Tire Research...am I on to something
 

Or as some would say....or on something.

I’ve been doing some research since most dealers won’t talk about it and even Tire Rack said no. What I’m trying to do is find an alternate tire for the winter months; wheels naturally will be required if I go with alternate tires though looking at the difference in the fronts, I don’t know that I would need to, but will have to buy at least rear wheels.



Regardless, I know some of you are much more knowledgeable than I am …ok more like almost all of you. :)

Here is the data I found using the tire calculator on 1010tires.com to compare the stock 18/19’s to alternates.


Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position $189ea (Tire Rack) with pretty good survey result including winter (you can look it up using the below tire size)

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
225/45ZR18 UTQG 400 AA A (Rear)
Section Width 10.03” (stock) 8.85” (alt)
Rim Diameter 19” (stock) 18” (alt)
Rim Width 9.5 –10” (stock) 7 – 8.5” (alt)
Overall Dia 26.02” (stock) 25.97” (alt)
Sidewall Ht 3.51” (stock) 3.98” (alt)
Radius 13.01” (stock) 12.98” (alt)
Circumference 81.74” (stock) 81.58” (alt)
Revs per mile 799.3 (stock) 800.9 (alt)
Actual Speed 60 mph (stock) 60.1 (alt)
Speedometer dif of alt .200% too fast
Diameter diff of alt .2%

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position $154ea (tirerack)
225/45ZR17 UTQG 400 AA A (Front)
Section Width 8.85 both
Rim Diameter 18” (stock) 17” (alt)
Rim Width 7.5 – 9” (stock) 7 – 8.5” (alt)
Overall Dia 25.08” (stock) 24.97” (alt)
Sidewall Ht 3.54” (stock) 3.98” (alt)
Radius 12.54” (stock) 12.48” (alt)
Circumference 79.79” (stock) 78.44” (alt)
Revs per mile 829.3 (stock) 832.9 (alt)
Actual Speed 60 mph (stock) 60.2 (alt)
Speedometer dif of alt .434% too fast
Diameter diff of alt .44%

The bottom line via Tire Rack is $686 for four tires compared to the stock sizes for Goodyear Eagle F1 at $766; Michelin Pilot Sport A/S at $932; Yokohama Advan S.4 at $908. I’ll say the actually ratings of these later three in light snow are only slightly worse with the F1’s getting the best rating; however I’ve read where these have noise problems as they wear and cupping problems etc (not everyone mind you but enough to have me concerned). The biggest difference I see is that the Potenza’s seem to be the best in their class (#1). Again, I was mostly looking for an alternative for winter driving as I like the wider tires for when we run the back roads in MO.

Any thoughts on this…especially from those who know their tires and the XF’s?