Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires best tire for under $100 ?

Open to suggestions here. Looking for a new set of tires for the Tour. Quite ride perferred over high performance noise, but still want to be able to throw the car around a little. Snow traction is not an issue, wet traction is less than 5% of all driving.

205 (or 215) 55 series 16 inch perferred

Currently have Eagle GS-C's on the rear and BFGoodrich G-Force KDW's up front. Personally feel the GS-C's to be a better tire all around over the KDWs' (road noise, bump impact, handling, firm sidewalls, treadwear, but the cost gives KDW's more credit). Also wondering what anyone has to say about the Goodyear Eagle NCT3? Is this brand new to the market? Needs to be under $100 each as I have to buy Uncle Sam 3 sets of tires this year, if you know what I mean.

Your input is appreciated.
Thanks
DAvid
98 SE Sport V6 ATX
Borbet 16 inch rims, mismatched wearing tires

Do you require all-season tires?

I assume no since you have GSCs and KDWs now.

www.tirerack.com lists 113 tires in 205/55R16.

Luke who works for Tirerack and helps many of the Contour owners out sings the praises of the Bridgstone Potenza RE730 , which is $104 per tire. Add about $15 for any tire to get it shipped to your door and then mounted at a local shop. I love the 215/50R16 KDWs on my 2000 SVT, although loud on concrete. My previous car used 205/55R16 and I've been through several sets.

Original Goodyear GT+4 sucked.
Michelin XGT H4 all seasons sucked.
2 sets of Pirelli P7000 SS were great, and looked cool.
Final set of Yokohama AVS-i (Intermediates) were awesome. When used as summer only and racing, they lasted as long as the P7000 SS and are cheap. I love the AVS-i, but the treadwear isn't that great to offset the lower cost.

Tirerack lists the AVS-i at $74 each.

I would stay away from Goodyear 'performance' tires. Too mass market for me and not enough grip, especially for the money.

I would try the RE730's next, but don't know if it's too far over your $100 limit.

I've had B F Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS (not KDW) tires on my 98 E0 for about a week now. I was not happy with the original Goodyear GS-C. They were noisy when about half worn and wore out way too fast. I bought the 225/50R16 size from tirerack for $109.00 each. If you want the smaller size, they may be a little cheaper.

When they were first mounted, I thought that they were a bit stiff, but I'm either getting accostomed to them or they are mellowing a bit with use. B F Goodrich claims that they will wear longer than the KDW, are quieter, and will handle dry, wet, and snow. They are Z and W speed rated.

If you absolutely must keep the price down, shop around or look over the list on tirerack. I'm sure that there are many options available.

Jim Johnson
98 SVT

all-season Dunlop Sport 5000's $96
performance Potenza RE730 $104

------------------
Luke Pavlick
Sales Representative
Performance Specialist
ASE Certified Master Tech
for more info or to place
orders please call
800-428-8355 ext. 362
or mention my name when
ordering on-line for the
best service.
www.tirerack.com

luke, what size are those dunlops? i cant find them on the site.

so, you think they are better than the stock kdw's? why?

thanks!,

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'99 svt - silver/blue - #2555 of 2760
h&r's * sho-shop y-pipe * kkm * sca rear sway bar * bnm hvac white panel * piaa super whites * xenon foglights * infinity kappas w/ tweeters & a 10in alpine C:\WINNT\Profiles\cgaither\Desktop\dsc00678.jpg (<~cut & paste)

I think he just means the SP5000 is the best all-season tire. The stock KDW is not an all-season tire. He does think the RE730 is a better summer tire than the KWD, however.

are BFG T/A tires any good?? car seems sloppy but the air psi is the proper 44.

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Black 1998 SVT E0
Poly Swaybar and MM
TH fix
Lighted SVT mod
***on the way
MSDS headers
intake
more polyurethane

Isn't tire pressure suppose to be 32 - 34 front and 32 - 34 rear. I run 32 front and 32 rear.34 all the way around seems to get rid of road noise a little better at lower speeds but higher speeds 32 is better. 34 at high speeds are bumpy this is due to air expanding due to heat im pretty sure you know this already but if you don't I suggest not running with no less or more than the above that I stated. Your 44 psi over 50 mph is probably around 52 psi due to air pressure increasing due to heat built up from tire rpms. That is going to lead to your inner tread wearing faster than the outer part.Im pretty sure Luke would agree with me on this. Your pressure is based on the optimal load of your car which is cars weight plus 3 passengers.Even an F-150 only requires 32 - 34 psi and its heavier than our car.

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2000 SVT
TRED
#509 OF A BUILD OF 2150
K&N FILTER CHARGER
MICHELLIN PILOT SPORTS 225/45/16
RICHBROOK SHIFTER
RICHBROOK EBRAKE
SPARCO PEDALS
FUTURE MODS:
CUSTOM SUPERTRAPP EXHAUST
SHO SHOP Y PIPE
17 X 7.5 KONIG TOXINS

[This message has been edited by G-MAN (edited March 03, 2001).]