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Infiniti G35 Coupe

2823 messages,  Last post on Nov 30, 2011 at 3:35 PM

You are in the Infiniti G35 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Infiniti G35, Coupe

Messages Page 280 of 283

#2784 of 2823 Re: New tires Required for a 2004 Coupe w/sport susp. [tom197] by lewisw

Aug 27, 2008 (6:07 am)

Replying to: tom197 (Aug 26, 2008 1:08 pm)
On 2nd set of Toyo Proxes TPT's. Got about 20K out of the rears and 30K out of the fronts. Changed fronts after noise became really annoying. Not being able to rotate is going to limit any tire you put on. I don't think you'll do better than 20-25K on the rears no matter which tire you install.

#2785 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [amitnis1] by pscheid

Sep 11, 2008 (11:10 am)

Replying to: amitnis1 (Mar 30, 2007 9:02 pm)
OK gang. It's Fall 2008 in New England once again, time to rev back up that great topic of how to survive the winter snow in a Coupe. I am forced this winter (for the first time) to drive my 04 with the auto trans as my daily driver in the snow. I want either winter tires on my existing 18" rims (Michelin original summer tires are finally cooked), or will spring for a set of dedicated rims and winter tires. I'm not going to monkey with all seasons.
 
So I waded through 10 pages of posts in this Infinity forum after doing a "winter tire" search, most of which were not Coupes but were sedans with and without awd. I did a TireRack search and researched winters tires and (Infinity) customer comments, particularly those with Coupes. I also did the same search on the Nissan 350Z, assuming their rwd experiences and choices might be similar.
 
Now that most of you experienced Coupe folks have had another winter under your belts with the current crop of available winter tires, I need to take an informal poll for some detailed specifics.
 
Buy dedicated wheels, 17" or 18"?
Tire brand preference/experience?
Tire size preference (width in mm)?
Offset sizes F/R or the same size?
Tire profile preference?
 
I have gravitated toward the Bridgestone Blizzak LM25 and the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 after reading the comments of others and noticing that the Dunlops seems to have far more purchasers commenting.
 
Thanks for your input.
 
Jack

#2786 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [pscheid] by joni7

Sep 11, 2008 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: pscheid (Sep 11, 2008 11:10 am)
I have had most rwr cars for the past 15 years. I've had the 18" Dunlop Winter Sport M3 on my G35 Coupe and they were great. I also had them on my BMW. Last year I switched to an all weather tire; the ContiSportContact2 which has worked pretty well. Good luck
 
Joni

#2787 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [joni7] by pscheid

Sep 11, 2008 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: joni7 (Sep 11, 2008 12:48 pm)
Thank you for your prompt response.
 
What state do you live in, and how much snow do you get? I live in MA; and while the annual average snowfall here is about 44 inches, we have had over double that some winters. I drove my Corvette for 11 Chicago winters on all season tires with no boo boos, getting stuck only once.....I backed into a snow drift and had to get towed out. So I am no stranger to rwd and a car not particularly suited for snow. I have no interest in another Summer tire for how I drive and what I want out of the car.
 
When I first began to consider an alternative to the Michelin OE tires, the Continental ContiExtremeContact was one Ultra High Performance all season tire that popped up with some good stats and purchaser survey comments for winter use, but you mention ContiSportContact2 which I need to research. My initial "wish" was to get by with one set of rims (originals) and one set of tires year round.
 
After reading this Forum and the posters' comments, however, I realized the a/s tires might not be adequate for this car and my needs. Yup, the G35 Coupe with Summer tires is dangerous as soon as the first snowflake flies and downright lethal shortly thereafter. The safety and relative worry-free scenario the winter tires they suggested would provide had moved me into the winter tire camp.
 
Now you have me thinking again about all seasons since you have gotten through the snow scenario with the all seasons. Which car did you put the a/s tires on? G35 or Beemer?
 
Jack

#2788 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [pscheid] by raizelgs

Sep 12, 2008 (6:19 am)

Replying to: pscheid (Sep 11, 2008 11:10 am)
I have posted my experiences here in the past. I have a 2005 auto coupe with the 19" wheels and sport tuned suspension. I purchased a second set of wheels (18") with Dunlop MP3s. I bought them offset F/R but did not put in the air pressure sensors. The reason for the second set of wheels was for ease of changing.
 
Anecdotally, I have heard that the Blizzaks are not good for multiple seasons, but have no personal experience.
 
I believe the size is the same as the OEMs except for the 18" wheel. I live in Michigan, where we did not have a lot of snow the first year, but made up for it last season. Many deep snowfalls and freezing weather.
 
I am about to get my third season on the Dunlops. An additional advantage (sortof) is that you get longer life (in years, not miles) out of your summer tires. I had the original Bridgestone Potenzas, but just replaced them with Kumho Ecstas.

#2789 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [raizelgs] by pscheid

Sep 15, 2008 (11:41 am)

Replying to: raizelgs (Sep 12, 2008 6:19 am)
So you are running 225 fronts and 245 rears with the winter tires? Normal winter sizing has a recommendation of stepping down a wheel size as you did, but stepping down tire width as well which you didn't. In Michigan, were there times with the Dunlops when the snow depth still kept the car home because of limited ground clearance?
 
I spent some time this weekend still thinking (reading) about a pure winter tire versus new all seasons for my Coupe. The readers survey responses (TireRack) on the G Coupe seemed more in the Dunlop Winter MP3s camp than the other Winter tires, if only because more readers responded to the survey that had purchased the Dunlop tires versus Blizzaks and the others.
 
Some of the G Coupe survey comments on the ultra high performance Bridgestone Potenza RE 960 AS Pole Position got me wondering if I could get by in a MA winter on existing rims going the all season route with 100 pounds nestled in the trunk. Worse case, I'd be back out buying rims/winter tires in 3-4 months. Or is this just wishful thinking?
 
Your comments are most appreciated.
 
Jack

#2790 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [pscheid] by raizelgs

Sep 16, 2008 (8:01 am)

Replying to: pscheid (Sep 15, 2008 11:41 am)
I think it is wishful thinking. I had one instance where I tried to blast through an unplowed driveway and got stuck at the bottom because of clearance and the buildup as I tried to blast out. Had to get a tow. Never got stuck once I was out and about.
 
The biggest problem with the Potenzas will be stopping, not going. The summer tires have little grip when it is wet and cold.

#2791 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [raizelgs] by pscheid

Sep 23, 2008 (6:19 am)

Replying to: raizelgs (Sep 16, 2008 8:01 am)
The Bridgestone Potenza 960 is not a summer tire, it's high performance all season. Anyone have these?
 
Jack

#2792 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [pscheid] by joni7

Sep 25, 2008 (9:38 am)

Replying to: pscheid (Sep 11, 2008 4:31 pm)
So sorry for the late response; I haven't been on the site in a while so you probably have your tires by now. I've had the a/s tires on both cars. I live north of Cincinnati so we definitely don't get the amount of snow that you get. However, I've driven these tires in 5-6 inches before the salt trucks have been out and haven't had much of a problem. It's a little hilly between home and work so I still need to be careful. If you have alot of hills and alot of snow maybe the Dunlop snows are your best bet.

#2793 of 2823 Re: G35 coupe in the snow [joni7] by pscheid

Sep 25, 2008 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: joni7 (Sep 25, 2008 9:38 am)
A Winter tire and wheel package would be optimal, agreed. The Dunlops on dedicated rims would be my first choice. But......
 
I just think that, since I need to replace the oe Summer Michelins soon, and I would settle for a permanent all season snow alternative (not great but it will get you by) on existing rims, why would I want to pay the $1,400 for the dedicated Winter tire and wheel package, only to have to go out and fork over another $900 when the snows have to come off come April?
 
The number of times during the Winter I figure to get hit with 6+ inches of snow AND, simultaneously, road crews that don't keep up with the rate of snowfall..... less than a half dozen times, if that? I can live with waiting out the scenario for a couple of hours until the road crews catch up.
 
Look, these G35 Coupes destroy tires under the best of conditions. No matter what tire brand you choose, no matter what type of tire you choose, no matter what performance category you choose, no matter what the tread life rating and warranty says, and no matter what you spend......15,000-20,000 miles seem to be a common limit with posters before G35 Coupe tires become overly annoying or plain unsafe on dry or wet pavement, snow notwithstanding.. This rwd car is what the car is, and the G35 Coupe will never be a snow traction or snow clearance champion.
 
I am somewhat surprised more Edmunds posters in my boat have not chimed in here. I want to thank you for sharing your personal experience with the all seasons, particularly the Bridgestone Potenza 960s that the TireRack consumers and the road test staff seem to prefer as a viable alternative to dedicated wheels/winter tires.
 
I can't believe there are not a lot of readers out there who don't garage the car in Winter and are worried about Winter like I am, are faced with the same dilemma. And I can't believe there are not a lot more folks out there who have been there, done that.
 
Jack

Messages Page 280 of 283

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