Ditched the Dunlops

[Firefly]

The 18" Dunlops were becoming annoying at 23,000 miles. Tread looked as if it could go beyond 30,000, but the ride quality had deteriorated. Particularly noticeable on rough highway pavement, where patches and cracks would have the car skittering. There was an odd sensation of non-adhesion, as if I the road was oily. Cornering grip was always good, however, and they never chirped or broke loose. Just this skittery rough feeling above 40mph. Contacting rough spots became much harder as well. I felt like I was driving an old pickup truck.

So I just switched to a set of Continental PureContacts. Feel good on the first day. i'll report more after they wear in a bit. Contis in general are more comfortable, at a tradeoff in handling. The PureContacts are responsive but are not as firm as the Dunlops in the curves. Aquaplaning was terrible with the Dunlops, so I look forward to better wet/snow performance with these.

[murcod]

Sounds like an excellent choice for what you're after.

http://www.tirereview.com/article/10367 ... ckage.aspx

With a UTQG rating of 700AA for both H- and V-rated sizes, the Pure­Contact comes with a 60-day customer satisfaction trial and a 70,000-mile or 72-month limited warranty program. CTA also offers 12-month or first 2/32-inch road hazard coverage.

I wish all tyres came with the 60 day trial as I would have returned some tyres over the many years I've been driving.

[Firefly]

I did research the reviews. And I have been satisfied with Continental tires in earlier vehicles.

[Knightstruth]

I hope I don't need to go that route but I have been experiencing a harsh ride lately all of a sudden. The tires are goodyear eagle gt and when I first got the car the ride was fine,although small bumps would make the steering wheel turn with them. I'm going to get an alignment done hoping to fix the problem. New tires may be my next route if the alignment doesn't work out. I bought the car used but the eagles aren't factory and seem to have a decent amount of tread left.

[Firefly]

Bumps causing the steering wheel to move seems to be a Kizashi thing, as others including myself have experienced it. Low profile tires, especially later in their life, do amplify this. My Dunlops had decent treadlife left, maybe another 10k miles.

[KIZFAN2]

I have over 50,000 km on my Nitto's and I still love them; best tire that I have used.

[Firefly]

I've now driven in the rain a few times with the Continentals and I must say they feel as secure on wet roads as dry. Hydroplaning is nearly non-existant, whereas with the Dunlops puddles were like stunt ramps. Braking, both wet and dry is noticeably better as well.

[bootymac]

Good to know the PureContacts are better than the stock Dunlops, considering they're a class lower. I'm thinking of replacing mine with Kumho Ecsta 4X when the time comes

[Firefly]

To be fair, The Dunlops, being a performance oriented tire, corner more firmly, but that is the only area I felt they were in any way superior. Tread wear was ok, but the ride quality had deteriorated so much with half the tread depth left, they felt like baldies. The PureContacts have better steering response, stop better, and as mentioned far better in the wet. Snow -I look forward to much better results there. I don't understand how the Dunlops have an M&S rating.

[murcod]

Are you comparing the worn out Dunlops to the new Continentals? Don't forget the Continentals won't be anywhere near as good when they wear down.