The Regal still has the OEM tires on it, the Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 Grand Touring All-Season in P235/50R18. According to the Tire Rack site, these are rated for 60K miles, and the Regal is at almost 64K. The treads look good, though I haven't measured them yet to check. My driving in Da Swamp is a mixture of wet and dry conditions on some of the worst-kept streets in America.
Presuming it's time for me to start shopping, what brands should I check out? The Michelin Pilots have been fine, but are pretty pricey. The things that matter to me are comfort (including low noise), handling, and tire life, in about that order. And do I have to stay with the same size, or could I go to 17" wheels and higher-profile tires, even though the car was designed to wear 18" or 19" tires?
Presuming it's time for me to start shopping, what brands should I check out? The Michelin Pilots have been fine, but are pretty pricey. The things that matter to me are comfort (including low noise), handling, and tire life, in about that order. And do I have to stay with the same size, or could I go to 17" wheels and higher-profile tires, even though the car was designed to wear 18" or 19" tires?