I own a 06 XB (love the car) and it came stock with Nexen 205/40ZR17 84W extra load tires and they are terrible. They're worn out and the car has less than 20K.

I want to go to a little higher profile tire and 195/60R 15 have been suggested.

I live in a mountionous area and the road are pretty bumpy and they need to be good in wet weather, ice, snow but don't make a lot of sound on the road.

Does anyone have any suggestions.

 

hmmm... i just got new tires on my box my goodyear's went 25,000 miles - i just got kumho 732 in stock size 195/60-15 how they compare in my opinion


Kumho 732 : there a great bang for the buck i got a set of four installed for 267 ! so far iv put 400 miles on them - i like them very much there alot smoother and quieter then the stock good years - if your out for performance i wouldnt recommend them no corner carving here just a great ride at a great price

i myself regret getting them because i drive like a bat out of hell - i love carving corners and pushing my car to its limits but im about to be a daddy so i guess its time for me to grow up and drive responsibly

 

So you are going to change wheels as well?? 15" tires will not fit on 17" wheels. if you are going to change wheels to 15" then stock type 15" sizes will do well for you. If you are going to use the existing 17" wheels then get 17" tires similar to the stock size (215/40/17 is the stock 17" size) , BUT, if you want wear do not get a ZR Z-rated tire. Z-rating is for high speed and high grip (generally dry grip) and usually uses a soft rubber compound which wears fast. Look for Non speed rated tires or H or V rated perhaps (which will wear longer). You could go to a very slightly taller 17" than the stock 215/40/17. Perhaps a 225/40/17 which would be .3 inches taller...your speedo will run (in theory) 1.3% slow. Changing very far from stock overall diameter will change the speedo and final drive ratios considerably (regardless of wheel size). BTW the 195/60/15 you mentioned is almost identical in diameter to the 225/40/17 I listed above it would be .1" taller still and would result in a speedo accuracy of 1.9% too slow.

 

maybe look into some falken ziex's or pirelli p6's ?
the pirellis are a bit high priced, but they are a premium tire and are OE on audis and bmw's .. can't go wrong with that.

 

Try 1TDA.com

 

tirerack.com read the reviews- good luck

 

If you are not planning on getting new wheels get these. http://www.kumhotireusa.com/Products...tion=PtnDetail They are reasonably prices. Go with a 205-45-17. The additional sidewall will make the ride a little smoother. Here is a link to revies on tirerack. http://www.tirerack.com/survey/Surve...irePageLocQty= Hope this helps. I just got a set in that size on my rims. With it being winter I am not going to put them on until march at the earliest. I rather have my hubcaps get torn up from the road salt.