Tire Recommendations

[Raydioactive]

I'm getting some 2006 Mazda3 17x6.5 5-spoke wheels for my car... I'm going with brand new 205/45 tires and wanted to see what everyone might recommend. Here are the choices:

Nexen N5000 for $87/each
Kumho Ecsta AST for $90/each
Cooper Zeon RS3-A for $97/each
Hankook Ventus V12 evo for $101/each
Edit/Add: Falken ZE-912 for $99/each

Thanks for offering your opinion.

 

[Jordysoso]

I wouldn't go kuhmo, low mileage rating. Take a look at Goodyear eagle gt's if they make a tire in your size. Discount tire direct or someone had them for $101 a tire. Just my $0.02

 

[pkane]

I have the Kumho Ecsta ASX on one of my P5s. First experience with the brand and it seems to perform well, but we rarely get snow here. Tirerack.com has reviews on many tires.

 

[pkane]

I wouldn't go kuhmo, low mileage rating. Take a look at Goodyear eagle gt's if they make a tire in your size. Discount tire direct or someone had them for $101 a tire. Just my $0.02

The Goodyears are higher (440), but a even a 400 (Kumho) is quite high for a high performance tire IMO. Secondly, I believe those numbers are set by the manufacturer based on their line and an industry standard. In summary, "your mileage may vary..."

 

[azuelke]

Coopers are good... I am running Cooper Zeon ZPT's, no complaints.

 

[CTt3P5]

Hankook's....I have no personal experience with them but have heard nothing but good things about them. If they were offered in a 16" I'd have them now vs. the Conti ExtremeContact DW.

 

[Hank3]

I had the V12s on my Speed3 and they were really good. I didn't see Falkens on your list. The 452s and 912s are really good choices as well.

 

[Raydioactive]

I had the V12s on my Speed3 and they were really good. I didn't see Falkens on your list. The 452s and 912s are really good choices as well.

Oh yeah, I believe I can get the 912s for $99/each... So, if you had your choice, would you go with the V12s or the 912s?

 

[Stickman]

I've had the Kumho Ecsta AST's in OEM size in the past.

They didn't corner anywhere near as well as the OEM Dunlops. They were worse in WI snow and ice as compared to the OEM Dunlops. Better in rain than OEM Dunlops, only for the 1st few thousand miles, then just as bad. Tire Rack told me people like them because of the low price as compared to good performance.

Kumho has a new tire to replace the AST, so it might be worth a try. Otherwise, your other choices might be better.


CTt3P5,
What don't you like about the Conti's?

 

[Wurf]

Another vote for the Hankook V12 - Like mine very much and they are great in the rain. A consideration I would make if I lived in your neck of the woods.

 

[xitoxic]

I bought Nexen N5000's and i love them. They're beefy and have great ratings. 0 road noise and have a rim protecting lip on it, 60,000mile rating.
Heres a link to the ones i bought: 205/40R17
Good website too, fast shipping and no problems. Highly recommend Nexen and treadsource!! (breakn)

 

[Raydioactive]

xitoxic,

How long have you had the Nexen N5000's (how many miles have you driven on them)?

 

[xitoxic]

Like a month, zero problems. maybe like close to 1k, theyre basically new but i love them.

 

[Raydioactive]

Thanks everyone for your input. I thought I'd just take a quick look on craigslist before I bought tires and found a set of 4 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A. There is no photo of the tires, but the seller says they less than 2000 miles on them. He's selling them for $250 obo for size 205/45R17. I don't think this is the all-season tire that I'm looking for, but it sounds like a great deal. Thoughts?

 

[CTt3P5]

I've had the Kumho Ecsta AST's in OEM size in the past.

They didn't corner anywhere near as well as the OEM Dunlops. They were worse in WI snow and ice as compared to the OEM Dunlops. Better in rain than OEM Dunlops, only for the 1st few thousand miles, then just as bad. Tire Rack told me people like them because of the low price as compared to good performance.

Kumho has a new tire to replace the AST, so it might be worth a try. Otherwise, your other choices might be better.


CTt3P5,
What don't you like about the Conti's?

I had the AST's as well and they were decent in the dry/wet for me and great the 1st winter I had them, IIRC I got approx 23K out of them. The second winter they were horrible and that's when I opted to buy a dedicated set of snow tires for the car. I realized that a HP or UHP all-season just wasn't going to cut it in the NE winters.

Sorry, didn't mean for it to sound like that. I am very pleased with the DW's. They do have a softer sidewall but have performed great in the dry/wet and so far I'm impressed with the mileage I've gotten out of them. When I first started looking for a new set of summer tires, I immediatley went for the Hankooks and found that they didn't come in 16" sizes (sadbanana) so I started shopping others and finally decided on the Conti's.

Thanks everyone for your input. I thought I'd just take a quick look on craigslist before I bought tires and found a set of 4 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A. There is no photo of the tires, but the seller says they less than 2000 miles on them. He's selling them for $250 obo for size 205/45R17. I don't think this is the all-season tire that I'm looking for, but it sounds like a great deal. Thoughts?

Hmmmm, could be a GREAT deal seeing that that size goes for $189ea new on tirerack. That said, I'd ask for pics first before making any trips or commitments. And if you are looking for an a/s then stay away, these are max perf. summers and UTQG is 140. If you are deadset on a/s, I'd suggest looking into the Conti DWS, Kumho Ecsta 4X or Hankook Optimos. Isn't tire shopping fun?

 

[tweety2300]

I have nexun 5000 and they're ok but I have 215/45/17 and paid $120 a piece... I might drop down to 205s if there's that much of a price difference. My mom also has nexun 5000 on her awd vibe for the past 2 years and have another year or so left even after some donuts on pave ment

 

[Stickman]

Your mom does donuts on pavement!?

 

[tweety2300]

No but my brother did it more than once

 

[Raydioactive]

Just ordered my tires... I went with the Hankook Ventus V2 concept H437 size: 205/45R17. I heavily considered the Nexen N5000, but I got these Hankooks for about the same price, thinking that Hankook makes a better tire. This seemed to be backed up by the reviews I read. I wanted the ContiDWS Extreme Contact, but I couldn't afford them ($140/each shipped). I like the Hankook V12, but was concerned about tread wear and I'm looking for something that is more all-season. With the research I did, it seems like the Hankook V2 was the best tire for my budget. They came out to a little under $100 per tire shipped.
http://www.treadsource.com/Hankook_Ventus_V2_concept_H437_205-45R17_1012469/

Thank you to everyone who offered input!

 

[Stickman]

Let us know how they are in dry cornering, rain, and especially snow if you get any.
Thnx