ATOTers, is it the norm to spend $700-800 for a set of new tires?

[SSSnail]

I was looking at the category as a whole. In both categories, there were tires that had better performance than the other. For example, the Extreme contact in wet pavement had the same stopping distance as the Pirelli Cinturato and higher stopping distance than the Pure Contact and Premier A/S which are "grand touring tires". I don't like the Extreme contact tires because going by the reviews, the tires wear out very quickly, sometimes as quick as 20K miles which reminds me of the Primacy MXV4 S8. For a tire with marginally better performance 86Ft stopping distance in the dry vs. 88-90 for the Premier A/S, Pure Contact, Turanza Serenity Plus, and 94ft for the Pirelli Cinturato, that to me isn't enough to justify the wear penalty of those tires. The Cinturato, based upon the reviews is an extremely comfortable, quiet tire with decent handling.

I have personal experience with both the ExtremeContact DWS and Cinturato P7 run-flats. I can tell you that the Contis DWS don't wear out at 20K miles, and if they do, the drivers are big idiots because I don't exactly baby my cars and I'm about to replace one set after 5 years. The OP was looking for all seasons tires, which the DWS would do well, in all seasons.

The ratings and reviews for the DWS are quite favorable, and I need to mention again that for the money, they're one of the best ones around.

The P7 run-flats are OEM, and have worse ratings than the DWS 06 in all categories. I'll probably change them out to something else when the time comes.

In contrast, here are the ratings for the Cinturato P7:

Hydroplaning Resistance 8.3
Wet Traction 8.3
Cornering Stability 8.2
Dry Traction 8.6
Steering Response 7.8
Light Snow Traction 7.5
Deep Snow Traction 6.6
Ice Traction 6.5
Ride Quality 7.1
Noise 6.7
Treadwear 7.2

 

[tortillasoup]

I have personal experience with both the ExtremeContact DWS and Cinturato P7 run-flats. I can tell you that the Contis DWS don't wear out at 20K miles, and if they do, the drivers are big idiots because I don't exactly baby my cars and I'm about to replace one set after 5 years. The OP was looking for all seasons tires, which the DWS would do well, in all seasons.

The ratings and reviews for the DWS are quite favorable, and I need to mention again that for the money, they're one of the best ones around.

The P7 run-flats are OEM, and have worse ratings than the DWS 06 in all categories. I'll probably change them out to something else when the time comes.

In contrast, here are the ratings for the Cinturato P7:

Hydroplaning Resistance 8.3
Wet Traction 8.3
Cornering Stability 8.2
Dry Traction 8.6
Steering Response 7.8
Light Snow Traction 7.5
Deep Snow Traction 6.6
Ice Traction 6.5
Ride Quality 7.1
Noise 6.7
Treadwear 7.2

Nobody mentioned run-flats... just you. I don't recommend run-flats for many reasons.

 

[SSSnail]

Nobody mentioned run-flats... just you. I don't recommend run-flats for many reasons.

You just said Cinturato, which includes the run-flats as well. But, feel free to look up performance ratings of any Cinturato and compare them to the DWS I linked.

All of the Cinturato series have significantly worse ratings, with the exception of the Plus series.

 

[tortillasoup]

You just said Cinturato, which includes the run-flats as well. But, feel free to look up performance ratings of any Cinturato and compare them to the DWS I linked.

All of the Cinturato series have significantly worse ratings, with the exception of the Plus series.

When I was looking at the Cinturato tires for his vehicle, it can only take the Cinturato P7 All Season Plus and no other Cinturato variation anyway.

 

[SSSnail]

When I was looking at the Cinturato tires for his vehicle, it can only take the Cinturato P7 All Season Plus and no other Cinturato variation anyway.

Are you saying the ONLY 235/45 R18 Cinturato are the P7 All Season Plus? Didn't know there are variations in 235/45 R18... :hmm:

 

[tortillasoup]

Are you saying the ONLY 235/45 R18 Cinturato are the P7 All Season Plus? Didn't know there are variations in 235/45 R18... :hmm:

Yes. If you go on the Pirelli website, the only All Season variation of the Cinturato that fits the car is the P7 All Season Plus. They make a Cinturato P7 but it isn't an All season tire.

 

[Carson Dyle]

July 2011 was the last time I bought tires for my 05 Forester. Michelin Primacy MXV4 215/60R-16. $647 with taxes, minus $70 rebate = $577.

Bigger tires, four and half years later. Yeah, sounds about right.

 

[tortillasoup]

July 2011 was the last time I bought tires for my 05 Forester. Michelin Primacy MXV4 215/60R-16. $647 with taxes, minus $70 rebate = $577.

Bigger tires, four and half years later. Yeah, sounds about right.

how's the dry-rot? I've got those tires, half of them have really bad dry-rot and they're about the same age as yours.

 

[Carson Dyle]

how's the dry-rot? I've got those tires, half of them have really bad dry-rot and they're about the same age as yours.

Absolutely none that I've noticed, but I'm in Colorado where it's very arid.

 

[razel]

I don't recommend run-flats for many reasons.

I agree!

They sound promising as if you can continue to drive when you get a nail, but the truth is, yes when you get a nail and it leaks air, there is no fix, you must replace the tire. Unlike regular tires that can be patched within reason. The only places I found that are willing to patch run flats are businesses who's names rhyme with 'Quadalajara Qire' and you don't get a receipt.

 

[SSSnail]

I agree!

They sound promising as if you can continue to drive when you get a nail, but the truth is, yes when you get a nail and it leaks air, there is no fix, you must replace the tire. Unlike regular tires that can be patched within reason. The only places I found that are willing to patch run flats are businesses who's names rhyme with 'Quadalajara Qire' and you don't get a receipt.

The point of run-flats aren't that you can patch them, but rather they still provide control when loss of air occurs. They're meant as safety devices, to keep your family safe in the event tire failures. At some point in life, safety becomes important, albeit at the cost of some performance. But let's face it, we aren't racing our cars everyday out there now, are we? I don't pretend that I'm a touring driver every time I get into my car, and neither should anybody.

We all know the drawbacks of run-flats, but to some of us, the drawbacks are acceptable compromises. And run-flats technology has come a long way, they are now more comfortable, quieter, perform better, and lighter than previous generations, all the while providing that safety net that you'd inevitably need one of these days.

 

[96Firebird]

Since oil price has plummeted, any chance tire price will decrease? I will be in the market for new summer tires (all-seasons) on my daily driver, but not sure if it is worth waiting...

 

[Vdubchaos]

They need big wheels to clear big brakes. With 10" rotors, 15" wheels are fine. Not so much when you get into 13"+ territory.

That's a whole another issue. More mass requires bigger brakes.

10" rotors do a great job on my car, so I see 0 point of going bigger. And no I don't autoX or race.....reserve those things for purpose/race cars, do not apply to commuters.

 

[tortillasoup]

Since oil price has plummeted, any chance tire price will decrease? I will be in the market for new summer tires (all-seasons) on my daily driver, but not sure if it is worth waiting...

wait for a sale like memorial day or something like that. I depends on how much time you have left on your tires.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

+1 on the Conti DWS. Great tire. Pricey. No way they are worn out at 20k miles unless you road race alot.

I replaced a set with some General Gmax for a bit less and found the General tires to be every bit as good.

I've run Kumho ecsta (where do they come up with these names?) and thought they were decent as well. Wasn't the same car so can't directly compare.

 

[Midwayman]

Are you saying the ONLY 235/45 R18 Cinturato are the P7 All Season Plus? Didn't know there are variations in 235/45 R18... :hmm:

You can always run a slightly different combo if you really need to. 225/50 or 245/40 maybe. (haven't run the numbers through a wheel calculator) But you can pretty much always change up width and aspect a little bit and stay within a couple percent on the speedo if there is a tire you really want.

 

[Zivic]

Since oil price has plummeted, any chance tire price will decrease? I will be in the market for new summer tires (all-seasons) on my daily driver, but not sure if it is worth waiting...

no... the driving factor with tire prices is rubber.... and if I am correct there is high demand and some sort of issue with supply over the last couple yrs. possibly a disease affecting rubber trees?

 

[Zivic]

+1 on the Conti DWS. Great tire. Pricey. No way they are worn out at 20k miles unless you road race alot.

I replaced a set with some General Gmax for a bit less and found the General tires to be every bit as good.

I've run Kumho ecsta (where do they come up with these names?) and thought they were decent as well. Wasn't the same car so can't directly compare.

I had set of DWS I ran for a short time on my evo. very decent all-season tire, though I wouldn't call them pricey. I find conti tires to be very reasonably priced

I've run various kumhos ecsta tires on cars, and I find, as probably with most tires are very application specific. FWIW, they were pretty decent on my old mazda protege

 

[tortillasoup]

Consumer reports gives the Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires a "fair" rating in the tread life dept, and "Poor" in the Snow traction dept.

 

[squirrel dog]

$1200 + for 4 20" Mitchlens for my truck .

 

[Zivic]

Consumer reports gives the Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires a "fair" rating in the tread life dept, and "Poor" in the Snow traction dept.

if you are buying tires based on consumer reports, you are probably mainly concerned with price. The DWS is kind of a performance based all-season, if there is such a thing, and "snow traction" would be of little concern. a person buying a tire like that would probably have dedicated snow tires for snow.... an all season is more of a 3 season tire being used when temps drop below 50. as far as the tread life rating... fair is fair, and given they aren't priced too high, I don't see anything wrong with them

 

[natto fire]

I'm not an ATOT millionaire, but tires and boots are where I will absolutely not cut corners.

 

[tortillasoup]

if you are buying tires based on consumer reports, you are probably mainly concerned with price. The DWS is kind of a performance based all-season, if there is such a thing, and "snow traction" would be of little concern. a person buying a tire like that would probably have dedicated snow tires for snow.... an all season is more of a 3 season tire being used when temps drop below 50. as far as the tread life rating... fair is fair, and given they aren't priced too high, I don't see anything wrong with them

I'd rather have the Goodyear Eagle F1 which rated "good" in the Snow Category, its UTQG traction rating is "AA" vs. "A" for the DWS tires. The Goodyear overall got better treadwear and traction. DWS is scored 66 out of 100 while the Goodyear is 70/100 and the Michelin Pilot A/S 3 got the highest rating of 76/100. On the other hand, if it makes you feel better, the DWS tire is #3 spot behind the Goodyear and the Michelin tires.

 

[SSSnail]

if you are buying tires based on consumer reports, you are probably mainly concerned with price. The DWS is kind of a performance based all-season, if there is such a thing, and "snow traction" would be of little concern. a person buying a tire like that would probably have dedicated snow tires for snow.... an all season is more of a 3 season tire being used when temps drop below 50. as far as the tread life rating... fair is fair, and given they aren't priced too high, I don't see anything wrong with them

Funnily enough, he totally ignores the people that tested these tires and give it a much more detailed metric than the entity that no one gives a shit about that gave an arbitrary rating of "meh".

DWS 06 Performance Metrics:
Hydroplaning Resistance 9.4
Wet Traction 9.4
Cornering Stability 9.0
Dry Traction 9.3
Steering Response 8.8
Light Snow Traction 9.1
Deep Snow Traction 8.6
Ice Traction 8.2
Ride Quality 9.0
Noise 8.9
Treadwear 9.1

Maybe I should bold it and increase the font a bit.

Eagle F1 Performance Metrics:
Hydroplaning Resistance 8.8
Wet Traction 9.0
Cornering Stability 8.9
Dry Traction 9.1
Steering Response 8.9
Light Snow Traction 7.2
Deep Snow Traction 5.7
Ice Traction 6.1
Ride Quality 8.4
Noise 8.1
Treadwear 8.2

BTW, UTQG: 560 AA A for DWS 06, UTQG: 500 AA A for Eagle F1.

At this point, I'm fairly confident to just ignore all your comments from now on, soup.

 

[Kelvrick]

if you are buying tires based on consumer reports, you are probably mainly concerned with price. The DWS is kind of a performance based all-season, if there is such a thing, and "snow traction" would be of little concern. a person buying a tire like that would probably have dedicated snow tires for snow.... an all season is more of a 3 season tire being used when temps drop below 50. as far as the tread life rating... fair is fair, and given they aren't priced too high, I don't see anything wrong with them

What? The whole point of the DWS is a compromise against dry and wet performance for some snow traction. What do you think the S in DWS stands for? If someone had no concerns for snow traction, you are correct that they wouldn't buy the DWS, they would buy a real summer/performance tire that will be better than the DWS. And all seasons will generally perform fine under 50f. It is summer compound that you'll have a problem going with when going into freezing temperatures.

Funnily enough, he totally ignores the people that tested these tires and give it a much more detailed metric than the entity that no one gives a shit about that gave an arbitrary rating of "meh".

DWS 06 Performance Metrics:
Hydroplaning Resistance 9.4
Wet Traction 9.4
Cornering Stability 9.0
Dry Traction 9.3
Steering Response 8.8
Light Snow Traction 9.1
Deep Snow Traction 8.6
Ice Traction 8.2
Ride Quality 9.0
Noise 8.9
Treadwear 9.1

Maybe I should bold it and increase the font a bit.

Eagle F1 Performance Metrics:
Hydroplaning Resistance 8.8
Wet Traction 9.0
Cornering Stability 8.9
Dry Traction 9.1
Steering Response 8.9
Light Snow Traction 7.2
Deep Snow Traction 5.7
Ice Traction 6.1
Ride Quality 8.4
Noise 8.1
Treadwear 8.2

BTW, UTQG: 560 AA A for DWS 06, UTQG: 500 AA A for Eagle F1.

At this point, I'm fairly confident to just ignore all your comments from now on, soup.

I don't completely agree with tortilla, but you're not much better. I'm not saying the numbers you quoted are wrong, but they're subjective consumer ratings. You came into the thread throwing down that the DWS was the best all season bar none. Well, what is your specification for best all season. Is it dry? Wet? Snow? A combination of all three? I won't even bother comparing it to real summer tires for dry, because it will get destroyed. It isn't even the best in the dry as an all season though, the Michelin Premier A/S beats it in tirerack's test in all measured dry and wet metrics except wet slalom time where it loses by .01 seconds. Oh, it also loses in the dry to the Goodyear Eagle F1.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=201

Stop nut hugging the DWS, because it is a compromise, just like all other all season tires. Everyone has to decide on their own where they want their compromise. Heck, you even got caught comparing the wrong Pirelli P7's earlier but he didn't resort to saying you're good enough to be ignored.