Is it ok to mix tire brands IE one brand on front one brand on rears?

[pbanders]

Originally Posted by thenavarro

Alright, y'all have talked me out of mixing the brands, I've been searching around and I'm going to try the Nexen N3000's all the way around. Will cost me $415.00 delivered for 2 265/35/18 and 2 225/40/18. Will probably be a serious downgrade from the Michelin's I'm used to, but much nicer on the pocketbook at this time. My car is eating me up with $$$ this year (the engine replacement hurt), but hopefully I'll be getting most of that back in due time from arbitration.

Mike

I just came off a set of N3000's. For 99% of street use, you can't beat them at the price. Decent wet and dry traction, quiet, and they hold a balance. I got about 8K out of my rears (same size as you). I switched to Goodyear F1 D3's, much more expensive, but better dry traction and they've worn like iron on my M3.

[OldBlevins]

One other thought - if you get roughly twice as many miles out of the fronts than the rears (and this is my fervent hope, being in pretty much the same spot as you thenavarro), then you could buy another pair of the PSs for just the rear and replace all four with whatever you wanted when they wear out.

Of course, if you only get 50% more miles on the fronts, then you end up going through 2 front pairs and 3 rears to get to that point... And if it's 20% more... :dance:

[edevlin]

I have two sets of wheels for my car. I am on the third set of rear PS2's with the same set of front tires, fronts still look great. I only get a little over 5K out of a set of rear PS2's, so in order to keep from breaking the bank, I got a set of the Nexen 3000 for my second set of wheels.

As you would expect, there is a lot of difference in the two tires. The Nexens are nice and quiet and have done suprising well in heavy rain on the interstate. But they do feel heavy, not very responsive and not very sticky compared to the high-priced PS2. To get some sidewall stiffness it seems to help for me to keep 36/42 lbs fronts and rears with the Nexens.

When I first put the Nexens on, I thought I would have a hard time living with them, just comming from a set of PS2's. But after a couple of thousand miles, they dont seem too bad, especially for the money. I think paid under 500.00 for all four tires delivered, mounted, and road-force balanced. You can tell they have a harder rubber compound as the Nexens will squeel somewhat on hard cornering where the PS2's just stick (as they leave an expensive track of their sticky rubber compound on the road).


Ed