Need advice with replacement tires.

[LoneWolf]

Just got my 2004 Silver Birch Marauder about 2 weeks ago. The rear BFG's are worn to the wear bars in the middle w/ the inner and outer treads at about 6/32". The front BFG's are worn evenly to about 5-6/32". So, I definitely have to get the rears replaced and I'm not too keen on getting another set of BFG's @ $200 each what with their lousy wear performance. I've been looking at every possible tire combination and manufacturer out there trying to find something that will be a close approximate to the OEM set-up and work alright with the T/C. I'm kinda leaning toward General G-Max AS-03 (Ultra High Performance All-Season) which rank well in the Tire Rack survey and aren't too bad price-wise. I'm thinking of the size combination of: FR 235/50ZR18 and RR 235/55ZR18. There's about a 1:1.03 RPM ratio difference (1:1.05 OEM BFG). Does that combination sound do-able? I may leave the stock tires on the front and get the rest of their life outta them but then I'd have to put different rear tires only on and the tread,etc. would be unmatched... not sure i want to go that route.

[MM2004]

Read this thread and look in my sig for what I am running...

Nitto 555 Extreme -
Front - 255/45/ZR18
Rear - 265/50/ZR18

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forum...ighlight=nitto

Mike.

[crouse]

What he said. A 235 on the rear is too skinny.

[crouse]

BTW. You've got lots of miles left on those tires. They are about half gone.

[DOOM]

Read this thread and look in my sig for what I am running...

Nitto 555 Extreme -
Front - 255/45/ZR18
Rear - 265/50/ZR18

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forum...ighlight=nitto

Mike.

This will be my next tire setup.

[SC Cheesehead]

Stay away from tires with an H speed rating.

Lotsa folks here running Nitto 420S.

I'm presently running OEM fronts and 255/55/18 General Grabber UHPs in the rear.

[LoneWolf]

Thanks for all the solid, first-hand knowledge here... good stuff all. I'll be taking a closer look at the Nitto's. One tire set I've been considering is Continental ExtremeContact DWS Ultra High Performance All-Season
FR: 235/50ZR18 RR: 255/55ZR18. These are pretty pricey tires but they surveyed #1 in their class on TireRack.com and have a better wear rating than the OEM BFG's.

I have to confess; I'm a bit peeved and underwhelmed at how Mercury put all Marauder owners in this ridiculas tire size conundrum. How on earth did they arrive at the conclusion that it would be ok to design the car around a solitary manufacturer with exclusive tire sizes?

[slickster]

Do not do a oem size front with 255 55 420s rear so much bounce and sway you will have a hart attack every time you switch lanes at 60mph plus

[capt512]

Look at the Nitto NT850 and NT850+ as well. I am stuck between the NT850 or 555. The NT850 tires are a pretty good price point (150ish ea) but I have had a rough time finding them. It seems the forum says the NT850 is a better tire for a DD? And the 555 is a better performance tire than can also be used on a DD? The 555s have some comments on bad performance when wet, yet others have no problems when wet? The 555s IMO look better than the 850 though. So just some things to consider as well.
My tires seem in the same spot as yours. Rears are worn to almost slicks in the middle, but fine on the edges. The fronts are 5/32 or so even. However I plan to replace all 4 of mine at once if I go with something other than OEM (very likely).

[fastblackmerc]

Look into Hankook Ventus tires.

This place usually carries them.

www.eastcoasttires.com

[MOTOWN]

If your looking at nittos 555 i would get the 255/45 18 fronts, and the 265/50 18 rear thats a sweet looking set up, and the 265/50 18s looks great on the stock width wheel.

[pandemicz]

If your looking at nittos 555 i would get the 255/45 18 fronts, and the 265/50 18 rear thats a sweet looking set up, and the 265/50 18s looks great on the stock width wheel.

Would there be any rubbing with that set up, and would traction control be good with those tire sizes?

[MOTOWN]

Would there be any rubbing with that set up, and would traction control be good with those tire sizes?

No issues at all, quite a few members are running that setup and love it

[03mmmonroe]

Thanks for all the solid, first-hand knowledge here... good stuff all. I'll be taking a closer look at the Nitto's. One tire set I've been considering is Continental ExtremeContact DWS Ultra High Performance All-Season
FR: 235/50ZR18 RR: 255/55ZR18. These are pretty pricey tires but they surveyed #1 in their class on TireRack.com and have a better wear rating than the OEM BFG's.

I have to confess; I'm a bit peeved and underwhelmed at how Mercury put all Marauder owners in this ridiculas tire size conundrum. How on earth did they arrive at the conclusion that it would be ok to design the car around a solitary manufacturer with exclusive tire sizes?

The DWS was quoted by Discount to me also. Great tire I have them on my wife car but I would make sure on the 50 k warranty that rotation side to side they will give you replacement if you do not make the 50 k. For the money I would hope they do. I have nitto 420 255/55/18 for over two year and still better than 50% tread on the rear with 20K. Good luck.

[SC Cheesehead]

Do not do a oem size front with 255 55 420s rear so much bounce and sway you will have a hart attack every time you switch lanes at 60mph plus

The DWS was quoted by Discount to me also. Great tire I have them on my wife car but I would make sure on the 50 k warranty that rotation side to side they will give you replacement if you do not make the 50 k. For the money I would hope they do. I have nitto 420 255/55/18 for over two year and still better than 50% tread on the rear with 20K. Good luck.

Russ, what size you running on the front, and are they Nitto 420S?