Continental Extreme Contact DWS review

[KIAman]

[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

 

[Howard]

How's your mileage? My 245/45-R18 Exclaim UHP tires get 2-3 mpg worse than my 205/60-R16 Altimax Arctic.

 

[coxmaster]

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.

What type of tires were you using before?

 

[KIAman]

Mileage was too close to the old tires to be sure if it got better. I'm getting maybe around 1mpg better but that could be due to anything.

Added to OP.

 

[KIAman]

What type of tires were you using before?

OEM Bridgestone Potenza REsomething RFT
Yoko Advan Sport non-RFT
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

Adding to OP.

 

[SithSolo1]

I've been impressed with mine so far but I completely agree, the first week or so it feels like your rear is "crawling" out form under you mid-turn but its fine after you break them in. Much better than my Toyo Proxie T1Rs.

 

[MotF Bane]

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2010/10/2002-chevrolet-corvette-z06-scuffed.html

 

[Vette73]

Yep DWS FTW!!!

I got a set before they became real popular and after that my Sil and BiL have 4 DWS on both of their cars. I will replace my front with DWS so I have a full set right before winter this year.

Only thing I don't like is the sidewall is a little soft. But it is a all season so not to uncommon. Tread seems to be lasting but only have about 10k on mine and my SiLs. And as known they do great in rain and snow.

 

[Gibson486]

Yep DWS FTW!!!

I got a set before they became real popular and after that my Sil and BiL have 4 DWS on both of their cars. I will replace my front with DWS so I have a full set right before winter this year.

Only thing I don't like is the sidewall is a little soft. But it is a all season so not to uncommon. Tread seems to be lasting but only have about 10k on mine and my SiLs. And as known they do great in rain and snow.

can't be worse than Dunlop SP sport signatures.

 

[thescreensavers]

OP wait for 15k miles they will start to suck., I got mine 4/15/10

I had the same issues as you in the beginning but not as bad it burned off sooner.

They were perfect, great traction. I could floor it in the wet straight line and it would stick, Now my traction control light is kicking in flooring in a stright it I get some sqeeling.

And tread seems to be running faster then expected. The S already looks like its going out and thats like 8/32nds All the tread that was facing / is gone, and I drive 90% highway!

So I think these tires have some uber compound that burns quick then it suckage time.

Its not as bad in the wet as RSAs but in the dry they are worse. I am getting ABS to kick in a lot easier now, I am not liking this.

Meh, btw op they have to die evenly to 2/32nds to get the warranty to work.

 

[thescreensavers]

How's your mileage? My 245/45-R18 Exclaim UHP tires get 2-3 mpg worse than my 205/60-R16 Altimax Arctic.

you went 45mm wider, almost 2 inches all around, That adds drag, but 2-3 seems too much.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Wonder how these are compared to the Bridgestone Pole Positions.

 

[Gibson486]

OP wait for 15k miles they will start to suck., I got mine 4/15/10

I had the same issues as you in the beginning but not as bad it burned off sooner.

They were perfect, great traction. I could floor it in the wet straight line and it would stick, Now my traction control light is kicking in flooring in a stright it I get some sqeeling.

And tread seems to be running faster then expected. The S already looks like its going out and thats like 8/32nds All the tread that was facing / is gone, and I drive 90% highway!

So I think these tires have some uber compound that burns quick then it suckage time.

Its not as bad in the wet as RSAs but in the dry they are worse. I am getting ABS to kick in a lot easier now, I am not liking this.

Meh, btw op they have to die evenly to 2/32nds to get the warranty to work.

Well....you floor it...I think that pretty much tells you why the tires do not last long.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ front and rear tires have the same tread ware, how would flooring effect the front tires in my RWD car?

I don't floor it alot, mostly when the highway entrance is open

Again most of my miles is highway.

 

[infoiltrator]

What goes fast must slow down. ?/

 

[jlee]

you went 45mm wider, almost 2 inches all around, That adds drag, but 2-3 seems too much.

18" wheels are probably significantly heavier than 16" as well.

 

[Howard]

18" wheels are probably significantly heavier than 16" as well.

That contributes to some of it, but at least 60-75% of my mileage is highway.

 

[bryanW1995]

I used michelin pilot sport ps2's on my 01 m5. One time I decided to save some money (and, hopefully prolong tire life) so I got some goodyear f1's. It was a total nightmare, went back to ps2's and was happy as a clam.

Sounds like you're having good luck with the continentals. From what thescreensavers said, you might want to just using the continentals in the winter however.

 

[KIAman]

I don't understand the hype with PS2. They felt exactly the same as OEM but a little quieter. One notable thing is they tramlined like no tomorrow. And in the end, they had only lived around 10k miles on the rears.

At this point, I'm going to be happy with a tire that lasts at least 30k miles and if these DWS do it for me without the slippity slidy feel when brand new, then I am happy with it.

The tires on my honda last LONGER than the treadlife warranty. I've got a set of michelin pilot AS and they still got 7/32 with 50k miles on them.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Getting some 17's for my A4 in a few weeks...love me some DWS!

Where'd you get them for $480 mounted and balanced?

 

[43st]

I replaced my OEM RFT's with the Continental DW (not S) on my Miata. It's a massive improvement in pretty much every way, very happy so far.

 

[Imported]

I replaced my OEM RFT's with the Continental DW (not S) on my Miata. It's a massive improvement in pretty much every way, very happy so far.

What size DW? I'm looking at getting a set for my Miata so its not always on my RS-3s.. but they don't come in 15" size.

 

[43st]

What size DW? I'm looking at getting a set for my Miata so its not always on my RS-3s.. but they don't come in 15" size.

I have a NC and went with 205/45R17.

 

[Viper GTS]

I don't understand the hype with PS2. They felt exactly the same as OEM but a little quieter. One notable thing is they tramlined like no tomorrow. And in the end, they had only lived around 10k miles on the rears.

At this point, I'm going to be happy with a tire that lasts at least 30k miles and if these DWS do it for me without the slippity slidy feel when brand new, then I am happy with it.

The tires on my honda last LONGER than the treadlife warranty. I've got a set of michelin pilot AS and they still got 7/32 with 50k miles on them.

I tried a set of Continental DW (not DWS), I was quite unhappy with them. The worst part was the absolute lack of wet traction. I put about 500 miles on them before taking advantage of America's Tire's satisfaction guarantee & swapping them out for PS2s. Yes the PS2s only lasted me 12,000 miles but weighing a $60/month tire habit vs hating my car I'll take the PS2s any day (at least until the super sports are available in my size).

Viper GTS

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

I'm about 20K miles into my Contie DWS's. Bought them last August. I have them in 205/50R16's on a Focus. I had one replaced about a month ago because of a bulge in the sidewall. I must have hit a pothole and broke a belt.

They are still quiet and ride smooth, but I can tell I'm not getting 50K miles out of them. There is a huge difference in tread between the one that was just replaced and the others. I hope I can make it through one more winter.