Conti DWS v Michelin Pilot A/S 3 v Goodyear F1 Asymmetric
 

I've ran a number of searches, but haven't exactly found the input I'm looking for...

I live in SE Ohio. We get 5-15 snow accumulation days per year - usually 2" or less. One or two snows per year will be around 6". Every 5 years or so we get a big snow. Winter temps are usually around 30F degrees +/- 10 degrees. I work from home 90% of the time and my wife has a front drive car that I can use if need be. I don't consider it a necessity to get full on snow tires (plus I tried Hankook iPike's last year and hated what they did to the car on dry and wet - sidewall way too soft. The iPike's were scarier than the OEM tires - even in cold temps).

I made it through last winter on the OEM tires - on the 2-3 days I needed/wanted to go out in the BRZ in an inch or two of snow, I just drove very carefully and slowly.

However I now have 13,500 miles on the Primacy tires. The other evening it was about 40 degrees and a little wet. A guy stopped quickly in front of me and I hit the brakes moderately hard at 25 mph. Slid about 10 feet and almost hit him. It's time to do something else.

Based on various research and the following link...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...8-07865a66cb79

... I'm looking primarily at the Conti DWS, Michelin A/S 3 and Goodyear F1 Asymmetric. The Cooper RS3-A, General G-MAX AS-03 and Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 are also possibilities.

I'm always interested in a good value, but not at the risk of crashing a nice car... so price isn't a primary factor.

I DO NOT want a tire that is so soft that the car floats all over the road in dry/wet/warm conditions. By that, I mean that I want the car to ride/steer/handle as well or better than on OEMs with at least as much dry/wet/warm grip as stock and better cold/light snow traction. I'd rather not increase road noise.

In the research I've done, it looks as if the Conti DWS is the best A/S tire for snow... but that it is also a bit soft. Can anyone comment as to how soft it is compared to the OEM tires? If it's softer, then I'm going to be going a different route.

It also looks as if the Michelin Pilot A/S 3 sacrifices cold/snow traction for stiffness and warm performance... and that the Goodyear Asymmetric is sort of in between the Conti and the Pilot. I'm guessing that both the Goodyear and the Michelin are at least as stiff as the OEM tires..?

Any comments on the General, Cooper and Hankook (or any other, similar tire would also be appreciated. Thanks!

Oh yeah - staying on OEM wheels. Should I just stay with OEM tire size or does it make sense to change? If so, to what size?

If an option, use winter tires when temps are below 45F. I switch between summer/winter/track rims/tires.

Thanks, but as I noted, I'm not planning on doing that. I just don't want to mess with winter tires for what amounts to 2-3 days per year that I might actually drive in light snow.

Actually, I could use a beater truck to tow dirt bikes around with... LOL.

Well, I think I've found the best deal on the Michelin and the Goodyear.

215/45-17 MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S 3 91W for $576 shipped.

215/45-17 GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 ASYMMETRIC A/S 91W for $425.40 shipped after rebate.

Both at onlinetires.com.

You didn't say, but it sounds like you're looking for a replacement tire that you'll run year-round. In that case, you might as well remain with the OEM size unless you have considerations other than those you've already noted.

Speaking of Tire Rack, have you considered calling them and asking them for their recommendations? They will have more definitive responses than you're likely to receive from the random group of drivers that happen to click on this thread.

Online chat with Tire Rack a few minutes ago. They basically recommended the Michelin or the Goodyear for what I'm looking for. Confirmed that the Conti DWS is better than either for snow but soft and not as good on dry... Michelin best for warm-dry/wet, least competent of the 3 for snow. Goodyear balanced in the middle.

Given that they Goodyear is $150 cheaper, I'm leaning that way. Just wish I had anecdotal testimony from someone who has them on a BRZ or FRS.

That's fair - note my comment "below 45F" - winter tires are made from different compounds that work better in cold temps, including dry, rain and snow. They will wear out quickly above 60F. DWS have very soft sidewalls and are prone to cuts and bubbles, especially when driving over potholes...have them on another car and already replaced two in one year. Just an FYI...most people use A/S instead of winter tires...

Thanks. My brother in law just put DWS on his GenCoupe 3.8 two weeks ago and I just spoke with him about them. He commented on them feeling softer than his OEM, but not so soft that he disliked them. His early impression is that handling is pretty good.

I still don't like the soft feel idea - even if it's not "too" soft. I'd like to keep the immediate response characteristics of the BRZ. As such, still leaning towards the Goodyears but still considering the Michelin.

Just get pilot sport 3 and drive your wifes car in snow

I have staggered DWS on my car and I won't drive it in snow lolz

Really? I was able to drive (albeit slowly and carefully) in 1-2 inches of snow on the new OEM tires (I bought the car in December 2013, so the tires had very little mileage in the winter).

And by slow I don't mean 25 mph in a 55 mph zone. More like 45 mph in a 55.

If the All Seasons aren't any better than that, then I might as well stay with the Primacys.

My $0.02

I like my MPSS. I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires right before these. I loved them. THe A/S3 replaced them. I would stick with Michelin, if your budget can afford it. Tires are the only thing that touch the ground.