Time for tires..looking these, thoughts?

[TwistedOrca]

With the stock setup, its challenging finding a brand to supply the same product in needed size.
Front: P225/40R19, rear: P255/35R19

 

[DoctorStiches]

With the stock setup, its challenging finding a brand to supply the same product in needed size.
Front: P225/40R19, rear: P255/35R19

General gmax as05

 

[Helo58]

The Firestone Indy 500s are the 3rd rated tire in category on Tire Rack behind two different Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires. THEY ARE HALF THE PRICE ($541 for a full set) of the Michelins with a better treadwear rating. I have been using them since late last year with no complaints. Great traction, low noise, and great even wear. Recommend highly! For the US, this is a rebranded Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 used overseas.

Give them a look...
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Firehawk+Indy+500&frontTire=24WR9FHI5XL&rearTire=535WR9FHI5XL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Kia&autoYear=2019&autoModel=Stinger GT AWD&autoModClar=

 

[MerlintheMad]

The Firestone Indy 500s are the 3rd rated tire in category on Tire Rack behind two different Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires. THEY ARE HALF THE PRICE ($541 for a full set) of the Michelins with a better treadwear rating. I have been using them since late last year with no complaints. Great traction, low noise, and great even wear. Recommend highly! For the US, this is a rebranded Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 used overseas.

Give them a look...
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Firehawk+Indy+500&frontTire=24WR9FHI5XL&rearTire=535WR9FHI5XL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Kia&autoYear=2019&autoModel=Stinger GT AWD&autoModClar=

The "W" puts them out of consideration for me (I admit, it's an irrational conceit sort of thing: I want tires that could go on a Koenigsegg Agera). And my tire guys said that you get what you pay for, i.e. in their opinion the Firestone does not have the same over all durability as the Michelin.

 

[Manaz]

Be aware that Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Pilot Sport 4S are very different tyres (the latter is more expensive).

I have the PS4 tyres on my Liberty (Legacy) at present and they are probably the best tyre I have used for <$300 per corner.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Be aware that Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Pilot Sport 4S are very different tyres (the latter is more expensive).

...

Not according to Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...tOE&frontTire=24YR9PS4XL&rearTire=535YR9PS4XL

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Tire...ar=2018&autoModel=Stinger+GT+AWD&autoModClar=

So the 255 rear is more expensive in the 4S, but the front is less expensive in the 4S; and four tires cost a bit less buying 4S.

Of particular note is the lower UTQG of the 4S. I wonder why that is?

 

[Helo58]

The "W" puts them out of consideration for me (I admit, it's an irrational conceit sort of thing: I want tires that could go on a Koenigsegg Agera). And my tire guys said that you get what you pay for, i.e. in their opinion the Firestone does not have the same over all durability as the Michelin.

I knew that any "recommendation" would be met with some alternative views so no worries there... However this post was directed at those getting less than 10k miles out of a set of Michelins who really aren't keen on spending $1000 up to twice a year. Personally, I have never been 168 in any car nor do I plan to do so. Should that once in a lifetime opportunity present itself, I have no problem buying a dedicated tire for that effort. As far as durability, I had the sidewall of the stock Michelin rupture on a relatively shallow pothole at 50mph. If the Michelins are a few pounds less per tire than the Indy, it makes me wonder how they lightened the construction of the tire. I am on my 4th set of Indys between this car, my previous car and my wife's car with nothing but praise.

The Michelin is certainly a better tire, it just isn't 100% better (twice the price) on my car. Experiences may vary and if money were no object, I may run multiple tires on multiple wheels including the Michelins. However, the pragmatist in me has settled on the Bridgestone/Firestone tire as a great highly recommended tire for significantly less money.

 

[Ozstung]

Recommend highly! For the US, this is a rebranded Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 used overseas.

Agreed I had these on my WRX they were whisper quiet and very grippy. I got 43,000 km out of them.

 

[Manaz]

Not according to Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?message=singleSize&tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+4&frontWidth=225/&frontRatio=40&frontDiameter=19&rearWidth=255/&rearRatio=35&rearDiameter=19&autoMake=Kia&autoYear=2018&autoModel=Stinger+GT+AWD&autoModClar=&minLoadRating=XL&minSpeedRating=H&cameFrom=selectOE&frontTire=24YR9PS4XL&rearTire=535YR9PS4XL

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+4S&frontWidth=225/&frontRatio=40&frontDiameter=19&rearWidth=255/&rearRatio=35&rearDiameter=19&autoMake=Kia&autoYear=2018&autoModel=Stinger+GT+AWD&autoModClar=

So the 255 rear is more expensive in the 4S, but the front is less expensive in the 4S; and four tires cost a bit less buying 4S.

Of particular note is the lower UTQG of the 4S. I wonder why that is?

Interesting. Very different story locally in Australia last time I checked.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I knew that any "recommendation" would be met with some alternative views so no worries there... However this post was directed at those getting less than 10k miles out of a set of Michelins who really aren't keen on spending $1000 up to twice a year. Personally, I have never been 168 in any car nor do I plan to do so. Should that once in a lifetime opportunity present itself, I have no problem buying a dedicated tire for that effort. As far as durability, I had the sidewall of the stock Michelin rupture on a relatively shallow pothole at 50mph. If the Michelins are a few pounds less per tire than the Indy, it makes me wonder how they lightened the construction of the tire. I am on my 4th set of Indys between this car, my previous car and my wife's car with nothing but praise.

The Michelin is certainly a better tire, it just isn't 100% better (twice the price) on my car. Experiences may vary and if money were no object, I may run multiple tires on multiple wheels including the Michelins. However, the pragmatist in me has settled on the Bridgestone/Firestone tire as a great highly recommended tire for significantly less money.

So the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (what a name!) weighs more than the Michelin, and I'm guessing this makes the Michelin the "better tire"? But the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S only has a UTQG 300; the Firehawk Indy 500's UTQG is 340. Doesn't that in fact make it the better tire for extra legal speed "racers"? (and of course the price)

The Firestones don't come with any treadlife warranty. Everything else is comparable to the Michelins, for as you say c. half the price. Are Firestones lasting 10K to 15K in the back? My Pilot Sport 4 rear tires are pushing 20K miles. Would I be seeing better mileage (all other factors being considered equal) on Firehawk Indy 500s? If I knew that to be the case, there's no way I could justify the conceit to my wife of paying double money, more often, to keep running Agera-worthy Michelins!?

 

[turboAWD]

Merlin - As I recall, UTQG is somewhat of a "everyone rates their own" type of measurement. I.e. 300 from Michelin is better than 200 from Michelin, but might actually be better than 340 from Firestone. Or, it might be worse than a 280 or 240 from Firestone. YMMV. Literally.

 

[Helo58]

So the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (what a name!) weighs more than the Michelin, and I'm guessing this makes the Michelin the "better tire"? But the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S only has a UTQG 300; the Firehawk Indy 500's UTQG is 340. Doesn't that in fact make it the better tire for extra legal speed "racers"? (and of course the price)

The Firestones don't come with any treadlife warranty. Everything else is comparable to the Michelins, for as you say c. half the price. Are Firestones lasting 10K to 15K in the back? My Pilot Sport 4 rear tires are pushing 20K miles. Would I be seeing better mileage (all other factors being considered equal) on Firehawk Indy 500s? If I knew that to be the case, there's no way I could justify the conceit to my wife of paying double money, more often, to keep running Agera-worthy Michelins!?

UTQG takes into consideration treadwear, traction, and temperature. The Michelin is purported to have better dry traction in the same temperature range. What the Indy gives up in traction, it gains in treadwear. Hence, the different UTQG scores of 340 vs 300. I think the weight savings comes from Michelin using different belting and layering materials in their tire. They have the same load rating, so however they save weight it is impressive. It could be that extra 1/64th of tire tread you are getting with the Indy. I am not sure.

I think that it is safe to say that we do not drive the same. There is absolutely no way that my rear tires will ever make it to 20K miles, 10k maybe. In any event, the Indys have always lasted me longer than their Michelin predecessors. All things equal as you said and based on the UTQG, the Indys should last you longer. With respect to mileage warranties, they are rare in performance tires. If you see one, the language is almost always modified for a staggered setup as on the Stinger. Here is some representative language "For tires used on staggered fitments (vehicles with different size tires between the front and rear); the front tires will have the full mileage warranty(if available) and the rear tires will have one-half of the stated mileage warranty (if available)."

As before, the Michelin is undoubtedly a better tire for what the majority of the people here on the forum will be using them for on their Stingers. However, it has been my experience that this difference is not significant enough to warrant a doubling of the price. At most, I would be willing to pay 20-30 percent more for the Michelins, not more than that, and certainly not 100% more.

 

[itguy61]

That makes perfect sense, you are basing this on value proposition. The Indy is a very good tire for the money, offers exceptional value.

And Merlin you are correct. One makers 340 is another's 420. I worked in the tire business for a few years in the early 90's and this was very evident. Some tires rated at a lower UTQG would consistently outlast another makers tire with a higher UTQG on the same car. If the Indy is a re-branded Bridgestone I would have no problem with that. Back in the day when I worked in tires, I would not touch a Firestone tire. We had too many problems with them.

 

[turboAWD]

itguy61 - wasn't firestone the roll-over SUV tire? Plus, everything is subjective and based on experience. The Firestone may be a rebranded Bridgestone Potenza - but the only Potenza's I've ever had the misfortune of driving were the OEM tires on my '05 Legacy GT. $250+/tire and like bars of soap with the slightest rain. I fishtailed an AWD car with nearly new tires and not even full throttle on those, making a right-hand turn. I swore off Bridgestone Potenzas at that point.. Even with a significantly upgraded engine (250 -> 320+ hp), I was never able to get Michelins to spin, even in a downpour. Sure, if I REALLY cornered like a maniac, I got a bit of squeal here or there..

 

[Manaz]

At most, I would be willing to pay 20-30 percent more for the Michelins, not more than that, and certainly not 100% more

I believe the Firehawk Indy 500 tyres you're referring to are known as a Bridgestone Adrenalin RE003 here in Australia. On some sizes for us here, the price difference is very little, and not always against the PS4.

Isn't it odd how the prices vary so wildly...

 

[Helo58]

itguy61 - wasn't firestone the roll-over SUV tire? Plus, everything is subjective and based on experience. The Firestone may be a rebranded Bridgestone Potenza - but the only Potenza's I've ever had the misfortune of driving were the OEM tires on my '05 Legacy GT. $250+/tire and like bars of soap with the slightest rain. I fishtailed an AWD car with nearly new tires and not even full throttle on those, making a right-hand turn. I swore off Bridgestone Potenzas at that point.. Even with a significantly upgraded engine (250 -> 320+ hp), I was never able to get Michelins to spin, even in a downpour. Sure, if I REALLY cornered like a maniac, I got a bit of squeal here or there..

Yes! I had some Bridgestone Potenza RE-92s that were absolute garbage! Everything about those tires was horrible. They had no redeeming qualities!

 

[Helo58]

I believe the Firehawk Indy 500 tyres you're referring to are known as a Bridgestone Adrenalin RE003 here in Australia. On some sizes for us here, the price difference is very little, and not always against the PS4.

Isn't it odd how the prices vary so wildly...

That really is odd. It really makes me wonder why they put so little value on the tire here. Maybe the Firestone branding has something to do with it?

 

[Manaz]

We used to have Firestone as a brand here, but they pulled it and use the Bridgestone name now.

I just searched in 235/45R17 (suits my Liberty/Legacy), and RE003 is $162, PS4 is $163. Oh to be committing to smaller tyres moving forward...

In 225/40R19, Bridgestone S001 (they don't seem to do the RE003 in this size, the S001 is, if anything, a fraction more expensive than the RE003 in the same size where both are available) is $299, the PS4 is $297, and the P4S is $362.

In 255/35R19, S001 is $398, PS4 is $328, P4s is $387.

 

[itguy61]

itguy61 - wasn't firestone the roll-over SUV tire? Plus, everything is subjective and based on experience. The Firestone may be a rebranded Bridgestone Potenza - but the only Potenza's I've ever had the misfortune of driving were the OEM tires on my '05 Legacy GT. $250+/tire and like bars of soap with the slightest rain. I fishtailed an AWD car with nearly new tires and not even full throttle on those, making a right-hand turn. I swore off Bridgestone Potenzas at that point.. Even with a significantly upgraded engine (250 -> 320+ hp), I was never able to get Michelins to spin, even in a downpour. Sure, if I REALLY cornered like a maniac, I got a bit of squeal here or there..

25 years ago when I worked in the tire business we had by far the best luck with Michelins. The only issue I saw frequently were sidewall bubbles in the sidewall of mxv4 tires which were used on Accords and several other cars. We had very few pulling and separations and they did not get noisier with age. I was comparing Bridgestone to Firestone. Yes Firestone was the rollover tire on Explorers and also the horrible 500 model in the late 70's. The Firestone Indy's do get good reviews. I had the same experience with the Bridgestones on my Mazdaspeed 3.

 

[TwistedOrca]

Going the Continental route....SureContact RX.

If not delivered tomorrow, the installer will price match and install the Conti Extreme Contact DWS06 in their place.

thanks for all the input here....