[AZST444]

Hello All,

This is my first post here so first off, Hi. Ive got a 2014 Performance Blue ST1 that's pretty much completely stock. I'm looking into replacing tires, and i'm looking for first hand experience. Currently I have the stock F1's and I like them a lot. For where and how I drive (Southern Arizona), they work well on my car. I'm interested in trying a tire that might wear a bit longer though. Does anyone have more than 250-1000 miles experience on the Continental Extremecontact DW tire? I used the search for this forum, I saw some mixed reviews from people that didn't have that much mileage on them. I see some guys getting 30k+ miles on their F1's, but the 200+ degree road surface here in AZ half the year does a serious number on sticky tires.

Also, if the Extremecontact DW is crap, whats good? Like the performance of my F1's, just wish they wore a bit longer.

Thanks for any help,

AZST444

 

[krzyss]

if you can afford them try Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

Krzys

 

[JtheLugan]

I'm giving Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position s04s a try for the rest of this season (had them out on a week or two ago), and so far I really like them. I think they hook and handle better than the F1s.

Sent from another potato stuffed in my shorts

 

[RoachRage]

The Pilot Super Sports (SS) are the top-rated tire and, according to consumer reports which does actual mileage testing, the longest wearing tire among summer UHP tires. I started off with the F1's but, due to excessively sporty (ahem) driving got just 21k from them driving primarily in milder-climate NC. The next tires I tried were the SS's. My impression of them is almost all positive, and I did indeed get more mileage from them getting me to 48k, which is 27k miles. However, during these miles I was, like most here, experiencing pretty severe wheel hop, particularly in cold, wet, or cold/wet weather. I tried different motor mounts to no avail. At 48k I switched to Michelin Pilot AS/3's. I still had a boomba RMM and TurboTech UMM and got zero hop in the rain. This was a good sign to me so I went back to stock mounts and the hop is still gone. The traction is nearly as good as the summer tires, though you do lose some of the "on rails" feeling on the highway, and of course, the cornering traction is less. There is a different dynamic in play; IMO, the summer tires are either adhered or not, so have you noticed that when you accelerate and you get tire spin it's hard to judge how much to let off to make it stop? This is because they are adhered or not, which also contributes to wheel hop. If you can picture it in your mind, they grab and let go alternately which makes the wheels hop. With the A/S3's they are more controllable because they lose traction gradually, so rather than getting a ton of spin or wheel hop you get a little skitter, and if you let up just a tad it reconnects. When cornering, rather than sticking until it turns loose, it is more linear, though there is more noise. With the F1's or SS"s you might get a little sliding noise, with the A/S3's there is some squall. If you're hooning you might attract some attention from the noise. I am expecting better wear mileage from these.
There is also a discussion somewhere on here about cheap summer tires from Kuhmo and GT. Both are about half the price of the Michelins and performance-wise are rated about half way between them and the lowest rated tires, but would likely get about 2/3 the wear mileage according to what I am seeing. I'm not sure how exactly this would translate for Arizona heat, but I hope this helps.

 

[Skywalker15]

I had the Continental DW's on my RX-8 and loved them. Excellent wet and dry traction and decent wear. I'd have to look at my records to be sure, but I believe I was on track to get in the low 20k miles out of them. Car was aligned aggressively, though, so you might do better. For comparison, I only got about 12k on a set of Hankook RS2's.

That being said, I'm going with the Michelin PSS's or equivalent when the time comes after experiencing them at the ST Octane Academy.

 

[Corona]

+1 for the MPSS. I've used them for years all my performance cars. They are simply the best tire for summer use you can buy IMO. Im in FL and they are excellent in the rain as well. Worth the price.

 

[AZST444]

Thanks guys thats all great advice I was looking for. Ill be looking into the MPSS tire, and RoachRage also has me interested in the A/S tires as well. Never really considered that but you make some very good points. Thanks again. Any other input still appreciated!