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mherman18
10-03-2009, 02:47 PM
It has come time for me to can the crappy stockers and step up to a better tire. I have a 2003 no traction control. I need some help with this decision since there are some many options. I have a daily driver that sees full throttle very little, most driving is on the highway around 75 mph, a decent mileage warranty would be nice, and I need an all weather due to being located in Charleston, SC. I have decided to go with 235/50/18 on all four corners for rotation equality. I believe those are my main qualifications. I have looked at Kumho, Faulken, Goodyear and Nitto and most of these tires are in the $150-175 range. Any feed back on any of these tires would be helpful.

Thanks in advance
imorb1994
10-03-2009, 09:01 PM
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56562&highlight=nitto+850
These ^^^are what I'am going to buy. have an '04 with traction control though.
bigmerc'03
10-03-2009, 11:40 PM
look up marauder tire matrix in the search
mherman18
10-04-2009, 09:47 AM
I have looked at most of those post no one seems to say which seems to be the better tire.
Krytin
10-04-2009, 02:27 PM
I have decided to go with 235/50/18 on all four corners for rotation equality. I believe those are my main qualifications. I
Thanks in advance

If you are doing that - go to 255/45/18 on all four.
That's what I did - it looks good lowered all the way around.
SC Cheesehead
10-04-2009, 04:26 PM
I have looked at most of those post no one seems to say which seems to be the better tire.

Lots of guys running Nittos, and I haven't heard anybody say anything bad about them.

I'm running General Grabber UHPs (255-55) on the rear and have had good results so far.

Goodyear makes a great tire, but a little more costly.

Bottom line, ANYTHING you got with will be better than the OEMs. ;)
Krytin
10-04-2009, 05:31 PM
Bottom line, ANYTHING you go with will be better than the OEMs. ;)

Truest statement yet!!!
Stranger in the Black Sedan
10-04-2009, 07:26 PM
^^ I don't agree, I'm sure some of the really cheap end of the spectrum are not really better than OE, people just find that any new tire at all is softer than a 5 year old tire. What I am seeing is that a lot of the "other" tires lack the sidewall rigidity of the KDWs in a pretty significant way
babbage
10-04-2009, 08:12 PM
^^ I don't agree, I'm sure some of the really cheap end of the spectrum are not really better than OE, people just find that any new tire at all is softer than a 5 year old tire. What I am seeing is that a lot of the "other" tires lack the sidewall rigidity of the KDWs in a pretty significant way

Did you keep those camero OE tires? I love my Blizzaks...
Krytin
10-05-2009, 05:24 AM
^^ people just find that any new tire at all is softer than a 5 year old tire.

I never owned a tire for five years....

but yes, off brand bargain tires don't count!
And stay away from Firestone/Bridgestone, Dunlop, Pep Boys,....
Black bart
10-05-2009, 08:33 AM
Replaced my stock rear KDWs with Nitto 420, 255X55X18 and they are a major dissapointment in terms of handling. Have a set set of Conti Sport Contact (Contis stock size in the front as well) in the same size that I will install after the rainy season.

If the KDWs were available would buy them again in a heart beat! Super handling in both dry and wet weather in the twistys.

fred
Stranger in the Black Sedan
10-05-2009, 11:25 AM
Babbage, yes I did keep the piece of crap Camaro spec Radial TA's with the 10 pounds of weights it took to balance them. Ask silversurfer, he saw what they look like on my car, they have a narrower tread width than most other comparable 245s and because they have no bead protector molded into the sidewall, the tire mounts up like a bulgy balloon instead of straight up against the rim like most all 18" tires will. But for a lil over $100/each they are at least soft, fresh new tires that were better than my 2002-date coded KDWs rears.

I don't have any suspension upgrades so although the camaro spec tires are way more flexible laterally than stock and they do hurt cornering, its not like this car handles like its on rails stock in the first place so I'm not sweating it for now. At some point I want to put the Addco bars on this car and box my rear control arms, and at that point some proper tires will be warranted, on all 4 corners
mherman18
10-05-2009, 04:33 PM
I have still got a lot of research to do looks like. What size do you recommend for all four corners?
rayjay
10-06-2009, 05:29 AM
Did you keep those camero OE tires? I love my Blizzaks...

You have your snows on already?
babbage
10-06-2009, 06:02 AM
You have your snows on already?

Yup, but they are mounted on 'new' wheels. Where you been Ray? It's one thread down from this one right now. lol

Ray: Sat. they are running time trials at ESTA, weather looks promising.


Re: Factory sized BFG Tires for the MM - tirerack.com does have them.