pablo80

I have 2013 f-sport awd 350GS with stock 19" wheels which wear 235/40/R19 tires (I still have original Bridgestone turanza el400). Because of pot holes in sfbay area one of front tires cracked near rim and I need to replaces tires now.
So, I guess I have to replace either all 4 tires or 2 fronts? I've read that 245/40/R19 can be used on stock rim and these usually have higher weight rating (750kg vs 710kg, e.g. hopefully they will stand better against pot holes).
Should I put on 245/40/R19 in front and keep old 235 in the back, should I change all four to 245 or should I put 235?
I'm a careful driver and I don't push my car, so I'm mainly interested in durable less noisy tires. These based on price or ratings are the once I'm considering in the order of preference:
Yokohama ADVAN Sport A/S $166
Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus $216
Michelin Primacy MXM4 $221

Yokohamas are first simply because they have good rating and are $50 cheaper. My car is still on lease, it expires in a few months. I'll keep the car, but then most likely I'll sell it next summer.

Nasrul3698

changing to 245 won't make a lot of difference in protecting from pot holes, and it'll actually make more tire noise cause theres more rubber on the road. Since you're a careful driver and don't push the car, why not change to change to 18 inch rims and put 235/45/18? It'll have more protection from pot holes, less noisier ride, and more comfort!!!

kamskeez

On an AWD, you'd want all 4 tire sizes the same. Switching to a 245/40 over a 235/40 won't have much difference when it comes to withstanding a rim-breaking pothole, in my opinion. Yeah the tire will cover a tiny bit more surface area, but I doubt there'd be any noticeable difference in protection.

I know the Bay Area potholes extremely well... cracked a rim on my previous car with 18s and a 235/45s. Our potholes are unforgiving

pablo80

I thought there is better protection not because there is 10mm width increase, but because these are usually rated for higher weight bering capacity.

I didn't know that wider tires would be noisier, so I stick to 235s then.

I wouldn't switch to 18, since I'd need to change rims, and I don't want to mess with that: I really like stock rims and overall look, don't want to change that.

Any suggestions regarding tires?

pablo80

Yeah, when you drive towards SF right after the airport there is a few spots with pot holes. They aren't deep, but man, if you hit them it feels like you lost your wheels.
I don't get this: how about these douchebags that collect taxes: do they fly helicopters? Or they take caltrain only and never meet these holes?!
I've driven past that spot and everytime I see traffic slowing down there

Nasrul3698

well i guess your best bet is to change to 245, it'll also increase the height of the tires if that helps.

spoogenet

Aside from avoiding potholes altogether, thicker sidewalls are your best protection (18" wheels). The ever-so-slight increase in sidewall from a 245 tire isn't appreciable. I'm not sure if a higher load rating will really make the tire withstand potholes better, although it's a logical thought.

On tires, I don't have experience with those specific Yoko's but my experience with 2 other Yoko tires on another car was sub-par. They were well-rated tires and I didn't care for them, especially because both sets had trouble balancing. The Pirelli you listed is popular on our car and I've known folks who liked their Michelin MXM4's.

ItzFilyO

Hit a bad train tracks the other night and my car felt like bottoming out and falling apart. The noise was loud as hell but when I check my undercarriage, not a single scratch on it and nothing bent.

I have the upsized set, 245 fronts and 275 rears.

DP03

Can't speak for the Yokes, but I've had the Michelin's on another car and liked them. But I highly recommend the P7's on this car. I switched to them early on with my GS (had new, but crappy tires on when I bought it) and it was like driving a different car. So quiet.....

pablo80

I ended up getting Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+

rmklotz4

What size did you go with?

ItzFilyO

Same tires as mine.

Nasrul3698

Michelins all the way

NetEditor

Slightly off-topic, but you can trying getting Caltrans to reimburse for pot hole damage:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/damageclaims.html

Story: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...p-10881594.php