[Update 1/8/2012]
Finally replacing my rears after more than 32k miles on them. Although they didn't last 50k miles like advertised, I'm still very pleased considering I replaced my rears every 10k miles before.
[4/25/2011]
Well, I got tired of replacing my rear tires every 10k miles so I finally went with all-season which had some type of tread warranty. Behold, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS.
Size: 255/35R18
This is the first all-season tire I have ever got on the car. Total price after mount and balance was $480 which is around $300 cheaper than OEM. That was a big plus right there.
First 50 miles -
ZOMG, I was ready to throw these tires away. It had horrible traction and I kept going back to the installer insisting something was wrong. Maybe they over/undertorqued something, maybe balance was off, maybe alignment was off, maybe this maybe that. Everything was fine from an installation viewpoint so I was left with the tire.
My traction control would light up like a christmas tree under more than 1/2 throttle acceleration as my tires would slip and slide. Taking moderate speed turns was a nightmare. I felt like my entire rear-end slips about 4-5 inches in the opposite direction of the turn all the while my DSC yelled, screamed, booed, puked, choked and eventually killed engine power. This was in DRY conditions. I shuddered at the thought of rain.
Comfort and noise was top notch. The tire was smooth as butter even over rough and non-even surfaces and it was so quiet, I can hear my intake growl even under 2k RPM.
Conclusion: Throw tire away.
After 50 miles -
I think the tires had a thick layer of glaze or something because the traction suddenly got 100 times better. No more peeling out in 1/2 throttle and no more slipping around corners and turns. The sidewall is a little squishier than normal so I slipped a little more air into the tires.
The comfort and noise was still top notch and everything felt great. I am getting more impressed with this tire.
Conclusion: Workable and doing better.
After 200 miles -
Now I believe most of the glaze has burned off and I am able to take this tire to its limit, which feels equal to the OEM RFTs, which is amazing to say the least. Dry traction is graded A on the tire but so far it feels like AA grade compared to summers. It still smooths out the road imperfections and noise is excellent but grips hard even during extreme turns. Recently it rained and I took some turns in the rain with complete confidence which I would have freaked out on OEM tires. Excellent rain traction.
Conclusion: Very impressed, now waiting to see if the 50,000 mile treadwear is accurate. Hell, at this point, I would be VERY happy if they last at least 30,000 miles on my rears.
I would highly recommend this tire for those who are thinking about it. Burn off that initial 50 mile glaze and you'll have an amazing performing street tire while having no road noise and a very comfortable ride. For those who want a little more tightness, raise PSI by around 4 and stiffen the sidewall a little.
Edit: Mileage was just about the same. around 25 to 26 MPG combined
Edit2: Previous tires
OEM Bridgestone Potenza REsomething RFT - about 8 sets worth
Yoko Advan Sport non-RFT - 1 set
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 non-RFT - 1 set
Finally replacing my rears after more than 32k miles on them. Although they didn't last 50k miles like advertised, I'm still very pleased considering I replaced my rears every 10k miles before.
[4/25/2011]
Well, I got tired of replacing my rear tires every 10k miles so I finally went with all-season which had some type of tread warranty. Behold, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS.
Size: 255/35R18
This is the first all-season tire I have ever got on the car. Total price after mount and balance was $480 which is around $300 cheaper than OEM. That was a big plus right there.
First 50 miles -
ZOMG, I was ready to throw these tires away. It had horrible traction and I kept going back to the installer insisting something was wrong. Maybe they over/undertorqued something, maybe balance was off, maybe alignment was off, maybe this maybe that. Everything was fine from an installation viewpoint so I was left with the tire.
My traction control would light up like a christmas tree under more than 1/2 throttle acceleration as my tires would slip and slide. Taking moderate speed turns was a nightmare. I felt like my entire rear-end slips about 4-5 inches in the opposite direction of the turn all the while my DSC yelled, screamed, booed, puked, choked and eventually killed engine power. This was in DRY conditions. I shuddered at the thought of rain.
Comfort and noise was top notch. The tire was smooth as butter even over rough and non-even surfaces and it was so quiet, I can hear my intake growl even under 2k RPM.
Conclusion: Throw tire away.
After 50 miles -
I think the tires had a thick layer of glaze or something because the traction suddenly got 100 times better. No more peeling out in 1/2 throttle and no more slipping around corners and turns. The sidewall is a little squishier than normal so I slipped a little more air into the tires.
The comfort and noise was still top notch and everything felt great. I am getting more impressed with this tire.
Conclusion: Workable and doing better.
After 200 miles -
Now I believe most of the glaze has burned off and I am able to take this tire to its limit, which feels equal to the OEM RFTs, which is amazing to say the least. Dry traction is graded A on the tire but so far it feels like AA grade compared to summers. It still smooths out the road imperfections and noise is excellent but grips hard even during extreme turns. Recently it rained and I took some turns in the rain with complete confidence which I would have freaked out on OEM tires. Excellent rain traction.
Conclusion: Very impressed, now waiting to see if the 50,000 mile treadwear is accurate. Hell, at this point, I would be VERY happy if they last at least 30,000 miles on my rears.
I would highly recommend this tire for those who are thinking about it. Burn off that initial 50 mile glaze and you'll have an amazing performing street tire while having no road noise and a very comfortable ride. For those who want a little more tightness, raise PSI by around 4 and stiffen the sidewall a little.
Edit: Mileage was just about the same. around 25 to 26 MPG combined
Edit2: Previous tires
OEM Bridgestone Potenza REsomething RFT - about 8 sets worth
Yoko Advan Sport non-RFT - 1 set
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 non-RFT - 1 set
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