Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Tires? And I know ... it's been asked 1,000 times

Yet again, I picked a metal shard in my stock KDW's. Last time I did it was lucky enough it didn't go all the way through. The time before, had to replace two KDW's. Of course, this time ... it got one of the newer ones. Since the older ones are nearing the end ... it's time

So, with KDW's not available here's what I am looking at, all in 225/50-16's:

BFG KDWS
Dunlop Sport FM901
Dunlop SP Sport 5000

My preference would be a performance All Season ... but not at any price. We get only a few days snow and it's not critical for me to drive when we do ... although I do occasionally like to go skiing and that's when I would like the all seasons.

Any comments? Any other suggestions?

All help apprececiated!

Thanks

You will lose quite a bit of performance downgrading the tires.

Very few tires perform as well as the KDW's.

You are much better off just getting a set of snow tires on steel rims then downgrading your tires to an all season one.
Far too many trade offs the other 3 seasons IMO!

Thanks ... and fair enough.

Any comment on the FM901's? I can get a great price on them compared to the KDW's.

My KDW's started to get really loud and vibratory after about 20K... I'm getting the SP5000's on Monday, will let you know what I think.

Please ... I am looking for ideas because of the price of BFG's in Canada.

Thanks!

As far as other suggestions go, I just put a set of 225/50/16 Firestone SZ50 EPs on mine a couple of weeks ago and have been duly impressed - more comfy, and just as grippy as the KDWs in my standard "cloverleaf offramp at 70mph" test. I think they're about the same price as KDWs, and more readily available...

christopher

Yes, Firestone SZ50 EP or the Bridgestone Potenza S-03, may have to go to a 225/50/16 but with stock suspension/wheels you shouldn't have any rubbing issues.

Since when are the KDWs not available in 215/50/16? Did you look at Tirerack?

Using Tirerack in Canada means duties and taxes and on most tires that makes them more expensive than buying from a Canadian retailer.

As for the KDW's ... even Tirerack says they aren't available in the 215/50-16's.

Can't help you with all season, doesn't snow here hardly ever. The Firestone SZ 50 EP's are great summer tires, here they are great year round.

I can tell you that 1/2" of wet slush completely incapacitates Potenza RE-730s. Three blocks and I thought I was going to die before I got home. Nearly t-boned someone at a 4 way stop because I slid right through it at 5 MPH. Had to change to the snows in the snow (not fun).

FWIW