Lim,

I was very satisfied with the switch to 205/60-15 tires on stock wheels. My tastes prefer a tire that provides very strong dry braking and handling with a just a moderate concern about ride and tire wear. I won't pay the price (in ride, tire life and $) for a V-rated Bridgestone super tire. An H-rated tire usually provides sufficient braking and hadling without riding harshly.

I made the size change when the Mich MXV4's wore out and Dunlop D60A2's went on. The new tires improved braking and handling considerably without adding harshness. I'm even more happy with the Mich Pilot XGT H4's now since they've added great directional stability and steering feel. While they do look a little big on those wheels, it's really not bad.

I've never seriously considered Firestone a company that knows how to make tires at this performance level. Maybe that's just old dogma, but that's my feeling.

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Eric

On my second pair. Good tire - not too loud, fairly compliant over rough stuff, doesn't roll over too much when being driven hard and totally predictable breakaway at the limit. I put them on my 190 in 205x60x15. They've only rubbed slightly now and again in the rear wells because my shocks are dead (but not for long) and they seem to handle the wet really well. Only my 4x4 sees snow so I can't comment as to performance in the white stuff. No complaints about this tire, except that I only got 16k miles out of the first set (they're rated as a 60k tire).

But, I commute a fabulously banked, twisty highway at high speeds a few days a week and I guess it took it's toll on them (anyone here know hwy 17 out in Calif?).

It was even wear across the tread and front-to-back as I rotated them on schedule every 5k miles. Thankfully I got them at Americas Tire (sorry Luke, but schrapnel-induced blowout of two tires at once forced me to it) and they have this great policy about pro-rating tires, lifetime balancing, free replacement, etc. Plus, they're friendly. Long story short, I originally got them on a "new model" sale and subsequently the replacements were based on that sale price even though the tire is now more expensive. So after the pro-rate, discount price, etc I got a new set nearly free with another 60k guarantee.

I hope to keep going on this plan for a looong time. Hearing stories from my brother about new P-Zeros on his M3 running him $2000 every 8 months is crazy.

Thanks to all who weighed in on the subject car and tires. I purchased the 205/60R 15's. They are smooth running and very quiet. And look good. They ride a little stiff over broken pavement, but overall I like em! Thanks again for the advice.