Considering the following in a 215/45/17:

• Toyo Proxes 4 - $81
• Kumho Ecsta ASX - $86
• Avon TECH M550 A/S - $99
• Yokohama AVID WS4 - $103

I know the Continental ContiExtremeContact and Sumitomo HTR+ also meet these criteria, but the reviews have been "meh" in comparison with the Toyos, Kumhos, and Avons. So, I have ruled these tires out unless someone has something absolutely phenominal to say about them.

I can't find any info on the Yoke WS4, so if anyone has any experience with them I'd like to hear it, as well as any experience with the other tires listed above.

I've read the tirerack, 1010tires, and most online reviews but I'd like individual opinions.

 

definitely Avids.

 

I run the Extreme Contacts. I have no problems with them but I also have nothing to compare them too... They did great this past winter and I got around while I had to push my neighbors out of the street in their heavier front wheel drive vehicles.

They seem to have plenty of traction for me and also seem to be wearing really well. I have 15,000 miles on them and I would guess I have over 60% tread left. I need to measure the tread to confirm.

 

Yokohama W4S is fairly new-
From SEMA Oct 2006 release article:
* Debut of AVID W4s: Since launching in 1997, the AVID line has topped the 10 million tires sold mark. The latest tire in the line is the W4s, which is the first AVID to achieve a W-speed rating. W4s is ideal for sport sedans such as the BMW 5-Series, Subaru WRX, Cadillac CTS, Lexus LS430 and Mercedes Benz E-Class, and sports cars such as the BMW Z4, Mazda RX-8, Nissan 350Z, Pontiac GTO. Sizes range from 205/40R17 to a 255/35R20. "The AVID W4s is engineered to deliver balance on a variety of requirements," according to King. "Today’s vehicles place a lot of emphasis on safety, environmental efficiency, power, handling and ride comfort. Yokohama engineers designed the AVID W4s to meet these demands while keeping with the popular AVID series pricing."

What are going to use the tires for? Street only or some HPDE (driving school or track use)? How much snow do you get? How important is treadwear?

Overall the Kumho ASX and Avon M550 are good. M550 slightly better performance and better in snow but less good for comfort. For best blend of balance with value, the ASX is hard to beat.

There is little direct comparison tests yet for the new Yokohama AVID W4S but the AVID line has been good in the past and this is supposed to be the newest. The W4s costs more but has potential to be very good and worth the extra expense.

If you are doing only street driving and want good balance of performance with comfort, all season use and longer treadlife with good value then consider:
Yokohama AVID H4S in the same size for $93 each (HP All season tire)
500 treadwear H speed rated 23 lbs
H speed rated is fine for street only use.
Even though it is not Ultra HP, it is still very good and usable for either MC or MCS for street use.

The AVID W4S is W speed rated (better for HPDE) is 24 lbs and has 400 treadwear.

So W4S is likely to be the best tire of the four you mentioned. Try contacting Alex@tirerack.com and ask him about the early feedback they are getting from customers or if there has been any early testing for that tire.

 

Well...

• I would characterize my driving style as "spirited". For most of my adult life, I have been in RWD performance cars of varying horsepower, from numerous Miatas to an e34 M5.
• We do get snow here in mid-Ohio, although the past few winters have been relatively mild. I have managed to get around just fine in my wife's dd (Scion xB) with Falken Ziex ZE512s during those winters, though any snow necessitates the use of my snow tires in my RWD cars.
• I would like to stay away from a treadwear that exceeds 450+, as I don't like the compromise in grip, which is why I rejected the H4S (500) but would consider the W4S (400) Yokes . The Toyos are softest @ 300, then the Avons @ 360, and the Kumhos at 420.

 

The Avons are excellent. Absolutely no complaints.

 

No complaints so far with my Kumho ASX, and I have friends who swear by their Avon a/s.

 

Kumho & Avon drivers - have you driven them in the snow?

 

yes. competent (when new).

 

Ratings and tests are not out yet on the Yokohama W4S but that is the front runner at this point. Maybe contact Alex@tirerack for more early info.
Avon Tech M550 next then Kumho ASX.
All are viable choices for your needs.

 

I just put the Kumho ASX on this summer, so I haven't done the snow thing yet. Still, since these ARE my all weather tire, they WILL be use when the snow ever does arrive here in western Ohio. Like you, our last few winters have not been really bad, so I am eager to see how they will do. I have NO complaints so far, though.

 

I have the Kumho ASX's, and like them. They're really terrific in the rain, and I even did a track day with them with no adverse effects - no edges worn off etc. They also seem to hold their balance well - no shakes or shimmys have developed after about 3 k miles.

Oh, and the quietest tire I've ever driven................

 

I just put on Nitto NeoGen's last week in 205/50/16. Have been sticky in the dry (280 treadwear) with a nice broad shoulder. Also predictable in the wet with good water expulsion (no hyrdroplaning). I don't expect them to be very good in the snow, but they do carry a M+S rating so they should be "tolerable". Good value All Season with performance characteristics, IMO... It's also gotten very good user reviews at non-sponsor websites

Available in 215/45/17 for $95 w/ free shipping at some non-sponsor websites.

Tire info:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...ance&tc=NITHV5

 

^^ try them in colder weather in the rain... understeer with a capital U.

 

So I'll have a good excuse to convince my wife to allow me to get another set of rims and snow tires, right? :D

 

that's a very positive way to look at it.

 

I looked at several of these tires but ended up going with th Avid H4's. Today is the first day so I can't give you any real info, but the first impression is nice.

 

^^ good choice. I run those exact tires on my Legacy right now.

 

Yokohama AVID H4S should work just fine for daily street driving.
Even though it's an All Season tire, the rubber is still soft enough that most owners will be happy with comfort and treadwear.

Try it out in dry and wet and see what you think.

 

I just put the Avon M550's on, my first replacements since the Goodyear Eagle RF's that came from the factory. I've got less than 100 miles on them.
The ride seems very good and quite. I haven't tried them out on the twisties yet. I don't think it been less than 100 degrees since I put them on, so we'll have to see about the snow.

They were shipped from the Tire Rack last Monday, installed by NTB / the Tire Kingdom on Wednesday. With Road Hazzard and all taxes, $112.34 each.

I like em.

 

Thanks for all the great input.

I decided to go with the Kumhos. I have a "fall back" in that if I don't like them, I can have them mounted on my wife's dd.

 

Congrats! Since you're also in oHIo, unless you are in the extreme northeast, your Kumhos should work just fine. Besides, the MINI was born for snowy weather, and shouldn't bog down at all unless you really try driving in snowdrifts with undercoatings of ice. Then, I'd venture to say, most people will get stuck.

 

Did you consider Falken Azenis RT-615's at all?

-Cody

 

the question was about all seasons, the RT-615 is NOT a capable snow tire

 

I'm in the 'caster (Lancaster, that is) and commute down to the Athens-area. We don't get the frequency of snowbelt-style snow, but when it snows down here in the Hocking Hills it really snows.

I have a nearly-new set of Michelin X-Ice in a 15", so if it really starts suckin' I'll get some steelies and mount 'em.