Considering upgrading from the Goodyear Eagle LS 225/55/17 tires...

[Shakil]

I am finding the Goodyear Eagle LS tires that come with the 17 inch wheel option to be pretty lame. They seem unsually noisy to me and don't seem to have phenomenal grip either. I am not happy to get rid of basically new tires (1400 miles), but they really are disapointing so I am considering switching to different tires (keeping the 17 inch wheels). Do people have suggestions? I know the Dunlop Sport SP9000's are popular -- they come in 225/45/17 configuration. Wouldn't the lower profile cause a disturbing gap in the side view of the car? Would I sacrifice anything in terms of ride comfort? (I live in the NY/NJ area where the roads are just plain awful) Can the Dunlops handle small amounts of snow or are they pure summer tires? Any other suggestions?

[Bill Mills VA]

Shakil-
I'm using the Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 with Ronal's R-28 wheel. The XGT is available in the 225/55/17 size. I went this wheel/tire combo from the stock 16"/Goodyear Eagle LS combo. Big difference in handling particularly in the corners. I can't tell you how much of a difference there is in road noise although the XGT's are not any louder than the Good Years were. Ride comfort feels about the same as the larger side wall 16's.