smooth and quiet tire

[ta240]

I know that usually traction and handling are the top things when shopping for tires and although I don't want to give up completely on them a quiet smooth ride rates higher on the list.

I've searched through the forum and read through the comments I could find along with tirerack.com and 1010tires.com

I was leaning towards the Kumho ECSTA ASX's but there seems to be quite a few negative comments on them, even though there are more positive comments a lot of them seem to say that they are "good for the price", I'd rather pay more and get overall good.

The Proxes 4's were also high on the list, but my only prior Toyo experience was with their Z800's and I hated them. They had lousy traction and were very rough. Again they have some really negative comments out there, not a lot but still enough to worry me.

Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S are also on the list but they are more expensive and so it would be very bad if they wound up not being good. We don't get snow so the PS2 model was also on the list, but from what I've read the summer tires don't do well in cold either and we do drop into the 20s at times.

Pirelli P-Zero Nero was a recent addition but they have quite a few negative comments on them too.

The car currently has its second set of Dunlop SP5000's. I didn't think the first ones were that bad but the latest ones are getting really loud on rough pavement. They are quiet on smooth but anything else they just howl.

First hand experience with any of those on a P5? Direct comparisons to the 5000s?

-Trevor

 

[Tasty]

I like my Kumho Ecstas. I also had Yokohama Avids and they were good. Only bad thing is they were 40 series and just too bumpy. I think I may try those next go round on my stock wheels in 50 series. I have a friend that has them on his Saab and he loves them. By the way, he drives VERY fast and gets great traction.

 

[dmitrik4]

there are always going to be negative comments about anything...there is always someone who isn't pleased b/c people have different tastes. i'll say that while i've seen a few negative comments regarding the Nero M+S, they are VASTLY outweighed by favorable reviews. i strongly doubt you could go wrong with them; they'd be my top choice. you're never going to find a tire (or anything) that has 100% positive reviews.

i'd suggest going to tire rack's site and looking at the surveys they have. those results are calculated from hundreds of users based on hundreds of thousands or millions of total miles of driving...they're usually a good indication of what to expect.

and remember that almost any tire this side of a Falken Azenis is going to be smoother and quieter than worn-out SP5000s (which is what i'm rolling on as well).

i got my g/f some BF Goodrich Traction T/As for her Saab, and they're great. quiet on the highway, grippy in the curves, and excellent snow traction for an all-season.

 

[the tortoise]

Proxes4

The Proxes4 in 205/50/16 are both smooth and quiet without giving up performance.

 

[Felipe340]

I had a set of proxes4 on my probe and loved them for the money. Theres always something better out there. Love to have a set of mickeys, but I was very happy with the proxes. They were pretty quiet too and had a nice ride.

 

[Black_Protege_5]

What about the Falken 615RT's. Any opinions on those.

 

[ssd_pr5]

BFG g-force sport. In my opinion, best overall tires from those that I've owned. Previous ones included: stock dunlops sp5000(not bad for stock, i guess), dunlop fm901(too loud), yokohama avs es100(summer tire..treadwear was bad), kumho 712(okay tire for the price), kumho asx(same as 712).

Although the g-force's were the most expensive out of the rest i've had on...the improved ride, quietness, and treadwear are worth it to me. I'll definately be going with another set of these when the time comes.

 

[dmitrik4]

What about the Falken 615RT's. Any opinions on those.

very sticky, esp for the price. great autocross tire.

NOT quiet, smooth, or long-wearing...probably the opposite of "smooth and quiet." it's a budget high-performance tire, period.

 

[JCell]

Hankook K-106 are very quiet and they handle pretty good

 

[ta240]

anyone have the Bridgestone Potenza G009?

 

[clicknext]

I've heard only good things about the BFG Traction T/A's, but for the most part no one seems to talk about them. Anyone have an opinion on those (besides dmitrik4)?

 

[Sir Nuke]

I have two P5s and I have YOKO ES100's on both of them I love them, they are as the stock tires, and perform better.

 

[ta240]

I went with the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M/S in the 205/50 16 and am very happy. They are so much quieter than the old tires. We can carry on a conversation at freeway speeds now without having to yell.

They seem to grip very well on dry, haven't had any rain yet so no idea how they are in the wet. They are smoother riding than the stock ones too, without sacraficing handling.

Its like having a new car again (without the monthly payment).

Prior to the new tires I added 3 layers of Dynamat Extreme and 1 layer of extreme liner to the floors and 2 layers of the Dynamat Extreme to the bottom and sides of the rear area and 1 layer to the doors. Even with all that there was a huge difference with the new tires.

I also added power lumbar supports to both front seats which made the 11 hour drive on vacation better.

The power lock switch addition to the passenger side was a mod I should have done years ago. Very simple and very handy.

It's nice having the car be really fun to drive again.