[DanB.]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and decided to replace the runflats on my Q50 AWD w/17" wheels. I live in southeast PA and did OK with All Seasons... until this winter. I'm now open to a Summer and Winter setup if it provides significant improvement in winter traction while maintaining good handling and comfort. I could use your help with some ideas.

For the All Season Setup option, I've looked at Michelin Primacy MXM4 and Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus. I've also looked at Nitto Motivo 225-55-ZR17 XL 101W tires, but I can't tell if they will fit on my Q50 17" wheels. The price also seems almost too good to be true compared to the other two options ($470 vs. $630-$750). For a Summer / Winter Setup, I looked at a Michelin Primacy 3 or MXM4 for use in warm weather and Michelin xi-3 ice for below freezing weather.

FYI, I have Continental Extreme Contact DWS with 10,000 miles on my current, soon to be former, 2012 Buick Regal GS. They handle very well dry and wet, "ok" in light snow, but have a VERY harsh ride. You can feel every seam and crack in the road and driving for more than 30 minutes at a time is miserable (These were $800+ tires, so I don't want something like this to happen to me again).

I'd appreciate your assistance and please let me know if there are other options that I haven't considered.

Thanks in Advance to the Q50 Community,
DanB.

 

[cvipgo]

Michelin Primacy MXM4 are good for Q50.

 

[theNewQ]

Yokohama Avid Envigor is a great tire for the price.

 

[Klamalama]

I too have been looking ahead to the eventual replacement of the crap run flats. So far, the Pirellis look the best, to me.

I've been doing the research at Tire Rack, but notice that their size database has some quirks. I'm looking for an all-season, low rolling resistance, and slightly larger diameter (to correct the 2 mph speedometer error).

 

[selzini]

Yokohama Avid Envigor is a great tire for the price.

Totally agree. They were on my G that I traded in, and had the dealer swap them out with my Q. They only had 11,000 miles on them at the time, so it was almost like putting new tires on the Q.

 

[patrickc04]

A friend of mine recently got the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus on his Lexus and he likes them a lot, very smooth and quiet with great all-season traction while still retaining nimble handling. If you look on www.tirerack.com the Pirelli Cinturato All Season Plus get some of the highest overall ratings and very positive reviews, so I don't think you could go wrong with them. They are definitely one of the best premium touring all-season tires out there.

 

[CaseVQ]

I purchased the 19 inch sport rims off of Ebay to replace the stock 17s and fitted them with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S III. I'm happy so far with these tires.

 

[Vancity808]

Nitto motivos, good price and performs decently well

 

[reignstorm]

I just replaced my 19s with Bridgestone Potenza re970 pole position. I like them a lot more than the run flats. They handle better and the ride is more comfortable. Road noise is about the same.

 

[patrickc04]

I had the Nitto Motivos on my 2011 G37x Sedan and they had good all-season traction, nimble handling, and an overall smooth ride for an all-season performance tire. However the downside of them at least for me was they were quite noisy, especially on the highway. I know they are ultra high-performance and all that but I think the noise was a little excessive, particularly at highway speeds.

When my OEM run-flat Bridgestones wear down enough to need replacement I would most likely go with either the Pirelli Cinturato All-Season Plus or the Continental PureContact with Ecoplus Technology as they are the two top-rated premium touring tires right now. They are also two of the sportier premium-touring tires known for fairly nimble handling while still retaining a very smooth and quiet ride. Also I despise the run-flat Bridgestones for giving the public the false impression that the Q50 has a stiff and jittery ride and uncompetitive handling. The RFTs definitely negatively impact the overall ride and handling and I'm really looking forward to replacing them with a quality set of tires.

 

[DanB.]

Thanks for the feedback

I'll probably go with the Pirelli option and see how they do. If it isn't cutting it in winter, I'll go over to the Michelin xi-3 Ice.

I'm glad I went with the 17in vs. 19in wheels on the Q50 and the non-sport trim, even though I prefer the look of the sport package. Pennsylvania's notoriously poor roads are very unforgiving of a stiffer suspension and larger wheel and tire setup. Thankfully, I think the Q50 is still a very sporty car even without the sport package; provided it has the right tires on it.

Thanks again for all the help.
DanB.