Tire choice assistance requested
My Fiat Spider is in need of new tires. Choices to be made. I'm not going to be racing it and live in a rural area with hills, curves and critters to avoid when possible (i.e. good braking, no swerving). Here is the closest dealer that I utilize for tires. What would you guys recommend. Also, please note the amount is not the issue, quality and performance are my concern.
Shop - Raben Tires and Service
Rugged tread design###SPLIT###For excellent on- and off-road traction.###SEPERATOR###Tough, high-tear compound in the tread###SPLIT###Helps resist chips and chunks.###SEPERATOR###A special mixed service undertread layer###SPLIT###Offers enhanced casing toughness for hardworking applications.###SEPERATOR###Cool-running base compound###SPLIT###Helps provide long tread life and lower rolling resistance making it GHG compliant.
-
that link just takes me to there home page. What size tires? I know i will be vilified, BUT walmart has the best prices for around here. Michelin is a really great tire! I have good success with Hankook too! But all my tires are "truck" tires, so they have a more aggressive tread. Hankook Dynapro ATM are really good, and cheaper. Walmart is the only retalier around here that actually knows how to TORQUE a lug nut. 5 diff "tire" stores have stripped/broken lugs on my family and friends vehicles. New torque guns really mess up a lug!
0 -
Michelin wears so good, I used to run Coopers with good service. Your vehicle I would think will require a size not all manufacturers have. Even though Generals are built within 20 miles of me I took a set of my Corvette because they seem to be a very hard tire. Not recommend Generals. ymmv.
0 -
I get great deals on Michelin tires at our local Sam's Club. The salesman and the hard working installing crew have been great to deal with as well. Susie, if you do not have to worry about snow, ice, and the conditions I live in, any quality tire brand will suffice. JMHO
3 -
I have seen Firestone tires exceed the quality of Michelin lately. That measurement is in roundness and in total weight needed to balance.
0 -
Tire size is 205/45R17 and store is located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri if it doesn't take you to the correct store. I WILL NOT shop Wal-Mart. Again, price isn't the guiding factor. Car is a 2017 Fiat Spider Abarth.
0 -
I put Michelin Defenders on my Toyota Highlander. After 10,000 miles they had worn 3/64" when I had them rotated the second time. The tire manager didn't believe what his tech had written down and re-measured them. Same wear reading. He just shook his head and said, "I knew these were good tires but not THAT good."
They also give excellent traction and turning and are quieter than the OEMs that were on it when I bought it. They run just over $200 a tire.
0 -
We get a fair amount of rain, snow can pop up when least expected. Temps in the winter can get down in the teens quickly and summer temps can hit 105 on occasion. Black ice is also a consideration due to the amount of small creeks with bridges I cross on a regular basis. Traction and control are my needs. Sitting six inches off the ground I'm not expecting a quiet ride, lol. I live in the extremes. I ride on 20's when in the 2500 HD and have to have the nerf bar to get inside.
0 -
Michelin will provide the best traction and WILL provide the quietest ride, and longevity.
0 -
I agree with Rocky on the Michelin Defenders. I drove for a living for 38 years. Now I train drivers and do my own maintenance on commercial buses.
0 -
If they have the size you need Michelin is my top choice, just remember size is one thing but the overall performance and longevity is still #1 in quality of tire chosen. All manufacturers have tires of differing build qualities and performance available, the best tires in your size range are not too costly for what you get. Get the best and you'll never be sorry.
0 -
I put the FIRESTONE Weathergrip tires on my KIA soul replacing the junk KUHMO's that came from the factory. They have Superb wet road traction, excellent service on dirt roads, smooth quiet ride and very good in light snow conditions.
0 -
I notice no one mentioned Goodyears so I wont either.
3 -
Michelins are made in here SC.Thank you for your business.
3 -
Just checked their website and Uniroyal makes their Tiger Paw A/S in your size. I've been sold on Tiger Paws for years on passenger car tires. Good all around traction. Good ride when properly inflated. Fairly quiet and wear like iron.
3 -
Another vote for Michelin.
0 -
I have found that tirerack.com has a lot of great information about evaluating tires, comparisons, ratings, etc. They also tend to have some of the best prices.
3 -
I am an advocate of using the make & model of tire the car came with. Just going by the maker's name doesn't tell you much as they all produce many types of tires. You have an Italian sports car and should research which tire best complements its performance. I would not consider tire wear in this equation. Years ago I owned an Alfa roadster and the Pirelli P3 tires were grippy and fabulous, even in winter (Minnesota).
6 -
I try to stick with the tires my vehicles come with as original equipment. That's what they were designed for (really! Remember the Ford Exploder issue?)
0 -
You can bet that new cars come with whatever they got the best deal on at the time. Same models come with several different tire brands and the dealers have no say in what will come. Also every tire company has different quality within their lines of tires. You have to be pretty specific as to the particular model you are bragging about
0 -
susie: 31514668529819/comments/31514606324379
We get a fair amount of rain, snow can pop up when least expected. Temps in the winter can get down in the teens quickly and summer temps can hit 105 on occasion. Black ice is also a consideration due to the amount of small creeks with bridges I cross on a regular basis. Traction and control are my needs. Sitting six inches off the ground I'm not expecting a quiet ride, lol. I live in the extremes. I ride on 20's when in the 2500 HD and have to have the nerf bar to get inside.
Sumatomo Ice Edge
I have a few mini coopers that run that size of tires. I have Pirelli on one, and love them. This is the desert so I don't care about snow etc. Amazing tires.
But one of my Coopers will be for Baja, but still needs to handle well. The Sumatomo Ice Edge has a nice tread design and all the user ratings are fabulous.
You can order them up and have them delivered to your tire shop if they can't get em. Not the cheapest, but not going to break the bank either.
Continental makes a real good all weather tire, but they are too rich for my blood.
If you are thinking about michelin, take a look at the Uniroyals. Same factory I think. I have Uniroyals on my van and nissan. The Uniroyals seem to have a better sidewall than most tire makes out there. And they grip well.
0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
20 comments