Need new tires, please help.

Z33_2_FX35

Member
Location
Dallas Texas
(Sorry for such a long thread)

It appears I'm going to need new tires very soon so I'm already in the process of researching and comparing all the tires that are available for my FX35. Currently I'm running the stock 20" with the original Goodyear RS-As. With moderate driving habits and religious tire maintenance and rotations I've only managed to squeeze 24,564 miles out of them. I checked the depth yesterday and the fronts are at 3/32 and the rears nearing 2/32. Both ends wearing uniformly and even.

This is what I'm looking for in my next set:

1) Something that'll ride much better than the RS-As. With the Sport package and 20" wheels the ride in my FX can be very harsh at times. I know changing tires can help with this even if the improvements are marginal.

2) I'm looking for a tire that'll last me more than 25k. Maybe something around 40k+? I know that UTQG ratings on tires are not regulated so the tread wear ratings are not accurate, but using the RS-As as the benchmark at 260AA, I am going to assume anything in the 400s or 500s is going to last longer. I'm not too concerned with dry traction so the compound can be a little harder. Wet traction is important though.

3) Handling is very important. Being that this is a SUV I do not want something with less sidewall reenforcement that'll compromise the support and confidence I have during normal cornering.

Money is not an issue so I was even ready to drop some $$ on a good set of Michelin Latitude Tour HPs. Unfortunately, to my disbelief, this tire actually had several bad reviews from lux. SUV and crossover owners. I've owned several different cars and have been very happy with Michelin's Pilot, LTX, and MX series. I do not have first hand experince with the Latitudes so maybe someone can comment on them?

The other tires I am looked at are the Yokohama YK520s, Prada Spec X, Toyo ST series, and Falken S/TZ-04s. Out of this group it appears that the Yokos are pretty good. Unfortunately I just read Psiclne thread and it appears he has gotten less than a years worth from his Yokos. I'm not too surprised however because from my experience Yokohama tires are generally very sticky with soft compounds, but less than a year?!?!

I'm usually pretty good at researching and finding exactly what kind of tires I want for my cars, but the FX seems to be more difficult than any I have owned. The reviews out there are very mixed and I feel like I'm shopping for both an SUV and sports car that the same time. I'm even starting to feel a bit inclined to check out the 275/55/20 Michelin LTXs, but I know this will bump my overall rolling diameter from 30.5 - 31.9. :eek: Maybe the Yokohama Geolander H/T-S in 275/45/20. The reviews on these tires are very very good but moving from a 50 - 45 series may defeat the purpose of find a better riding tire.

Am I chasing a mythical unicorn here? Is it possible to find a good set of tires for my FX that's great in handling, offers a nice ride quality, and can last me more than 25k miles? Any expert opinions out there will be greatly appreciated.
 
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I had Continental Cross Contact UHP's 275/45/20 on my car for over a year and a half and actually still have them sitting in the garage. Only changed them because I got new rims. They are very quiet.

They have great reviews http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&partnum=745YR0CCXL&fromCompare1=yes&place=7

and good specs

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Continental&model=CrossContact+UHP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&partnum=745YR0CCXL&tirePageLocQty=%26partnum%3D745YR0CCXL
 
I actually never had them on stock wheels. At first I had the first gen proxes on the 20's... they were terrible, switched to uhp's 2 weeks later and they were 100x better than the toyo's. Smooth, quiet, and handle great.

Also non-directional, which is a plus for me.
 
The new Toyos look interesting especially for the stock 265/50-20 size. Tread pattern looks like it is less aggressive in the looks department, which should hell with the noise experienced in the past.
 
I ran the Geolanders on my QX4 and the were by far the best for traction and tire noise.They outlasted my michelins 3 to 1.
 
I found a source in GA that has the 275/45/20 Proxes ST II in stock for a reasonable price. Has anyone heard anything on its handling? I know the first Proxes ST was noisy and read of some people not liking it because of understeer.
 
:guineapigicon: ? dam no funny pic. I'm sure Toyo has heard the many complaints. I think the tread pattern is much improved for noise.
 
I might make myself the guinea pig for the Proxes SP II, I can get the 265/50-20 shipped to my door for $660, which is only $30 more than I can get the same size Hankook RH06s for (unless I went 275/45-20, then the Hankooks are $130 cheaper).

Toyo is sure emphasizing a quiet tread pattern with the SP II. Think they learned from their mistakes on the Proxes SP? Hehe...
 
Wow, just noticed my pirellis 305/35/22 tires have increased in price significantly $389.00 now. Two years ago they were around $315.00.:eek:. Going to have an expensive rubber year next year.
 
i went from stock 18" with potenza's to 20" with hankook ventus rh06 st. rides actually smoother and quieter. nice looking tire too:

hankook-ventus-rh06_lg.jpg
 

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