after searching the web for 2 weeks looking for a decent set of 18's that would fit my needs, i finally just bought a set of all-seasons for the stock 17's. i am was not about to be caught in another snow storm with the summer tires.

after much research and calculation (www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm) i went with pistolpete's setup with 245/45 up front and 255/45 out back. these are the largest tire sizes recommend for the stock wheel widths. the tires are sumitomo htr+. they are rated nearly as high as the michelin pilot sport A/S and cost half as much.

as you can see in the photos, there is minimal, if any buldge.
as many of you know, finding a shop to mount the tires is a pain in the ***. most nissan dealers, as mentioned, do not have the proper equipment with plastic retainers to hold the rims in place without scratching them. Discount Tire Co. does, but wanted $200 to mount and balance.

i found a shop in chicago (www.suburbantire.com; glendale hts store) to changeover and balance for $60 for all four. they are by far, the most professional tire shop i've ever seen. they inspected all wheels before and after for scratches, cleaned the rims, dressed the tires, and used chrome stems and caps.

 

front

 

255 on rear

 

I was really interested in the Sumitomos in your size. How does the turnin feel in comparison w/stock? Also, since the ires are at the limit of fitting for the stock 17s, are you increasing the psi? If yes or no, why? What did your installation shop have to say about going to the larger tires?

I am asking these questions because I have gone to a larger tire in the past and had some problems w/fitting 205/5515s to 5.5" rims. They felt underinflated, so I bumped the psi up 2 psi as my normal limit. Do you detect any thing like I am referring to? Please pm me.

Boomer

 

The setup looks good. Do the sumis handle any different? I haven't heard much from people running summitomo tires.

 

yeah i took your lead and went with that size. i did like the kumho's but i don't think they're all seasons. they are on the sumi website under the all season section, but the description doesn't lead me to believe they are...?

grip, noise, all seem about the same as the 040's. it hasn't gotten warm enough for me to really get on them and warm them up though.

read the reviews on tirerack.com. they are rated nearly as good as the mich. pilot a/s, but cost half as much. treadwear rating was higher too. they may have even beat out the kumho's in grip, etc, but i don't remember off the top of my head.