I have an '03 with 17 X 7 rims that have 225/45/R17 tires. I am preparing to buy 4 new spring/summer/fall tires. I have snows on separate rims for the nasty months.

I want high performance QUIET tires for the other times with good./superior rain performance. What should I get?

 

Read about these:-
http://www.blackcircles.com/informat...uctid=11180897
Heard very good 1st hand reports about them.

 

Car and Driver just did a tire comparo in last month's issue. The Hankook Ventus I have on my 02 finished second - have excellent grip in the wet. I got mine at Pep Boys during a buy 3 get one free deal.

here's the link: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

 

I went with the Khumo Ecsta ASX from Tire Rack so I could extend my "non-winter" season before putting the winters on. Stiff side wall so they can take the corners. My only minor complaint is they are a bit bumpy when you first start out until they warm up. After that, way quieter than the previous Michelin PS2 Sports. Go to their site and check out the latest survey results and that may help you decide when it comes to price vs. performance, etc.

 

I just replaced the tires on my '02 X after a long summer road trip. I had Bridgestone Potenza RE960A/S Pole Position with UNI-T and loved them so I put a new set of those on, paid around $110 per tire. Came with 40,000 mile limited warranty. Check 'em out.

 

Aside from quality problems, the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (94XL)'s foot the bill. But I forewarn: I've had 2 sidewall bubbles on Goodyear tires in my 6 years of Jag driving, so I do consider them a risk from that view. But these are quiet, grip like glue in the rain, and if you're running Summer / Winter tire swaps, they are the perfect high performance tire match for your needs. And they are incredibly quiet (and not just because I can't get them to squeal).

Avoid anything Pirelli -- winter or summer (or all season) tires.

--Geoff // Ottawa Canada
03 X-Type 2.5 Sport 149k km
06 S-Type R 49k mi

 

Here's an older comparison test that oddly enough doesn't have the PS2's as benchmark:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

 

I bought Kumho Solus tires about three moths ago and am happy with them. There were cheap (about $80 each), have a good warranty, quiet ride and some pretty good write-ups about their quality.