FYI: I've used TireRack.com a few times, I've been happy with them but I had noticed they were lacking in brand selection. I came across another site with some of the lower priced brands, same deal as TireRack.com, just purchase them and they are shipped to your installer. (Firestone by the Madison Sq mall for me)

http://www.tires-easy.com/start.html

I haven't used them yet, but I will before long.

Question about the off brands, has anyone used them? What kind of mileage did you get? Were they noisy? Any problems? Wet/Dry grip? Looking for the best mileage out of a tire I can get that doesn't have any problems. I'm not looking for the stickiest tire, etc. I figure I should therefore stay away from ZR ratings, and look to H speed ratings.

Also, I'm considering 255/45/17 instead of 245's, just to fill the fenders out a little without adding too much more cost, etc. Slightly taller too, the speed bumps in the parking lot at work are terrible, something scraps, I have to hit them at just the right speed to avoid scrapping.

If I go back to 245's there are more choices, Runway, Nexen, LingLong, DiamondBack, NanKang, Sunny, Blue Streak, Maxxis, Wanli, Riken, Nitto. Most of these I haven't heard of before. I'm guessing a lot of these are made on the same assembly line in Korea or China and just have different names stamped on them.

The Sonar's sound pretty good for the price. I had some Hankook Ventus on the 86 GT when I bought it, they seemed pretty good. I have Sumitomo's on the 928, haven't driven it enough to say anything about them. The Cobra currently has the Copper Lifeliners on them. They were fine, I would have liked more miles out of them.

The choice in 255's is below. Anyone know what the TW means on some of these?

Sonar
Summer tires NS-1
255/45 R17 98H $ 54.00

Nankang
Summer tires NS-1
255/45 R17 98H BSW, TW $ 66.20

Kumho
Summer tires ECSTA 711
255/45 R17 98H BSW $ 67.70

Sumitomo
Summer tires HTRZ
255/45 ZR17 98W $ 69.10

Hankook
All season tires VENTUS H405 HR II
255/45 R17 98H , VSB $ 85.70

Sumitomo
Summer tires HTRZ II
255/45 ZR17 98W $ 95.20

Falken
Summer tires Ziex ZE 512
255/45 ZR17 102Y RF LRB, BLK $ 98.50

Republic
All season tires Ultra HPR Radial G/T
255/45 R17 98H SBL $ 102.30

Hankook
Summer tires VENTUS SPORT K104
255/45 ZR17 102Y XL 4PR with rim protection $ 106.40

Kumho
All season tires ECSTA ASX KU-21
255/45 ZR17 98W BSW $ 108.00

 

I had those same Falken tires on my 03 GT when I had it. I was pleased with them. I wouldn't expect more the 30,000 miles with any performance tire.

 

5 years ago I had a Mercedes CLK 320 convertible and bought a new set of wheels/tires. The tires were Nankang, and I was happy with them for the money. No road noise, and the grip was fine--although I never drove that car very aggressively. I only put about 5k miles on the car before I sold it, so I can't really comment on the wear.