Tire guide... What say you?

[Justin_Tyme]

Im in Need of new shoes for the whip, looking into the Michelin pilot super sports or the continental DW. Any experience with them? I'm trying to justify the increase in price for the PSS. Any other choices to consider?

I've put this thread here due to our weather, I have winter tires, so these would be strictly DD and weekend canyon carving "summer/spring/fall" tires.

-Justin

[nrubenstein]

I have both. If you have wheels that will fit the PSS, they are far and away a higher performance tire.

The DW (barely) wins in wet performance, but sacrifices a lot of dry grip and response to get it. (It's superb in cold weather, though.). The PSS sacrifices a little bit of ride quality,but, frankly, nothing else. Both are very quiet on the highway.

[ballarde30]

What size wheels do you have?

[nrubenstein]

I should emphasize that if you can run it (which is hard on an E30), IMHO, the PSS is the best tire currently on the market. You make very, very few compromises. It's a lot cheaper than previous Pilots, AND it has a relatively long life, AND they've finally given back the dry grip and response that has been missing since they replaced the SX MXX3.

[Justin_Tyme]

The car is a 2004 Lexus IS300 5speed, still has an inline 6 and RWD so it's sorta like an e30... haha The wheels are 17x7" Kosei K1's, Tire size is 215/45R17

[ballarde30]

I have heard a lot of good things about the Michelins. A lot of guys run them for track days on new M3's so they don't have to change over from street tires. You might also want to check out the Dunlop Direzza DZ101 and the Dunlop Direzza ZII. I have had 3 sets of the 101's on my e30 and used the first set on the track. In my opinion they are better than what the reviews say. The ZII is the new Star Spec and is an awesome tire but a lower treadwear than the Michelins.

[nrubenstein]

I have heard a lot of good things about the Michelins. A lot of guys run them for track days on new M3's so they don't have to change over from street tires. You might also want to check out the Dunlop Direzza DZ101 and the Dunlop Direzza ZII. I have had 3 sets of the 101's on my e30 and used the first set on the track. In my opinion they are better than what the reviews say. The ZII is the new Star Spec and is an awesome tire but a lower treadwear than the Michelins.

The Star Specs will likely be a tiny bit faster in the dry than the PSS (hugely faster than the DW). They will give up a lot of wet grip (although they are still adequate), and they will be a LOT noisier, particularly as they age.

[Justin_Tyme]

I appreciate the information guys! Considering the circumstances, as a spirited DD. I'm not sure the price increase for the PSS over the DW is all that worth it. Unless you think the mushiness of the DW is all that much to piss me off and hate the driving experience.

[kid325e]

We just threw Conti DWS on my girl's E46 and we REALLY love them. We sell alot of them to customers here at work and their response is usually the same, from Soccer Moms, to the weekend warrior/spirited driver alike.

[TobyB]

we have canyons???

t

[Gregolas]

Go with Michelin's...had the Pilot Sport A/S plus on my e46 and they were amazing. Prepare to pay through the nose for them though.

[ZoomZoomBoom]

Since you have winter tires, choose a good summer tire and not the compromise that is the all season tire. Are you going to be doing any track days, and if you're only going to be on the street are you going to be pushing the limits of the tires? You can probably get away with a summer tire on the street that doesn't kick your wallet's ass such as the Kumho LE Sport, Sumitomo HTR Z III, BF Goodrich Sport Comp2.

[Justin_Tyme]

We just threw Conti DWS on my girl's E46 and we REALLY love them. We sell alot of them to customers here at work and their response is usually the same, from Soccer Moms, to the weekend warrior/spirited driver alike.

Thanks for the Info Paulo, Plus the price isn't half bad. My father's shop is the same, but I think I drive a bit harder then his clients. LOL

we have canyons???

t

James Earl Jones.. If you Drive to it... It will come.. (Fade to cornfield)

Go with Michelin's...had the Pilot Sport A/S plus on my e46 and they were amazing. Prepare to pay through the nose for them though.

Yooo Greg! Thinking sommers only. Negative on the mushy AS.. It's a Lexus, you could put bricks for tires and it would still be smooth.. ;)

Since you have winter tires, choose a good summer tire and not the compromise that is the all season tire. Are you going to be doing any track days, and if you're only going to be on the street are you going to be pushing the limits of the tires? You can probably get away with a summer tire on the street that doesn't kick your wallet's ass such as the Kumho LE Sport, Sumitomo HTR Z III, BF Goodrich Sport Comp2.

I might do a track day or two. Nothing too crazy. However, I do drive my car pretty hard on the street. I look forward to the i-90/i-5 Interchange. :)

What's your favorite "bang for the buck" summer tire?

[IronJoe]

I've been running the BFG KDW2s on my M3 for a while now. Excellent dry and wet traction, which is what I really needed for a daily in the PNW. "Ultra high performance tread design with superior dry and wet road performance."

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+T%2FA+KDW+2

"Like all summer tires, g-Force T/A KDW-2 tires are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. "

[Justin_Tyme]

Aaron, where did you get yours from? TireRack?