Replace tires on brand new Prius?

Others already mentioned it but I'll say it again. Replacing something you already own and have no issues with based on other people's opinion doesn't make sense.

If I read reviews that the laptop that I've owned for months without issue is really terrible, I wouldn't sell it to buy another one.

Anyway, the EP20 tires on my PiP are some of the best LRR tires I've ever owned. They are a very good balance between high fuel economy, tread life (80k miles and still going), and handling. Previous LRR tires I've driven on were loud and handled poorly. I automatically thought all LRR tires gave exceptional fuel but are unsafe due to lack of grip. I'm glad Toyota chose the EP20 as OEM for me. I'd purchase them again if Bridgestone didn't come out with the 422+ a few months ago.

 

I'd still go for EP20 in 195/65R15: EP422 look a little weird in that size, few tread rows, and widely spaced. EP20 are tried-and-true for me. I keep getting them for our ex-but-in-the-family Civic Hybrid. They only come in that size, so their pictures are accurate.

EP422+ are a strong possibility for me in our 225/45R17 size, tho. Either them or Premier A/S, not sure yet.

 

Do you have anything good or bad to post about the Pirelli's? I see lots of chatter in the Toy Nation site with people using them with good results on Camry's so are they good on you Prius?

 

I got scared off Pirelli's 27~28 years back, after getting some snow tires that were extremely noisy. The shop tried rebalancing them once, nothing worked. Scared me off the brand, but that's just me, and a long time ago, lol.

 

I don't know, I've owned vehicles with OEM tires that were so bad quality wise, that I replaced them way before it appeared they really needed to be replaced.
Had a Nissan Pick-Up where the OEM tires would mysteriously seem to pick up every nail, every screw, and go flat every chance possible. Way before the tread life would indicate, I replaced and the problem vanished.

It's a luxury to be able to have the financial means to do so. But I'm not totally opposed to someone just not being happy with the OEM's and wanting to put better quality tires on the vehicle right out of the gate.

I personally try to get some life out of the OEM's but always consider that replacement is going to come sooner than later. I've never been to happy with any OEM tire, but have to admit perhaps these Goodyears on The Prius have been the best OEM tires I have ever owned. Even though I think I'm pretty close now to having to replace.

If you can get a good deal on what you feel are better replacement tires, and you are willing to go through the hassle of selling the original set?

Then I say why not?

It's an upgrade, just like any other upgrade. And if the OP is willing and able to sell the original set? I'm OK with it. From a ecological standpoint it's not like he is buying new tires and simply tossing the "other" new tires in the landfill.

 

But in this case, what stymies me: if you read through the OP's intitial posting, it seems like the ONLY issue is some folks diss'ing the EP20 on TireRack. He makes no complaints about the tires on his car.

I have to confess I've made a few irrational decsions in my life, guess that's why I'm seeing one here.

 

The only OEM tire that had me running quick was the Bridgestone Turanza the dealer put on the TCH before we bought it used. I'm not even sure they made it to 10,000 miles, they melted like ice cream in the hot sun. Many of the other Bridgestone models I've owned throughout the years I've never had issues with.

 

Maybe when a car manufacturer picks a tire to use on their vehicles, it's the kiss-of-death on the review sites: everyone assumes it's cheap, special disintegrating tread, nail magnet and so on. And when they immediately trade "up", they have to justify it, so post a review.

 

If you can get $250, I would go for it and get Michelins. If not, I would probably do it anyway for all of the reasons you mention. It's not as though the Ecopias will go in the landfill, regardless of what you can get for them.

 

The Pirelli Cinturatos have lived up to their ratings so far. Almost 10,000 miles on them, they show no wear, are quiet and ride very smoothly even at 39 psi front and 37 psi rear. Best of all, the car tracks very linearly on the highway. We encountered some torrential southeastern thunderstorms in our travels and the Pirellis gave no sign of hydroplaning at Interstate speeds.

On the way down the east coast, the tires were brand new. MPG took a good hit. We were down as low as 47 mpg at one point on the trip south. Both of us expected MPG to be well below what we were accustomed to since we were now running 17" wheels, even though I'd picked a more conservative 205/50 17 tire size instead of the Toyota recommended 215/45 17. After the first 1,500 miles we started to see a slow upswing in MPG readings. By the time we crossed back over the Maine border, we were hitting 51 mpg. There was more stuff in the car on the return trip, so the car wasn't lighter.

Now we're back to the more normal 52-54 mpg (we live in a hilly area, so none of that nice flat land driving) in day to day driving. My wife is the Prius' principal driver, unless we go on a trip. I can usually squeeze 2 to 3 extra mpg out of it than she does, but I haven't really had the chance to drive it very much since we got back in mid July.

So far I really like the Pirellis on the car. And I especially like the way the wheels look on the car.