In need of new tires

[m34vert]

I opted for the Toyo Open Country H/T's after a long conversation with the tire shop. I was hesitant as when you look at their website they appear to market to light trucks versus more sporty SUV/CUV's.

While the ride comfort is vastly improved especially on the torn up streets of New Hampshire and Mass with this crazy winter, I feel it lost too much of it's high speed handling characteristics. Long swooping on-ramps that the Michelins handled in the 60-70mph range are not as tight with the new tires. Could be they need some more miles though.

If you're looking for smooth, near silent ride and are willing to give up some cornering characteristics, these are definitely the tires for you. I still have a few weeks to decide as I can swap them within 30 days where they were purchased. Will update in a few weeks.

As a side note, they were pretty good in snow as well. Much better braking and turning abilities than the Michelin run flats ever had, no surprises there though!

[m34vert]

Update:

I've had the tires almost 2 years now, about 30k. They've been fantastic, once the first 500/1000 miles were gone they tightened up not a greasy. They're still a little soft on hard corners but very predictable and very stable. Tread wear has been outstanding, 10/32's left would say 80k wouldn't be all that difficult although with snow i don't think I'd push it.

Handles the rain very well, only in the deepest of puddles as speeds that are unreasonable for the conditions does it hydroplane. As for snow they're decent tires at slower speeds < than 30mph. Once over that speed you're rolling the dice some as they have a tendency to ride on top of the snow and slush versus cutting through it. I'd say that's more a trait of such a wide tire.

These tires worked very well on my X5, they were eaten alive by my wife's Toyota and only lasted 31k. Once past the 5/32 mark they get unbearably loud, then again her SUV is loud to begin with.

My driving style is mostly highway very spirited, I have been known to test the limits of this car especially on cloverleafs!

[ard]

Originally Posted by m34vert

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These tires worked very well on my X5, they were eaten alive by my wife's Toyota and only lasted 31k.

Same alignment numbers each vehicle? Or just whatever happened to be?

[m34vert]

Crappy Toyota design?? FWD?? They're all known to eat tires even the AWD versions. The good part though I received 40% back seeing as they didn't make the 60k warranty.

Both cars have the tires rotated every 7500 miles with an alignment every spring (~15k) after the roads settle down from the frost heaves. Neither one is ever out of alignment as the adjustment have all been within specs. They're two main differences; the type of driving. I'm 80% highway, the van is ~30% highway, and the van is my wife's car, and that's all I'll say! For a while I thought it might be the van weighs too much however, my X weighs 10% more so that discredits that idea.

Overall I very much so like the tires on my X. They're smooth, very quiet, and you can get into them hard and they're very predictable.

[ard]

Alignment isnt binary. There are 'optimal alignments for best tire wear and handling' and "its within spec"..two different things. IMO. Of course vehicle weight, tire size, suspension dynamics and inflation pressure also impact life.

Its why I chuckle when people talk about tire life and one brand or another...or "run flat" like it is a specific tire....

[m34vert]

I agree to a point although, for most drivers alignment to factory specs should provide you a decent experience with tires. They should achieve their mileage rating with somewhat vanilla handling specifications. Most people don't hand their tire guy detailed specs as to what you want outside factory specs. That said there are factory duds for specs as in the case of my e36, factory alignment gets you neither handling nor longevity...I chuckle at the last one I'm not sure that's achievable when my size 14 is on the throttle regardless of specs!

When *I* think about most new BMW cars, they're leased cars with factory maintenance which includes rotating tires? & air pressure checks at set intervals. I don't know about alignments though. (wouldn't know I only take other peoples bmw discards). The point being all things being equal, tire longevity on the same car with factory specs, similar treatment are fairly accurate. My run-flats lasted 35k and were toast, therefore my Toyo's will last considerably longer seeing as they're at 10/32 with 31k on them. Same driving, same maintenance cycles.

To your point though between different cars yes there are many more factors that go into it. A basic understanding that air pressure, rotation, and alignment are the key factors that a driver can address, those areas are critical to preventing premature wear. Some tires work with some cars, others they don't. In the case of what I saw I'd agree. Great tires for the X5, questionable for a Toyota.

[pnoyako85]

Bump

[Alan Smithee]

I see this thread has come back...

Still very happy with the Toyo Proxes 35k miles later. They continue to handle well, ride well, and are quiet. Rears look like they will last forever. The fronts are starting to show a bit of wear on the outer edges, but that is likely due to my driving and no fault of the tire. Great tire in this application, regardless of price.