Running 4 of the same tire vs. 2 sets of 2

[kjarrett]

I've always run 4 of the same tire on every car I've ever owned. I've also always run "H" rated tires (when they were available.) For years my Camry had BFG Traction T/As and I've been very happy with the performance particularly in the rain and snow. Now that those tires are discontinued (and NOT available online where I thought they were) I have a problem because my two rears are fairly new but the fronts are nearing replacement (I need to do a better job rotating.)

Anyway so I know it's our family's 2nd car and it's got 217k on it but I am particular about my cars and don't want to throw some crappy-ass tires on there and call it a day. I also want to know when I'm driving the car it's at the very best it can be performance-wise.

Problem is choosing a tire for the two fronts to match up with my T-rated Traction T/As (or get 4 new ones). I am considering:

BFGoodrich Premier Touring
General Altimax RT
Kumho Solus KR21
Kumho eco Solus HM KR22
Pirelli P4 Four Seasons
Sumitomo HTR T4
Yokohama AVID TRZ

The BFG PT's have horrible reviews. The Altimax's seem more popular. The others I have no idea but IIRC the AVIDs are also good.

Aesthetics also matter, though less so. Would prefer something that LOOKS similar to the BFG's. Or should I just get 4?

Thoughts? TIA!

-kj-

[ghettosled]

i am currently running a set of the avid TRZ om my camry, but truth be told i dont use them for the winter. i dont know if they are any good or not in the snow, i just happen to have a set of snow tires. i really do like them on dry pavement and in the rain. plus they are nice and quiet.

i too prefer to replace all 4 at once, but if i had two tires still in good shape i would go ahead and replace just the bad two tires. as long at the similar tires are at each end of the 'axle'.

[carsrus]

Honestly its gonna be almost impossible to match a tire. In general you'll be ok with a completly different tire on the front.

How bad are the fronts? It might make sense to put the good ones on the front and bad on the back and ride around like that for a while. Changing all 4 at once is much better then only 2. Most places throw in free rotations etc when you get all 4 too.

[Frodo65]

You might also try calling around various tire stores - you could get lucky with the 'old reliable' that a dealer may have in stock. Just be careful they're not REALLY old (like > 5 years).