[s-cars] What tires R U running ???

[Theodore Chen]

--- Serge Filanovsky <s6serge at verizon.net> wrote:

> Continental ContiExtremeContact 225/50VR16, but these are on a 7.5" Avus
> wheel. A very good all season tire. I got a chance to test it in some snow
> recently, and was fairly impressed. If you don't need dedicated snows, I
> highly recommend this tire for 3/4 of the year. If I had the 8" 16's I would
> consider a 245/45/16.

i'm running BF goodrich g-force T/A KDWS 225/50ZR16 on stock 16x8 wheels.
i used to have dunlop SP8000 225/50ZR16, and the BFGs compare very well
in terms of dry handling.  the BFGs have noticeably sharper steering
response, because they inherit their carcass from the g-force KD max 
performance dry-only tire.  the BFGs also have much better traction in
the snow, as i found out during a trip to lake tahoe in a big snowstorm
with a foot of snow on the ground.  the real test was when we got to
the cabin, requiring us to drive up a steep unplowed grade with snow up
to the bumper.  the car made it to the top with the rear differential
locked.

i had driven my brother's saab 9-2x aero with blizzak LM10s in a snowstorm
in NH, and my car felt every bit as secure, if not more so, than his car
did.

the day after i returned from a trip to tahoe, i buzzed a tight freeway
ramp at 70 mph, exiting at full throttle in 3rd gear.  i can't ask for
more from a set of all-season tires.  they were $125 each from costco,
mounted, balanced, with a road hazard warranty and free lifetime rebalancing.

i liked the SP8000s, but the BFGs have sharper steering response without
any apparently penalty in ride comfort.  it's not a fair comparison - the
BFG benefits from nearly a decade of technological advancement in tire design.

the biturbo S4 avant wears contisportcontact tires, and i don't like them
very much.  even at 38 psi, they are vague in their steering response and
mushy when pushed to their limits.  they'll get replaced with BFG KDWS 
tires eventually.

-teddy


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