Writing about the
Maxxis MA Z1 Victra given
80% (205-50-17-)
Driving on
mostly town for 36
average miles
I had to buy new front tyres yesterday [late July 2010] to pass NZ's requirements [wof]. Uneven wear on the inside [which one can't really see ], I couldn't find anything online of any substantial use on the brand I was offered which is Maxxis.Therefore I am offering this info as a 1 hour user!
Mazda 3 , 2.3 has a road noise problem and apparently a 'scalloping problem' on tyres. I haven't had a wheel alignment done for at least a year [my car is 2005]. Reports are Mazda 3s are hard on tyres.
My previous tyres were from new supplied by dealer Bridgestone Potanza [spelling may be wrong] 250 x 50 x R17. I have done 36, 000 kms mostly suburban but maybe 20% on Auckland's motorways which are a mixture of smooth and horrible cheap rough stoney chip surface. The latter surface creates a lot of road noise which I never noticed in my previous car [much beloved Honda Civic GTI].
So far I cannot report on road noise but I instantly noticed that these tyres make the car so much more manoevreable - I can now get into supermarket/public car parks dead straight whereas before I was always parking on an embarrassingly amateurish angle.
The other advice I was offered is - inflate tyres to around 36 psi not 32 as per the Mazda manual. Get them aligned every 6 months or so - at least once a year. Some tyre suppliers offer a 6 month check for free. That way you will save a lot of money. My 2 front tyres were $215 each with alignment extra. Some suppliers offer alignment free and check ups free but they had not offered Maxxis tyres - Bridgestone and Toyo. If I had realized the alignment and Mazda wear and tear were such a problem the original tyres would have lasted another 2 years.