I've done my homework and read through 10 pages of threads, including the thread for 205/45/17 tires recommendations, and also the threads about 215/45/17 tires fitting on stock wheels, but I'm now just overwhelmed by all the info...

It turns out I have sidewall bubbles in 3 of my 4 OEM Goodyear RF tires, and bent wheels too, so I'm figuring its not a defect, and I'll take the blame for not being a careful enough driver with the DC metro area roads and potholes. After purchasing 3 RFs from both the dealer and Tire Rack in the past few years, I've decided to switch to Non Run Flats.

Current wheels are stock 17"s, current tires are Goodyear RFs, 205/45/17s.
I drive ~12,000 miles/year, mixture of city and highway driving.
DC gets maybe 3-5" of snow per year, and its usually an unpleasant difficult mess of wet, slushy, snow, sleet, and ice - not the dry snow that packs down well up north.

If I were your daughter, looking for safe, economical ($80-$130 - I'll probably buy from either TireRack and also purchase the Road Hazard, or Costco which includes Road Hazard warranty in price) tires, what would you suggest?

205 or 215?
Goodyear Eagle F-1?
BF Goodrich g-Force?
the Avons on TireRack?

 

For my daughter - 205/45-17 Falken Ziex Ze 912

For me - 215/45-17 Falken Azenis R615

 

Those Azenis rock...stuck like glue! Just used mine for the first time over the weekend at a 2-day track school.

For inclement weather I bought Kumho ASX UHP a/s tires from Tire Rack.

 

My recommendation would be to switch to 16" wheels. Watch the Marketplace forum for 16" wheels someone has taken off a new MINI for aftermarket wheels. You can find some good deals there. Or, put a want to buy message there. The 16" wheels will give you more tire sidewall to act as a safety zone for your wheels. Should give you a softer ride as well.

I don't know enough about the different tires to know which would be the toughest for potholes.

 

My daughter would be riding on Michelin Pilot Exalto's, as my wife and I do now...

 

BTW just so you know, bubbles in the sidewall have nothing to do with the driver. But they do however have EVERYTHING to do with the tire mounter. That's an effect of putting too much pressure in that specific spot (with the bar tools) when trying to mount a tire on a wheel.

 

Robin's idea of 16s is an excellent one. Kuhmo ASXs are a nice choice. Lots of people are loving the Goodyears. I've had the summer version on 3 of our cars and my wife wouldn't give her's up, even tho I asked nicely. Don't know the BFGs or the Avons.

 

If you're not going to get separate winter tires, I'd check out the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position.
A little higher than your budget. They should do well for all the time the roads are dry, but not kill you if you get caught in that one snowfall they didn't forecast.

If you want something cheaper the ContinentalContiExtremeContact look interesting.

 

I went with Khumo Ecsta AST's after ditching the worthless runfats. MUCH improved traction, ride quality, and looks. Cheap too at like $60 a tire or so. Threw a Conti ComfortKit in the rear and have never looked back.
TJM

 

Hankook Ventus RS2's. I'm running 215/45-17's

Stick like hell and don't get greasy like the Falken's when hot.