Tires

[MHSFBay]

I can't help but to throw out to y'all-- Really try the Michelins: they last forever/ bite better than the rest in dry/wet/ or snow I run with 235-40-18 (in winter months)Pilot Alpin

[2011Q7TDI]

i checked out tire rack, and the tire with the best ratings in my size are michelin latitude tour HP. anyone with experience with these? interestingly, i called michelin to see if they offered any other tires in this size, and they said they wouldnt even recommend the latitude tour HP as it is V rated as opposed to H rated. Opinions on speed rating?

[mooreroad]

I had these on my 4Runner and they were amazing - super quiet, great in the snow and rain. We put 10k miles on them and they still looked new.

Downside is that they are kind of SUV/Truck looking vs having a sporty tread design that I'd prefer for my Q7.

[Potential AR Guy]

What's the best all weather tire for rim protection on the 20" rims? The Spec-x is a good tire but I'm chewing up my rims in city driving. Has anyone tried to go wider that 275 on the stock 20" rim, or install a 50 aspect?

[Sherblatz]

Originally Posted by Potential AR Guy

What's the best all weather tire for rim protection on the 20" rims? The Spec-x is a good tire but I'm chewing up my rims in city driving. Has anyone tried to go wider that 275 on the stock 20" rim, or install a 50 aspect?

A few folks have gone with 295/45-20 Spec-X on the S-Line rims since it is a narrow tire. Only side effects are speedo slightly off and smaller spare that would limit you to VERY short distances due to risk of differential damage.

Jimbo

[Potential AR Guy]

Originally Posted by Sherblatz

A few folks have gone with 295/45-20 Spec-X on the S-Line rims since it is a narrow tire. Only side effects are speedo slightly off and smaller spare that would limit you to VERY short distances due to risk of differential damage.

Jimbo

Thanks. I often also drive in rural areas, so the spare problem would be a deal breaker Any suggestions for another tire model in 275 with better rim protection than the PradaX?

[KBLOVE]

Originally Posted by Sherblatz

Just got the Firestones mounted and am really happy with them so far. Very quiet and seem easily as capable on dry surfaces as the OEM Conti 4x4s they replaced.

Supposed to get a major storm tomorrow, so I can report back on wet performance.

Jimbo

How did they do?

[Sherblatz]

Originally Posted by KBLOVE

How did they do?

Awesome. We didn't get the torrential rain that was forecasted, but they performed excellent. I'm heading up to Tahoe in 3 weeks and can report on snow performance then.

While I agree with others that Michelin makes awesome tires, I have a hard time dropping almost $2K (after mounting, etc.) for a set of tires when you can get a great set for less than half that much.

Jimbo

[WVUrS6]

Your going to love the Firestone ST's snow performance. Those big cleats on the inner shoulders really bite!

I concur with the Michelin Pilot Alpin remarks. I had a set of those on my UrS6, easily the best winter tire for where I live in the Mid-Atlantic with runs into the Allegheny mountains during the winter ski season.

[MHSFBay]

Hankook are well worth trying- the company spends a ton on R&D, Michelin outlast everyone, by far, an so have the W+ Yokohama.I gave up on Goodyear and F'Stone long ago, the Cont's may be worth trying as a winter tire