just completed a 1000 miles road trip half in the wet and heavy rain. the Continental DWS was GREAT! definitely recommend.

Last winter I ran BFGoodrich GeSport Comp-2 A/S and they are absolutely phenomenal in the rain. I've been lazy about it, but I'm about to strap them back on and put the summers away. Better wet traction than stock on dry. If you can find a good deal on them they retail below $100 already, and they are top tier.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Continental DWS06 as well which are the only other rain-pumping A/S competition, but they're typically $30 more per corner and really only make sense if you expect to see some snow here and there (if you can't tell from the tread difference). The BFGs have edged them out in the rain.

Both of them perform well in low/freezing temperatures but ice is still ice.

Edit: FWIW: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...odClar=Limited

5x100 wrx 16's with studded tires show up on cragislist for a few hundred...

Don't know your climate very well.. I live in Syracuse, NY, where we have severely snowy winters and subzero (F) temps on occasion, and very hot and humid summers. No matter what your favorite season, we have a severe version of it. All-season tires are a non-starter unless you have a 4wd or AWD vehicle, and even then they ain't necessarily the best option.

In the winter, I've had great experiences w/ Blizzaks, Continental ExtremeWinterContact, and Michelin X-Ice tires. Go with whichever you can find a good deal on.

HOWEVER, if you're talking PRIMARILY rain and black ice, all bets are off. My winter tires all universally stunk in rain once the tread was worn even a little bit. The best tires in black ice conditions are studded.. virtually the ONLY tires that'll work on black ice. That, and/or skill and caution on the part of the driver. Rain? Good all-season or summer tires. Snow? See previous paragraph.

Just my experience.. hope it's a bit helpful.

Best to ya,

Barry

the thread title: Tires for rain

I have the Continentals but not the DWS, I have the Extreme Contact DW and it is outstanding in water and better in the dry vs the Primacy.

The ECDW has a little softer sidewall vs others in that category which improves ride slightly and reduces road noise (slightly). Since I have a 4x4 I didn't want to mess with multiple tires for the FRS so I got a set that work well in the summer and rainy season (since it rarely snows in the Puget Sound).