Mazda5 Tires: Issues & Replacement Recommendations

[doctorz]

right now the Pilot Exalto AS is $179 per tire on Tire Rack. Looks like a special price to me, but not that far off from what it was last May when I replaced our tires. Turned out that the Tire Rack recommended installer in my area directly ordered the tires themselves and gave me a better price, so I went with that. But there isn't any reason those Pilot Exaltos need to cost over $1000, not even close.

 

[SparcEE]

ContiExtremeContact

Continental ContiExtremeContact 215/50/17 new as of yesterday from Discount Tire $600 out the door. I previously used them on my retired Acura and had nothing but great performance in all conditions and especially snow in Michigan (~ 100k miles of experience with this tire)...also wore very well. Many other Conti's are not all that great from reading reviews and personal experience, but this one has really good reviews @ Tirerack.

Went with the up size and love it on my '06 M5...less jittery handling and it is more proportioned look, but still reasonably low profile. It's a family truckerster, so extreme handling doesn't apply to our driving characteristics.

Thanks to this thread for getting me to look at this new tire size. I was going to include some real pict's on the Mazda, but the tires are already covered in salt.

SparcEE

 

[danix]

I'm ready for tires. I've been comparing prices, and though I'm a fan of Tire Rack, I'm actually considering getting the Michelin Exalto AS from Costco to the tune of $900ish. They come with a 45k treadwear warranty, include free rotation, and have good ratings. Given the M5's appetite for tires, I figure free rotation while I'm shopping there anyway should help.
Does anyone have feedback on this model tire on the M5?

I'm not a fan of fiddling with the tire ratio, so I'm sticking to 205/50-17.

 

[AIMWO4]

Is that the new one with a 500 AA A UTQG? I hope the $900 is with everything else included. A set on Tire Rack is $785 w/o M&B.

I know you aren't a fan of different sizes, but a 225/45-17 is only 3/4 of an inch wider, and 1/10th shorter. I have a set of Yoko 225's in the shed that look very nice... The MPH was actually more accurate according to my GPS.

Also... sometimes the 225 will be cheaper in the same tire... sometimes the 205 will be.

I couldn't find a ContiExtremeContact 215/50/17 in 205.

I'm ready for tires. I've been comparing prices, and though I'm a fan of Tire Rack, I'm actually considering getting the Michelin Exalto AS from Costco to the tune of $900ish. They come with a 45k treadwear warranty, include free rotation, and have good ratings. Given the M5's appetite for tires, I figure free rotation while I'm shopping there anyway should help.
Does anyone have feedback on this model tire on the M5?

I'm not a fan of fiddling with the tire ratio, so I'm sticking to 205/50-17.

 

[MikesMazda5]

I went with the Goodyear Eagle GT/HR size 215/45/17. They grip very well, and get around great in the snow. I got them through my work for $65.00 a piece and mounted them myself.

 

[MikesMazda5]

Continental ContiExtremeContact 215/50/17 new as of yesterday from Discount Tire $600 out the door. I previously used them on my retired Acura and had nothing but great performance in all conditions and especially snow in Michigan (~ 100k miles of experience with this tire)...also wore very well. Many other Conti's are not all that great from reading reviews and personal experience, but this one has really good reviews @ Tirerack.

Went with the up size and love it on my '06 M5...less jittery handling and it is more proportioned look, but still reasonably low profile. It's a family truckerster, so extreme handling doesn't apply to our driving characteristics.

Thanks to this thread for getting me to look at this new tire size. I was going to include some real pict's on the Mazda, but the tires are already covered in salt.

SparcEE

I had the ExtremeContacts on my Mustang at one time, and will never buy them again. They lasted about 10,000 miles and that was it. Yeah, I drive pretty hard and have some negative camber set up in the suspension for better handling, but 10,000 miles!! That is ridiculous. The last set of BFG G-Force TA/ KDWS I put on there went close to 25,000 miles. The conti's did grip pretty well, but the life was way too short.

 

[OilGuy]

I just got a set of Toyo Versado LXs put on. Toyo was pretty high on this tire when I talked to them (vs the OE Proxes A18s). Any experience with this tire - especially any winter/snow comments?

 

[doctorz]

I'm actually considering getting the Michelin Exalto AS from Costco to the tune of $900ish. They come with a 45k treadwear warranty, include free rotation, and have good ratings. Given the M5's appetite for tires, I figure free rotation while I'm shopping there anyway should help.
Does anyone have feedback on this model tire on the M5?

I've posted about our experience with these tires a few posts up. We think they're great and worth the price.

 

[reMarkable]

MPG in Light of the 205 vs 215 Question

I was wondering what everyone might suggest to first match (or better) the MPG I'm getting from the OEM Toyos? Handling/Quietness/Treadwear would come second. Any thoughts?

Thanks in Advance.

I'm sort of re-asking my question from October - in the hope it gets a more direct answer this time:

For all of you who've changed from the original 205/50/17 to the 215/50/17 sized tires - what's happened to your MPG? I'd have to think that there is some reduction in MPG (maybe minor?) by having more tire touch the road - no?

Thanks in Advance (again.)

 

[Mazda5inIowa]

I'm sort of re-asking my question from October - in the hope it gets a more direct answer this time:

For all of you who've changed from the original 205/50/17 to the 215/50/17 sized tires - what's happened to your MPG? I'd have to think that there is some reduction in MPG (maybe minor?) by having more tire touch the road - no?

Thanks in Advance (again.)

First, thanks to all in the forum, I used this a lot in deciding on tires. I "upgraded" by selected 215 50 17. I purchased the Goodyear Assurance TripleTread with an 80,000 mile warranty. From DiscountTireDirect.com, the price was $140 per tire (+free shipping and a $40 rebate). Installation with nitrogen brought my total to $600 (with rebate).

As to gas mileage, I have only gone two tanks. I have seen zero change in fuel economy. It might be there, but out to the tenths, it has been the same for me.

Other benefits of GYA TT in 215:
- Smoother ride
- Awesome on snow, slush, rain
- Quieter than worn Toyo's

 

[mazdadude]

I'm sort of re-asking my question from October - in the hope it gets a more direct answer this time:

For all of you who've changed from the original 205/50/17 to the 215/50/17 sized tires - what's happened to your MPG? I'd have to think that there is some reduction in MPG (maybe minor?) by having more tire touch the road - no?

Thanks in Advance (again.)

I never noticed a difference either way, I think the increased diameter of the tire raised the mpg a tiny bit. But that was offset by the greater width lowering the mpg a tiny bit, so it is a wash...

 

[reMarkable]

I never noticed a difference either way, I think the increased diameter of the tire raised the mpg a tiny bit. But that was offset by the greater width lowering the mpg a tiny bit, so it is a wash...

Thanks Mazda5inIowa and mazdadude on the MPG question - glad to hear no noticeable change; I'm starting to lean more toward the 215's based on what you are saying.

I wonder why Mazda went with the 205 vs 215's since everyone seems so much happier with the 215's? Do you think they were just saving a couple of bucks or I don't know what?

 

[07MZ5SA]

I went from 205/55-16 to 205/60-16 (front only) and also noticed slight MPG increase.

 

[richardmayo]

The closest tires to Yokohama TRZ is YK520 which is available in 205 or 215/50-17.

Anyone try the Yokohama AVID Touring-S?

They look to be a new model and are reasonably priced.

http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/avid_touring_s.aspx

 

[07MZ5SA]

205/50-17 is not available.

Avid Touring-S is the new generation of light weight tires optimized for MPG kind of like Goodyear Assurance.

 

[simonnyc]

Continental ContiExtremeContact 215/50/17 new as of yesterday from Discount Tire $600 out the door. I previously used them on my retired Acura and had nothing but great performance in all conditions and especially snow in Michigan (~ 100k miles of experience with this tire)...also wore very well. Many other Conti's are not all that great from reading reviews and personal experience, but this one has really good reviews @ Tirerack.

Went with the up size and love it on my '06 M5...less jittery handling and it is more proportioned look, but still reasonably low profile. It's a family truckerster, so extreme handling doesn't apply to our driving characteristics.

Thanks to this thread for getting me to look at this new tire size. I was going to include some real pict's on the Mazda, but the tires are already covered in salt.

SparcEE

I just placed an order for these tires. Hope they work out for me as well as they've worked out for you.

PS. Continental is offering a $75 Visa gift card if you purchase these tires (or another continental brand) between Feb 2 and Mar 23rd.

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/sp_events/conti/Conti_CashIn_RedemptionForm.pdf

 

[fireman1867]

Im going to pull the trigger on the Exaltos, bit pricey yes but I'm not sold on the Exlaim UHP for how long they will last?

My question is with the 70,000km limited warranty will it matter if I get the 215 50 and they are not a recommended size for ther car? Has anyone else bought this tire in the plus size?

Also I have read on other forums that these tires seem to a have a noticable break in period? Has anyone else experienced this?

Cheers,

 

[ChadSpeed]

I got my 215's installed today along with an alignment. The piss poor dealer did an alignment with the suspension recall about 15,000 miles ago, but still the front end was out of toe, odd. The rear camber on the passenger side is at 2.1 negative camber, just a shade away from being out of tolerance. The tolerance for the rear is huge compared to the front, in both toe and camber. The new tires have a 560 treadwear, and A for traction and temp. They are some off brand made by goodyear, but have some other name, they were cheap so if they get ruined like the Toyos I won't be as pissed.

Well I have finally figured out how to solve this issue, its really very simple. After my inept dealer ( Obrien Autopark(pissed), Champaign, Illinois), for the 4th time, forgot to rotate my tires along with the oil change, ended up doing it myself. The key was rotating from left to right as well as back to front. I have always rotated my tires this way for 15 years, the Dealer will not because he of.... well it was something like BS, BS, BS, modern radial. Our 215s are now about 20,000 miles old, and were starting to get the noise back, and I could feel it in the steering wheel a bit. After a proper rotation all is well, hope this works for others.(attn)

 

[DKaz]

My 5 right now has BF Goodrich g-force Super Sport A/S which the previous owner must have put on, 205/50R17, 400/AA/A UTQG, they seem like very good tires so far, not too much road noise, good grip, good steering response, very stable especially at high speeds. I'd like to go 215 wide tires but I probably have two summer seasons left with these tires, they seem to be good so far!

As for winters, I used Yokohama iG20s last season, great tires. I want to get Michelin Xi2s for the 5 but if it costs too much, I'll probably just get the iG20s again.

Wider tires = increased surface area = increased air resistance, maybe like 2% for every 10mm width you add.

 

[Mntnbkr]

So has anyone tried the General Altimax HP 215/50r17 on the 5?
I just got a set of the Altimaxs for my Jetta (to replace plugged and aged Yokohama Avids) and they are NICE - VERY very smooth and quiet and although a little soft around the corners (even at 40psi), it is my daily commuter so performance should not be paramount?
So, any feedback on these for the 5?
Also, General is a $50 rebate/gift card through the end of May b/c of the movie Fast and Furious. Is this sale a rare ocurrence or do they offer this with some regularity? I just don't need tires now, but will by fall - I could store them if need be, but prefer not to.
Thanks