Performance tire/wheel options to factory 'stock' tires?

[labelboy68]

Michelin 'basic' 17" tires came w/ my Energi Titanium, WHITE vehicle. The performance is lousy and the stock rims don't look great. (My last car was a Lexus GS300 (I know, i know i know... it won't ever handle like that car).

 

I'm looking for recommendations on a high performance tire and nice looking rims.

 

#1- I bought this for the 'sticker' NOT for the gas mileage so please don't scold me for wanting to trade gas mileage for performance. I want the BEST handling, best performing tire.

 

#2- Any pics of nice looking white Fusions with black rims or other nice looking 'sporty' rims?

 

I'm thinking about Michelin Primacy 3.

[Cobra348]

I have a set of Verde Regency rims (black/machined rim) for the summer running. As for tread, I'm using the OEM Michelins on them, but did add strut tower brace, rear sway bar and hood struts from Steeda to just tighten up things a hair. Well, the hood struts are just plain flash as I hate the damn pole.

 

Winter with all the snow, the OEM rims and some snow tires. That's it.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Cobra348

[vangonebuy]

I'm very interested it the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus.

H rated.

Not the V rated. Dont think the FFH will need +130 mph ratings.

 

Just waiting to see if I need to replace my sons laptop first.

If I can fix it. The tires price wont hurt so bad.

 

33K and the Goodyears are shot.

[mwr]

did add strut tower brace, rear sway bar ... from Steeda

What's your experience with the difference in handling since you did that?

[Cobra348]

Butt dyno says the handling improved somewhat and there is less sway in curves. My girlfriend is a devout Camaro owner and taking a trip last year in the area N of Lake George, NY on Rte 9, she remarked it felt a lot like she was in her car - held the road at speed, etc.

 

I did save the OEM unit because if/when I decide to trade I want to be able to transfer these items to the new(er) car - provided the same design holds true underneath.

[vangonebuy]

Just a follow up.

The Goodyear Eagle LS2 made it to 36K.

Was ready to buy the Pirelli's . Had to order 2 days in advance.

 

My wife called me later that day with a flat.

NO SPARE TIRE, FORD! NONE. ZIP ZERO. :mademyday:

Got it plugged. And put it on. Didn't use the can of goo in the trunk.

Saturday came, Time for new tires. Half way to the shop. Tire pressure light comes on.

Different tire this time. Added air and made the shop.

All 4 Goodyear's were still legal tread. But the handling was bad. So bad, I thought the alignment was very out.

Pull to right when braking. Left when accelerating. Generally a heavy driving hand was needed.

Had the Fusion aligned. It was perfect, No adjustment needed at all. I was shocked.

 

The Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus tires are amazing. Tracking is perfect again, Accel or Braking. Perfect. No pull.

Handling in turns is light and crisp again.

Haven't tried in the rain yet.

 

 

And my son's laptop we fixed. New motherboard. $60.

[FernMTL]

I've bought the Cinturato's last week and they are great tires. Quiet and good handling, love them so far.

[mwr]

I've bought the Cinturato's last week and they are great tires. Quiet and good handling, love them so far.

Quieter and better handling that your stock tires (when new)? What were your stock tires?

[CARiD]

If you are choosing among top brands like Goodyear, Michelin, Toyo, Continental etc, it's hard to go wrong, because they don't really make bad tires today.

They use pretty much similar technologies that are still different from cheap tire options. You can check it out in this tech article: The Hidden Secrets of Tires

[FernMTL]

Quieter and better handling that your stock tires (when new)? What were your stock tireI

I bought my car at a Ford Auction. I only got winter tires as my summer tire got stolen at the auction haha.

I would say that the Pirelli P7 Cinturato are better than the Goodyear, as equal as the Michelin and Continental. But I'm pretty sure there're quieter though.

[RLMeadors]

I put the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus tires on my 2014 Fusion Hybrid Titanium about a month ago. The original Goodyear tires had 33,000 miles on them and were starting to make a lot of road noise and some vibration like they needed balancing. Now the car drives just like it did brand new (maybe even better). Super smooth handling, ride, and whisper quiet. I've driven a couple of times in the rain and the tires seem great for that too. I'm very happy with these tires.

[mwr]

I put the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus tires on my 2014 Fusion Hybrid Titanium about a month ago. The original Goodyear tires had 33,000 miles on them and were starting to make a lot of road noise and some vibration like they needed balancing. Now the car drives just like it did brand new (maybe even better). Super smooth handling, ride, and whisper quiet. I've driven a couple of times in the rain and the tires seem great for that too. I'm very happy with these tires.

Is gas mileage the same?

[Cobra348]

... <snip> ...My wife called me later that day with a flat.

NO SPARE TIRE, FORD! NONE. ZIP ZERO. :mademyday:

... <snip> ...

This is where reading info on standard features is handy ... 'Tire mobility kit" is in there - fix-a-flat and compressor. I caught that and am one who REALLY likes having a spare handy - even if a donut. Soooo, using this thread I went shopping before I took delivery. Use invoice part# for ordering, tire can be had from TireRack - if you go new parts. Otherwise I believe the spares (and jack and lug wrench and the mounting cone) from '13+ Fusions (junkyard) will work fine - as long as they are 16" donuts. I saved the mobility kit - and like the Steeda parts, it'll be swapped back in when/if I trade.

Edited June 27, 2016 by Cobra348

[RLMeadors]

Is gas mileage the same?

 

So far I would say it's about the same. Possibly a little better. It's hard to tell because it got so much hotter here about the time I put those tires on and that always reduces the mpg.

[hermans]

I put the P-7s on my 2013 MKZh at 28000. The Michelins were terrible and actually coming apart. I had noticed my mileage going down and after replacement it started to rise again. I think it is due to the tires as the driving temps were the same. I found the best price at Tire Rack. The Ford dealer refused to match Tire Rack's price.

[RLMeadors]

I put the P-7s on my 2013 MKZh at 28000. The Michelins were terrible and actually coming apart. I had noticed my mileage going down and after replacement it started to rise again. I think it is due to the tires as the driving temps were the same. I found the best price at Tire Rack. The Ford dealer refused to match Tire Rack's price.

 

I had a long drive yesterday with a lot of it in VERY heavy rain. Ended up with 44 mpg for that drive. I don't think there's any way I would have gotten that with those Goodyear tires. Driving in moderate to heavy rain usually resulted in well under 40 mpg when I had the Goodyears on the car.

 

My Ford dealer matched the price at Discount Tire on the Pirelli's. I just had to document Discount Tire's price for them.

[hermans]

I showed the dealer the documented Tire Rack price and the dealer said nope. Hell, I had a coupon from Ford for windshield wipers and the dealer refused to sell them to me for the coupon price. Ford has no control over dealer pricing. They can even refuse to sell cars at employee pricing. This is a high volume large dealership.

Edited June 29, 2016 by hermans

[RLMeadors]

I showed the dealer the documented Tire Rack price and the dealer said nope. Hell, I had a coupon from Ford for windshield wipers and the dealer refused to sell them to me for the coupon price. Ford has no control over dealer pricing. They can even refuse to sell cars at employee pricing. This is a high volume large dealership.

 

That's too bad. My dealership is a large metro Atlanta area dealer (Wade Ford) and they have treated me great, both in the purchase and servicing of the car. I'm a Delta pilot and got the X plan pricing when I bought my car there.

[hermans]

 

That's too bad. My dealership is a large metro Atlanta area dealer (Wade Ford) and they have treated me great, both in the purchase and servicing of the car. I'm a Delta pilot and got the X plan pricing when I bought my car there.

I went to the dealer closest to the dealer that denied the coupon and they had no problem and sold the wipers. I buy A-Z Plan (employee pricing) and one time I was told by a dealer that they would not honor Ford employee pricing. They are not under obligation to do so. I just avoid that dealer like the plague. I've even steered potential customers away from them.

 

I'm happy the dealer sold to you at X-Plan pricing. They were certainly under no obligation to do so.

Edited July 7, 2016 by hermans

[dalesky]

Just got back from an oil change at 38000 miles and the tires have been showing a lot of wear for some time. Dealer priced 3 tires, the Pirelli, Conti and Goodyear Eagle Sport. All are all season, which I don't need, and the 1st two are 70,000 mile rubber. They seem pretty close, and my dealer's prices are very good. Since there have been a number of recommendations for the Conti PureContact I think those are the ones for me. Guess I don't need summer tires like are on my Mustang GT.

[tr7driver]

Just got back from an oil change at 38000 miles and the tires have been showing a lot of wear for some time. Dealer priced 3 tires, the Pirelli, Conti and Goodyear Eagle Sport. All are all season, which I don't need, and the 1st two are 70,000 mile rubber. They seem pretty close, and my dealer's prices are very good. Since there have been a number of recommendations for the Conti PureContact I think those are the ones for me. Guess I don't need summer tires like are on my Mustang GT.

I'm in the same boat. The quotes I get on the Conti and Pirelli's are almost twice the price of the Goodyear Eagles. I have the 18's with the Goodyear Eagles from the factory. I haven't been happy with the MPG or wear on the Goodyear's, but for the price difference, the other tires would have to go 70 to 80K to pay off. Our roads in Illinois are so bad, I don't think any tire has a chance to go that many miles. I need to make up my mind before the snow flies. Let us know what you decide and why. Thanks

[tr7driver]

I can't put it off any longer as I'm worn down to the wear bars at 38K miles. Local farm supply store has the Eagles at buy 3 get one free. I can get a set installed, mounting, balance, road hazzard, disposal and fees for $509. A set of Pirelli Cint P7 was quoted at $944. I'm going with the Eagles

[devinron]

I have the motegi traklite's. I got them from car|truck wheels - 4wheelonline. These wheels are light in weight because they are forged instead of flow formed. The paint finish is a bit thin but other than that I have no major issues.