Conti DWS, soft sidewalls? Any other feedback?
#76
06-29-2010, 09:09 PM
I purchased a set of DWS 3 weeks ago for my '07 MCS and have been very disappointed. Here's my take.
Pros: very quiet and comfortable. No comparison to the factory Dunlop RFTs. Makes a completely different ride. No snow or rain in Sunny California to test them out in, though this is supposedly a strength.
Cons: difficult to keep the car straight! The tires wonder around way too much on freeways and other straights. Had the tire shop check alignment twice but no improvement. Driving without Sport mode helps some, so it seems they don't do well with tight suspension/steering vehicles. Steering is also noticably different. Initial turn in is delayed and rear end wants to swing around. I've also driven on twisting roads - they seem to do better when constaintly being pushed through turns.
In short, the handling is so sketchy my wife is uncomfortable driving it. I've driven is about 3K miles now and agree with her about the freeway wondering - must look like a DUI candidate.
Anyone have other suggestions?? Is this only a problem for "S" models?
Tires were purchased from Tire Rack, through a local tire shop. I'll be talking to them about return options. Earlier post indicated Tire Rack would accept a return toward another brand tire - is that correct? I understand Conti offers a 60-day "trial" but restricts trade-ins to other Conti tires.
If I do go with the later, would the DW (summer tire) handle any better??
P.S. Also had a sidewall flat on day 4 of usage. Tirerack provided a replacement under warranty, but still cost me ~$120 with shipping, mounting, balance & alignment (again). Suddenly, these tires are not such a great deal.
Pros: very quiet and comfortable. No comparison to the factory Dunlop RFTs. Makes a completely different ride. No snow or rain in Sunny California to test them out in, though this is supposedly a strength.
Cons: difficult to keep the car straight! The tires wonder around way too much on freeways and other straights. Had the tire shop check alignment twice but no improvement. Driving without Sport mode helps some, so it seems they don't do well with tight suspension/steering vehicles. Steering is also noticably different. Initial turn in is delayed and rear end wants to swing around. I've also driven on twisting roads - they seem to do better when constaintly being pushed through turns.
In short, the handling is so sketchy my wife is uncomfortable driving it. I've driven is about 3K miles now and agree with her about the freeway wondering - must look like a DUI candidate.
Anyone have other suggestions?? Is this only a problem for "S" models?
Tires were purchased from Tire Rack, through a local tire shop. I'll be talking to them about return options. Earlier post indicated Tire Rack would accept a return toward another brand tire - is that correct? I understand Conti offers a 60-day "trial" but restricts trade-ins to other Conti tires.
If I do go with the later, would the DW (summer tire) handle any better??
P.S. Also had a sidewall flat on day 4 of usage. Tirerack provided a replacement under warranty, but still cost me ~$120 with shipping, mounting, balance & alignment (again). Suddenly, these tires are not such a great deal.
#77
06-29-2010, 09:11 PM
Ok, you have my curiosity - what alignment settings fixed the problem for you?
#78
06-29-2010, 09:19 PM
That, to me, sounds more like a balance issue. I have run COntinental tires on my car since the beginning and the only time they ever displayed said characteristics was when they were out of balance. I hope you get it fixed though soon! Still waiting to hear more replies on these before I decide that they are the way to go. (these or the DW, depending on where I live)
#79
06-30-2010, 07:55 AM
6th Gear
All joking aside - the Contis are sweet.
Bravo Continental!
Alex
#80
06-30-2010, 07:58 AM
6th Gear
#81
06-30-2010, 08:17 AM
I think the DW's are really exceptional, infact Continetal's best showing in Max Performance to date - a real contender! I can speak from experience @ Conti's proving grounds in Uvalde, these tires feel GREAT well into triple digits!
Bravo Continental!
Alex
Bravo Continental!
Alex
#82
06-30-2010, 08:18 AM
Just got my car back from the installers. Definatly squirly out of the gates. SO so much smoother over bumps that I drive daily. I could be nuts but I seem to think the 4 mile drive back to my office was different as it progressed. I can't think that was a heat cycle but it changed a bit. I had them do 40psi. I'm planning on spending "lunch" out in the country to play around some and feel them in some bends.
#83
06-30-2010, 05:03 PM
#87
07-01-2010, 06:37 AM
6th Gear
#88
07-01-2010, 10:38 AM
Just put these Conti's on last week. 205/45-17 on a 2003 Mini Cooper S. I now know why these are called "Continentals"...thats what they did to my "Go Kart"...they turned it into a 1974 Lincoln Continental!
I drove to Las Vegas from SLC and back just this week and even after 1000 miles, these things feel downright dangerous at highway speeds. Even tame lane changes introduce body sway/roll. High winds absolutely freaked me out. I seriously thought I lost a link connection in the rear end.
I called Continental...HORRIBLE customer service...the lady said it was "my fault" I bought them online and had to pay shipping and didn't want to hear about the tire issues I had at all. I was calm on the phone and finally I just heard a "click" on the other end and that was it.
My first purchase at tirerack.com too...I was impressed how smoothly it went...I had the tires in a day and had them mounted the next. I can only hope the return process is equally hassle free.
Maybe if you are used to the feel of an SUV you would love these tires, but they downright scared me on my car as it transformed it into something it hasn't been for 6+ years!
I drove to Las Vegas from SLC and back just this week and even after 1000 miles, these things feel downright dangerous at highway speeds. Even tame lane changes introduce body sway/roll. High winds absolutely freaked me out. I seriously thought I lost a link connection in the rear end.
I called Continental...HORRIBLE customer service...the lady said it was "my fault" I bought them online and had to pay shipping and didn't want to hear about the tire issues I had at all. I was calm on the phone and finally I just heard a "click" on the other end and that was it.
My first purchase at tirerack.com too...I was impressed how smoothly it went...I had the tires in a day and had them mounted the next. I can only hope the return process is equally hassle free.
Maybe if you are used to the feel of an SUV you would love these tires, but they downright scared me on my car as it transformed it into something it hasn't been for 6+ years!
#89
07-01-2010, 07:09 PM
4th Gear
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I had the front toe-in set at zero degrees and the rears at a half of degree in from that to keep from wander. The front camber is around 1.4 degrees and the rear is at the factory setting. This allows the car to track dead straight, maintain this at freeway speeds, and still maintain excellent tire wear. I also maintain excellent handling in the twisties.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
what did you do?
Just got my car back from the installers. Definatly squirly out of the gates. SO so much smoother over bumps that I drive daily. I could be nuts but I seem to think the 4 mile drive back to my office was different as it progressed. I can't think that was a heat cycle but it changed a bit. I had them do 40psi. I'm planning on spending "lunch" out in the country to play around some and feel them in some bends.
Just got my car back from the installers. Definatly squirly out of the gates. SO so much smoother over bumps that I drive daily. I could be nuts but I seem to think the 4 mile drive back to my office was different as it progressed. I can't think that was a heat cycle but it changed a bit. I had them do 40psi. I'm planning on spending "lunch" out in the country to play around some and feel them in some bends.
#90
07-02-2010, 04:41 PM
I suspect that our idea of handling is very different. I have been very disapointed with the intial give of these tires. i know its the sidewall (came over from run-flats with a very stiff sidewall), but I hope there is another non-run-flat that does better than these. I am living with them, but I will not buy them again.
#91
07-02-2010, 04:48 PM
I started at 32 (set from installer), bumped up to 35, then to 40, now at 45. I dont like them at any pressure, but I think that 40 was the best (cold pressure). BTW, I dont have any issues with grip, its the roll that is causing me grief. I simply dont like the feel and especially at any high speed. simple movements that were confident before have become far too over-reactive. I just put a 22mm rear anti-sway on her and that helps a lot, but NO MORE CONTI's FOR ME
#93
07-03-2010, 06:24 PM
#94
07-04-2010, 08:19 AM
Any time! I have run many tires on my Mini now between wheel changes, season changes, and all that kind of thing (autocross, etc..) and I have to say, for a daily driving tire that provides great dynamics on the street and can stand up to the occasional snow fall, I think the Kumho ASX is the best tire for the money, hands down. Another plus is they come in a 215/40/17, which makes the car's handling improve slightly due to wider rubber but it also lowers the profile of the tire, making the car accelerate slightly quicker too. All good things imho
#95
07-04-2010, 05:20 PM
#96
07-11-2010, 10:38 AM
I had the front toe-in set at zero degrees and the rears at a half of degree in from that to keep from wander. The front camber is around 1.4 degrees and the rear is at the factory setting. This allows the car to track dead straight, maintain this at freeway speeds, and still maintain excellent tire wear. I also maintain excellent handling in the twisties.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Interesting - you don't mention caster. Did you leave it at factory settings?
Anyone else try these settings to overcome the DWS wandering issue?
#99
07-20-2010, 01:48 PM
