Nitto Motivo AS Initial Review

[Otter]

As with most (from my research), I've been looking primarily at the Pirelli P Zero All Season, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S or BF Goodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S in addition to these Nittos. Unlike my previous vehicle (Optima SX), there doesn't appear to be a clear cut favorite among the "real world experts". Currently, I'm leaning to the Pirelli's slightly over the Michelin's (though its close) but UCINN's proximity suggested a look at the Nittos.

Any insight/advice helpful.

I have the 2018 GT2 AWD with 18" wheels (and dislike the OEM tires).

 

[westcoastGT]

As with most (from my research), I've been looking primarily at the Pirelli P Zero All Season, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S or BF Goodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S in addition to these Nittos. Unlike my previous vehicle (Optima SX), there doesn't appear to be a clear cut favorite among the "real world experts". Currently, I'm leaning to the Pirelli's slightly over the Michelin's (though its close) but UCINN's proximity suggested a look at the Nittos.

Any insight/advice helpful.

I have the 2018 GT2 AWD with 18" wheels (and dislike the OEM tires).

I personally have had 2 bad Michelin experiences requiring replacement , and I think that when you pay that much more for a tire you'll give raive reviews to help justify the price . I have had the Conti DWS and they were great but suffered higher wear , currently riding on the BFG G Force and think they are great . and excellent value .....................do you homework , lots to choose from

 

[Ucinn]

The Pirellis on a Mustang suck but have heard good things about the Michelins of course. I really like these Nittos though and the price is right compared to the others. They were smooth up to 130 this weekend and have never had problems with grip as of yet. Just curious to see how long they last.

 

[Ucinn]

I got mine through discount tire, they shipped right to the store and they installed them there. It was the first they had worked on and of course every tech there had to come over at some point to "help" the actual tech working on it

 

[Waynerm002]

As with most (from my research), I've been looking primarily at the Pirelli P Zero All Season, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S or BF Goodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S in addition to these Nittos. Unlike my previous vehicle (Optima SX), there doesn't appear to be a clear cut favorite among the "real world experts". Currently, I'm leaning to the Pirelli's slightly over the Michelin's (though its close) but UCINN's proximity suggested a look at the Nittos.

Any insight/advice helpful.

I have the 2018 GT2 AWD with 18" wheels (and dislike the OEM tires).

Those Bridgestones are GT tires, the ones you listed are UHP AS tires and will perform much better than the Bridgestones. The Pirelli's will probably be the softer (less firm, it is still a performance tire) and quieter of the bunch. Any of those you listed will do well, jI would upsize the tires a bit to give it a wider footprint, 235/45 will give you a taller tire to provide some cushion from the potholes, 235/40 for a little firmer, sportier ride. The Nitto is a good bargain of a tire and is quiet and comfortable however, the Pirelli, Michelin and BFG will do much better.

 

[MerlintheMad]

lots of other options too......................https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=UHPAS

I bet most of those, if not all of them, do not offer 19" staggered setups. The reason why I went with the Nitto Motivo A/S is because they are an UHP tire that fits the OE GT rims for the staggered 19s.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The Pirellis on a Mustang suck but have heard good things about the Michelins of course. I really like these Nittos though and the price is right compared to the others. They were smooth up to 130 this weekend and have never had problems with grip as of yet. Just curious to see how long they last.

I got mine through discount tire, they shipped right to the store and they installed them there. It was the first they had worked on and of course every tech there had to come over at some point to "help" the actual tech working on it

Big O supplied my Motivos. The price was good. And I have had mine up to 120+, which in a more or less straight line felt just as good as the Pilot Sports.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Those Bridgestones are GT tires, the ones you listed are UHP AS tires and will perform much better than the Bridgestones. The Pirelli's will probably be the softer (less firm, it is still a performance tire) and quieter of the bunch. Any of those you listed will do well, jI would upsize the tires a bit to give it a wider footprint, 235/45 will give you a taller tire to provide some cushion from the potholes, 235/40 for a little firmer, sportier ride. The Nitto is a good bargain of a tire and is quiet and comfortable however, the Pirelli, Michelin and BFG will do much better.

When I got my "summer" rims (TSW "Watkins"), the Wheel Werks guys told me that I would like a wider rim. And they are about an inch wider than the OE GT rims. Slightly stretching the sidewalls plants the tire better. So I have to wonder how the Motivos would fare on these "summer" rims. I'm not likely to try that, because I have the Motivos on the OE GT rims as my winter setup. But it is an interesting question, if stretching the Motivos a bit might make a noticeable improvement in their cornering capability.

 

[westcoastGT]

I bet most of those, if not all of them, do not offer 19" staggered setups. The reason why I went with the Nitto Motivo A/S is because they are an UHP tire that fits the OE GT rims for the staggered 19s.

.....................hahahahaha , NOPE , they ALL offer staggered set ups , Most UHP tires whether AS or Summer are on OEM staggered sets ups .........................( I know , youre not a car guy .................bawaaaaaaaa)

 

[MerlintheMad]

.....................hahahahaha , NOPE , they ALL offer staggered set ups , Most UHP tires whether AS or Summer are on OEM staggered sets ups .........................( I know , youre not a car guy .................bawaaaaaaaa)

True. But Michelin doesn't or didn't when I wanted to change to winter worthy treads. Otherwise, I'd have bought through Costco. I went in and asked what was available for our car; nothing in UHP. I looked on Tire Rack. Nothing in A/S for the staggered 19s that are UHP.

 

[TwinSnails]

I’m personally still only so/so pleased with the Motivos, I “personally” have lost quite a bit of grip with a RWD. I think the AWD’s have a lot more room for different rubber compounds than the RWD.

Do well in the rain, flat spot quick, but definitely not a good choice if launching them is priority or leaving a stoplight briskly.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I’m personally still only so/so pleased with the Motivos, I “personally” have lost quite a bit of grip with a RWD. I think the AWD’s have a lot more room for different rubber compounds than the RWD.

Do well in the rain, flat spot quick, but definitely not a good choice if launching them is priority or leaving a stoplight briskly.

I've weighed in on the comparison between the Motivos and Pilot Sport tires most recently here: Eibach Rear Sway Bar Impressions

 

[Waynerm002]

I’m personally still only so/so pleased with the Motivos, I “personally” have lost quite a bit of grip with a RWD. I think the AWD’s have a lot more room for different rubber compounds than the RWD.

Do well in the rain, flat spot quick, but definitely not a good choice if launching them is priority or leaving a stoplight briskly.

I think the Motivos are good for folks that wants a comfortable ride and won’t be pushing the car hard. I loved how quite and comfortable riding they were, just wished they were grippier. I must say though on the 2019 the Michelins are not as noisy as I remember them being on the 2018 nor do they ride as harsh. That 2018 probably had more sealing issues than I realized. If you are looking for UHP AS tires, there are better ones out there.

I got another set of summers now, to use when the winters are not on, so I won’t be needing tires for a bit.

 

[Ucinn]

You are never going to get the off the line grip with an A/S tire that you will with a summer only tire. But also the AWD will be better with A/S's than a RWD will off the line. I'm looking forward to seeing how these Motivos do during the summer time and for the drag strip too.

 

[Waynerm002]

You are never going to get the off the line grip with an A/S tire that you will with a summer only tire. But also the AWD will be better with A/S's than a RWD will off the line. I'm looking forward to seeing how these Motivos do during the summer time and for the drag strip too.

Summer is always going to be better in the warmer temps than All Seasons and for track.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Summer is always going to be better in the warmer temps than All Seasons and for track.

But how much better, that is the question? That is what will be interesting to find out. I'll wait …

 

[Waynerm002]

Well, summer tires are purpose built to provide better grip in warm temperatures, dry or wet. You just be careful out there on those cloverleaves.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I resurrected this thread to point out that since I put the Motivos back on (on the OE GT "boat anchor" wheels), I've been surprised at the lack of cornering noise. Today I decided the main reason why the tire noise in curves has not reoccurred is because I drive better than a year ago. I know better, now, how to use the throttle in a curve to power through it. Today, on the interchange from southbound I-15 to westbound I-215 (top yellow line ), I hit 94 MPH and the A/S tires did not make a peep. My wife was slightly alarmed; but even she is getting used to this. "Are you absolutely sure that was safe?" Yes. "How do you know that?" Because the car was planted. And did you hear any sound coming from the tires? "No." Well, there you are. And I explained that I am powering through curves now, and a year ago on the same tires and wheels setup, I wasn't confident enough to do that much. Hit the gas, don't back off of it, and definitely never back off and use the brakes: spin city awaits. (This I know, intellectually: and slowly I am acquiring empirical experience of the truth behind power in curves: AWD power is what I use, so this will not translate directly to RWD application until I've driven a RWD setup and "drift" through curves to get a feel for that.)

 

[MerlintheMad]

A year later, I just wanted to point out that the Nitto Motivo UHP A/S tires, with the addition of the Eibach front sway bar, are more planted than a year ago on the same "skid pad" (cloverleaf) in the above pic. Yesterday, near the exit point, I was pushing toward 55 MPH, and the oversteer came back with one jab, which I responded to by unwinding a tad and staying on the gas. It felt stable and consistent. So, added sway bar in front has had a noticeable improving effect on how the Motivos feel; which contributes, in my case, to higher cornering capability.

 

[Waynerm002]

I’m sure adding the sway bars have also aided with the car being more planted. For my 2019, finding a good setup with the ECS system has made it more planted.