Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Northeast New Tires

I just got a 98 Contour GL with steel 14" rims and I have a couple of questions.

1. If I stay with the 14" rims which size tire is the best to get (185/70, 195/65 or something else?
2. I was looking at either the Bridgestone Potenza RE950 or Dunlop SP Sport A2. I drive mostly NYC/LI stuff and am not overly agressive. I do want the tires to have good Hydro resistance and Snow handling for upstate skiing. (Yes i read tirerack review, can decide between the two)
3. Does anybody have stock steel or alloy 15" rims to sell, locally.

Thanks,
Jason

Jason,
welcome to the CEG and the NY chapter.

1. Before I got the $$$ for larger wheels I was running 195/65/14, for handling it will give you better results than the 185/70 but only marginally.
2. I can't compliment on either tires as I have not used them. However I did use pirelli p4000 touring and bf goodrich touring t/a's in 195/65/14, if you want any info on these let me know.
3. AFAIK, the only steel wheels were 14". I just bought a pair of 16" wheels (from a cougar) with bf goodrich comp t/a vr4's for only $350 shipped. I have noticed little difference in the ride quality but a huge difference in the handling. I have the 14" wheels with snow tires mounted on them for winter (I go to school in Albany and enjoy skiing).

-Pete

Thanks for the info. I just found this website and I think it's great. I have a house up in Mass and usually ski in Jimmney Peak and lower Vermont. How about you?

Jason

Check the classifieds here: http://www.contour.org/classifieds/

You may find some tires or rims cheaper there.

Whats up Jason, I don't know anything about 14 inch wheels but welcome to the CEG anyway

BTW i snowboard :p

Also i used to read the gas meters in your building, your between Austin st. and queens blvd. anyway if you don't have wacky work hours all the local guys try to get together in oceanside,LI off of long beach rd. (nathans parking lot) every wednesday night about 7:30-8:00 pm till about 10:00 which is about 1/2 hr away from you so if you want to come out one night i'll give you directions, just look for a post in NY forum for Oceanside.

Later

Hello Jason !

Welcome to the NY CEGer Forum !

Personally, I'd go with the 195/65/24 series of tires.
I used to have a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage and when I changed the 14 tires it had,
I went to the 195/65 series, and was very happy I did.
The 195/65 should be a little more stickier and a lot more responsive.
You will FEEL more of the road as you are driving.
It makes for a more confident driving experience.

As for the Bridgestone Potenza RE950 or Dunlop SP Sport A2,
I'd go with the Michelin Energy MXV4+ tires.
You can get them at Sears or Costco, and also buy them with the Road Hazard Warranty.
Sears also carries the Dunlops.
Consumer Reports rated them a tie with the Dunlops.
I didn't like the Dunlops, and thought they would not make a good winter tire,
because too much of the tread was in the center of the tire.
No room for the snow to get into the treads and get broken up.
Both tires are good wet driving tires.

I drove my SE Sport with the MXV4+ for 35,000 miles and I have no complaints.
It was a really good feeling tire, and very quiet,
but I had to learn to drive the Contour all over again.
THey are called "ENERGY" because they have a very low rolling resistance,
and use less "ENERGY" when rolling, thus saving you fuel.
You can feel the difference when coasting on the highway.
The Contour would just take forever to slow down.
A sure sign of less friction between the road and the tires.

I changed from the Michelin Energy MXV4+ to Michelin Pilot XGT H4s,
when I cut the sidewall in one of the MXV4+s.
Sears gave me almost $50 back on each tire from the Road Hazard Warranty,
and I put it towards the new tires.
I couldn't have gotten a better deal.

The Pilots are even stickier than the MXV4+s, but they ride harder too.
I was hoping to try them out over the winter, but the mild winter we had
cheated me out of some quality snow driving.

Whatever you choose, good luck !

Thanks for all the help guys.

Jason,
I usually drive to Vermont, from where I go to school in Albany it's about 90 minutes each way.

My sister leaves on Weatherole st in Rego Park, I have no idea if that's near where you live =P

Rego Park is about three trains stops closer to Manhattan or about 5 mins by cars.