[ARP56]

Not new to the forum, for some reason had to create a new account to get in.

Anyway, I need new tires for my 2003 Xterra. And while I'm at it, I decided to go with new black rims. I'm was on the fence as to whether to keep the X a few more years (drive it about 8k a year, no off roading, but I do go into snow country at all hours of the day to work and I gotta get there) I put a bunch of money into the X last year. The rad support rusted out, so I did new rad, hoses, support, clamps. This fall I'm looking at the timing belt kit and tires, rims and battery. It has the classic problems all X's, the plastic is faded, have some 303, going that route first, the roof liner is falling. But I need new tires and want to dress it up a bit with new black wheels (granite exterior).

Was looking at Discount Tire direct site, they have the Cooper AT3 with the American Outlaw Buckshot rims under $1k. I like that deal and the rims look nice. Question is are they any good. Do you guys prefer the steelies or alu? My purpose is to change the look of the X a little. Have not looked at tire rack yet on a combo, they rape you on shipping.

 

[Discount Tire]

We may be a little bias, but the American Outlaw line of wheels are quality. They are produced but Liquid Metal and are backed with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing and structural defects.

As for aluminum vs steel... there's pro and cons to both, but considering you see limited to no off-road use, I'd consider aluminum due to being lighter weight and corrosion resistant (rust).

 

[ARP56]

I decided that the American Outlaw Buckshot is too guady of a rim for my tastes. If there was a way to get rid of the stupid skull and cross bones logo in the center cap, then maybe. But the MB rims also featured in the ad will work just fine too. Am going with aluminum rims vs steel, corrosion being the biggest factor.

I'm stuck on tires right now, looking at the package deals it looks like it should be Cooper A/T3 or the Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10. My 2 biggest concerns are wet grip and road noise. I've read the reviews, nothing I have read so far convinces me one way or the other. Just from a look standpoint, the Cooper looks to be a far more off road type tread than Hankook, and I suspect the Cooper would be louder. Help! Want to buy before months end to score the discounts.

 

[ARP56]

Crap. Just checked reviews on Hankook Dynapro ATM, they are all over the map. Absolute crap shoot on these tires. Checked reviews on tire rack and discount. some have them rated as best tire ever for the money, others talk about flats and blowouts and no warranty backing etc. Did not check Coopers yet as extensively.

99% pavement driver, potential for big snow and ice in winter, .75% fire roads. .25% non pavement. Doing a wheel and tire combo. Looks like if you try and do a wheel and tire combo, the push is on to bundle a less than steller tire to get the discounts and wheels.

 

[ARP56]

Crap. Just checked reviews on Hankook Dynapro ATM, they are all over the map. Absolute crap shoot on these tires. Checked reviews on tire rack and discount. some have them rated as best tire ever for the money, others talk about flats and blowouts and no warranty backing etc. Did not check Coopers yet as extensively.

99% pavement driver, potential for big snow and ice in winter, .75% fire roads. .25% non pavement. Doing a wheel and tire combo. Looks like if you try and do a wheel and tire combo, the push is on to bundle a less than steller tire to get the discounts and wheels.

I might stand corrected on the "marginal" or "less than stellar" comment. Probably either tire will work just fine for my application, I do not want to weight my decision based upon the few responders I read in the reviews as negative. Sort of like grading an Olympic Gymnast, throw out the top and bottom score and go with the majority.

I expect 40K out of tires for this vehicle, 2003 X. I expect good wet traction and good snow traction. If it is ice, I have no business being out on ice, my fault for being unprepared so I could stay home. I hope for decent quiet from road noise. I have used 2 sets of Kumho Venture APT. They worked okay, nothing to get excited about. But time to go in a different direction with the wheel package. So based upon what info I provided, Hankook or Cooper?

 

[Discount Tire]

Thank you for your continued patience, ARP.

Speaking from a wet handling/braking and road noise perspective, the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 nudges out the ATM RF10 by a small margin. I don't think you can go wrong with either option, but the Discoverer A/T3 seems to be the best option for your needs.

 

[ARP56]

Thanks for replies, I ordered this morning.

The CC deal, I'll be getting a letter and explanation why the application was rejected. It sort of set off a bit of a panic alarm that something was amiss in my credit history I am not aware of. Checked with my bank this afternoon, all is clear there, I'll just wait for the explanation, may check my credit report. The rejection will effect my CC score a little, but I do not need credit or plan on buying anything requiring a loan in the forseeable future.

 

[Discount Tire]

I can see how that would be alarming, especially considering your financial history. Hopefully it was something simple as we outlined earlier.

Thank you for choosing Discount Tire, ARP and please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you!

 

[ARP56]

Update to the thread

Yesterday I got a letter from the bank that denied my credit card application. It stated that they did not use any information from a credit reporting agency, but they could not verify any information that I gave them. Go figure, cause I can not.

The wheels and tires were mounted today. They look spectacular, tires are really quiet. However, they did not fit inside the wheel well 100%. Turning the wheel fully left and right caused the tires to strike the inside of the fender well near the place where the mud flap connects. I had to take my dremel tool and remove some plastic from the flap. At this point I get a small rub on the right side flap when I have it fully cranked. I'm sure as the tires wear a bit that will completely disappear. I may see if I need to dremel off any more to get it 100% rub free.

I'll do pics when the black out treatment is complete.

 

[beef tits]

BFG is the only way to go IMO. I'd spend a little more on tires and not worry about the wheels.

Most aftermarket wheels are tacky as hell. Don't get me started on fake bead locks and the posers who put them on their vehicles.

Whatever happened to the generic steel black wheels that you see on boat trailers? Those used to be dirt cheap and don't have any gawdy skulls/spikes/iron crosses/poser shit on them