Winter Tire Time

[cody]

Is there a noticeable difference between the H rated and V rated 3D's? I wasn't really planning on exceeding 130MPH on my snows.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

Is there a noticeable difference between the H rated and V rated 3D's? I wasn't really planning on exceeding 130MPH on my snows.

I thought the noticeable difference was that there are no sizes available in one of the speed ratings?

Also, keep in mind when comparing the Contis and the Wintersports. The Contis are *not* "performance winter tires". You can't compare their TireRack ratings to each other directly. It'd be like saying the 1st rated all-season tires handles better than the 2nd best competition tire at autocross. Best in class != best overall. IMO, the Wintersports should be *tons* better in the dry than the Continentals, as they're a whole class up from the "studless ice & snow" class.

Then again, I've never run on the Contis... maybe they're not classed properly.

[cody]

H and V are both available in 205/55/16.

I hear ya with the two different classes. I just think it might be more awesome to have more awesome ice and snow grip. But mostly it's the significant cost difference.

[100_Percent_Juice]

Are you an Ice Road Trucker? Just get the cheaper ones and quit being such a pansy.

[cody]

Originally Posted by 100_Percent_Juice

Are you an Ice Road Trucker? Just get the cheaper ones and quit being such a pansy.

I am an ice road trucker. Are you a Rest Stop Hooker?

[MattR]

Sleeper sluts FTW !

[cody]

Originally Posted by MattR

Sleeper sluts FTW !

No wonder you have to sell the STi.

[khail19]

Originally Posted by cody

The Conti ExtremeWinterContacts look like a great Studless Ice and Snow tire and considering that they're only $254 (after $50 AE card), they're $141 less than the 3D's ($395 after AE card) in my size. Decisions, decisions.

What size are you looking at these in for $254?

205/55/16 are $388-$50=$338

[cody]

Apparently I was looking at 205/60/15.

Looks like you have the pricing right. Damn, I was pretty set on them for $254.

[sperry]

So, who's going to TireRack today to pick up some tires for me?

[cody]

Originally Posted by sperry

So, who's going to TireRack today to pick up some tires for me?

During the Summer, Mr. Hubcap told me that they can get tires delivered from Tirerack for free and only charge $50 for mounting etc. I think they said you can still get the mail in rebates, etc. Seems like an amazing deal. Tell them you know Alex.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

During the Summer, Mr. Hubcap told me that they can get tires delivered from Tirerack for free and only charge $50 for mounting etc. I think they said you can still get the mail in rebates, etc. Seems like an amazing deal. Tell them you know Alex.

I'd rather spend $60 at KSpeed for mounting and support my local Subaru shop.

Hey Matt, you need to get TireRack to deliver to the shop!

[cody]

Originally Posted by sperry

I'd rather spend $60 at KSpeed for mounting and support my local Subaru shop.

Hey Matt, you need to get TireRack to deliver to the shop!

Me too! Hook it up, Matt!

[cody]

Originally Posted by A1337STI

The conti extreme contacts are an amazing tire (as far as rally cross is concerned) and usually i see a very high connection between rallyX grip and snowy road grip. the sidewalls are a bit soft, softer than the M3s , J.stewart had a few Debeads on the conti's while rally crossing (he loves to huck his car sideways into ruts and never lifts) ...

the general articmax studded tires are amazing in the snow, they only problem you'll have is fighting off over confidence.

Left Footed Whooten gave a very good review of the General Altimax Arctic (maybe the same tire you indicated above?) for his use in Truckee. He said they wear very well and do great, even without studs, which is what the Tire Rack test and surveys indicated as well. Additionally, no other tire has such a high "would buy again" result on the Winter Tire survey results. And they're one of the least expensive, currently 344-25=$319 in my size.

I know they'll be overkill for this area, but I do have 3 sets of rims and 3 sets of tires...makes sense for my winter set to be fairly hardcore...

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by sperry

I'd rather spend $60 at KSpeed for mounting and support my local Subaru shop.

Hey Matt, you need to get TireRack to deliver to the shop!

They do. They hire this kewl lil ma-n-pa company called UPS to deliver them.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

They do. They hire this kewl lil ma-n-pa company called UPS to deliver them.

So, um... how does that get tires on my car by end of day today so I can take the Outback down to Sacramento tomorrow?

[cody]

Yah Matt, make a run. You can grab two sets of tires (for my and Amanda's cars too)...and install them next week.

[bigrobwoot]

Update on my ContiExtremeContacts: the dry traction is not very good. I got cut off getting on the freeway and couldn't stop. Luckily, the shoulder was empty, so I didn't get in an accident. Somehow, my headlights, blaring horn, and squealing tires weren't enough of an indicator that someone was in that lane, so she (of course it was a she ) just kept on going. Needed to vent, sorry.

[Kevin M]

FWIW, these winter Contis are the first ones I've EVER heard good reviews for.

[cody]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

Update on my ContiExtremeContacts: the dry traction is not very good. I got cut off getting on the freeway and couldn't stop. Luckily, the shoulder was empty, so I didn't get in an accident. Somehow, my headlights, blaring horn, and squealing tires weren't enough of an indicator that someone was in that lane, so she (of course it was a she ) just kept on going. Needed to vent, sorry.

I hate to read that, but I think I'm still going to have to go for them for Amanda's car. She needs good Winter traction in an all season tire and they are rated the absolute best AS for that, and they're still rated really well for dry traction.

For example, see "dry braking with ABS" here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=124

And they actually have "Superior" "dry traction" as per the survey results, here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...jsp?type=UHPAS

And they have "very good" dry braking and dry handling in the CR test results.

But I'm sure the good snow traction is going to trade off some of the dry traction for sure. They're probably like the 3D in that they're really a hybrid between a true Winter tire and an AS tire...you can't get away from trade offs, but you can choose the best tire for the job.

[Kevin M]

I think Rob was referring to a different Continental tire.

[MattR]

So Carrie demonstrated the dry traction of the Conti EC DWS yesterday

She was handling on ramps and corners like we were on StarSpecs...While they make a little noise when pushed, they grip like no other All Season I've driven on. You definitely know when you're approaching the limit, and I'd say the limit is well beyond anywhere you'd want to be on a public street. I have to support the tire rack review, I think they're quite good in the dry.

[cody]

Originally Posted by MattR

So Carrie demonstrated the dry traction of the Conti EC DWS yesterday

She was handling on ramps and corners like we were on StarSpecs...While they make a little noise when pushed, they grip like no other All Season I've driven on. You definitely know when you're approaching the limit, and I'd say the limit is well beyond anywhere you'd want to be on a public street. I have to support the tire rack review, I think they're quite good in the dry.

Sweet.

[A1337STI]

I know my navigator loves his All season contis for dry grip , and they just rule for rallyX other than their soft sidewall + his habit of going full sideways into big ruts = debeads... but he could debead a rally tire set to 50 psi ... he's gifted...

and ya i misspelled the studded tires i was on. General Altimax Arctic perfect for ice road truckers who can't afford to give up any traction so they can get to the rest stop with all the sleepless hookers first. you don't want sloppy ice road trucker 2nds... haha

[cody]

^

I stopped at a rest stop with my GF and our dog yesterday, and didn't remember this thread until I saw a sign that said, "No soliciting." I couldn't stop giggling but thought better of it before explaining the "joke" to Amanda. Anyone else always regret it when you start explaining something "funny" from an internet forum to your SO? Maybe it's just me.