Continental VikingContact7 initial impressions

[Klutch9]

Just put these tires on our Carnival yesterday. Stock size, 235/65r17 on some cheap alloy wheels from Discount Tire. I’ve always bought cheap winter tires (GTRadial, cheaper Nexens). They always had a low-speed rumble and made noise at higher speed. These Continentals are extremely quiet! I’ve had them up to 50 mph and you can MAYBE hear the faintest whistle. Because of the deep squishy tread they are also softer over bumps than the Dynapro HP2s that came on the van. We haven’t had any snow or ice yet, but I’m eager to try them out haha. They have a heavier steering feel, as to be expected because of the tread. Some of that might also be from the fact that the wheels I’m using have 11mm less negative offset than OEM, so a slightly wider track. But I’m impressed so far.

 

[edyvw]

Just put these tires on our Carnival yesterday. Stock size, 235/65r17 on some cheap alloy wheels from Discount Tire. I’ve always bought cheap winter tires (GTRadial, cheaper Nexens). They always had a low-speed rumble and made noise at higher speed. These Continentals are extremely quiet! I’ve had them up to 50 mph and you can MAYBE hear the faintest whistle. Because of the deep squishy tread they are also softer over bumps than the Dynapro HP2s that came on the van. We haven’t had any snow or ice yet, but I’m eager to try them out haha. They have a heavier steering feel, as to be expected because of the tread. Some of that might also be from the fact that the wheels I’m using have 11mm less negative offset than OEM, so a slightly wider track. But I’m impressed so far.

It is not squishier thread; it is Continental's construction. Continental is known for much softer sidewalls but strong construction.
That is the difference between top tier manufacturers (Continental) and others.
Besides that, they are superb snow tires. I had them before, and I ski twice a week here in the Rockies and I just installed them on Sequoia.

 

[Klutch9]

It is not squishier thread; it is Continental's construction. Continental is known for much softer sidewalls but strong construction.
That is the difference between top tier manufacturers (Continental) and others.
Besides that, they are superb snow tires. I had them before, and I ski twice a week here in the Rockies and I just installed them on Sequoia.

That makes sense. I’ve heard that even their performance-oriented tires like the DWS line are like that too.

 

[edyvw]

That makes sense. I’ve heard that even their performance-oriented tires like the DWS line are like that too.

They are. I have them on BMW for the summer.