I'd go for the DZ102 instead. Better load index (92 compared to 88 for DZ101) and only a couple bucks more!

 

Finally had to replace my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus at 24,000 miles. The tires seemed unusually noisy once I started driving the car this spring. I don't recall that last fall but it was probably there, just didn't notice. So replaced just the rears, and it seemed the noise was more noticeable. Even though the fronts looked pretty good yet, I went ahead and replaced them. All the noise is gone and it rides like a new car again. I am really disappointed in the Michelin price for not holding up better for noise.


I went with a Kuhmo Ecsta LE Sport this time, purely on price and looks.


James

 

Hi James!
I ran Kuhmo Ecsta 4x all seasons on my rear for 29,000 miles, but because of an alignment problem the fronts were replaced at 19,000 with another pair of the Kuhmo. I was satisfied with them, but recently went with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 in 285's on the rear. I could tell immediately that the Michelin had better grip, but as you said the price is much higher than the Kuhmo.

 

I had BFG's sport comp 2 in stock size on the srt-6. The fronts are still on the car, but the rears were changed out about a month ago to some 285's conti dws.

The rear BFG's lasted no longer then 5k on the rear, they were bald right down the middle so I know it wasnt an alignment issue. They are listed as hipo summer tires, I put them on in the fall and they died in the winter. When these tires lose start losing their tread they very dangerous. Even in lightly rained hwy's the back wants to come on around if you try to go above 35mph. I do not recommend these tires at all.

When the sport comp 2's wear out in the front ill switch those to conti dws also. The sport comp 2's were VERY NOISY even when new. They sound like a bad wheel bearing at low speed. You'd have to be doing almost 80 to kill the noise.

 

I have Conti DW's in 225/19 and 245/19. About 6k miles on them Wearing well, with moderate noise levels. Cornering grip and braking performance is better than the G-MAX. Mild to moderate feathering on the outside front edges. Camber is -1.7 in the front. -.9 in the rear. I will buy these again in 19" sizes for my new wheels.

 

Info on new Hankooks
Hankook Tire's Innovative Concept Tires Honoured With The International Design Excellence Awards 2014

 

This tire is on my Tire Rack Wish List for my XFire. I also like the look.

I'm also not a practitioner of mixing tire makes on my vehicles. When it comes time to replace either the front or rear Conti's, I'll do a complete 4-tire change.

 

Hankook tires on Tirerack at Closeout; full set $456.00 plus shipping.
Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110

I am on my second set of these and they are a nice summer tire for our Crossfires
This is an unbeatable price for a quality tire

 

What size you running in front & back ? Stock sizes or bigger ? I would like to go just a bit larger with width in back !

 

Stock OEM in the front 225/40/18
285/35/19 on the rear
No rubbing and a nice fit and look on the rear

 

I run 235/40-18 & 275/35-19 on both XFs. No rubbing and look great. G-Max on graphite N/A and Bridgestone S-04 on SRT.

DSC00595.JPG

 

Valk, thanks for the heads up on the Hankooks. Looked like a deal to me. just ordered a set. Bought the car a couple weeks ago and it only has 13k miles but the Michelins on it were manufactured in 04. To quote Ralph, unsafe at any speed.

 

After 9 years with the xfire moving a lot between snowing areas to dry conditions. My vote on tires go to Michelin Pilot AS3 all season. It fixed all my handling dislikes from Nitto invo. To include treadware. Hope to test on the track soon

 

Me pokes Valk in the rear tire.

I still like my widths... (NOT on stock rims)
245/35ZR18 Fronts
295/30ZR19 Rears

 

+1 on the AS3's although I can't comment on treadwear since I have only had them on since April. I wanted an all season tire that didn't sacrifice a whole lot on traction, and these deliver, although at a price...

I am running both front and rear a little larger, 235/40/18 up front and 275/35/19 in the back. on stock SRT-6 wheels, much better than the Continental Extreme Contact DWS's that were on the car when I bought it in April 3013.

UPDATE 2/17/16:

After a little over 12,000 miles, the rears are shot - Still about half tread on the fronts. I still like the way these tires performed, but with the price I will not be purchasing them again. There seem to be plenty of good choices out there at about half the cost of these Michelin's. I'd rather spend half twice as often and have fresh rubber on the car that much more often....

 

VALK - you fit 285s on the stock rims without rubbing? Have you noticed better performance with the increased width? Any trouble from your tire shop on mounting them? I run the Hankook V12s now and need to get a new set before the weather warms up next year, if I can get a slightly wider tire on the stock rims in the rear I'll take it!
-Kevin

 

OEM vs. OEM

My first XF had the upgraded tire option. (+$185 for Continental all season performance tires) I was more than happy with these tires and I got about 36k out of them.

When I bought my current XF, I saw Continental and thought they must be the same. I should have paid more attention....

The first light rain and she became a 'Fish Called Wanda'. Narry a blip of throttle on the damp road and the back end would slide around like a merengue dancer. These tires were instead the Continental Sport Contact 2 summer tires. Add to that the age of these tires (~10yrs); This was a dangerous situation.

So, I ordered a set of Continental Extreme Contact DWS for all 4 corners and had them installed. (Took them 3.5 hrs to mount, balance and align...ugh) Having driven too and from the shop in light snow, I can say what a difference. I'm happy again!

OEM Conti All Season Upgraded Tire pattern (on my original XF)
2e9ef460-04e6-4cd9-83ac-1e30bb44c038.jpg

co_xtrcontactdws_ci2_l.jpg
IMG_6286smc.jpg


co_contisportcontact2_ci2_l.jpg
21.jpg

 

I had a member ask me to measure the tread depth on the DWS, theirs were wearing fast and they were concerned that they got a shallow tire new.

Just for posterity/ reference: mine are a little better than spec at 10.53/32nds. They also have a 6yr/ 50,000 mile tread warranty.

 

That was me, down to 6/32nds after 13-14K miles....still hoping to get 30K out of them. Have to point out I bought these DWSs from TireRack at a time TR did not yet have the 255s available .....so I bought the 245s. TR spec indicate these are made in multiple countries.....
Overall.....a very good tire.

 

Take a look at this