by "mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
Published 06/08/2017 at 11:39
by "mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
Published 06/08/2017 at 11:39
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STARS: 1
My ‘12 Kia Soul is at about 72k miles with the original tires and I’m getting ready to swap them out for something with a bit more bite. I’m torn between the Kuhmo Ecsta 4Xii and the Continental DWS06.
On one hand the DWS06 are pretty well regarded.
On the other hand the 4Xii are pretty cheap. Any recommendations?
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/08/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 1
I see you’re looking at performance all-season tires.
Do you actually want/need the increased cornering capability and the reduced tread life that comes with it, or are you more just looking for a good all-season tire.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/08/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 1
Wow, 72k miles?! That’s got to be some kind of record. For these two you’re looking at, depending on driving habits, don’t expect much past 30k miles. Most decently grippy all-season tires (despite their wear ratings) will be in that range. I’ve bought the DWS more than once in the past and was very happy with them. I can’t speak to the Kumho, but all else being equal, I’m more confident in Bridgestone/Michelin/Continental/Pirelli than I am in most of the other brands.
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
06/08/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 1
72k on those OEM tires? Daaammmnn! We barely made half that.
"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
06/08/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 0
Right now I can set off the traction control or lock up the ABS with just slightly aggressive throttle/braking. I’d like to rectify that and would like to have more confidence in turns. I am fine trading treadwear for grip.
"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
06/08/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 1
I’m a shitty person who does shitty things to cars. They definitely should have been replaced at least 10k ago.
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
06/08/2017 at 12:15, STARS: 0
I’d go Continental as almost everyone vouches for them. I don’t have that exact Kumho line but another “performance” all seasons of theirs and it’s garbage.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/08/2017 at 12:27, STARS: 1
Not sure what the OE tires were but often OE tires just straight up suck, and you will be able to get enough of an improvement in grip from a more touring-oriented all-season tire than a performance all-season. The General Altimax RT43 is a really solid touring tire with above-average grip for the category including winter. That’s my go-to regular tire recommendation for people.
If you do still want a performance tire, and you want above-average winter grip, I would avoid the Ecsta 4X II. Its winter ratings are sub-par.
The DWS06 is solid in winter and for a performance tire but gives up some sportiness.
The BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S is grippier in dry/wet than the DWS06 and still above-average in snow but not quite as good. I have a set on my wife’s Impreza and we’re very happy with them.
For a budget option I’d do General G-Max AS-03. They’re a little better in winter than the Comp-2 A/S but not as performance-y otherwise. Steering response might be a little sharper than the DWS06. They’re on closeout because they’re being replaced with the G-Max AS-05.
"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
06/08/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 0
Thanks for the recommendations. The car came with Hankook optimo H426 and I hate them. I was considering going with a touring tire figuring anything would be better than O.E. tires.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
06/08/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 0
Contis.
All day every day.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/08/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 1
The ratings on those H426s are pretty damn bad, very much like the Yokohama S34Ds that came stock on my wife’s car. A good touring tire like the RT43 will most likely fix your issues.
I was all ready to buy the RT43s for her car but my local Discount Tire had them backordered in her size and I didn’t want to jump through hoops with other stores or Tire Rack to get them. Discount Tire gave me a super cheap price on the BFGs and the ride/treadwear tradeoff is fine since my wife drives super low miles and the Impreza is really good on bumps.
I also almost got my dad to buy a set of RT43s for his Saab 9-3 but they were only available from unfamiliar places around him and he wanted to get them from his mechanic who gets tires from a particular supplier. He ended up with Pirelli P7s which are another above-average touring tire but not as good as the RT43s.
"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
06/08/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 1
I can’t speak to the Kumhos, but I’m on my second set of Contis and would absolutely buy a third.
"TahoeSTi" (tahoesti)
06/08/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 0
DWSO6 great tire smooth quite handles well and is predictable at the limit ....can even handle a bit of snow and dirt well. The only all season I like....for what ever that is worth....driven kinda hard they are good for maybe 30k miles.