Now that it's starting to rain here in CA, I need to replace 2 of my tires because there's no tread left to them. I have the stock 205x55 16" Michelins Pilots XGT-V4 and would like to go with something less expensive but can handle and grip the pavement as well as the Michelins

I've read good things about the Pirelli P6000's and Yokohama AVS db but I

don't have any experience with high performance tires beyond the XGT-V4's

98V70T-5A Bilsteins, Swaybars, K&N 26K miles

I just received a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE730s in the mail from TireRack. They fell at the top of the customer feedback on TireRack's site (number 2).

When I picked up the rims, the tire tech at told me the RE730s had some of the stiffest sidewalls he's encountered. Ride quality might suffer (going on my Mustang which lacks ride quality anyway) but they should stick like glue.

About 1 month ago 245/45/16s were $112 per tire.

Good luck,

Barry

I managed to get about 44,000 mi out of my original tires before a nail through the sidewall forced me to replace them all. They were all getting close to the wear bars.

However, only then did I realize that the low profile pilots were about $205 a piece! Yikes! So I ordered 4 Michelin XSE 205/55 R16 V-rated tires from Discount Tire for about $130 a piece. Much easier on the wallet. I also purchased the road hazard warranty.

The XSE's are rated 340 treadwear, A traction & A temp.. The car is not as stiff as with the pilots, but handles & corners very well. I also noticed that when I hit expansion cracks at speed I no longer hear 'bong'. I never could figure out what that was until I changed all the tires.

The road hazard warranty came in handy when I picked up a nail and ruined a tire because it was raining and I drove on it until I could get under cover.Getting a new tire was no problem.

Two years ago, (at 35K), I opted to replace the original Pilots (having about 10K left on them) with the same size (205-50 Z-16's on my T-5) Dunlop 9000 Sports Unidirectional tires. Today, I have about 30K on the Dunlops and they appear to have another 10K or so on them (not down to the wear indicators yet). Performance in wet and dry conditions has been as good as the Pilots, maybe even better in the wet. They were about 1/3 less money than the Pilots, both being Z-rated. I have noticed that they are becoming a bit noisier when cornering hard on dry pavement. They also have a protective shoulder near the wheel rim, a nice touch. BD

I just replaced the same tires on my 98 T5 with Bridgestone 205/55

Potenza RE 730s, all-season version of the Potenza). My first

reaction was how harsh the suspension is with the new tires.

I feel every expansion joint and crack (rides like an 850 now).

Yes, they grip like glue but the penalty is a much stffer ride

(and a few more dash squeeks).

If you like the OEM tires and are happy with the performance then

consider sticking with them even if it costs a bit more. I think

Volvo did a good job tuning the suspension for those tires and

stock, the car has a good compromise between ride and performance.

Could it really be that much more harsher? Maybe you have too much

air pressure in them. I read on Tirerack.com comparisons/surveys and reviews that they were pretty quiet and comfortable. Or maybe because

the RE730's are in a different class/category of tires (Ultra-High Performance vs Ultra-High Performance - All Seasons)

Have you considered the XGT H4? Keep it under 130 MPH and you will be ok :).

I'm getting around in the aftermath of the Blizzard of 2001 here in NY on my new Pirelli P7000 Supersports 205/50ZR16's and LOVING them!!! They are excellent in the rain, great in the dry, quiet and smoother than the Pilots I had before, and they're OK in the snow. I will admit that when I needed to get baby food and diapers at 6am during the blizzard, I took my wife's Benz on which I put 4 snow tires this year, but on Monday morning the drive to work in my Volvo was easy as pie.

Again, EXCELLENT in rain and dry. Probably all you care about; didn't you say you're in CA?

I have Yokohama Avid V4s, which are fine with me - good combo of all-season performance, noice, price, and wear. If I didn't have to worry about snow I'd go with the Yokohama AVS DB or maybe the Dunlop 9000s - I'm sure you'd be happy with either for the price.

I've heard good things about all the tires you've mentioned. Currently I'm using Dunlop Sport SP 9000's. P215-45ZR-17 Unidirectional, great traction dry and in the rain. I rarely feel hydroplaning at highway speeds in the rain. I've never heard them squeal on dry pavement. Treadwear 280/300 and they are very quiet on the highway. I've got 30,000 miles on 'em and they will probably be good for another 10,000 15,000 at least. I'd like to go P225-40ZR-17 for a more aggressive look. While there are better tires they're not bad for a Z-rated tire given the price. About 120 bucks a tire

Red V70GLT, red painted calipers, IPD side marker lights, K&N air filter, Rear deck wing, IPD swaybars, IPD strut tower brace, Valbrem type 951 rims, Dunlop Sport SP 9000's P215-45ZR-17. Looking at IPD aftermarket exhaust next