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Old 08-24-2013, 10:32 AM   #1
cnlson
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Default Tire opinions wanted

I posted this in an existing thread and got 1 opinion (which i did appreciate) but i'm hoping for more.

I have a dilemma on the two tires I am considering.
background factors
  • live in SD, so winters start in october/november and this year went until 20th of may
  • i live in town on a road that will get plowed
  • work from home 4 of 5 days a week
  • the yokos worked perfectly for me, but now at 40k they are now down to 5/32nds which is not enough for winter.
  • not a hard driver, the car has more capability than I'll use. I've had it in an ice storm twice, got caught in a snowstorm once and played around in a parking lot with 6" of snow and that's about it in two winters.

choices if you have another suggestion know that these two stores are pretty much the limit of where i want to shop as we travel from time to time and i want to have the backup of a national chain.
  1. michelin defenders at sams
  2. conti DWS at sears

decision points
  • mileage
    1. michelin warrantied for 90k
    2. Conti 50k
  • price
    1. Michelin $605 (through 9/23) including road hazard, lifetime rotate and balance.
    2. Contis $727 with lifetime balance and rotate and road hazard plus

the defenders rank higher on tirerack surveys than the conti's in everything but snow and ice and they are not far behind on those as well. with the prices they are 54% less in cost by the time they get to wearout and the contis would go from being good for snow to only good in wet and dry a long time before the michelins would even be bad at anything...

it seems a no brainer to me, but i'm looking for opinions

links
sams defenders
sears contis
michelin website
tire rack michelin
tire rack contis
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Old 08-24-2013, 10:49 AM   #2
79letour
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I'd go Michelin. just my 2¢
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Old 08-24-2013, 11:06 AM   #3
cnlson
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I would normally to, without even thinking much about it but everyone seems to drool over the contis, so I'm unsure and in need of others opinions.

thanks!
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Old 08-24-2013, 11:09 AM   #4
79letour
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right on. I'll also add that I'd rather deal with Sam's than Sears.
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Old 08-24-2013, 11:22 AM   #5
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i honestly can't remember the last time I bought tires anywhere else than Sam's But since I've seen so many raving about the DWS I thought i would check to see where else I could shop.
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Old 08-25-2013, 09:16 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cnlson View Post
i honestly can't remember the last time I bought tires anywhere else than Sam's But since I've seen so many raving about the DWS I thought i would check to see where else I could shop.
I would get the PureContact DWS, not the ExtremeContact DWS.
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Old 08-25-2013, 10:02 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1100 View Post

I would get the PureContact DWS, not the ExtremeContact DWS.
I probably would as well but neither Sears or Sams carry them. If you can think of a national tire place that I should check, or I suppose a regional (Midwest, south Dakota) then I will but I'm pretty sure I can't get them that easily and I need to be able to rely on having warranty service available.
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Old 08-25-2013, 10:58 AM   #8
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So what is this Eco-plus technology of the Purecontact? Is this just a low rolling resistance tire? Personally I would not get a LLT tire.

From my looking around the ExtremeContact DWS are a great choice. But then again I have always gone for high-performance all season tires. I might put them on the Impreza when the time comes but I am not sure. I have been very disappointed with the ContiContact tires that came stock on my Focus. They started making a lot of noise with-in 20k miles. Winter grip at 15k miles was lacking.
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Old 08-25-2013, 12:17 PM   #9
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I'd get whatever michelin tire you can find on tirerack.com

They're simply the best. High performance tire if you like your cornering and don't want your car to feel squishy, GT tire if you don't mind a little squish in the corners and like your road noise to stay low.
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Old 08-25-2013, 05:46 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cnlson View Post
I probably would as well but neither Sears or Sams carry them. If you can think of a national tire place that I should check, or I suppose a regional (Midwest, south Dakota) then I will but I'm pretty sure I can't get them that easily and I need to be able to rely on having warranty service available.
sears can't get Continental? do you have any tire shops close to you? there is always tirerack.
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Old 08-25-2013, 08:17 PM   #11
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Anyone used the Michelin MXV4s on our Imps? I don't live in the snow belt and am looking for a grand touring quiet ride with long life.
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Old 08-25-2013, 10:24 PM   #12
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I have the MXV4s on another car and they're great. I wouldn't hesitate to put a set on the Impreza, though I may choose another Michelin GT tire for the sake of variety.
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Old 08-26-2013, 07:33 PM   #13
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If it were me I would get full winter tires anyway, even if it doesn't snow a lot, the softer tire will be better in cold weather. Wouldn't pay extra for hazard either unless you drive on really crappy roads. The oem yokos are like ice skates compared to a winter tire.
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Old 08-27-2013, 01:44 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1100 View Post

sears can't get Continental? do you have any tire shops close to you? there is always tirerack.
Sears has several but not the pure contact. Tire rack is great but you are on your own at that point, try getting a nail hole patched or a tire replaced for road hazard or wear out. Not as easy as driving down to Sams. I holed a tire on the way to work one morning in a different car due to a large ice chunk dropped in the highway by a semi. Sams replaced it before I could even call in to work and I made it on time.

Plus the cost of buying from tire rack and paying someone to install is more than buying from Sams in almost all cases.
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Old 08-27-2013, 01:52 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haunty View Post
If it were me I would get full winter tires anyway, even if it doesn't snow a lot, the softer tire will be better in cold weather. Wouldn't pay extra for hazard either unless you drive on really crappy roads. The oem yokos are like ice skates compared to a winter tire.
I'm sure they are. I'm hoping that the defenders will do well. They seem like an all around good tire. I have had winter tires before but honestly the streets are cleared soon enough that I really haven't had a reason to dislike the yokos over the last 40k. Even with the storms we've had. I've found the car to be very predictable and it warns very early if I need to be more restrained.
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Old 08-27-2013, 06:31 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cnlson View Post

I'm sure they are. I'm hoping that the defenders will do well. They seem like an all around good tire. I have had winter tires before but honestly the streets are cleared soon enough that I really haven't had a reason to dislike the yokos over the last 40k. Even with the storms we've had. I've found the car to be very predictable and it warns very early if I need to be more restrained.
I feel the same way, but I'm still buying winter tires this year. Part of me is curious how much difference it really makes, and everyone says this car is a tank with them, so I can't resist and am buying them as soon as costco puts them on sale. I was going to order from tirerack, but the michelin xi3's are cheaper for me from costco when they are on sale.

The have a few continental dealers in my area, but even after shipping and installation it is cheaper for me to get them off tirerack. I plan to run them for 8 months/yr. And I also plan to test both out in the snow to see just how much difference I can really notice
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Old 08-27-2013, 08:30 AM   #17
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FWIW, I didn't think I needed winter tires until I slid uncontrollably into the back of a tractor trailer. That changed my opinion FAST.

More upfront cost, but it gives you more piece of mind and extends the life of your all-season/summer tires as well.
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Old 08-27-2013, 10:53 AM   #18
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That, and you can keep your summer wheels out of the salt. Each set has 5-7 months of down time so you can take your time cleaning and waxing them off the car.

The benefits are many, and the only drawbacks are the purchase price and storage space of a second set of wheels.

My car is great with the Xi2s and when they wear out, I'll get a set of Xi3s.
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Old 08-27-2013, 11:19 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1100 View Post
I feel the same way, but I'm still buying winter tires this year. Part of me is curious how much difference it really makes, and everyone says this car is a tank with them, so I can't resist and am buying them as soon as costco puts them on sale. I was going to order from tirerack, but the michelin xi3's are cheaper for me from costco when they are on sale.

The have a few continental dealers in my area, but even after shipping and installation it is cheaper for me to get them off tirerack. I plan to run them for 8 months/yr. And I also plan to test both out in the snow to see just how much difference I can really notice
up in ND I am sure you will get good use out of the winter tires. but i'm down in sioux falls, and everything usually gets plowed out in 24 hours and most days I work from home, so I really have a choice on whether I go out or not.
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Old 08-27-2013, 11:25 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Commander Keen View Post
That, and you can keep your summer wheels out of the salt. Each set has 5-7 months of down time so you can take your time cleaning and waxing them off the car.

The benefits are many, and the only drawbacks are the purchase price and storage space of a second set of wheels.

My car is great with the Xi2s and when they wear out, I'll get a set of Xi3s.
I understand the purpose for specific tires for specific weather and for some people I can certainly understand the need for ultimate winter performance. But I'm in the other 98%. Plus, I don't have the room or time to store and care for 4 more wheels/tires.
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Old 08-27-2013, 11:32 AM   #21
cnlson
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1100 View Post
I was going to order from tirerack, but the michelin xi3's are cheaper for me from costco when they are on sale.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Commander Keen View Post
My car is great with the Xi2s and when they wear out, I'll get a set of Xi3s.
out of curiosity i checked the x-ice xi3s out

they have 10.5/32" tread depth and Tire Rack advises removing winter tires at 5/32"

and here is the wearout warranty
Quote:
Treadlife Warranty: 6 Years / 40,000 Miles (when worn to 2/32" depth)
so you might get a total of 25k of snow driving before these are gonners, the cost benefit (same price for these as a 90k michelin set) would have to be pretty steep for me to justify it.
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Old 08-27-2013, 01:42 PM   #22
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I wouldn't let the warranty mileage affect the decision. The chances of you ever collecting on that warranty are very slim. Even if you do, it's prorated so you won't be getting a new tire, you'll be getting a small check.

Winter tires are almost never the cheapest way to cover miles. They're more of a safety/insurance measure. Factor in even a minor collision in the snow over the next 90K miles, and the cost/benefit equation quickly swings in the other direction.
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Old 08-27-2013, 01:47 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cnlson View Post
up in ND I am sure you will get good use out of the winter tires. but i'm down in sioux falls, and everything usually gets plowed out in 24 hours and most days I work from home, so I really have a choice on whether I go out or not.
No I've been to Sioux falls (lived there even!) It isn't any different up here. I only live 240 miles north of you

With the tires I'm looking at I plan on 4-5 winters, and 4-5 summers split between 2 sets and a total of 110k miles, so really the cost of 2 sets of tires anyway over that amount of mileage. I don't want tires that will last 90k because you have to give up traction/handling to get that kind of mileage

Get what you want, it's your money. You asked for opinions and you got them. They just weren't the opinions you wanted

Last edited by flyboy1100; 08-27-2013 at 02:03 PM.
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Old 08-30-2013, 09:11 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1100 View Post
No I've been to Sioux falls (lived there even!) It isn't any different up here. I only live 240 miles north of you

With the tires I'm looking at I plan on 4-5 winters, and 4-5 summers split between 2 sets and a total of 110k miles, so really the cost of 2 sets of tires anyway over that amount of mileage. I don't want tires that will last 90k because you have to give up traction/handling to get that kind of mileage

Get what you want, it's your money. You asked for opinions and you got them. They just weren't the opinions you wanted
the only way you get the opinions you want is to give them to yourself If you need winter tires by all means. My main question was between two tires and mainly because so many had mentioned the conti otherwise I wouldn't have even considered it. I also asked the dealer but the best they could come up with for a suggestion was a T rated uniroyal so Michelins it is for me.
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Old 09-29-2013, 09:04 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1100 View Post
I would get the PureContact DWS, not the ExtremeContact DWS.
so I went in to Sams to order the Defenders and ran into an issue. Sams will not put on tires that do not match the speed rating. The tire guys said they had contact with an attorney in corporate and were told their jobs were in jeopardy if they did. Coincidentally a friend of mine happened to see me there while I was waiting and he checked on a set of PureContacts and for $644 i can get them installed with an alignment included and since the original tires seem to be showing a little more wear on the insides than the outsides I thought that sounded pretty good.

the PureContacts are V rated and 70k warranty for nearly the same money so I'm pleased.

Road Hazard for them is provided by a nationwide network so i'm ok there as well.
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