What Tires would you buy - Performance & All-Season

[blackstar]

I'm looking for some input on Performance All-Season tires you have run. I know that it's hard to find that happy medium - either you get performance tires or winter tires, but I will be getting a set of Summer wheels/tires in the next few months, so I'm just looking to throw a new set of All-Season tires on the Sooby for the next 6-7 months, then swap to the other set.

I really don't drive in harsh, snowy weather conditions - so I'm steering clear of severe winter tires, but would like them to perform good in rain & snow. When we get snow here it's only a few inches (1-3", 6" @ most) a few times a year, but I travel to some areas that would be considered "snow country" - Tahoe / Truckee
I've had numerous set's of A/S on the car (02 Legacy wagon): the BFG's = one set was the G-force SS (340 AAA), the other was the G-force A/S SS (460 AAA), Yokohama YK420 (420 AA); Bridgestone RE960 A/S (400 AAA), I even had for a few months a set of Fuzion ZRi (cheap but sticky).

I've been doing some research, checking out the tread designs and the other ratings, surveys, etc, but I'm still torn on the BFG A/S SS (400 AAA) and the Continental DWS (540 AA) as the 2 that I am potentially leaning towards already, but am open to any suggestions. I've had the BFG's - and me personally I think are great as a blend of alot of good characteristics, but have some faults and in just a few inches of snow - can be super sketchy. The Continental DWS's I've never had and people seem to think there the chit in snow/rain/dry.... I wanted to get some input from fellow owners and there take on any tires you have used, Or especially if you have used any of the brands I listed in the pole, what did you think about your tires. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S are a little more than what I wanna pay so hopefully that can give you an idea of price range.

In order of what I'm ranking the tires by:

1. Wet performance / Light snow traction
2. Dry performance
3. Road noise / Comfort
4. Treadware
5. Price

[TGX4776]

i liked my Fuzion Hri's better then the conti DWS but that's just my two cents. didn't notice a big difference in performance but the fuzions are waay cheaper and seemed a bit stickier in the dry. Just picked up a set of brand new ones for 320 installed.

however try giving the Falken ZE-912's a look as well.

[blackstar]

I had ZRi's for a few months and they were good, didn't really use them in the snow tho. There definitely cheaper.
What didn't you like about the DWS's ? Did they work good in snow, but mediocre on wet / dry, or more like they just kinda sucked performance wise ?

[SativaMan04]

DWS all the way. I didnt ride them in the snow, but i was going 90 in hard rain and it felt like the road was dry. Dry weather gripped really well and this was on my wrx.

I hear great things about the ventus v12's as well.

[TGX4776]

I had ZRi's for a few months and they were good, didn't really use them in the snow tho. There definitely cheaper.
What didn't you like about the DWS's ? Did they work good in snow, but mediocre on wet / dry, or more like they just kinda sucked performance wise ?


they were no better then the Fuzions in my opinion and yes i had them in the snow.

[httrdd]

The yokohamas are really nice daily driving tires. Handle great on the highway through running water. Never tested them in the snow, but I will let you know this year.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Michelin Pilot sport A/S tires aren't on there. They wouldn't be a bad option...

[blackstar]

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S are a little more than what I wanna pay so hopefully that can give you an idea of price range.


I've heard mixed reviews on the Pilot sport Plus, heavier cars seem to really eat the edges, but there performance ratings are great. I actually am considering the Pilot sport plus tho now, I can get a rebate back from Michelin for $80
The Pilot sport is a good tire (i had on my 90 legacy), but I think the dry performance is so/so.

I talked to a buddy with the DWS's and he said they worked great in snow (like 1-2 feet) but his gas mileage went down a few MPG's, and they are very mushy / roll from the sidewall alot in corners.


Thanks for all the input guys, any information is greatly appreciated

[Wiscon_Mark]

Keep in mind that there are many different Pilot tires that are all season/summer/winter performance. The Exaltos seem like the best non UHP tire that I've found in that series.

We had some Pilot Alpin tires on our Odyssey and they were fantastic in the winter and very good otherwise although we didn't run them in the summer most of the time to save on wear.

Consumer reports just did a tire test too, would be worth looking for other opinions in their issue...

[blackstar]

Thanks Mark,
I've been researching the UHP all-seasons for the most part. Where I live our winters are primarily rain with an occasional snow flurry, but we can get 4-6 inches like last year. I don't need a severe snow/winter tire an I'm really looking for more performance than anything. I was happy with my BFG's these last 2 years in the snow - proved to me they can work pretty good in a few inches of snow for being a UHP, but there overall performance in dry and wet conditions just felt like something was kinda lacking.

I actually just picked up a set of wheels/tires for my girls car - 17x7 MSW w/ Michelin Pilot Alpin 215/60/16, which if there was anyway they'd fit- they would be on my car

Do you have a link to the consumer report on the Michelin ?

[Wiscon_Mark]

No, CR doesn't let you browse their website without a special subscription. The issue is new though, so you could go the library or even peek at a store that carries Mags. I don't know if it said anything specific about the Michelin tires, I just saw a blurb that they were testing lots of stuff and tires was one of them.

[Huffer]

I don't know about you, but I buy based on available budget first, and then tire specficiation/review. Some of those tires are priced quite differently.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

I have the old contiextremecontacts and my friend has the DWS's the DWS's are going to be one of the best Performance all seasons in snow and rain but they have softer sidewalls and less dry grip compared to others.

[geckoboy86]

I had ZRi's for a few months and they were good, didn't really use them in the snow tho. There definitely cheaper.
What didn't you like about the DWS's ? Did they work good in snow, but mediocre on wet / dry, or more like they just kinda sucked performance wise ?


they were no better then the Fuzions in my opinion and yes i had them in the snow.

I'd say avoid the Fuzion HRi and ZRi. I have them but up here in PA we get too much snow for them. Even in light snow, starting motion is easy but when it came to turning or stoping they are not good (with under 5k on them, kinda fearful of this winter coming up). Now aside from that, wet or dry, they are amazing.

[Garrison]

You picked up 17" wheels with 16" tires?