Mazda 3 Tire Choice

[buster]

I just had both front struts replaced on my wife's car. The front right was shot and leaking. The struts went bad for a few reasons most likely. 1. center city Philly roads. 2. The bad snow storms we've had. 3. She ran over a deer 2 years ago and hit it pretty hard.

Her GY GT's need to be replaced already. These tires were a big disappointment. This will be the 3rd set of tires and she only has 60k on the car. 2007. I wont' be going to the dealer, they are never competitive with tires.

I'm thinking MXV4's.


I think I may even put them on the Honda as well.

 

[Slick17601]

You can't go wront with that tire. I have a set on my Civic..at 54,000 miles I still have 6/32" left.

 

[barlowc]

What size? 205/55-16?

Assuming that you're looking for a good all-season tire, some potential choices to consider are:

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Michelin Primacy MXV4
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S

While a completely different vehicle and tire size, I put a set of Michelin Primacy MXV4s on our Saturn and like them a lot. So much, that they're the front-runner when my Nissan is ready for new tires. My short list is as show above, except for the ExtremeContact which isn't available in the size I'll need. So that slot is filled with the ContiProContact which is the OE tire.

 

[JHZR2]

Ouch, she must drive really hard. If 205/55R16, that's the size the wife's car has. Looks like she will get 50k out of the conti pro contact OE tires on her rabbit.

I like the pilot exalto AS tires I have on my 318i, though even after dropping one aspect ratio, they seem a bit squirmier than my older Falken ziex 512. I do like their ride and noise though.

I also like my bridgestone potenza Re960AS.

 

[Spazdog]

If you have the 3S with the 205/50R17s, there are a LOT more choices now than there were around 2006.

We got Riken Raptors then. (Michelin private label) primarily because it was either that or another set of Goodyear Eagle RS/As for twice the price (the Goodyears are still the worst tires I have ever owned). There just weren't that many choices if you had a 3S or a PT-GT. I could have special ordered something but I wanted tires and the Rikens were priced well. We got over 45,000 miles out of them.

We've got Pirelli P6es on now. They work well for comfort, quiet and in inclement weather, are wearing really well, and were priced nicely but they aren't really made for a 220hp/245ft-lb PT Cruiser. They break loose easily when the skinny pedal on the right gets pushed down hard. They might be better suited for the Mazda3S. Definitely not the Mazdaspeed 3 though. If a PT-GT has 3/4 throttle traction control interruptions, a 'Speed 3 is REALLY going to have it.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: buster
I just had both front struts replaced on my wife's car. The front right was shot and leaking. The struts went bad for a few reasons most likely. 1. center city Philly roads. 2. The bad snow storms we've had. 3. She ran over a deer 2 years ago and hit it pretty hard.

Her GY GT's need to be replaced already. These tires were a big disappointment. This will be the 3rd set of tires and she only has 60k on the car. 2007. I wont' be going to the dealer, they are never competitive with tires.

I'm thinking MXV4's.


I think I may even put them on the Honda as well.


I like the idea of the MXV4's. They're a top rated tire!

 

[The Critic]

I just had the Primacy MXV4 installed last night. After 100 miles I can honestly say that the grip is fantastic.

Another tire to consider is the Continental DWS since it offers excellent wet and snow traction.

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I just had the Primacy MXV4 installed last night.

On which car? What's the tire size?

I like them on our Saturn, but that's in a 235/60-17 and a relatively cushy/loose suspension, at least when compared to my Altima.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: barlowc
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I just had the Primacy MXV4 installed last night.

On which car? What's the tire size?

I like them on our Saturn, but that's in a 235/60-17 and a relatively cushy/loose suspension, at least when compared to my Altima.


It was the Prius. The size is 195/65-15.

 

[eugenem]

I just had Primacy MXV4s installed on my wife's Subaru this morning.

225/55R17 97H

Too early for detailed feedback, but given the reputation (Subaru Forester and Outback forums, Consumer Reports, Tire Rack reviews, Discount Tire reviews, etc.), I expect good things from these tires.

Similar to other Michelin tires we have had in the past, the tires required minimal weights to balance.

 

[tripleM]

General Altimax HP.
Have had them for 40+k glorious miles of stickiness & wet traction excellence on my '06 Mazda3.

Goto TireRack & see what people are saying now.
I knew about them when they were not very well known.

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: tripleM
General Altimax HP.
Have had them for 40+k glorious miles of stickiness & wet traction excellence on my '06 Mazda3.

Goto TireRack & see what people are saying now.
I knew about them when they were not very well known.

I do like the tread pattern. Rated #4 in the Grand Touring All-Season category, just below the Goodyear Assurance Comfortred Touring and Michelin Primacy MXV4.