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Joined: Apr 2003
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New CEG\'er
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OP
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Posts: 33 |
Another summer season is coming to an end and I will HAVE to either get a set of winter tires or all-season tires.
Has anyone tired the Conti ExtremeContact on their CSVT? If so, how are they compared to the OEM KDWs...riding wise, snow traction wise, dry traction wise and WOT, bat-out-of-hell, right turns at 50mph wise???? If not, anyone knows of anyone else that have actually tired it? What did they say about them?
The reviews on tirerack raves about them. I'm living in the NE area and snow traction is a must. However, I don't want to give up on my summer days fun. On top of all this, I have to consider the price. These tires are selling for $86 a pop on tirerack.com for 225/50-16!! I understand there are compromises for selecting tires but how does this tire stack up for year-round versatility?
Furthermore, just to confirm, 225/50-16s will NOT have any tire rubs on our OEM E1 rims correct? As this tire doesn't come in 215/50-16s.
Thanks all in advance.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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All seasons are always a compromise bro. Just so happens I put a set of those Contis on my friends Saab SE. Stock tires was 225/50/16. I talked her into 205/55/16s (more sidewall to absorb our nasty MI roads). I've driven the car...and its a smooth and quiet riding tire, and the tread looks a lot more winter worthy than the Dunlop A2s I ran last winter w/out any problems.
At that price..I don't see how you can go wrong...
But actually..what I really would do..is order them on 15" steelies for the winter...say 205/55/15 ($69) from tirerack. Comes mounted and balanced. Then all winter keep watching until you see some nice summer rubber go up on special. And then you'll have the best of both worlds.
I did just that...Dunlop A2s on steelies...worked great, and for crappy winter cold driving I enjoyed the extra sidewall cushion. And this might sound funny...but the longer I kept the black steeleis on...the more ricers I saw sporting black steelies too...w88rd...
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33 |
I've thought about doing that, having a set for winter and another set for the summer. However another issue that may come up is the longevity of the tires. This may or may not be true but the life of a tire is not the mileage on them but the time you've had them. Over time, the rubber gets hard and will need to be replaced. If that's the case, won't the overall cost of purchasing tires exceed the cost of having a really good set of all-season, ultra high performance tire?! Of course, nothing beats having delicated summer tires and delicated winter tires. I guess I'm just looking out for my wallet at the moment. Too many things to fix for my CSVT (fuel pump, moonroof and a few minor quirks). Thanks for your suggestion. BTW - In your opinion, if I'm going your route with two different sets of tires, would you still get those Contis or would you get some Bridgestone Blizzards? Furthermore, what kind of summer tires would you recommend that goes real well with our CSVT? Just trying to figure out how much I'll need to save. 
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Joined: Oct 2000
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That's pretty much what I do, too. South Kansas winters are pretty spotty, so winter rubber would pretty much go to waste. I put my all-seasons on around October, and then switch to summer wheels/tires when the ice melts.
Although, up in the NE, I'd think you could benefit from some real winter rubber.
I don't think longevity should really concern you too much unless you are buying used tires. Yes, tires age even when they are not in use, but if you keep them garaged and covered when not in use, they should keep well for a long time. Longer than it will take you to wear them out. When you first put them on each season, they may have a thin layer of "shiny" rubber on them, but it wears away quickly and you're back to the grippy stuff.
Of course, the cheapest thing is to put all-seasons on your stock rims, and just drive slower in the winter. You're not going to save money running 2 sets of tires.
Last edited by RogerB; 08/20/03 05:15 PM.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by klui:
BTW - In your opinion, if I'm going your route with two different sets of tires, would you still get those Contis or would you get some Bridgestone Blizzards? Furthermore, what kind of summer tires would you recommend that goes real well with our CSVT? Just trying to figure out how much I'll need to save.
Now your maken it hard!! For summer...Bridgestone S03s for me...tho the Pirelli P Zero Neros are tempting too...
Top Summers:
S03
SZ50
Sport 9000
GS-D3
KDs
P Zero Nero
Tho some people have been crazy happy with Falkens, Sempirits, Sumis, Yoks...
IMO...the Blizzaks are overkill unless you live in the country and your roads get plowed last. Lotsa people on here have used them and love them, as they'll dig your *ss out of a lot of snow! But I ran Dunlops A2s one winter, and Yokohama Avids another...and felt they were up to par. And I'm talking my driveway where my lowered SVT was pushing snow with the bumper...I know...lazy b*stard that I am.
I think RogerB will agree...buy the tire based on what you want it to do...then save...wait...deal. There's always GBs, ebay, the CEG classifieds...
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
Originally posted by mcgainer:
Just so happens I put a set of those Contis on my friends Saab SE. Stock tires was 225/50/16. I talked her into 205/55/16s (more sidewall to absorb our nasty MI roads).
That's not much more sidewall at all 112.5 vs. 112.75. I'd rather have a bit better handling than .25 mm or whatever it is more sidewall.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,076
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Just put some on my dads lumina about a month ago, they are awesome!!! cant wait to try them in the winter with the reviews they've been getting.
2000 SVT Black/Tan #1633/2150 (a few mods)
Alpine: CDA-9835, MRV-F540, MRD-M550
PG: TANTRUM-X 6.5 COMP all around.
Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas.
CEL currently: Off
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Originally posted by mcgainer:
Just so happens I put a set of those Contis on my friends Saab SE. Stock tires was 225/50/16. I talked her into 205/55/16s (more sidewall to absorb our nasty MI roads).
That's not much more sidewall at all 112.5 vs. 112.75. I'd rather have a bit better handling than .25 mm or whatever it is more sidewall.
Then you should re-read what I've said. Buy the tires for what you want them to do. SHE'S a single mom with 2 children, and I doubt they care about Extreme Handling Potential. The roads here in MI suck...not just pot holes and all, but expansion joints from hell, resurface jobs that have gone to hell, and lack of funds for repairs. She enjoys the Euro handling of the Saab, but wanted winter sure-footedness and a smoother ride. I accomplished both with my suggestion. I kept the same over-all diameter to keep her speedometer in sync. Mission accomplished.
And I can tell you from experience that that 5% up-sizing can equate to a smoother ride.
So as far as buying the tires for the mission required..I win.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
Like I said though, you barely went up at all with the side wall. Handling can come in handing as well....
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 173
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 173 |
Our friend Kremit has it right here. The sidewall height of a 205/55R16 is virtually identical to that of a 225/50R16, therefore no more sidewall to absorb the nasty MI roads.
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