Tire recommendation - Continental ExtremeContact DWS

[labatt]

Just wanted to give my two cents here... I've used a lot of different tires over the years (Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, etc.). We're in the Northeast, and while I do have multiple sets of rims I'm sick of swapping them out year after year... so I wanted a good set of all seasons for both of our X5's ('03 4.4 and '09 4.8 with runflat). I hated the runflat noise on our '09 too.

We get a bunch of snow up here and don't like letting it slow us down. Rain can be hard during the spring/summer. I've never found a set of tires I love.. until now.

I bought a set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires for the '09. They are NOT runflat. They are not the cheapest, and definitely not the most expensive. They are a bit different as they have the letters "D" (dry), "W" (wet) and "S" (snow) printed on the tread. The idea is that, over time, the S will wear away and that means snow performance has degraded. Same thing for W and D (last to wear away).

This Winter we've been through a lot of snow. We drove through a blizzard in western NY and through a number of 10"+ snowfalls here in upstate NY. These tires are AMAZING! They stick better than my old set of Blizzak's. You actually have to TRY to get them to break free. Stopping distances are wonderful.

We also brough them through several heavy rainstorms and, once again, tracking was excellent even with significant water on the ground. Where we would have hydroplaned before, these tires just went right through.

Cornering is excellent. Not as good as full performance tires, but much better than my other all season tires I've used in the past.

Anyway.. just thought I'd share. I'm never buying anything different moving forward.

[THE VEIN]

I always stuck with a good all season tire. I never get too crazy to the point my car will lose traction that would make me need a dedicated summer or winter tire

[TwinTurboGTR]

I agree. A lot of forum members have gone with the Conti DWS and came back with awesome reviews. I have a set on my 4.8is.

Just curious, I have a thread going on about snow tires and I have a set of Blizzak DM-V1... When you had your snow shoes on, did you notice DSC having to work hard to keep the X firmly planted during normal driving condition? I had a set that I put on my 4.8 last year and compared to a set of Pirelli I&S, they tires actually suck. They have 12/32 of tread, but still dont do a great job keeping the X firmly planted.

Wan to hear your opinion.

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

I agree. A lot of forum members have gone with the Conti DWS and came back with awesome reviews. I have a set on my 4.8is.

Just curious, I have a thread going on about snow tires and I have a set of Blizzak DM-V1... When you had your snow shoes on, did you notice DSC having to work hard to keep the X firmly planted during normal driving condition? I had a set that I put on my 4.8 last year and compared to a set of Pirelli I&S, they tires actually suck. They have 12/32 of tread, but still dont do a great job keeping the X firmly planted.

Wan to hear your opinion.

I have the DWS's for my summer tires and the DM-V1's on 18's for my winter, agreed.. it's no fun in the snow with the DM-V1's unless you turn off the DSC

with DSC on tho, it sticks to the road like glue

[tmv]

^Should have gotten the DW for summer.
When I bought my iS, it has asset of DWS on the stock wheels. That's what I'm gonna get when this Michelin set on the HRE worn out.
I'm running DWS on my Z32.

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by tmv

^Should have gotten the DW for summer.
When I bought my iS, it has asset of DWS on the stock wheels. That's what I'm gonna get when this Michelin set on the HRE worn out.
I'm running DWS on my Z32.

I will say this, the DSW's do NOT handle as good as the Michelin's, but I am hoping they last longer

[4.8isX5]

I too had the DWS and still do in the front...

For replacements though i went with delinte d8's in the back, and they ride, handle and do everything else just like the continentals...


Catch is you can pickup a whole set 275/315 of these for $540...

I run these in the rear since october, and if you look up reviews srt8 jeep guys have tried them and love them too.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by tmv

^Should have gotten the DW for summer.
When I bought my iS, it has asset of DWS on the stock wheels. That's what I'm gonna get when this Michelin set on the HRE worn out.
I'm running DWS on my Z32.

+1 on the DWs for summer tires. Better still, Conti is soon releasing the CenterForceContact, taking the DW concept to the next level. I don't run steamroller tires (only 255/285 19s), and will go for the most wet/dry grip for the size.

The CenterForceContact design has seen the most Nurburgring development miles (ks of miles) of any production street tire.

I've been watching the online tire sites for it's release.


SEMA 2013 Continental Centerforcecontact 22 Photo 25

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

+1 on the DWs for summer tires. Better still, Conti is soon releasing the CenterForceContact, taking the DW concept to the next level. I don't run steamroller tires (only 255/285 19s), and will go for the most wet/dry grip for the size.

The CenterForceContact design has seen the most Nurburgring development miles (ks of miles) of any production street tire.

I've been watching the online tire sites for it's release.


SEMA 2013 Continental Centerforcecontact 22 Photo 25

I actually prefer the 19's ( 255/285 setup ) to my 20's ( 275/315 setup )

The 19's offer up a better ride and actually handle better then the 20's, most likely due to the weight difference!

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by BigBlack48is

I actually prefer the 19's ( 255/285 setup ) to my 20's ( 275/315 setup )

The 19's offer up a better ride and actually handle better then the 20's, most likely due to the weight difference!

I agree.

I actually went with E46 ///M3 aftermarket ultralight wheels (285-19 rear wheel/tire assembly weighs under 50 lbs), wheel load rating is 680 kg.

If I load the X and trailer I switch to the OE 255-18s for higher load.

I'm OCD about unsprung weight.