Originally Posted by cudaman

I just took a large staple into my Pilot Sport2's rear sidewall and they were close to EOL anyway. I went those Barum Bravuris3 HM's since I'm cambered up pretty good and need the extra mileage and a bit stiffer rubber than the other $$$$ summer tires. You know what? For $90 front and $105 rear, these fricken Barum's are pretty darn good for the money. The sidewall is a bit more compliant so it doesn't carve corners quite as well with the Michelins, and the stopping power is a bit south of the Michelin. I don't track the car, so I'm not worried about that.... They are really quiet (at least when new) and due to more sidewall compliance, they take road imperfections VERY well. Can't feel any harshness when combined with my KW-V3 coilovers at the "medium" hardness (maybe one click softer than recommended) setting. All in all, so far, they are a great alternative at lower cost. I may take them for some harder driving later on and report back. I can guarantee that softer sidewall will affect those that corner like a maniac, but they are pretty grippy in corners when new. You will corner well, just with a bit more yaw and roll. Nothing to get your panties in a bunch. Even if you wear them out, hell, just buy another set with the money you save from the Michelins. Barum is owned by Continental and they get pretty good reviews in Europe. I was debating between the Barum Bravuris3 HM and the Continental Extreme Contact DW's. I won't have wet-weather reporting until later, but the European reviews looked good on wet-weather driving. Time will tell. But when new, they are a great bang-for-the-buck.