Mazda5 Tires: Issues & Replacement Recommendations

[mazdadude]

After research I bought the Michelin Primacy MXM4 215X50X17 at Costco. I like them and the Wife says she loves them on her "5" now.

Videos and more info on these tires available here.
http://www.michelinman.com/tire-selector/name/primacy-mxm4-tires

GREAT TIRES!!!!

There are 2 types available in the 215/50/17, a "95V" and "93V". They are the GreenX / Low Rolling Resistance version, made with SUNFLOWER SEED OIL.

UTQG Treadwear, traction, and temp ratings are 500, AA, A.


I just put a set of these same tires on my Mazda5, 215/50/17-93V. Not a cheap tire @ $160 (~$185 each final price per tire, OTD, with taxes, disposal, mounting, balancing, valve stems, air, etc.) I could have saved some money here, and I am usually Mr. Frugal, but I have always felt that tires are never the area to skimp on when it comes to your vehicle and those that trust their lives to it.

I now feel like I just bought a new car! With the new tires, I was certain that I was going to get a quieter and more comfortable ride, however I was not expecting the greatly improved wet acceleration and braking performance. WOW! I can now accelerate from a stoplight at full throttle in the wet! The wet traction is mind-blowing!

The ride is great, and because of the lack of roadnoise, I can now hear what people are saying in the back of the car. The only shortfall I have noticed, is I have lost a bit of the crisp turn-in, and stiffer sidewall that I had with my same size g009 Bridgestones. However the new tires will firm up a bit with a few heat cycles, and they should improve a bit more.

I have always been a Bridgestone man, and only time will tell, but so far, I am very happy with the Primacy MXM4 on my 2006 Mazda5.

The stock Toyos lasted 30k miles, my replacement g009 Bridgestones lasted 45k miles, and I really hope to get at least 50k miles from these new Michelins.

 

[twintrbo]

Those look nice Mazdadude, my only issue with Michelin is that I notice a lot of sidewall bubbles on other cars with Michelin. Might not be a problem with certain models but I see it on OEM supplied ones all the time. Here in NYC potholes can swallow a whole car so bubbling is a big issue for me, keep us posted though. I'm with you on bridgestone, I loved my S-02's. I'm also in perfect agreement on not skimping on tires, it could be the difference between accident and close call.

 

[5for3]

I recently put some Sumitomo HTR Z size 205/50/17 and while they did improve on the sporty handling of my 5 and they do resist hydroplaning really well, they are suspect to my lower mpg's. I have lost right around 3 - 4 mpg's compared to previous winter seasons. I have posted details in the Real World MPG section.

 

[bootman]

I'm at 35K and my stock toyos need replacing.
Im going to try a set of these from Costco US.

Bridgestone Turanzas in 215/50/17. There is a $70 rebate in effect right now.

Should get a much smoother ride for the kids in the back.

 

[rscottg]

will finally need to take the plunge and replace the original tires

I would have had to replace the stock Toyos long before, but I've been running winter tires for the last 3 years.

The car had 24,000 km when I bought it and I was never very happy with tires. Noisy, rough ride, etc.. Last year the noise and rough ride was almost unbearable. The inside of the tires are for sure worn out.

For winter, I run 16" contivikingcontact 3 on it and the ride and noise is quite good.

I have the 205 50 17 tire size. If I almost wish I had the 16" tire size, but I'm not about to switch to new rims. Now I need tires that better when it comes to ride/noise without wearing out too fast. I'll have to go back over this thread and check out some suggestions as well.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Stock tires had 30,000 miles on them and were loud as hell. Still had descent tread though, but i couldnt stand it anymore.

New shoes:

Continental extreme contact dws in 215/50R17. Soooo much nicer, and good grip.

 

[johnnieboy]

I was lucky enough to find my wheels and tires on eBay - - for $850 mounted and delivered!

The wheels are 18x7.5" ADR "Victory" in 48mm offset, and the tires are 225/40ZR-18 Venezia Crusade HPs. They fit perfectly and ride and handle really well. The seller had even balanced each wheel/tire! (rockon)

 

[twintrbo]

Is it me or is your tire flat?!

 

[tooley]

took off stock toyo proxes hockey pucks and threw them in the bushes. replaced with 225/45r17 michelin mxm4's, wow what a difference. now the tire is actually wider than the rim like they're supposed to be and protect the rims. I used to dodge potholes, now I don't even care - the new tires eat them up.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Is it me or is your tire flat?!

It does look that way, but the tpms isnt complaining. The conti's seem to have a little more flex in the sidewall. I might need to up the pressure.

 

[Copper5]

Had four new Yokohama Avid Envigor H tires installed about a month ago now (stock 205/55/16 size for Canadian GS models). Only about 1,000,000 times better than the stock Toyos at everything. Excellent in the rain, and quite lively handling too. Definitely a go-to tire for me now!

 

[Rockin03mp5]

i think the stock tires make any other tire seem awesome!

 

[twintrbo]

It does look that way, but the tpms isnt complaining. The conti's seem to have a little more flex in the sidewall. I might need to up the pressure.

unless the car is sitting funny and the pavement comes to a point there, your tire is WAY underinflated. I had swapped out 2 of my snow tires and it never registered to the TPMS that 2 sensors were off the car. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but the TPMS only will sense a difference of rotational speed and all of them can be low as long as they match. What pressure are you keeping in there? Also, the way you phrased that.....You did go put a gauge on it right?

 

[Rockin03mp5]

i havent put a gauge on it yet. my tpms complains when the tires are less than 28 psi. hold on...

just checked, and the tire does look low but it is at 35psi.

 

[twintrbo]

I guess its just one of those funny pictures. I'm glad you confirmed though, tire shops are notorious for doing awful things. I would loosen and re torque the lugs too, I've had them so stuck I had to stand on the wrench to break them loose.

 

[kueifan]

I originally planned on going with Michelin Primacy MXM4 215/50R17 from Costco ($70 off! Plus lifetime tire rotation, balance and flat fixes). But when I asked for them, the tire tech said he was not allowed to install that tire on the Mazda 5.

After asking a buddy of mine with more tire experience, I went with Continental ExtremeContact DWS in 205/50R17 and stuck with the original tire specs.

The Conti has a softer sidewall and more of a rim guard than my previous tires, so it doesn't look too much like a toy tire. I bought my Mazda 5 used and it did not have the original Toyos on them, so I can't compare to that (not that it matters). What I had on were Goodyear Eagles and Hankook Ventus.

The new tires are... well they're new, so they ride better, but not a huge difference in my unexperienced opinion. At least they were not worse off than my old tires.

 

[KBrian]

took off stock toyo proxes hockey pucks replaced with 225/45r17 michelin mxm4's, wow what a difference.

Did you install them on the stock, 6.5 inch wide rims?

I bought new General Evertrek HP's at Canadian Tire (25% off, 700.00 otd) and had a choice between 215-45's or 225-45's but both specified a min 7" rim. I went with the 215-50/17 and like the way they fill out the wheel well. Also, quiet and smooth on the highway.

 

[GBean]

Had four new Yokohama Avid Envigor H tires installed about a month ago now (stock 205/55/16 size for Canadian GS models). Only about 1,000,000 times better than the stock Toyos at everything. Excellent in the rain, and quite lively handling too. Definitely a go-to tire for me now!

I have the same tires. I have always liked Yoko's, but one is making a whirring noise at speed. Not sure if it is the tire yet, will have to rotate & find out.

 

[ljmattox]

Got 33,000+ from the factory Toyos; wear bars in a couple of spots, but mainly they'd gotten oh-so-noisy. Sucked in the rain, light snow, well documented in this thread.

I went with Conti DWS replacements, but in 225/45-17's. They're within a fraction in diameter, and AutoTire had no issues with the mount/balance. Smoother riding on the drive home, of course the noise is gone .

Here are some shots, dirty rims and all...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MCz0AXIDROXwnaQpSiL1FpS2zaPrlMSyMkVY6e0oCjM?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PGcTApGUkfP3eUznbUKGw5S2zaPrlMSyMkVY6e0oCjM?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ozYQtaO85gWvaD9CR4WubZS2zaPrlMSyMkVY6e0oCjM?feat=directlink

 

[JKoscoe]

I put 225/50-17 Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread and they were great until i learned they were cupped already. I only have had them 1 year. I was told our 5 is known for cupping tires. Is this true?