So I had the Conti's mounted about a week ago. They're not cheap - I paid about $140 per tire installed. My first reaction is that they were softer and actually provided a smoother and quieter ride.

My next reaction was not so positive. I realized that the Conti's don't even come close to the Advans (not a big surprise, really). They tend to administer understeer by not providing the grip I've become used to with the Advans.

I live in Colorado and thought that an ultra high performance winter tire would suit me best. However, after a week of driving, I think that I would be better off with a high performance all-season.

So those of you who live in a climate similar to Colorado's Front Range, consider something more useable during the dry pavement times. My $600 experiment has concluded that the dry pavement traction is less than I'd hoped, but I can only take solace in their snow performance.

 

thanks for the headsup. even though i live in cali where it never snows i think theres gunna be alot of people who will find this information VERY useful

 

Umm, the Conti's are ultra high performance all season. I don't think there is an ultra high performance winter tire, unless you think something like Blizzak's or something.

Did you expect that something with a decent winter tire rating is going to have near the same grip as the advans? If so, I think you're expecting more than you'll ever see.

 

This is one good reason to consider whether to buy a ultra high perfomance all-season like the conti extreme, or a full blooded winter performance tire like the Blizzaks, Dunlop M3 Wintersport, or pilot alpin.

I was originally thinking conti extreme's, but the fact that you are going to give up handling anyway, makes the full-on winters seem more sensible perhaps. This is especially true if you are in a snow-belt type region I would think. Hmmmm choices...... .

Btw- Thanks for the feedback on the tires.

 

softer, definitely..

but i disagree i think the continental extremes are pretty good on the dry pavement. and there no question they will be effective in the winter time

and yeh, what are you talking about these are all seasons... ??

no duh

 

Hi, I installed a set of the extremes also. Was wondering how many miles you have put on them. Mine seemed to get a bit better as they aged in to the second hundred miles. We have also had a few cold mornings, high 30s, and there was little or no change in the bite of the tires. If you haven't seasoned them yet would recommend you give them a little more time. You are definately right about not being Advans, but I can't see them as a huge step down in handling.

 

You really cannot compare the Conti's to the stock Yokos or even a sport oriented winter tire. They all perform great in different situations. Comparing the Contis to the Advans is like trying to compare your EVO to an Intrepid. Both fuction well, but in different ways.

You have also gone from a worn max performance tire to a full tread debth all season based tire. Any time you replace a tire its going to feel sloppy for the first couple thousand miles because your starting over at full tread debth. This creates tread squirm and slight understeer.

I really think you will like them in the long run, especially in the winter. Its a great tire that delivers all season performance without sacraficing lots of handling like a dedicated winter tire. But you will never like them if you continue to rate them strait up agains the Advans

 

You also have to think of the price difference!!!

From Tire Rack:
Conti's - like $140
Advan's - like $210

 

To answer several questions regarding my initial post, ya, of course I knew I'd be giving up cornering/handling with the Conti's. I've used Blizzak-like tires on another car and was scared when I first drove them. LOTS of tread squirm.

Based on this experience, I decided to go with something not so winter/ice focused. But since I've only got a couple hundred miles on the Conti's, I expect, as several of you have stated, the tires to break-in a bit and provide less understeer.

My predicament is annoying: 90% of the time, I'm on dry pavement. But the remaining 10% is snow and ice. On Advans I'd end up in the ditch...and I'm speaking from experience when I ran Nitto 450's during an early winter snow storm. Anyone suggest a different tire?

 

I'm probably going to go with Pirelli PZero Nero M&S. Been trying to do some comparing and for an all season tire they look like the best bang for the buck

 

If you want a bit better handling, the Pirelli is a nice tire along with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. You will trade some all season performance for summer driving using those tires, but it looks as if thats better for your area anyway.

 

I have 2 sets of wheels for my Camaro, fancy 17x9s with ultra sticky Nitto roadrace tires that are instant death in ice or snow, and stock 16x8s with cheap all seasons that do surprisingly well in ice/snow given the car's rear wheel drive design. The handling difference is also very noticeable on the car, I learned to deal with it.

I plan on doing something similar with the EVO, the stock 17x8s will get your Contis or maybe Pilot Alpines (Dunlop Wintersports/Pirelli210s/haven't decided yet) for foul weather use, and I will be investing in a set of bronze 17x9 5zigens that will get Nittos or Yokos for everything else. I'll learn to deal with the handling oddities just like I did on the Camaro... I'll also be fully prepared to swap wheel sets almost daily to match the weather conditions, St. Louis winters are usually full of gorgeous sparkingly clear 60-70 degree sunny days. It would be a shame to waste such days with the wrong rubber.

 

Just spoke with Luke @ the TireRack today regarding the Dunlop Wintersport M3's. It sounds like there is a production issue with these tires, and they are not currently available, and won't be until they get the problems resolved. The M2's are available, and he also suggested the Blizzak Lm22, or the Pirelli winter 210 snowsport.

Too many damn choices......

 

Why didn't you buy from Tire Rack I only paid 460.00 shipped from Tire Rack. I like them a lot, but you are right about grip, but I bought them understanding what I was in for. I came out happier then I thought I would. I guess next time buy something only if you think it will suck.

 

Actually, I did buy from the Tire Rack, but AFTER installation and alignment (I was pulling right), it equated to $140 per. Anyway, thanks Neal for recommending the Pirellis - maybe next year or the year after...