ive had these tires for about 2 months and bout 3k. For 108-122 per tire, and a 50k warranty, dry,wet and snow ability these tires cannot be touched! And about the tire shine thing.... I cant believe some of you wouldnt buy this tire again because it wont "shine"...

 

Cooper zoen sports a/s ftw

 

I have a set of the DWS and have put about 7k on the tires. These are the best snow and rain tires I have ever owned between my 2004TL and 2008 TLs.

 

I've also installed the DWS tires last weekend prior to the storm here in NJ... I haven't had it on long enough, but am very hopeful due to the reviews thus far.

In regards to the shine... I couldn't care less... it's the safety for my family that I'm concerned about. Now I feel much better.

For the price, it's second to none.

 

I have about 14k on my set of DWS. I really like them. They handle great all around, very quiet, no vibrations, nothing. I think they look great on the TL. After 14k they are holding up extremely well. I'm putting on a set of 18" A-Specs after the winter, and I am going to put them on those as well.

I've never experienced the tire shine problem some of you guys are saying. I never use the foam or gel type dressings on any of my cars because they always splatter, no matter what brand. I either use Blue Magic Jet Wet, Meguiars Hot shine, or the Stoners version. All of them are in an aerosol and spray clear. Spray the tire, let them dry for a bit before driving, and I never get streaks, run off, or splatter onto the paint

 

Has anyone tried self-polishing floor polish on the Continental's? That's all I use on my tires.

 

just got my set of DWS's ... off the bat they are quieter than the oem mich... and i still cant find a good reason why those mich are 2x the price of these...

so far happy with them.

 

if they are men... they should put down the handbag and turn-in their testicles at the counter....j/k not not really...they should turn them in.

 

evnash
Could you report back on how the DWS are holding up for ya. I figure you probably have around 15K - 20K miles on them already.

 

I have these mounted on my 17" oems wheels and there's no comparison compared to the Conti DWS. The conti's are so much better in every category.

 

OK, i have read just about every post here about new tires for my 2007 TL manual 6-speed. I have about 70K miles using the original OEM Michelins and they have been fine, even with my morning commute that includes slaloming down back twisty roads, usually in 50-60 F degree weather.

I was mostly comparison shopping the BS Potenza RE960 Pole Positions, and took a quick look at the Pirella Zero Nero's too. They are all about the same ballpark price installed, but based on what I've read here and elsewhere, I was read to pull the trigger on the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires, which can be had for about $880 out the door with a rebate coupon.

But then looking at tirerack.com, where the Continental ExtremeContact DWS's are top-rated, I am once again deliberating, AND they are $670 out the door. $200 savings is not too shabby.

So, I'm in a similar boat to the original poster of this thread, and am wondering, especially from anyone who has actually driven both:

1. Is the mileage droppage that people are seeing unavoidable with the Michelins? Do people see that with the Continentals? It is a big strike against the Michelins for me. I average 24 mpg in combined driving in traffic-heavy LA and don't want to see that go down.

2. I live in LA area, so snow driving is a non-issue, though it certainly gets into the 40's and sometimes 30's in the winter where I am. I realize that the Continentals might be somewhat inferior to the Michelins for hot, dry, driving, and that their benefit would probably be if I was exposed to winter conditions. But is the dry performance really so noticeably inferior that it's worth the extra $200 for the Michelins?

 

also, since it does look like 245's run about $10 less than $235's, is there any problem with going with those on stock 17" rims?

what happens to performance and mileage if you go up to 245?

 

I have a 6MT too and also went up to 245's. Your MPG will go down a bit, about 1-3. As to performance, I wouldn't try to cut corners hard. The tires are soft and it will feel like you're about to have a blowout.

 

A wider tire creates a bigger contact patch, therefore when the tire gets to operating temps it creates a larger, stickier tire surface...hence the car corners better. But the rolling resistance is increased and the engine has to work harder to break the tire free thereby increasing fuel consumption.

 

which tire are you referring to? or do you mean that 245's will be softer than 235?

i would just stick to 235, but the 245's are cheaper!

 

Just curious how are the Conti's in terms of performance compared to the OE Michelins? I do tend to step on the gas a bit and drive harder than the average driver in my TL-S, and I'm considering moving to the Conti's after my OE's are done.

 

THe Conti's outperform the OE michelins in probably every category. As stated before, the mich pilots are probably only better in dry pavement performance.

 

i think im gonna try these out on the s, tomorrow! ill be back w/info.

 

is it going to be a problem that the conti dws are not run flat, like the stock type s michilins?

 

If you dont see ice/snow, I would lean towards a high performance summer tire. All seasons are for those that see the occasional winter mix. I have portenza's for my summer tires and conti's for my 'winter' tires. The conti's definitely dont grip the road like the ports, but for every day commuting, they are just fine. Since I never know what the winter is like in the DC area, I prefer good all-seasons over pure snow tires (contis go on Nov - March). When winter rolls around though (like now) they have gotten me through every snow condition to date.

 

Lol right? Who cares if the damn tire saves your life or is able to get you through the worst weather? If it doesnt look good, to hell with it.

 

UPDATE!! I live in Balt/annap area and these tires are so good for all-seasons and i think they did pretty good in summer when i first got them. but anyway in the maryland area we have gotten alot of snow and wintery mixs lately and have another 22"-32" coming as I type this. My car is lowered.... these tires performed beautifully. Highly recomend to anyone looking for a good all-season that performs better then the oem mich! I have the 245 version on stock 17's BTW. Have put probally 10k since summer/fall. no change in tread depth.

 

mine are going on today -- Conti ExtremeContact DWS 245's on 17" wheels.

my OEM Michelin Pilots are at 71K, and are worn bare with the tread showing through. also, it's raining here in L.A. today, so i have a feeling I'm going to be pleased with the Conti's and the $200 savings from Michelin Pilot Sports...

but i'll post a follow-up...

 

i got 30k out of my stock michelins, is that good?

 

That's actually not good-- the warranty on the OEM MXM4 is 40K miles, IIRC, and some members have gotten 60K+ miles on them.
My OEM MXM4 set still had 5K-10K miles of wear left when replaced at 48K miles (with the Yokohama Advan S4).

 

Actually the dws only are better on snow and ice, but thats bc the zeons is more performance oriented.

 

Just thought id give an update. Its been 7000+ miles since ive put on my new shoes and i have zero complaints. They are much quieter than the BFGs that i was running. Ive rotated them twice already and they look like almost no tread wear. Handle great in the Alabama rain.

 

Man i don't know how you guys are gettting such good mileage out of your tires... 2007 TL-S... my oem lasted 28k... i'm at 55k now and looking for new tires again... maybe i just drive too hard...

anyways... what kind of mileage are you guys seeing out of the dws?

 

new conti's are great... no complaints. there's been a fair amount of rain here recently, and there were no problems at all. my morning commute on the twisty canyons has been effortless, and strangely enough, there is a marked reduction in torque steer.

yeah, they're not very shiny looking, but a very solid tire that performs well, at $200 less than the michelin pilot sports. now, we'll see if i can go another 70K on them!

 

you dont have run flats.....

 

I'd say go for the Michelin Pilot A/S plus. I love mine! I put mine on in November and they havent been rotated yet, and I take some turns HARD. These tires are great and I drive around country roads and I do see the thru-way. These tires are quiet as hell and the traction for an A/S is amazing. Even in rain was surprised of my traction. I was astounded going from my crappy GoodYear Eagle GT's to Michelin. I have excellent cornering with them on my stock suspension too. But I know not that much of the Continental's so my opinion is sort of biased in ways. Reviews! :P

 

If you are solely deciding between the Conti DWSs and Mich Pilot Sport A/S, then I'd say the safe bet right now is to get the Pilot Sport Plus's because there is just not enough long term reviews and posts for the DWSs yet!

 

just got back from discount tire, had yokohama advan s4...i will report back after a week and let you all know what i think...initial impression, they look wider, nice side wall, sporty tread, smooth ride, quiet ride...

 

Take a photo and post it!

 

Not to thread jack, but here is a pic of my recently installed W4's in 245. Thinking his might look similar...

 

the dws conti's blow the zeons away in wet weather as well. The zeons aren't horrible by any means... my biggest complaint is how loud they are compared to the Conti's and even my local cooper dealer stated the same when I ordered the DWS last summer.

 

Can anyone comment on highway gas mileage with the DWS? Please post if you are using a 235 or 245 tire also. I'm considering going with these after my Kumho's are done as their wet/snow traction is just not that great. They are $150ish range so the DWS are cheaper. I would be a little concerned with the comments of softer sidewalls though because I just popped a 40 height Kumho and bent a wheel on a pothole with the Kumho, so if the DWS has a softer sidewall, that certainly won't help in those situations.

 

I have to agree. I got my Pilot A/S Plus tires in October. They have performed well over the months in rain and dry- haven't tried snow. I just took my car for a long road trip this weekend and have to say there is no significant hit in highway mileage. I used 3 tanks of gas with the following calculated mileages: 27.6 MPG (avg mid mph=64), 23.8 MPG (mph=47), and 28.5 MPG (mph=74). That is very comparable with what I got with the stock MX4's so I'm very happy with these tires. They have better performance with no real hit on fuel economy.

 

If I understand correctly, having audible warnings waay before loss of traction reflects the early loss of traction. I don't believe that's considered 'good' traction.

And yes, I think you should be afraid to push to the breaking point because you will lose it totally.

My 2 cents

 

I have the DWS 235's and have over 27K on them now and the gas mileage is about the same as the OEMs(Highway 29MPG). I mostly do all highway. The tires are quiet and best of all are great in the rain and snow.

Having bought both tires in the pass( Mich A/S and Cont DWS). Save yourself the money and go with the Cont.

Keep in mind, I do alot of highway miles and have over 116K on my 2008.

Hope this helps.