Topic: Continental Extreme Contact DSW. Vs Mich Primacy MXV4

[panterafreak]

I have an ‘06 Civic & I’m looking for 205/55/16 all season tires, I’ve narrowed it down to the two choices above.  The Continentals are ultra high performance all season 91W rated, the Michelin’s are grand touring all season 91H rated… both have very good reviews according to Tire Rack.  I have a set of dedicated winter rims & tires, I hate them & would like to use as little as possible (hence my all season choice).
I like to drive the twist’s on occasion, so handling is important, but so it mileage & tread life… I plan on keeping the car until it’s death.

I’m having a real tough time with this decision… what would be the better tire for my intended purpose? Anybody have experience with either?  I’m really likening the Continental at the moment… but that tread pattern almost seems… well… like a gimmick, whereas the Primacy’s are proven?

I'm not allowed to post links yet... under 10 posts.

[rrocket]

I'd say you've got it backwards.  Any "all season" tire is going to be a compromise in the summer AND the winter.  Do yourself a favor and use the winter tires in the winter.  And then get yourself a set of high performance summer tires for the nice weather.

We put a set of Ventus EVOs on, and they are a fantastic summer tire.  So are the Dunlop Stars and Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas.

[panterafreak]

I'd say you've got it backwards.  Any "all season" tire is going to be a compromise in the summer AND the winter.  Do yourself a favor and use the winter tires in the winter.  And then get yourself a set of high performance summer tires for the nice weather.

We put a set of Ventus EVOs on, and they are a fantastic summer tire.  So are the Dunlop Stars and Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas.

Understood... & I agree, but from what I understand, high performance tires don't last very long... sure, you can extend the life of them when you have dedicated winters, but I'd like long life, & minimal use of my winters, I'm hoping a high performance all season would be a decent compromise.   

[rrocket]

Well if you only want "decent" then have it.  Our Ventus EVOs are aging very, very nicely though.  I suspect we'll get about 4 seasons out of them...if not more.

[EV Dan]

Consumerreports gives MXV4 the top spot among performance all season tires. They get full red circle in rolling resistance and half-red in tread life.
DSW are ultra high perf. all seasons.  They are excellent in wet braking but only score half-black circle (fair) in tread life. They get 4rth spot in the listing.
I roll on MXV4 all four seasons and can't complain, although of course there are better dedicated snows and summer tires. The choice is yours.

[fredf]

I have no experience with the Michelins but I have a new VW GTI with the DWS. They were great in the dry fall weather (got the car in September). And I have been pretty impressed with them in this snow and ice we've been having recently.

I would recommend them.

[toolatecrew]

I'd say you've got it backwards.  Any "all season" tire is going to be a compromise in the summer AND the winter.  Do yourself a favor and use the winter tires in the winter.  And then get yourself a set of high performance summer tires for the nice weather.

We put a set of Ventus EVOs on, and they are a fantastic summer tire.  So are the Dunlop Stars and Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas.

Since you are using Summers and winters maybe you can answer a question. When do you change your tires over and how do the summers perform in say Oct and November as the temperature starts to drop?

I've always used UHP All Seasons from May until November and then winters becuase I was concerned about the performance of UHP Summers when the temp drops to freezing even if snow etc is quite far off. I don't like the idea of having to wait until June to take the winters off and then swap them out again in november.

[HeliDriver]

I usually put off installing my winter tires as long as I can, so if the roads are clear and weather is good, that means I often run my UHP summer tires in temperatures around (and even below) freezing.

Even for spirited street driving at a 7/10ths pace, I've never had any concerns with the UHP tires' ability to stick on cold pavement. With just a bit of common sense, it's really not an issue IMO.

Of course, if there's any hint of moisture on the road, then all bets are off. 

[ktm525]

I usually put off installing my winter tires as long as I can, so if the roads are clear and weather is good, that means I often run my UHP summer tires in temperatures around (and even below) freezing.

Even for spirited street driving at a 7/10ths pace, I've never had any concerns with the UHP tires' ability to stick on cold pavement. With just a bit of common sense, it's really not an issue IMO.

Of course, if there's any hint of moisture on the road, then all bets are off. 

It's the late season snowstorms and early fall surprises that have me running all seasons rather than dedicated summers. The first year I had my Volvo V70R I got stuck 5 blocks from home at the bottom of a hill. The early October snowfall had decided to stick to the pavement and the Pirelli Rossos didn't like it. Even with AWD I had no chance...

[dr_spock]

I have been running Primacy MXV4 in 205/55r16 for a year or so now.   Wear seems to be good.  They are very quiet. 

[MX5 Miata Guy]

I've got a set of the Continental Extreme Contact DWS (Dry / Wet / Snow) all-seasons on our BMW 135i...for the shoulder seasons, ie: when it's too warm for winters but still iffy in spring and when it's too cold for summers but still nice in fall.  Dedicated winters for winter, and soon to have dedicated summers for summer (spread the cost out between fall 2010 for the DWS's and this spring for the summers).

For the month or so that they were on the car, I really liked them.  Good grip levels, super quiet, and a vast improvement in ride comfort over BMW's stock run-flats.

[ktm525]

I've got a set of the Continental Extreme Contact DWS (Dry / Wet / Snow) all-seasons on our BMW 135i...for the shoulder seasons, ie: when it's too warm for winters but still iffy in spring and when it's too cold for summers but still nice in fall.  Dedicated winters for winter, and soon to have dedicated summers for summer (spread the cost out between fall 2010 for the DWS's and this spring for the summers).

For the month or so that they were on the car, I really liked them.  Good grip levels, super quiet, and a vast improvement in ride comfort over BMW's stock run-flats.

Awesome, three sets of tires/wheels. I have always maintained that this is the way to go in Alberta.

[MX5 Miata Guy]

Awesome, three sets of tires/wheels. I have always maintained that this is the way to go in Alberta.

Yup.

I own 17 wheels / tires for both of my cars for street...plus another four for the Miata for competition.