Strong tyre and good on wet surfaces
 

I know there are a lot of threads about tyres, but each one talked about one make...

In my case, I want to get myself a new set of tyres (255/55/18) but don't know what tyre to chose. I care about 2 things:

1- strong reinforced side walls: our roads here are full of pits and bumps, so i want it to resist the surprises. the current Falken ziex s tz04 got a bulge because of a pit... so soft...

2- Great on wet surfaces: I just have a wet pavement phobia... I want to get the best tyre on wet surfaces (i had 2 accidents in 15 years of driving, both skidding on water)

Any recommendations? oh, and yes, don't want to pay much... i think micheline for example is out of question

Thanks

check tire racks recommendations on tires

personally, for a stronger A/S tire with good wet stopping ability, check the HTS. Had them on my Grand Cherokee Hemi, and was a world of difference, especially in the wet.

Sooner or Later You'll Own Generals - Maybe Now is the Time

in comparison to latitude tour HP (using Pirelli as control tire)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=77

Here is a link from TireRack, showing all their available tires in your size;
the prices range from big bucks to reasonable...I doubt you have a TR
store in your neighborhood, but you might scroll through the brands shown,
find some in your budget and dig into the ratings/reviews for each tire:
they list those "ratings", (from buyers' posted opins), in a numerical
rating for wet handling, mileage, etc.

It may help you narrow it down to a few brands that you may be able to obtain
in your area.

Any of us posting will simply have an anecdotal opin, but the TR site shows
a larger population of respondents and thus, might be more helpful in your hunt
for better "wet", "stiffer sidewalls", etc., features that you feel you need.
GL,mD

Tire Rack Link:
Sorry, here's the link with all tires they have, that fit your car:
Tire Search Results

Thank you guys for taking the time to provide me with your elaborate advice! I can't stop being impressed by the nice people of this site (except few ones :))

no problem. also note that dependent on size, tire lines can perform differently.

the reason I sent you the test links is because your exact size was tested.

good luck with your decision.

Also don't forget to check on the Yokohama tyre range, take a look at their recommended 4 wheel drive tyre - Advan St's: Yokohama / OUR TYRES / ADVAN ST

I bought a full set about a year ago. They are wearing well, handle great on wet and dry surfaces, are nice and quiet and not as dear as Michelins, Perelli's etc.

Don't forget to have a full wheel alignment done when you pull the trigger. Below is a copy of my Wheel Alignment Data Printout - before and after aligning. GL :thumbup:

I can highly recommend the General Altimax HP. I have them in stock 235/65/17 size and they are amazing on wet roads. I recently went from Northeastern Pennsylvania in the states up to Toronto Canada. Out of an 8 hour drive, 4 hours was hard rain on and off. It feels like you're still on dry ground even at 70MPH. Superior wet handling performance at all speeds. General Tire * Home

Seems we don't have General tyres here...

after asking around about what tires are proving to be efficient on our roads and seeing the prices, i narrowed it down to one of the two options:

1- BF Goodrich Macadam. Made in France. The euro guys must know about it... seems of good quality (Sticky rubber if you rub it with your fingers) and a "serious" pattern that seems good in evacuating water for hydroplaning resistance... XL rated, but 109H not 109V

2- Nitto 420s. Great pattern, so stylish, artistic and agressive... it's XL rated as well, and 109V (so handles more speed, so must have a better structure?). I just don't know how good it is in evacuating water with only one groove on the side... the reviews say that it resists hydroplaning and good wet traction... the thing is that I have a sixth sense that more attention was put on the aesthetics...

My heart goes to Nitto, my brain to Macadam... I'll ponder a little more about the topic... any information about those 2 tyres is appreciated :)

Cheers

sorry, sounds like those lines may not be familiar in the NAFTA region.

Michelin and Continental should be popular there. I think there is the Latitude Sport (replacement of Diamaris) available. Other option is the ContiCrossContact UHP, which should be cheaper. Both are on the higher end of technology.

perhaps others have experience with the tires you are looking into.

Besides the bulge, if you have been overall happy with the Falkens, give the STZ01's a try. I had 3 or 4 sets of those on an F150 Supercrew and absolutely loved them!! Great traction wet and dry, very quiet, and averaged 45K miles per set. The STZ04's are the luxury sport tires, so they are designed to be softer than the STZ01's. Although I must say I never felt like the 01's were harsh. If they made the sizes I need for my staggered setup, I would already have a set of 01's on my X.