate...) Tire Rack delivered them to my house via UPS ground today. (helps when one of the warehouses is in your state)

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/9633/2011a4qkumho.jpg

I would recommend the tires linked below for your car - click on the "reviews" tab to see real world feedback from folks who also bought this tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender&partnum=16TR6DEF&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes