Can't decide on summer tires

[Newf]

I have winters on winter rims, so my summers do not need to be good in snow.

I do not autox or drive hard, mostly in town use.

I want a tire that's quieter then the stockers ( even my winter dunlops are quieter)

Decent treadware required.

Still want responsive handling though, but not rougher ride then stock bridgestones.

Down to

Kumho Ecsta SPT (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+SPT&partnum=145YR8KU31&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=10&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minSpeedRating=V)

Dunlop SP Sport 5000 M (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+Sport+5000+M&partnum=145VR85000M&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=12&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minSpeedRating=V)

My Mazda rep says a lot of dealers are sticking the sp 5000's on the ms6's. It is a all season tire though and I in the past have hated all season tires. Difference between the two is like 10 bucks/tire so whooppie.

Any experience driving on these?

[Newf]

Pirelli PZero Nero M&S (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Nero+M%26S&partnum=145WR80NMSXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=2&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=(Y)&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=(Y))

those too

and how important is the weight rating?

Stock tires are rated ~1400lbs

the kumho/dunlop, high 1200's, pirelli is also 1400 ish

[bova80]

If you are looking for a summer tire why even look at all seasons? you are going to lose handling, probably not much but they won't be as good as high perf summers

[koes]

Newf,
I think load index is more important than speed index, so I would rather go with lower speed index than load index. Check the max gross weight of your car, especially max allowed weight on front axle - sticker on driver's door frame. If you go with 89 load index - there will be ~20 spare lbs left for each front wheel. I analyzed that and as far as I remember the minimum I would go with is 91. Just do the math. Did you consider Toyo Proxes T1R? They are 215/45/18 93Y (just like stock) and treadwear index is 280. If I don't get all-seasons for my car, I'm going to buy Toyo's.

[Newf]

Not willing to spend a boat load on Toyo's. Just a cheap tire to do the job. It's a leased car, and I "might" have it for 2 summers more. Just thinking ahead, and I don't want to buy another set of tires if I trade or return lease. So these I buy now will be the last for this car.

Handling is good in my car even with Winters on. Good enough for me anyways. I don't need to take turns at 140mph anymore...getting older I guess.

Noise, comfort, and tread wear is important

[koes]

So maybe go with Pirelli's PZero Nero M+S? They are pretty cheap. Have you checked this site: www.treadepot.com ?

[Newf]

never heard of them, but I'll check it.thanks

[Newf]

I'm trying to decide between the kumho's, and Pirelli's. The load rating is what scares me on the kumho's, the fact that the Pirelli's are all seasons kind of scares me too. I do want a longer lasting tire this time and I'll give up a bit of performance for it. The stocker Bridgestone are just beyond overkill for me and driving like I do which is 90 % around town to and from work.

Tire racks opinions are not really helping as they are mixed on both. Why can't their be a sexy tire, 320+ Tread rating, quiet and smooth, and summer perforance...not high performance, just summer, and of course the right size

[koes]

Not too many to chose from in 215/45/18 with load index >=93.I found Potenzas 050A (OEM) - treadwear 140, Pirelli PZero Nero M+S treadwear 400, all-seasons, Toyo Proxes T1R treadwear 280, Pirelli PZero Rosso treadwear 220, Pirelli PZero Direzionale treadwear 140. I just changed this morning for Toyo Proxes T1R - in my opinion it is the best choice for summer, if you want to stick with OEM size. So far, I'm happy, but it is just 30 miles driven.

[bova80]

go with 225/45/18 you will widen your selection and find better tires.

[Newf]

i got the pirelli's.

something to note, the pirelli's do not have a flat sidewall..major bummer