y34 New Tires

[DRIPS]

Well I just spent 734 dollars and picked up four new Continental Contact Pro Contact All season tires and a full alignment.

What tires are you other y34's running? Anyone have these tires?

I purchased 235/50/18

[szh]

Not those ones, but just a few weeks ago, I installed the new model Continental ExtremeContact DWS in a 245/45-18 size ... need to find the time to write up a review on them since I am past the 1000 mile point on them.

Z

[DRIPS]

Those are the run flat ones right?

[szh]

Those are the run flat ones right?

Nope. Continental introduced two new tire models earlier this year: the ExtremeContact DW and the ExtremeContact DWS. The first is a pure Summer tire and the second is an All-Season version of it. They are intended to be replacements for the older ExtremeContact versions ...

While I do not normally use all-season tires (wanted to go back to my standard the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 since I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on the car), I had a need for the "one-or-twice-a-season" reason to handle light snow when I take my son to Lake Tahoe for ski trips.

I do not want to have a set of winter tires just for that - not enough trips to Tahoe (yet) and it never snows here in San Jose - so all-seasons were kinda dictated. Even though they are not as good as pure summer tires!

I was not happy with the tread wear of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, so decided to try the DWS this time. Plus, the price is right ... much below the Michelin! And, given that some people here have been happy with the previous Continental model that cured their tramlining, I figured it would be worth it.

Z

[DRIPS]

Oh Excellent! Well i am happy with mine too. I just took a nice long drive and what a world of a difference new tires make. The alignment and balancing and tires make this feel like a new car again!

[gbpdx]

Do the 235/50/18 fit on the standard 18 inch wheels? What benefit do you see from the different profile? Performance, of just visual?

[DRIPS]

yes they fit on the standard wheel. I would say its motsly visual. The overall profile is about a half inch bigger in total diameter, so its not much at all. However, I do think the wheel gap is lessened and it looks better IMO

[mahmudb]

I went with the Yokohoma Avid W4S and I've put about 4-5k miles on them. They've been great so far, but they do ocassionally slip in rain. Also the ride quality is great very comfortable and quiet. I think I paid about 150 a tire installed from Firestone. It was between the Yoko's and the Kumho Ecsta ASX, but I decided to give the Yoko's a try.

[DRIPS]

ya thats wat i paid too. 720 total installed and free lifetime sevices. also 55k warranty. town fair tire rocks and matches web prices.

[07sportm35]

Do the 235/50/18 fit on the standard 18 inch wheels? What benefit do you see from the different profile? Performance, of just visual?

With that width and profile the benefits are better ride quality, less road noise, and better in snow and rain. In terms of visual it's in the eye of the beholder.

Disadvantages include slightly higher gearing, less responsive due to more sidewall, heavier, and less grip due to less rubber on the ground.

[DRIPS]

With that width and profile the benefits are better ride quality, less road noise, and better in snow and rain. In terms of visual it's in the eye of the beholder.

Disadvantages include slightly higher gearing, less responsive due to more sidewall, heavier, and less grip due to less rubber on the ground.

This is all true. Just note that the stock size is 235/45/`18 so I am only changing the height. Width is stock

[szh]

This is all true. Just note that the stock size is 235/45/`18 so I am only changing the height. Width is stock

That is correct .... the stock tire size for the Y34 is 235/45-18. However, there aren't many tire options available in that size! I went with a 245/45-18 size when I replaced tires the first time because the choices (availability of brands/models and lower prices) were so much better.

Going to either a 245/45-18 or to a 235/50-18 is only going to be a nominal difference in speedo error. The car will mostly handle pretty much the same. The extra sidewall on the 235/50 will give a slightly more comfortable ride, however this also depends on the tire more than the sidewall height.

Z

[2muchm4u]

Hey Z, was curious if you have any additional feedback on the Conti extreme DWS tires. Having a set mounted this Saturday and saw your post.

So long and thanks for all the fish!