Better Tires Make All the Difference

"Money Hustard" (moneyhustard) 09/04/2013 at 13:55 • Filed to: Tires, Tyres, Upgrades

1

10

My 2012 Maxima came with some real p.o.s. Goodyear Eagle RS-A's. Even when they were brand new, they provided this curious blend of oversteer and understeer under hard driving that just felt dangerous. Tires are literally where the rubber meets the road, and I could never understand why they'd put such bad tires on a $40,000 "four-door sports car" (ha!).

Also, after just 10,000 miles, all four tires were balding badly. It wasn't from burn outs or anything, the traction control never came off, and the wear was pretty even on all four tires, despite a lack of a limited slip differential. By the end, they were getting really scary in the rain, if not kind of fun generally because of the immense amount of throttle-off oversteer they created. I may have kept them if I could have given them more than 30-40% throttle before the traction control had to kick in.

I can't complain too much about the Maxima's traction control. It more resembles permanent launch control than traditional traction control, but squeaking your tires constantly is just embarrassing.

I finally broke down and picked up some Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2's. They weren't top of the line or anything, they seemed about mid-range in price, and they aren't even summer tires. I knew they'd improve things, but I had no idea just how much. The ride is smoother and quieter, even my wife noticed.

The handling improvements, though, are startling. Braking and steering are much more responsive, and in straight line acceleration, you have to power brake for wheels to even slip. I took the Maxima out to some back roads that I'm very familiar with, and may be it's because I'm gun shy from the old tires, but I couldn't even start to slide in the corners. I did the drive on my old tires just a few weeks ago, and the ESC was working overtime, jerking me back into shape every time I slipped a little. It's crazy how much more fluidly the car operates when the nanny isn't stepping in constantly.

If you are thinking about upgrading your car's rubber, do it before upgrading anything else on your car. Even if it's not performance you're after, the safety and comfort considerations are undeniable.

Mikeado > Money Hustard 09/04/2013 at 13:58

1

Backing up this important point is a recent evo review of the Carrera GT. While famously spiky and difficult on the limit when it came out, on new Michelin rubber it was transformed into one of the very best driver's cars...... In The World .

Oh, and an experiment by a US magazine with an FR-S where it was significantly faster with proper tyres.

Party-vi > Money Hustard 09/04/2013 at 13:59

2

I knew a race car driver that said he preferred Michelins on his Porsches and Pontiacs (raced his own GXP.R and several GT3 Cup Cars), and with the new Pilot Sport A/S3 I'm thinking my new tires are going to be kinda pricey.

dogisbadob > Money Hustard 09/04/2013 at 14:04

2

Almost ALL OE tires suck. They're designed to be cheap, even on expensive cars like yours.

Money Hustard > Money Hustard 09/04/2013 at 14:08

1

And before I get the usual "you clearly don't take care of your car" comments. Yes, I lease it so I can drive it like a stole it. It'll take the abuse for the 39 months I have it.

I do own a car, that I love and treat tenderly. I'm not some car-destroying monster, but if I'm paying for the wear and tear, I damn well should be able to get it out of the thing.

I'd drive a BRZ if I wasn't 6'7" with a kid. My general review of the Maxima is:

Dear god why isn't it RWD?

The fit and finish is horendous, inside and out

The drive train is a thing of beauty

Seats are pretty comfortable

Features and Bose sound system are very solid

I would never want to own one of these things, but it's a reasonably-priced lease

Despite all of its flaws, it does feel and sound pretty damn sporty

Takuro Spirit > Money Hustard 09/04/2013 at 14:15

1

1st gen Mazda3 owners know of the disadvantages of the RS-A, much like WRX owners and the Bridgestone RE92.

OE tires are made to please everyone across a broad range of roads and weather conditions. Plus ride comfort, mileage, NVH, and the almighty dollar.

DasWauto > Takuro Spirit 09/04/2013 at 20:12

1

Yup, I believe the original set on mine lasted at most 45-50k km and that must have been gentle driving. The next set laster 90k km and the current set is just about done 85k km later. They could probably go another few thousand but I'll replace them before winter.

ButlerBoy > dogisbadob 09/04/2013 at 22:29

2

They may be low-priced to the manufacturers buying them in bulk, but the irony is that many OEM tires are NOT cheap. The Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 common on mid-to-high-end sedans is size for size (although I notice there are fewer sizes in common now than several years ago) considerably more expensive in the aftermarket than the Michelin Primacy MXV4, which most reviews and ratings say is superior in virtually every performance aspect. The Bridgestone Turanza EL-400-02s common on economy compacts and mid-sizers are more expensive than the Potenza RE97AS or the Turanza Serenity Plus, let alone better tires from other manufacturers. Sometimes there are two different OEM tires for the same car that apparently perform differently, and it's the buyer's luck of the draw. If I bought a GTI off the lot with the standard all-seasons I would certainly prefer one with the Pirelli P Zero Neros to one with the Dunlop SP Sport 01s.

MPA > Money Hustard 09/04/2013 at 22:33

2

I concur.

My '13 Honda Fit came with some POS Dunlop low rolling resistance tires. Thankfully, at a massive 33 miles, I got a nail in one and it couldn't be repaired. I looked on Tire Rack to get a replacement for it, and saw how lowly it was rated - it handled ok stock, but I thought that was just how it should be.

At 233 miles I swapped them out for some fatter 195/60/15 General Altimax HPs, and it was a big difference. The car is so fun in the curves, and if it wasn't for the fact that it only has 117hp, it would be a car I would definitely keep for at least 10 years.

I have always made sure I have some decent tires on whatever car I had, because it's usually money well spent.

dogisbadob > ButlerBoy 09/04/2013 at 22:55

0

Yup! Nasty stealership markup :(

Money Hustard > ButlerBoy 09/05/2013 at 09:19

0

Yeah, the OEM Goodyears only cost $20 per tire less on TireRack than these new Hankooks. I'm sure there's a reason they are like this by and large. Why would car manufacturers so consistently hamstring great cars with crap rubber?