buying new tires

[simonnd]

Looking for a good set of all-season tires. Does anyone have personal experience with continental tires particularly the DWS and ContiProContact? I do most of my driving on highways. Any suggestions would be appeciated. Thanks.

[mshills]

Much depends on where you live, meaning climate in which you are going to drive.

 

Make and model of the vehicle that needs new shoes?

 

I've had great results with the DWS, seems a particularly great value for money. It's nowhere near a snow tire, but they did very well for four-seasons driving here in NJ on both a FWD Acura RL and again on an AWD Volvo XC70.

 

No first-hand experience w/ the ProContact.

[mtgrizinmn]

I had the DWS on my last Jetta and really didn't like them. They felt very harsh and didn't provide near the traction I was hoping for. That was over 5 years ago, so they may have improved since then.

[highergr0und]

I love seeds, but the salt content really started bothering me. Then David came out with the "Simply Seeds" and I would crush those. But then they discontinued them. Every now and then I'll buy a bag of the reduced sodium ones and eat as many as I can stand. Can't stand all the other flavors.

[Springsteennut]

I don’t have much experience with Continental but I have Cooper On 3 of my families cars. They hold up well and the traction is really good. I just put a set on my daughter’s car that lives in Minneapolis ( where there is a pretty significant storm going on)and she called me a little while ago and said the tires are working great. I think the model is Cs5.

[Imp]

Much depends on where you live, meaning climate in which you are going to drive.

 

Make and model of the vehicle that needs new shoes?

This. ^^^^ I'm not going to recommend anything specific until we know weather (rain vs snow vs cold vs warm) and car.

 

If you drive in snow more than 5x a year, get dedicated snow tires on separate wheels and swap them over every year (and even then, not all snows are the same).

 

--kC

[thug the bunny]

I love seeds, but the salt content really started bothering me. Then David came out with the "Simply Seeds" and I would crush those. But then they discontinued them. Every now and then I'll buy a bag of the reduced sodium ones and eat as many as I can stand. Can't stand all the other flavors.

 

Wait, what?

[Imp]

And.... we scared him - asking for facts and not vagueness.

 

--kC

[mizuno player]

Michelins are all I use. Currently have 73k on this set. They need replaced. That's a good run on a set of tires.

 

They make a set for all types of cars and driving. Worth every penny to me.

[shifu]

I’ve had Conti procontacts on my VW gti. No issues with road noise and I’ve made several trips from PA to N.C. continental tires are good for the money.

[highergr0und]

I love seeds, but the salt content really started bothering me. Then David came out with the "Simply Seeds" and I would crush those. But then they discontinued them. Every now and then I'll buy a bag of the reduced sodium ones and eat as many as I can stand. Can't stand all the other flavors.

 

Wait, what?

 

Lol, I think I posted in the wrong thread.

[Redpro]

Much depends on where you live, meaning climate in which you are going to drive.

 

Make and model of the vehicle that needs new shoes?

This. ^^^^ I'm not going to recommend anything specific until we know weather (rain vs snow vs cold vs warm) and car.

 

If you drive in snow more than 5x a year, get dedicated snow tires on separate wheels and swap them over every year (and even then, not all snows are the same).

 

--kC

 

I have a 2018 Audi S4, S-Sport package, with Hankook Ventus S1 EVO2 245/35Z R19 93Y tires (stock with the car). I've had it two weeks now. I think they are "summer" tires, per the dealer.

 

I live in the Dallas area. Hot summers, some ice in the winters, maybe a bit of snow. Spring tornado/rainy season.

 

What all-season tire would you recommend. Audi has some recommendations, but would love too hear yours! :)

 

I drive it like the old man that I am, in this well-mannered cheetah. :)

[Imp]

Those are summer tires and good tires when it's above 40+ degrees. Under that, just have to be a little more judicious with the right foot. They aren't bad. What don't you like about them? I mean, I believe Hankook and Audi worked together to make the most of THOSE tires on THAT car.

 

I will say this, no tire other than a studded tire will save you on ice. It's better to just not drive until it's gone (because there will be other people aiming at your car unintentionally - and I would argue the same in snow in Dallas). So now we're down to figuring out what's good with the few days in the 40s you may see. And rain.

 

If you absolutely must have an all season to drive in snow, look no further than either the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 or Michelin Pilot Sport 3+. Both excellent in water and under 40* weather.

 

However, if it was just water you had to worry about, and rarely drive in cold, I would stick with the tires you have, or if you can't stand them for some reason, go with the Continental ExtremeContact Sport. Excellent road manners and grip, even in the wet.

 

--kC

[Redpro]

Those are summer tires and good tires when it's above 40+ degrees. Under that, just have to be a little more judicious with the right foot. They aren't bad. What don't you like about them? I mean, I believe Hankook and Audi worked together to make the most of THOSE tires on THAT car.

 

I will say this, no tire other than a studded tire will save you on ice. It's better to just not drive until it's gone (because there will be other people aiming at your car unintentionally - and I would argue the same in snow in Dallas). So now we're down to figuring out what's good with the few days in the 40s you may see. And rain.

 

If you absolutely must have an all season to drive in snow, look no further than either the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 or Michelin Pilot Sport 3+. Both excellent in water and under 40* weather.

 

However, if it was just water you had to worry about, and rarely drive in cold, I would stick with the tires you have, or if you can't stand them for some reason, go with the Continental ExtremeContact Sport. Excellent road manners and grip, even in the wet.

 

--kC

 

Thank you so much!!

 

Yes, I did read that Hankook and Audi collaborated on the tire for the S4. I have not complaints about the tire, just wanted to see what options I had when it came time to replace them. Grew up in Wisconsin and know a little bit about snow and ice driving. Once did a complete 360 on a snow/ice covered road and motored on like nothing happened. It was 5 am in the morning. :)

 

People freak out in DFW even when it rains. They put on their emergency flashers on the freeway.

 

So, from late November to the end of February, we'll have that under 40 degree weather. I can handle that.

 

Again, thanks bud . . . you're my go-to Audi guy!

 

:)

[simonnd]

I installed my new DW06 tires on my mazda6 last week. So far, they are ok. Grip and cornering are good.

[Imp]

 

Grew up in Wisconsin and know a little bit about snow and ice driving. Once did a complete 360 on a snow/ice covered road and motored on like nothing happened. It was 5 am in the morning. :)

 

People freak out in DFW even when it rains.

 

And that's the problem. While you may know, while *I* may know how to operate a car in adverse conditions, almost anyone in the rust belt for that matter, those down south that hardly encounter it? L to the O to the L. That's why I advocate staying home, because the only thing you'll be is someones elses brakes. At that, they just don't have the equipment to salt/brine/pretreat the roads either....

 

As WOPR said, the only winning move is not to play.

 

--kC

[hammy83]

I installed my new DW06 tires on my mazda6 last week. So far, they are ok. Grip and cornering are good.

 

Can I ask where you live and what made you so dead set on Continental? They are great tires but you basically bought a premium tire for a grocery getter. For example falken has some great tires that are significantly cheaper but performance wise and according to ratings and reviews are on the same level. Both Pirelli and dunlop also make a comparable for less. While its a great rating, a mazda 6 with W rated also seasons is overkill which you pay for. the treadwear is great but designed for powerful vehicles which is why its AA-A. To each their own on spending money and get what you want... I'm just curious.

[Noles]

tirerack.com has a great review section. You can search the reviews by make and model which is a really nice feature. Just don't buy your tires from them. You are just adding a middle man to the purchase.

[Redpro]

Grew up in Wisconsin and know a little bit about snow and ice driving. Once did a complete 360 on a snow/ice covered road and motored on like nothing happened. It was 5 am in the morning. :)

 

People freak out in DFW even when it rains.

 

And that's the problem. While you may know, while *I* may know how to operate a car in adverse conditions, almost anyone in the rust belt for that matter, those down south that hardly encounter it? L to the O to the L. That's why I advocate staying home, because the only thing you'll be is someones elses brakes. At that, they just don't have the equipment to salt/brine/pretreat the roads either....

 

As WOPR said, the only winning move is not to play.

 

--kC

 

Truth. :)

[JDFish]

In Ohio - I installed Extreme Contact DWS on my 2014 Audi A4 after the crappy Goodyear tires were worn after 28k miles. Loved them especially in rain and snow. I'll likely put them on my 2018 A4 when the stock Pirellis are done, unless there is something new/better available then.

[CHuntsman]

I just bought a set of Michelin Defenders. I've had nothing but good experiences with them in the past.

[touch]

I put a set of these Bridgestone Advantage Sport T/A's on my Taurus last summer. They are excellent tires and get great reviews.

I am in the Mid Atlantic region and really like all they are about. Excellent in wet conditions, corner extremely well, and provide a smooth ride.

I would expect they are one of the best all around choices in an All Season tire. Medium price point.