An infrequent poster here who's searched many tire threads and feels more confused than ever. Hoping someone here can give some thoughts on my very specific tire situation:
I have a '17 FiST with 18K, and live in the Seattle metro area. The stock Bridgestones are terrible in the winter--useless in snow/slush, obviously, but also really unpleasant in cold weather, which of course they're not made for. Even in the summer, after two years they ride and sound like they're made of concrete, and though they still have some tread life, I'm ready to ditch them...plus winter isn't that far off.
However, my current financial situation doesn't allow for the more expensive wheel-tire option that would be my first choice, which would be to downsize to lighter 16" wheels and get new tires (and store the Potenzas on the 17s for future autocross/track day use), and I don't want to mess with changing the stock tire size/rolling diameter/etc., even though I know going to a thicker sidewall on the 17s would help the ride. The car has no performance mods--maybe someday in the future--and I love its steering and handling as is, so I just want to find a tire that keeps the core feel of the car while providing more all-season utility and (I hope) a slightly less jarring ride.
So, my question is for people who've kept the stock tire size and wheels and replaced the summer Bridgestones with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires. Your observations on:
(1) Ride quality of A/S Michelins vs. Bridgestones?
(2) Noise level " " " "?
(3) Tread wear " " " "?
(4) Summer performance of Michelins--I expect less ultimate grip, but is steering feel and turn in comparable?
Any thoughts on this are much appreciated--thanks!
I have a '17 FiST with 18K, and live in the Seattle metro area. The stock Bridgestones are terrible in the winter--useless in snow/slush, obviously, but also really unpleasant in cold weather, which of course they're not made for. Even in the summer, after two years they ride and sound like they're made of concrete, and though they still have some tread life, I'm ready to ditch them...plus winter isn't that far off.
However, my current financial situation doesn't allow for the more expensive wheel-tire option that would be my first choice, which would be to downsize to lighter 16" wheels and get new tires (and store the Potenzas on the 17s for future autocross/track day use), and I don't want to mess with changing the stock tire size/rolling diameter/etc., even though I know going to a thicker sidewall on the 17s would help the ride. The car has no performance mods--maybe someday in the future--and I love its steering and handling as is, so I just want to find a tire that keeps the core feel of the car while providing more all-season utility and (I hope) a slightly less jarring ride.
So, my question is for people who've kept the stock tire size and wheels and replaced the summer Bridgestones with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires. Your observations on:
(1) Ride quality of A/S Michelins vs. Bridgestones?
(2) Noise level " " " "?
(3) Tread wear " " " "?
(4) Summer performance of Michelins--I expect less ultimate grip, but is steering feel and turn in comparable?
Any thoughts on this are much appreciated--thanks!