DJrepresent

Hi,


Just passed 60,000 miles on my 09 xB and am overdue for tire replacements. I was using the factory stock ones but I wouldn't mind getting some better quality ones that can fit some nice rims. The thing is that I don't really know what I should get.

So I'd like to know what you recommend as far as brand and size. I'm not looking to spend a whole lot, but would like something reliable and looks semi-decent.

Thx.

GDubya

You first need to decide what size rims you want to run: stock =16", +1 =17", +2 = 18", +3 = 19". Obviously, that'll dictate your tire size.
As far as what what brand and model of tire, that depend on your budget and then the tread life and handling specs.
As to UTQG tread wear ratings:
200 and below would allow to corner at 6 Gs (if you owned a Vet or Porsche) and catch flies in summertime, but you'll get probably <15-20K miles
from 200-350, it'll readily afford "spirited" driving styles but you're probably looking at ~25-40K miles treadlife
400-600 and you're leaning more toward the "respectable/responsible" driver...
Now, while I'm currently running OEM 235/35/19 Toyo Proxes (which are way over-priced), my new set of wheels will sport Continental ExtremeContact DWS 235/45/17, which are a below-the-radar gem at $133/ea (TireRack) with a well thought out sipe pattern for excellent wet and snow handling reviews, and a 500 treadlife rating which I anticipate will still get me 40+K of spirited driving.
Check out the Wheel & Tire sub-forum threads.

aparreira9586

you should get mine:

they are stock tc1 size 215/45/17
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

brand new with tags bought them before i totaled the tc

aparreira9586

http://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/eagle-f1-gs-d3
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Eagle+F1+GS-D3

sjthompson01

I just put some 225 50 16 falcon912's on there awesome way better ride less noise and the price was nice $470 installed at discount tire.

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

Wheels & tires are the single most personal item that get put on a car, especially the xB. I'm happy to help out, but you need to give me a head start because I refuse to pick out wheels for others and then have them wish they got something else later on. It will also give you a really good feeling to know that you looked at the majority of what is out there and picked them yourself.

Personally I feel 18" wheels are perfect for the xB... 17's look a little small, and 19" or greater starts to get heavy (poor gas mileage & acceleration) and ride rough.

You have some decisions to make:

1. Do you want the same size tires & wheels at all 4 corners, or do you want a staggered set-up (rear wheels & tires wider than the front)? This is purely for looks only, and provides no other benefit. Also keep in mind that with a staggered set-up the rear tires & wheels will be more expensive, as well as making it so that you can't rotate to help with tire wear.

2. Do you want spokes, or the mesh look?

3. If you like spokes, do you have a preference for #? (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.)

4. Have you come up with a color preference? (Black, Hyper-Black, Gunmetal, Silver, Hyper-Silver, Gold, Bronze?)

Here are some sites to take a look at. Most of them will allow you to filter by car type & year, as well as wheel size. This will speed the process up. Some even narrow it down to finish, but you may want to hold off on that for now, until you really figure out what you want. Make sure you write down any website & wheels you like the first time through, because you will be ____ed if you have to go back through a second time to find the ones you liked. When you note ones that you like, also write down the price; many wheels are on different sites and this way you will know who sells them the cheapest.

Once you get it narrowed down to what wheels you like, I can help with tire fitment.

The two most popular sites for wheels & tires:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com
http://www.tirerack.com

A bunch of other sources since nobody sells everything:
http://www.1010tires.com
http://www.buywheelstoday.com
http://www.customwheelsdirect.com
http://www.elementwheels.com
http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com
http://www.nlmotoring.com
http://www.performanceplustire.com
http://www.rims-n-tires.com
http://superbuytires.com
http://www.victoriatire.com
http://www.wheelfire.com
http://www.wheelmax.com
http://www.wheelstudio.com

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

On the basis of research, I purchased a set of Exclaim UHP 16" tires for warm weather, but have yet to install them (using my OE's for summer and my General Arctics for winter) -- so they remain in cool storage ! As per Cionide, choose the rim size that makes best sense to you and then select the tire.

sjthompson01

Yay someone else who got 16's hey ride so nice on the box if I Had money to burn I would maybe get some 17's but only maybe.

DJrepresent

OK to answer your questions, I always drive very carefully and never go "joy riding" so I would be looking for tires that last and that I can rotate when the time comes. I asked about wheel size since I heard that the larger the wheel size the higher the maintenance / replacements costs and you'll end up needing replacements more frequently, but it sounds like 18" is the sweet spot.

I don't really need exotic wheels but rather something that just looks stylish.

Can you recommend a set based on this new information?


Thx.

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

I repeat:
Seriously though, just take some time to look through the sites I posted, even just a few of them, to get an idea what appeals to YOU. Anybody can tell you what they like, but you're the one that will be paying for them, and living with them.

DJrepresent

OK I'll do that

My apologies for not doing that, I thought that recommending tires would be relatively simple. I guess it's not. The only issue I thought would be relevant is that I'm not familiar with all the specifications of each tire, and if I could give a more specific description of what I'm looking for, then I could get a specific recommendation that will work.

Thanks.

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

Tire size will depend on the wheels you get; diameter, wheel width, and offset all contribute to which tire size will be most appropriate and/or fit without rubbing or needing to roll the fenders. If you go with the same size wheel at all 4 corners (non-staggered) then you will need to decide if you want directional tires which are usually more performance oriented, or non-directional all-season tires that can be fully rotated but are usually less performance oriented.

sp2

60k on stocks tires
dang i killed mine in 12K

Roller_Toaster

iTrader: (1)

Kumho ecsta 4x are around $400 (that was for a set of 17's, 16 will be cheaper), AND come with a $50 visa card.

Tires are amazing in the wet and dry, as well as snow.

Also, my old konigs are for sale ($200)!

DJrepresent

OK here's a quote I got on tires:

225/40/18, $105 per tire.
45,000-mile warranty.
Free rotation and repairs at the body shop selling them.
(Didn't get the name of the brand but if they come with a 45k warranty I'm assuming they should be at least that good).


Does the price seem right?

Goodtimes197750

The width will fit comfortably on a rim up to 8.5 inches wide. The 40 series tire will be a stiffer ride compared to your stocks, do you still have stock suspension? If you do you will have a fair gap between the top of your tire and your fender. And 45k miles will also be determined by your alignment, the further from stock the shorter the life span. Oh make sure you get an 18 inch rim.... When it comes to back spacing the lower the number the further out the rim will stick your car came with a 45mm backspace on a 7" rim (I believe) I for example run a 215/35zr/19 on a 19x8.5 rim with 33mm backspace and it looks like this

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

Offset and backspacing are not the same thing.
The 45mm and 33mm numbers you refer to above are offset, not backspacing.
The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel (measured in millimeters).
Backspacing is the distance from the hub mounting surface to the inside lip of the wheel (measured in inches).

The OEM steelies are 16x6.5" (not 7") with +45mm offset.

Not trying to flame you, just wanted to correct the misinformation before it spreads.

xseveredveganx

Who made you an expert in xB2 wheel fitment!?


Thought so.

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

There, fixed it for ya.

DJrepresent

I think it should ending up costing me just shy of $1,000 for new 18's all around. Kind of on the fence since:

1. I wont realize any money back on them when I sell my car.
2. New tires with the stock rims will cost about $600 less.
3. I don't feel that confident putting money into a car that I both like and dislike.
4. Bigger chance that my car will get broken into again.

What to do, what to do...
=)