DD

So I'm getting new 17" rims and I want the whole rim + tire combo to weigh no more than 43 lbs. The wheels themselves weigh 20 lbs, so I've narrowed down my tire choices to those in the 21-23 lb range.

Here is my current shortlist of 225/45-17 finalists:

Kumho Ecsta MX - 22 lbs
Michelin Pilot A/S - 23 lbs
Michelin Pilot PS2 - 23 lbs
Michelin Pilot Sport SL Merc Ed. - 21 lbs
Toyo Proxes T1-S - 21 lbs
Toyo Proxes T1R - 23 lbs

Anyone have any recommendations about these? The prices are all within $40 of each other, so price isn't really a gating factor.

I live in the SF Bay Area, so wet weather handling is important, but no snow handling needed. Also, I don't take the car to the track, just engage in sporty driving in the hills once a month of so.

Thanks for your input,

DD

jprice@CPS

Personally I vote T1-R. Comfortable and quiet ride, great dry and wet traction, good treadwear.

DD

Wow, you actually have T1R's? I've been told they're backordered

jprice@CPS

Not yet! Will be my next tire.. on the T1-S now.

PabloP

Actually, I don't know what the SL Merc Ed is, but between the PS2 and the T1R, my tire guys recommend the PS2 saying it's better in all respects, handling, ride, comfort and quiet. Toyos perform really well when brand new but start to get noisy sooner than the Michelins do, they say. I trust them because they have an incredibly successful business, two stores, internet, and supply a good number of South Bay (LA) independent garages and dealers, and I've bought tires from them for years.

Although tirerack doesn't carry the Toyos, so you can't see comparisons on their website, 1010tires does. Just google 1010tires and see how their customers rate the PS2 and the T1R and other tires you're considering. Prices are Canadian, I think.

Paul

DD

Tire Rack lists a 'Mercedes' edition of the 225/45-17 Michellin Pilot Sport, presumably the OEM recommendation for Mercedes of this size.

It's the same price as all the other 225/45-17 Pilots, but some weird reason, unless Tire Rack's data is wrong, it's 1 lb lighter.

DD

DD

What about treadwear? PS2 UTQG = 220, T1R = 280

namshik

what is treadwear rating ? is it lower, the longer it lasts?

DD

NHTSA mandates UTQG for all tires and grades things like treadwear, traction, and temperature.

I find the tractions least useful, mainly because it's not granular enough. And for me, living in the California, the temperature rating also doesn't mean much because it gets neither super hot nor super cold.

But I do pay attention to the treadwear rating, as it does seem to strongly relate to how long the tire lasts.

DD<ul><li><a href="http://www.safercars.gov/Tires/pages/TireRatTreadwear.htm">NHTSA explains UTQG Treadware Rating</a></li></ul>

namshik

awesome thx.