I just installed 4 General Ultramax HP for $480 total. The price was excellent and the ratings on Tirerack were pretty good so I gave it a shot. I've had it on for about 1 week and it's been great. Very quiet.
I've happily used UHP 235/45R17 tires on my Passat and Beetle 18T convertible with nothing but smooth cruising. I tried 38 psi but backed off, the slightly tauter steering wasn't worth the harshness on SoCal's crumbling surface streets. Mine were all German origin.
safest choice... the NOKIAN WR or WR G2 all-weather plus, year rounders that qualify for severe service emblem. the g2 has low rolling resistance. you can see about a 6% savings in fuel w/ this guy.
I just moved back to the northeast and purchased a set of General Altimax Artic. Apparently they are Gislaved NF3's which is a Scandinavian tire rebranded by their parent company (Continental) and sold as Generals in the US. So far they have been good but no major snow storms but some ice and slush. I got them studded. Once the warm up they are fairly quite. Not to mention they are pretty inexpensive ($99 each). I got wheels, tires with studs, mounted/balanced and shipped for under $1K from Tire Rack. Pretty good if you ask me. -Ron
Nokian. Don't consider anything else. I have been using the Hakka RSi's for years and they are fantastic tires. With two differend FWD cars (current A3 and old Jetta VR6), I was passing sport utes which couldn't even get up hills in 4WD. The only issue is that the RSi's are very soft and don't last long. For that reason, I will go with the WR's which can be run all season. I would recommend going down to a 16" for potholes and such. Check with Rim and Wheel Works in Waltham. They are a Nokian dealer and can find you some good Rims. I bought some Ronals, but you can't buy them anymore, but in retrospect, I shoulda just gotten some cheap steelies for $50 a pop.
I run 155/80/13 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 and haven't been stuck yet. Those tires are the best hands down and are studdable.
From what I have read these are great tires.
Just got my Nokian Hakkapeliitta R's installed. Bring it on!
If you're looking for cheap performance summer tires I'd recomment the General Exclaim UHP or the Sumitomo HTRZ III, you'd be VERY surprised they handle and grip about 90% as well as a tire double it's cost, VERY well worth the money at about $80-$100/tire. I bought a set of the Exclaims and was very surprised, and 3 of my friends are running the HTRZ's and both tires are amazing for that pricepoint.
From what I can tell (never owing a set) the Nokians are the best.
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