Boomer-Bob

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking forward to replacing the OE tires on my non-sport sedan (RSA's). I'm looking for a tire you'd rate best, that also has low road noise? I've been researching here and the 'net... Conti DW maybe? But, I'd prefer the wider 245's and I don't think I can get summer DW tires in a 245 / 50 / 17. The Conti DWS all seasons I can, but, not sure if they would grip as well as the DW? I like Michelin's, not sure which ones might be best for what I'm looking for? Been a while since I bought new rubber.
Good performance is #1 I drive mountains and coastline on mostly dry roads, a lot.
Road noise #2, Given my hearing, road noise seems louder to me than most.
Size 245 if possible is #3 I'd like to go up a size from the stock 225's.
#4 is price.
Forum Members? Tirerack? Psychologists?

TinsleyC

I'm in the same boat, needing new rubber in a few months. I'm pretty well sold on the Continental ExtremeContact DWS. I live in Dallas which does get occasional snow/ice, and also want the 245/50-17.

Where do you live? If you expect any ice/snow I wouldn't do the summer DW tire. From what I read, the DWS is a good improvement over stock.

As for a Michelin, I have the Pilot Sport A/S Plus in my notes. Better dry traction & cornering than the DWS but not as good treadwear, or as good on water. For me, I figure the DWS is an improvement over what I have now (Goodyear Eagle RS-A) so it's all good. See this TireRack rating list:

Consumer Survey Results By Category

Edit: Actually, according to TireRack, there are only three tires in the 245 size:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=y&sortValue=0

Boomer-Bob

iTrader: (1)

TinsleyC;
Thanks for the links. The DWS and Pilot Spot A/S Plus have been at the top of my list too. I live in Southern California, no snow. I drive mountain roads, but avoid them when ice or snow are likely. I like the wet grip of both tires and I don't see A/S as a disadvantage as long as the trade-off isn't great. I've read some reports of the DWS's pulling as if alignment was off, but, the posts were during early DWS production. I've had Pilot Sports in the past and liked them, but, not the current A/S plus model.
Maybe someone in the forum will share more insights?

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (2)

If dry performance/handling is your #1, then I prob wouldn't look at an all season. Although good in dry they won't quite offer the level of handling like a summer tire will, but are quieter. However, if you want to go to a 245 there are no summer tires really to choose from. There is a much better selection of summer tires in the 225.

If 245's I'd go with the DWS or Sport AS+. The AS+ will offer more dry traction over the DWS as well as steering response.

If the stock 225's I'd go the Yoko S.Drive or Firestone Wide Oval Indy 500.

Boomer-Bob

iTrader: (1)

^Thank you Neal. Sounds like good advice. I wish there were more tires in the 245/50/17. But, based on Tirerack.com's reviews, looks like both the tires you mentioned are a noticable step up from RSA's?

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (2)

Only thing the RSA is good for are tire swings

Boomer-Bob

iTrader: (1)

I only have three trees... I'll have a spare tire swing!

mtlg37

Installed few days ago 245/40/19 front and 275/35/19 rear on oem mags.

Sold my almost new Re050a tires because they where to loud and harsh on our beautiful quebec roads.

Bought Ventus V12's. Less then 10 miles with them so no real review yet.
They are a bit less noisy(dont forget i also went up is size) but certainly more comfortable. Handling is as good as the 225/245 re050 potenza.

They are also cheap

chuckie311

iTrader: (3)

its not the tires that make the noise its the pavement.

G35sportsedan

Michelin primacy mxm4 same ones in the M56 and 5 series

Boomer-Bob

iTrader: (1)

Neal, about the tirerack.com review rating numbers... are the tires compared to others of the same type or across all tire types? Like is a traction rating of 8.0 on a A/S tire mean that that tire has the same traction as a 8.0 rated summer tire? I'm trying to compare some summers with some A/S tires.

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (2)

The tires are ranked within/against tires within their own class. An 8.5 in max performance really isn't the same as an 8.5 in performance all season. It's releative to the same class not cross classes.

Boomer-Bob

iTrader: (1)

Neal, thank you for your help and patients. Is there a universal benchmark / relative rating or offset to use across classes? I'm looking to find the net trade-off / comparison between two classes. But, in the world of tires, I don't know how close the classes are... I'm stuck in noobdumb.

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (2)

Really isn't, but you can get a good idea of how extreme you can end up going by the tire's class. However, I tell people who want a little bit of everything out of the tire, not one extreme or the other, to stick with an ultra high performance class. For summer tires, ultra high performance summer.... all season, ultra high performance (sometimes high performance depending on what's available) all season. Tires in those classes offer the best mix of daily drivability, moderate a/s traction (in the a/s class obviously), wear, ride, noise, dry/wet handling, etc.

Boomer-Bob

iTrader: (1)

Thank you Neal! I really appreciate Tirerack's participation and support on this forum.