When the Toyos Wear Out

[opus]

Last spring I replaced the OEM Toyos with a set of Dunlop SP Sport Signatures, in the OEM. I've been impressed...they're much more responsive, and seem more resistant to hydroplaning than the Toyos. I plan to swap them onto my 2008 5AT.

I also picked up the Dunlop SP Sport Signatures and loved them. I also run a set of snow tires, Bridgestone Blizzak LM 25, for the winters here in Michigan. The Dunlops were far quieter and much better in the wet than the Toyos.

 

[Katner]

Can anyone offer a recommendation for me on tire replacement?

I was about to pull the trigger on some Hankook Ventus EVO V12's, but after reading this thread I'm thinking All-season's might be a better choice for me.

Thing is there is a section of highway on my way to work that I take very fast every time I drive it (in the summer). As much as I hated the Toyos they worked quite well on that strip of pavement and I definitely don't want to go with something that will significantly under-perform the Toyos in dry weather.

That said, I live in Calgary where I could get a rouge snow fall in October or April which means if I get an All-season tire I can wear them for a longer portion of the year and not be too worried. With a summer I'll be forced to wait until may to put them on and then have to take them off by the beginning of October (and my winters are on steelies so that blows).

 

[Mr5ive]

Can anyone offer a recommendation for me on tire replacement?

I was about to pull the trigger on some Hankook Ventus EVO V12's, but after reading this thread I'm thinking All-season's might be a better choice for me.

Thing is there is a section of highway on my way to work that I take very fast every time I drive it (in the summer). As much as I hated the Toyos they worked quite well on that strip of pavement and I definitely don't want to go with something that will significantly under-perform the Toyos in dry weather.

That said, I live in Calgary where I could get a rouge snow fall in October or April which means if I get an All-season tire I can wear them for a longer portion of the year and not be too worried. With a summer I'll be forced to wait until may to put them on and then have to take them off by the beginning of October (and my winters are on steelies so that blows).

I recently took the plunge, and replaced the crap stock Toyos with 215/50/17 Continental Extreme Contact DWS's, which got great reviews on Tire Rack's website. I only have a few hundred miles of nice, dry weather driving on them, so I really can't add my own $.02 yet, except to say that they're comfortable and quiet.

I also really liked the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S that I had on my old 5. They were great in the dry and wet, and got us through 3 NJ winters without much trouble. I was contemplating getting them again, but the Contis were cheaper, W-rated (vs. H-rated for the Pilots) and had great ratings for wet traction.

I'll post a better review of the Contis after I put some more miles on them -- especially in wet conditions.

 

[Katner]

I recently took the plunge, and replaced the crap stock Toyos with 215/50/17 Continental Extreme Contact DWS's, which got great reviews on Tire Rack's website. I only have a few hundred miles of nice, dry weather driving on them, so I really can't add my own $.02 yet, except to say that they're comfortable and quiet.

I also really liked the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S that I had on my old 5. They were great in the dry and wet, and got us through 3 NJ winters without much trouble. I was contemplating getting them again, but the Contis were cheaper, W-rated (vs. H-rated for the Pilots) and had great ratings for wet traction.

I'll post a better review of the Contis after I put some more miles on them -- especially in wet conditions.

Thank you. I've been eyeing the Extreme Contacts on Tire Rack. I've concluded that I must go with an Ultra High Performance A/S with at least a 130mph limit (yes I know that our 5's only do about 120). I'm tempted to go with those cheap Sumitomos but they are brand new (yet to be reviewed) and Sumitomo's tires appear to be hit and miss.

 

[sethro_GT]

I can vouch for the Continental DWS's in the dry, rain, snow and mud. Took a trip into the mountains last week for spring break and got every kind of weather imaginable. Having taken my snow tires off I was VERY nervous when the 6" of snow fell overnight. These were almost as good as my snow tires. Then I parked in 4" of mud and slush, was able to get the car out with only tossing a handful of gravel under the front tires. Then there was ice patches all along the road back to the freeway, no slip, but still was very careful. Rained on the way down and not even a hint of hydroplaning. They run half as loud as the oem tires. To top it off I got the best gas mileage yet, 31.2 mpg.

The only drawback is that they are a little softer than the toyo's and you can feel it in the corners. But for this family car I wouldn't replace them with anything.

oh and they have a treadwear of 580 or something. Best bang for the buck, period.

 

[Mazda5Lover]

I recently replaced my OEM tires on my '08 5 GT cuz of two HUGE bumps I found one morning on the sidewalls of my two left tires. At first, I replaced only the two, which I had placed in the front. But, then, I couldn't live with mismatched tires, so I replaced the other two, as well. Replaced them with Bridgestone Potenzas G019 tires - same size and rating as the OEM. So far, I've LOVED the tires. They make my 5 look more butch, and they quieted down the ride somewhat, plus added more comforte AND grip. Love them! Here's to hoping they hold up longer than the OEM ones did.

 

[AO928]

I recently bought a set of Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid tires. I've got about 1k miles ont hem so far. They are very quiet, handle well (dry & wet), and were not terribly expensive.

 

[mars1100]

I went with the Yokohama YK520 and have been very happy with them on my 08 5AT. I stayed with the 205/50/17 size. I've got about 13k on them now and hope they are good for more than 40k, especially with a 520 tread rating. I know there is no standard on treadratings, but one can hope.

I have these yoko's on my saturn and they are a great tire, I got 54,000 miles on the first set, currently on the second set.

I still have the Toyo's on the 5, looks like they won't last past 25,000 miles.

 

[Bluesideup]

Our 5 came with a new set of Goodyear Eagle RSAs installed in the stock size. They are pretty good in the wet and dry. I've had them on another lighter vehicle and wasn't impressed with their snow performance. They seem to have a harmonic that doesn't work well with the 5, they get a little noisy around 50mph.

Our 3 also transmitted a decent amount of road noise but I can't remember what tires it had on it.