AmberPearl

I will need new tires soon - can't really say anything good about the Bridgestone Turenza's except they are poor wearing. I have researched the market and am looking Yokahama S-drive tires in the wider 235-50R-17s size. They seem very close to the stock 215-55R-17s in rolling diameter and the write ups seem to highly recommend them (about $135 each). Any one else try these or the stock size equivalents?

BillP

You're right, a 235/50-17 will be the same diameter as the stock size, maybe 1/10th of an inch difference depending the tire manufacturer. I just purchased Toyo Versado LXs in the stock size. Very nice tires, although I only have about 500 miles on them. They are very quiet, and handle pretty good for an all season luxury oriented tire when compared to the OEM Michelin MXV4s. I'll probably put them on my wife's G35 coupe also.

The Versados do come in the 235/50-17 size but I would have some concern mounting them or any 235/50 tire on the 7 inch wide stock width rim. You can do it but I think it will cause the center tread area to show accelerated wear. A 7.5 or even 8 inch wide rim would better to allow the tread to lay flat. Hope this helps.
Bill

MD350

May I ask how many miles you got out of the Turenza's? Mine came with the Mich's. I still measure 4 on the back and 5 on the front at 30K miles. Looking to replace before winter and may stick with the Mich's.

Druha

Use this

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator.htm

as well as forum posts, its what I did for more peace of mind before buying tires, I dont have experience with many tire types as of yet. Good luck.

I do agree you would most likely need a wider wheel, I did put 225/55/17 on my OEM 17" wheels, looks better than the 215, but dunno bout the 235. I think that means it would be another 10 mm wider.

AmberPearl

When I had mine in for the 20K service they said they would probably need changing at 25K miles. To me that is poor wearing for a $150 tire. I will not buy Bridgestones again. As to the 7" wheel with the 235 size - the 235/50R-17 is almost the same size except .79 inches wider at the tread. I do not believe this is a problem since the outside diameter is almost the same. Both Tire rack and Discount Tire say that this is a "0" replacement size along with the 225/55R-17. Check out
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

big dan

I have Michelin tires on my car,they are very good and give a great ride. I
had Bridgetone on the car i test drove and did not like them because the
ride was not good at all.

oldcajun

Bridgestone has introduced a new version of the Turanza called Serenity. I have them on my G35 coupe and they are great. Quiet and smooth riding. I don't know yet about how long they will wear. Tire Rack tested a series of Grand Touring tires and rated the new Michelin Primacy MXV4 as best overall. These are a later series than the OEM tires on my '08 ES.

About the larger size - they will be heavier than the 55 series and thus will hurt riding comfort even more than the shorter sidewall of the 50 series. They will also have worse traction in snow and will be less resistant to hydroplaning due to the wider tread. I would seriously look at the downsides before I changed sizes.

Steve