AlanW

New tire time for the 07 RDX. Trying to decide between the new Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II and the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06.
The Pirelli is classified by Tire Rack as a Crossover/SUV Touring All Season; the Continental as a Ultra High Performance All Season.
Obviously the RDX is a SUV, so the Crossover/Touring tire would seem the best fit. However, I tend to think of the RDX as more of a sporty car and drive it that way, so the UHP is more of a sports car tire.

Most important to me are a precise, responsive, neutral steering feel + great handling; and wet pavement traction. (not saying the other things can suck though)
Both tires are highly rated and reported to have good wet traction & performance. I am concerned by some reporting the Contis have a kind of vague or slow steering feel, which I would not like at all.
I know some of you are running the Contis, and the Pirellis are pretty new, so wondering if anyone has tried them.
So, any comments or experiences would be appreciated.

feralcomprehension

I had a set of DWS on a Legacy GT several years ago and did not like them because of the vague slow steering feel. Maybe they're better now?

csmeance

sidewall on the DWS06 can be soft and not as precise as most folks expect from a Ultra High Performance Tire (I run mine at higher than factory PSI for better feel) but you honestly have to drive it to see how you like it. It's not like driving a numb bubble, but at the same time it's not like driving on a summer tire either.

Lots of folks love them for their capability in snow and wet weather. I have the Pirelli Verde A/S Plus (version 1, on sale on amazon for around $100 each) and they are pretty good tires for my MDX. No idea about snow but they do handle wet FL weather well. Only complaint is the tire squeal in some parking lots at low speeds and full lock turns.

mrgold35

I'm on my 2nd set of the Conti DWS 06 on my 08 RDX with +170,000 miles. Noticeable improvement over the previous version Conti DWS I had before switching to the DWS 06. The DWS 06 does have a stiffer sidewall, a little longer treadlife, and alignment marks on tread along with all-weather capabilities, ultra high performance, and road noise reduction over OEM tires. I put the Conti DWS 06 on my 06 TSX and 11 MDX because I like them so much. The only downside I've had with the Conti DWS and Conti DWS 06 on the RDX was less treadlife of around 35,000-40,000 miles compared to +50,000 miles with my TSX and MDX (I do drive the RDX way harder than the TSX or MDX). Planning to switch to Conti DWS 06 on my 19 MDX and 18 RLX when the OEMs wear out.

x2lacrosse

I've been running DWS06 (stock size) for a few years now. While they're classified as 'High Performance All Season'; they are not (IMO) and are closer to winter tires than summer, thus I only run these during the cold months. I purchased these with that intention and never even considered running them during the warm season.
Just for giggles though; when I first got them, decided to see how they were in the "Dog Days" of Mid Atlantic Summer, they were terrible in dry but handled rain well. They handle ok in cold, dry winter here and do great in rain and light snow. I recently drove through that Manhattan Snow Squall and it performed admirably.
Even though the 06's have the 'sport insert' in the sidewall, they are still too soft in the stock size. Now, maybe if you have 19 or 20's and the sidewalls would be shorter, would be a different story. But in stock config, they are not good for handling performance, especially in hot, humid weather.

AlanW

Thanks everyone. With great info you guys have given, it sounds like the AS Plus IIs would be my best choice.
We have long hot summers, lots of humidity, fairly cold for parts of the winter months, and lots of rain. No snow since March 2016 (but I'd like some again to play in with the MDX & RDX)
A local Discount Tire & Brake gave me a price of $175 each including M&B + tax. That seems like a good price considering the just the tires are $175 each from Tire Rack.