Tire Preferences...

[Carl83911]

This can go on and on but I would like read some comments on Tires.

I will be replacing my tires this weekend.

My choices:

Bridgestone RE760 205/55R-16 front & 225/50R-16 rears

Micheline Pilot A3S

I've had the michelines for about 7 years and are now hard as rock. I had my mechanic inspect my front suspension as the ride has been feeling kinda stiff lately (like an oxcart). I thought it was my struts/shocks but my mech said that it was my tires. I've heard some good things about Bridgestones and would like to try them out. They cost a little less (+) than the Mich.

[darrin]

(changed my post after you clarified the size issue above) I see that the bridgestones are summer-only tires which would likely feel quite "hard" during cold weather months. The michelans As3, otoh, are all season tires that should be more consistent from season to season. Looks like this model was just introduced this past summer . . .

fwiw, I've been very happy with the performance/comfort/treadwear balance my continental extreme contact dw tires I use as summer tires have provided and highly recommend them as well (they're pretty close to the price of the RE760s you're looking at)

[Arne2]

A friend of mine just put a set of the AS3 on his Boxster S. He's very happy with them so far. I plan to get a set of them next year.

[Flat Six]

I'm running Bridgestone RE760 on my '85 [205/55/16 front, 225/50/16 rears] on 7X16 / 8X16 Fuchs.

I'm very happy with these tires -- affordable, quiet, sticky, and cruise well at speed without squishiness or tramlining on grooved freeway pavement. Excellent dry traction (though not quite ultra-max-super-DOT R sticky) and terrific manners for a street car. Plenty of warning before they start to slip.

Performance in the wet (though I don't see much rain in SoCal, and I try not to drive the p-car in rain when I can avoid it) is quite good -- especially against hydroplaning (large circumferential grooves for water evacuation). Reasonably priced, too.

[jason2guy]

i just got the continental extr con dw- not bad. they replaced michellin pilot exalto p2's a better tire

[OsoMoore]

I am running Hankook Ventus V12 Evos. They are a 3-season tire, but I don't drive in the Milwaukee snow and salt anyway. They have great traction on dry and wet conditions, and I've been very pleased with them. Its my DD, so they were a good blend of comfort, price, and longevity.

[HarryD]

I would also look at the BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sports. In have them on my car for my street tires and they seem to be a good all round tire for everyday use.

[HarryD]

Also. For my MB I just put a set of Continental DWS Tires. Had them about 1000 miles and they also seem to suit the car well.

[alfisti]

I was wondering this myself. I got the car only a few days ago, but it needs tires. What's on there now are Continental ContiSportContacts. Not "ContiSportContact 2", "ContiSportContact 3", "ContiSportContact 4", etc... These tires seem to be a few years old, and other than being bald, probably are not up to the standards of the latest tires.

My question is, if I live in the Northeast and want to drive my 911 on any day that it isn't actually snowing (i.e. very cold weather, rain, etc.) is a summer tire a bad idea? The cornering ratings comparison between (as an example) the Continental DWS vs. DW are pretty significant. Obviously I want to get as much performance out of the car as possible, but I don't want to die in the cold weather either. I may also autocross a few times a year, and maybe even a driver's school on the track...

Opinions?

Thanks
-Glenn

[Matt Monson]

I run the Michelins. Worth every cent IMO.

[alfisti]

Matt, you mean the Pilot Sport A/S 3?

[Bob Harriman]

This is the dry/summer tire to run for performance

http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/detail/advan_a048

[Bill Jennings]

Carl83911,

I bought Michelin Pilot Sport 3's for my C3 last year and have been very happy with them. Good performance in the wet and dry they are very predictable as far as grip is concerned. I have done two track days on them and apart from one spin (lift off oversteer) they were a hoot!

Cheers
Bill

[javadog]

I've always preferred Bridgestone tires over Michelin tires, as I have found them to be better all around, especially in the wet, and I don't need that last hundreth of a G in dry cornering on the street. I have also found the Michelins don't age as well on cars that don't accumulate a lot of miles.

Read the tests on the Tire Rack website and choose a tire based on your own priorities. Of the Bridgestone line, I like the RE11. Sacremento should be pretty easy on tires, as you don't see as much cold and rain as other areas.


JR

[alfisti]

Bill Jennings - so you are referring to the A/S 3? I guess all season tires have come a long way.

Thanks
-Glenn

[Matt Monson]

Alfisti,
They've changed names several times (and thus the 3). I've been running them since before they had numbers after the name. Bought my most recent set last Summer for my '67.

And I disagree about their performance in the rain. One of the shortest stopping distances of any tire on the market in the rain while still offering excellent dry traction.

[alfisti]

Thanks, Matt. Have you autocrossed them, or participated in any track events? I am wondering how they handle hard cornering. I don't know if I will do a track event on these tires, but it's nice to know if they will be able to handle it if I do.

Thanks
-Glenn

[Carl83911]

I finally opted for the Bridgestones RE760. 205 Frnt and 225 Rears.

Living in Sacramento, California, we really don't have what some of you Northerners call winter. It's more like a cold spring here for you guys. We don't deal with snow nor salt on the roads.

I've drove through the Napa Valley wine country this weekend and absolutely love these tires. Even though designated as summer tires, they stuck like glue on the cold dry twisties of the Napa Valley. Smile from ear to ear all the way.

Of course, the difference in ride is due to my Michelin's being old with over 40K on them so they were a bit stiff already. I'm not knocking Michelins, i love them also but I wanted to try a new tire and I'm loving them .

thanks guys for your feedbacks.

[Matt Monson]

Thanks, Matt. Have you autocrossed them, or participated in any track events? I am wondering how they handle hard cornering. I don't know if I will do a track event on these tires, but it's nice to know if they will be able to handle it if I do.



Thanks

-Glenn

Both. I track more than auto-x. They are good for the ocassional track day. I've tracked dedicated summers that are better but if you don't frequent the track, and drive in the rain and ocassional snow like I do it is a great one size fits all tire. Run them on my Subaru too.

[alfisti]

That's great to hear, thanks. Maybe it's time to consider an all season tire. It used to be that you gave up so much performance that it wasn't worth it.

Thanks
-Glenn