[Steel6S]

Hey all,

I am looking to get new tires within the next few days. I will be getting all seasons and I live in Michigan, so I have a decent amount of snow to contend with. That being said, I never really had any problems with the stockies in the snow (drove for one full winter)

I have been thinking of the Avon 550s or maybe Toyo Proxes4. Does anyone have any advice on either of these? Any others that I should take a look at?

I am looking for ride comfort, low noise, have to last at least 40K miles...

Help!

 

[Tire Guy]

Considering the features and benefits you are looking for, I would recommend the Toyo Proxes TPT over the Proxes4. The TPT will have superior snow performance, a smoother ride and longer treadlife. The Proxes4 is good for about 30-35,000 miles on average, but the TPT comes with a 65,000 mile treadlife warranty. The TPT is a little more expensive, but I think it fits the bill better than the Proxes4 considering what you want from a tire.

 

[Spidy]

Ha, I'm in exactly the same boat as you are... and with exact same requirements.

I've been having one hellava time deciding...

In terms of best bang for the buck I've narrowed it down to :

Avon M550 AS
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...Tech+M550+A%2FS

Or

Kumho ECSTA ASX
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...Model=ECSTA+ASX

I'm kinda leaning towards the Kumho... its dirt cheap and gets very decent reviews, supposedly the best bang for the buck. It could be the most underrated tired. It also has a 420 tread wear rating versus the 360 of the Avon.

You can read more reviews here:
http://www.tiretrends.com/catalog2.php3?tireID=409

On the opposite end of the scale if money if money was no issue, I'd be looking at these:

Bridgestone G009
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...ot+Exalto+A%2FS

Micheline Pilot Exalto AS
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...l=Potenza+G+009

Bridgestone Turanza LS-V
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...el=Turanza+LS-V

I've also considered the ToyoProxes 4 and TPT but apparently the Proxes aren't that great in snow and the TPT looks like it has a harder ride... well from the reviews I've read anyways.

I keep on flipping back and forth and just can't decide. Right now I'm leaning towards going dirt cheap but possibly a sleeper in the Kumho's... but then sometimes I think I should pay more and get a 'supposedly' better tire in the Bridgestones/Michelins/Toyos..

Let me know what you decide...

 

[Steel6S]

Thank you for the replies guys. I will let you know what I decide, I should have the tires by week's end (hopefully)

 

[ashutoshsm]

Spidy, Toyos are cheap too. At least the All Seasons are! Should be in the same range as the other inexpensive tires you're considering. Otherwise someone is trying to rip you off!

And Toyoguy, I thought the TPTs were slowly being discontinued & deprecated. Was that only the FZ4s? I might be in the same boat soon, if I sell my 16s and keep only my 17s with a good All Season, but the Proxes 4 would be better for my needs

 

[dsulli37]

What size are you looking at? I'm in Ann Arbor.

http://www.goodyeartires.com/cfmx/web/gyea...m?PRODLINE=1349

I like those.

 

[Tire Guy]

Spidy, Toyos are cheap too. At least the All Seasons are! Should be in the same range as the other inexpensive tires you're considering. Otherwise someone is trying to rip you off!

And Toyoguy, I thought the TPTs were slowly being discontinued & deprecated. Was that only the FZ4s? I might be in the same boat soon, if I sell my 16s and keep only my 17s with a good All Season, but the Proxes 4 would be better for my needs
[/b]

*winces* I wouldn't use the word "cheap." I would say not expensive! :nana:
Cheap to me implies poor quality. Toyos are top quality, without the premium price. But the TPT tends to be a little more expensive than the Proxes4 when offered in the same size.

And, no, the TPTs are not being discontinued, nor is the FZ4. When we introduced the Proxes4, the FZ4 was cut down to 10 "tuner" sizes and pricing was adjusted to more effectively compete with lower-price brands like Kumho and Falken.

 

[sl1200]

I'm probably going to go with the Avon 550's when I replace my tires (next month)

 

[6 Pack]

I strongly recommend these BIG Time !
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=779332
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=786531

 

[ashutoshsm]

I strongly recommend these BIG Time !
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=779332
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=786531
[/b]

Normally I'd pooh-pooh at someone suggesting Nokian winter tires to a thread asking for All_Seasons, but these sound like they'd be ideal for a place like Michigan. Long as the non-winter compromise (there HAS to be SOME!) isn't too high, relative to (less winter-specific) All Seasons, of course!

Not that ANY All-Seasons lack compromise (they should rechristen them All Compromise), but still ... barring a separate summer/winter tire set solution ...

 

[Spidy]

Found a review on those Nokian's
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/nokian.htm

Summary: Great winter tire, not so good on dry traction.

 

[ninecoronas]

I have the pirelli pzero nero m&s all seasons. They're classified as "ultra high performance all season" but I still have to discover how they stand up. Just my two cents. I'm sure there are better ones out there.