Hello all,

I have a 2004 350Z base, stock rims. Need tires bad, 20K. I really want the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, but I can't find the size 225/50R17 for the front. I see the 235/50R17 for the rears at tirerack.com, but not the fronts.

Any Advice?

Thanks,
Rob

 

Why not go 235/50R17 all around?

 

Not every size is available in every brand, you know! If unflexible on tire size, the best thing to do is to search for the size and then pick a brand that makes it.

 

Any problems with doing that? Why'd Nissan do it diff?

 

I've heard great things about the PS2's. Hmmm. Maybe I should go with the Eagle F1 GS-D3's? Anyone NOT like those?

tirerack.com has the set for $660 + shipping and mount.

Think it's better to go with the correct sizes in the eagle F1's? or same size all around in the PS2's?

I'm in Los Angeles, no snow tire needed. I just want the absolute best tire for the Z with high performance handling, quiet, and wet. Any other recomendations?

Thanxs for the help!

 

just upsize. to a 245/45/17 in the front and a 255/45/17 on the rear. i know the Kumho MXs come staggered in that size, also the Firestone Wide Oval and the Fuzion ZRi. best bet are the MXs though IMO.


tommy

 

They are great for every day driving, but get torn up at the track. I saw photos of a set after a few driving events on an M3 and the tread feathered so bad, the cross-section profile of the tread looked like _/|_/|_/|_/|_ instead of square. I have no first-hand experience with these though.

I do have first-hand experience with the Kumho Ecsta MX (on the M3) and I think it's crap. It handles fairly well in the dry (wet weather traction sucks!), but the sidewalls are weak and they exhibit too much carcass flex. During hard cornering, the inside edges wore very quickly and exposed the steel cords before the tread was worn down. Pissed me off! went through two sets of rears with the same problem. Then I switched to Pilot-sport PS2s and never had that problem again.

I agree that PS2s are the best for all-around wet and dry. they are also very quiet and smooth while having great initial turn-in. They're like magic!

Manufacturers often use a staggered tire setup (skinnier on the front) to ensure understeer which it safer and easier to recover from for a majority of drivers (easing off the throttle). I'd go with the same size front and rear using the PS2s

 

I have a 2004 base, stock rims and currently have 225/50R17 on the front and 235/50R17 on the back.

Are the rims the EXACT same width on front and back?

I really want to switch to Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's, but the don't make a 225/50/17 for the front. I considered upgading the fronts to 245/45/17 and the rears to 255/45/17, but the also don't make a rear that size.

So if the rims are EXACTLY the same on front and back, I'm seriously considering 235/50/17's all around. Anyone NOT recommend doing this?

Thanxs!
Rob

 

I have Eagle F1's. So do a few other friends of mine on various vehicles. I love them. They are incredibly grippy and are great in the dry and wet. The only down side you may see is the soft sidewall causes a bit more tire flex than other brands under cornering. This also causes slower turn-in, but once you're in the turn, you're on rails. Also the breakaway characteristic is nice and gradual, giving you good feedback before they actually lose traction. I don't feel the flex much since I have 19" wheels, but for a 17", you may feel more. Do a search...many, many Z owners here love them. I do too.

 

The rims are 7.5" wide front, 8.0" back. But 235's all around should be fine, maybe a slight buldge in the front. You'll also reduce understeer a little.

 

Nissan uses the same wheel-tire combinations for both VDC equipped and non-VDC equipped models. It makes things more simple.

 

I drive with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 at the track (HPDE), autocross and drag strip. Very pleased with overall performance.

 

A quick check on the Michelin website shows the the PS2s are not available in the desired size of 225/50/17.

 

I'm going to order the Eagle F1 GS-D3's today.

Tirerack.com has the correct size set for $660 + shipping. Best price I've found so far, not bad.

Anyone recomend any other place that might even be cheaper? I'm in Los Angeles.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!
Rob

 

Nope, Tireracks the best. There may be a better place, but I haven't found it. Plus their service is A++. I've purchased from them 4 times. $660 is a good price, it cost me almost $1000 for my sizes =(. Remember, if you go with 235 in the fronts, you may have a slight buldge.

 

I got the exact same sizes that came on the car, the 225 and 235's. Ordered the Eagle F1 GS-D3's. They should be here Monday, I had them drop shipped to the garage. I'll let you know how they perform. Can't wait. Thanks all!