Help me select some tires please...

[double vanos]

OK we're talking about an '08 Mazdaspeed 3 that was equipped with 215-45-18 sized tires - not a very common size.

I currently have Pirelli PZero Rosso tires on the car and they are way too stiff for my liking - the steering response is great with them but the ride is horrible, so they are OUT.


Using TireRack's web site I have narrowed my choices to 3:

Bridgestone Potenza RE 760 (24 lbs)

General Exclaim UHP (20 lbs)

Continental ExtremeContact DWS (21lbs)

You will notice that I included the tire weights and to me this is a significant spec; heavy tires make an auto sluggish compared to light tires.

Cost isn't really a big deal, I just want to restore some semblance of driving comfort back into the car.

I live in Houston so an A/S tire isn't really necessary but my father lives in San Marcos Tx.and sometimes the weather there can be treacherous.

Any and all comments are truly appreciated as I am at a quandry as to which tire to get - if you think of a better tire than these listed please tell me, it just has to be a 215-45-18

Thanks for your time! double vanos

 

[The Critic]

Potenza RE760 Sports are a good tire. I got a set for my friend's 07 GTI and the ride comfort is acceptable. After 10k of moderately aggressive driving and one rotation, there's about 7-8/32 left on all four tires.

 

[raaizin]

I put the Continental extremes DWS on my wifes 2008 X3 with sport pkg. We live in NJ where the roads are in poor shape.The BMW does not ride that bad at all. This model isnt know for a great ride to begin with. We have a 2007 A6 with factory 18's and the BMW rides much better. I cant imagine the roads in Tx are that bad. I like this tire so much I plan to put them on our third car next week a 2002 Maxima. The Comti's got a good review on tireracks webpage. Pretty good in snow, but dont think you have to worry about that. Good luck Ray

 

[XCELERATIONRULES]

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct...ar=45&rd=18

Had good luck with the hankooks.

The potenza's wear out fast.
No other imput on your other choices.
I do know discount tire ships for free,an easy $60 savings.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I had Continental ExtremeContact DWS 235/45-17 on my '00 E430 3 weeks ago. We don't have any rain in So Cal until winter so that I can not tell you how it performs on wet roads. On dry pavements it is very quiet and very good ride, but it can handle the on/off ramps at higher speed than previous tires. I found that its performance/ride best with 4-6PSI above the recommended pressure of 33PSI.

Yes, I agree that the light weight of DWS is one of the plus that I decided to buy it.