Almost time for new tires for the GXP.

[robo63]

for what its worth i replaced the Goodyear RSAs with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus, have gotten about 20k miles on them and they appear maybe half wore but the performance, handling in wet or dry is much superior to the RSAs, no not cheap but reasonable and they are Michelins, i like the tread design and looks as well, unless i get turned on to something better i will probably go with another set, jmtc, robb in va

[donky4444]

Well the BF Goodrich are the winners. $650 mounted and balanced and then I get a $60 rebate. I feel that is a pretty good deal for them.

[00Beast]

Which model did you go with?

[donky4444]

G Force KDWS

[Bigerik]

G Force KDWS

Good call. Nice tires!

[CMNTMXR57]

I guess it depends on the car they're on. BFG G-Force KDWS's are an average tire at best. The GTO came with them stock from the factory. Needless to say, they're sitting in storage, still mounted on teh OEM 17's in favor of the rubber I have on the car now.

They wore quickly, didn't handle transistion well, and would protest under hard cornering, actually rolling over the sidewalls, and screeching in protest when driven aggressively.

But once again, two different cars, two different platforms, two different driving dynamics. I'd wager most here (Myself included), don't take their GXP's, into a flat, 60 - 75* curved sweeper at 100+ like I do frequently in the GTO, so...

[05gxp]

Not sure I follow your comment. The price of the Conti's isn't bad, especially compared to the GY RS/A.

Sorry, didn't notice your reply sooner.

When discussing pricing I wasn't considering the RS/A's at any cost. I do not stock or sell Goodyear products so it isn't even on my radar.

Furthermore, I am a wholesaler so I am not familiar with retail pricing. I base my comments on distributor prices (actually my cost direct from the tire mfg).

Given the cost per mile (in my opinion) of the Conti product I can take others from inventory which cost me much less and will deliver as good as or perhaps even better performance (ride, mileage, comfort, grip etc...) for less money.

And the BFG KDWS is not an option even though I have them in stock. That is probably one of the most over rated tires I carry. Never on my car!

[Bigerik]

Took a quick look at the reviews for the KDWS before I bought them, on Tire Rack. Their performance seems to be very application specific. Seemed that all of the (VERY) positive comments came from people with GM Front Drives. THe guys with the Marauder's, etc. Seemed to hate them.

[CMNTMXR57]

Yup,same thing I noticed when I looked at a review of them awhile back and my sentiments are pretty much the same on my RWD car. Although, one thing on the Maurader's that may also play a factor is that the tires are staggered in size. Obviously being bigger out back.

A friend had one and hated when he had to put new tires on it because of cost due to the odd size in general and that each axle were different sizes

[GXPete]

That's what I hated about the GP GXP. I was lucky when I turned it in (lease) cuz it was about 2 miles from needing tires.

[BlownNitroPontiac]

And the BFG KDWS is not an option even though I have them in stock. That is probably one of the most over rated tires I carry. Never on my car!

My 2005 GXP will be needing tires soon, too.

So, what do you recommend for an all-season tire?

Thanks!

[00Beast]

So far the Kumho Ecsta ASX 235/50R18's have been great on Dad's GXP.

[CMNTMXR57]

There have already been a number of tires mentioned in this thread.

[GXPete]

I'm still planning on trying the aforementioned Conti's.

Edit: Dang it! The price of them has jumped $10/tire since this thread started.

[BlownNitroPontiac]

There have already been a number of tires mentioned in this thread.

I understand that.

GXPete, as a wholesaler, however, mentioned that he had other choices. At the time of my posting, he hadn't mentioned any of them.

[GXPete]

I'm not a wholesaler. I think you have me confused with 05gxp.

[BlownNitroPontiac]

"Doh!"

Well, he didn't answer, so....



That PSI do you guys run in your tires?

[GXPete]

I run whatever is the recommended pressure; 35 with my current GY RS-A tires I believe.

[05gxp]

Sorry... I don't log in much lately.

As mentioned in a previous thread I currently have the Nitto Invo's on my GXP and they have about 33K on them and will probably get another 5k.

They handle great, are awesome in the rain and the ride quality is very smooth & quiet. Because they are a UHP (ultra high performance) tire they do have a full nylon overcap ply which does cause a bit of "thumping" for the first few miles after sitting for extended periods of time when it is cold outside. Most people will never notice this.

The only downside, if you can call it that, is they are not made in 235/50R18 so I installed 245's.

The 245's will rub slightly on the rearward most portion of the inner fender panel when turned to full lock with the suspension compressed (pulling into a driveway etc...).

I will be changing these out probably by the end of August at the latest and will probably go with one of the following:

In 245/50R18:

The aforementioned Nitto. It is a great tire and nearly 40K is exceptional mileage considering where and how I drive.

Yokohama Advan S4. Has a 400AA a UTQG rating and is all season.

In the OEM size (235/50R18) the choices are greater.

Sumitomo HTRZ III they are a great tire and although not marked M&S they are great in the rain and the mileage we are seeing is quite acceptable.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S +... we bought several hundred of these on a deal.

Yokohama Envigor... new offering with a 560AA a rating and all season. It is a toss up between this and just put another set of Nitto's on it again.

$300 for the RS/A is beyond absurd!

While our size tire is not "popular" there are many choices. The correct choice for one person may not be the right one for another. With the exception of the one Michelin mentioned above I wouldn't buy them. They are too *dang* expensive compared to what else is available and frankly after selling Michelin products for nearly 25 years they are overrated. Do they ride good? sure they do but not good enough to justify the added cost.

Most ride issues today are not related to the tire but rather to the balancing of said tire. I can go to 100 different shops within a 300 mile radius and be lucky to find 10 that have somebody that knows how to correctly balance a tire... and don't get me started on alignment "techs".

I run 35 psi in the Nitto's and I rotate them at no more than 7K intervals. My car has 68K on it.... has never been aligned since new and the tires wear fine.

[CMNTMXR57]

Agreed about the Michelin's. I just bought them (Hydroedge's) for our van. They do rate well, but are grossly overpriced. If it weren't for the two mail in rebates totaling $130 and the company discount I got, I wouldn't have purchased them.