New tires time... BFG T/A KDW2 vs Conti Extreme DWS?
 

I've done some reading at Tirerack, and searched threads here as well, but I have a few lingering questions...

I'm still rocking the OEM Bridgestones on my 2005 RX-8, but since I'm approaching 35K miles (and 7 years!) on them, it's finally time to bid them goodbye. I think I've narrowed things down to two rather different tires, and though I'd seek your opinions.

In corner #1 is the BF Goodrich T/A KDW2, and in corner #2 is the Continental ExtremeContact DWS.

I live in Iowa, where it gets cold in the winter, and we get significant snow. However, I have a CX-7 that sees probably 95% of my winter driving... so I only need snow performance good enough to limp home when I get caught by a surprise snow. I would, however, like the tires to behave reasonably well at sub-freezing temperatures.

The most important thing I'm looking for is good steering response/feel, even more so than grip. Decent ride comfort would be good too (though I understand that's kind of at odds w/ steering response since they're both affected by sidewall stiffness). Noise -- eh, I'd like them to be quieter than the OEM tires (but I'd imagine almost anything would be).

Right now, I'm biased toward the KDW2's... but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. :) Thanks!

^I think the BFG KDW2 is summer tire that will lose all traction under 40degrees f.

I'm a fan of Continental, and will buy DW for summer tires next time, but everyone raves about how good the DWS runs in snow and rain.

DWS is for your type of mixed winter and summer driving.

I don't think any snow tire will even do both, and other allseason's will suck in all conditions.

BFG KDW = key words D=dry W=we
Conti DWS = D=dry W=wet S=Snow

If your concer is about snow go with the contis as the BFG may get too hard to drive in those conditions

I've had the KDW2s on my car for about 6 months now. They are good summer tires but terrible in the cold.

I've had the Conti DWS tires on my car for about 25,000 miles now. Although they are not as sticky or firm as the OEM tires, they are more comfortable and more forgiving under a variety of road and weather conditions. These are commuting tires for me, not competition tires, and they have more than enough stick for even moderately agressive driving.

Great tires, no complaints.

I have the KDWs right now and they are a great tire for some AutoX fun and rain. I can honestly say they sucked when it snowed for that one day in GA. And it was probably only 2 inches or something.

I had the BFG g-Force T/A after having the OEM Dunlop Direzzas, didn't last more than 25,000 miles; but that's because I drove the car almost 500 miles a week from December '09 through September of '10. By 21,000 miles, the tires got louder as the treads wore. Like most have said, I would also say that it had better traction when it's warm than the other two (Direzza and now, Falken Ziex) I've had. I didn't have much problem driving it up on the snow late winter to Big Bear and Mammoth, but it's the least that lasted...

Thanks for the replies. For what it's worth, I've driven on the OEM Potenzas both in cold and in snow -- I've found them to be tolerable in the cold, but not so tolerable in the snow.

That is why I was willing to throw the KDWs into the mix... figuring that they would also be OK in the cold, and knowing I avoid driving in snow anyway (unless I get caught off-guard). But given flyinglizard's comment that they're terrible in the cold, I may have to cross them off my list.

Glad to hear that the Contis -- while less sporty than the OEM tires -- are a bit smoother (and quieter)... and still sporty enough for somewhat spirited driving. To be honest, there just aren't that many great driving roads/twisties around here, so my driving tends to primarily be commuting and errands anyway.

I don't think you would be disappointed in the Conti DWS. I throw my car around pretty hard when I can, and they haven't slid out on me yet.

Whatever tire you decide on, run them in for quite a few miles before passing judgement on them. Adhesion characteristics improve after they have worn a little.

I bought a set of the Continentals for my 40th Anniversary Edition Rx8 back in January. I have run them in the snow, sleet, ice, rain and dry on trips across America. I love them, and they have a 50,000 mile tread wear warranty AND (almost unheard of in a ultra-performance tire) a one-year/12,000 mile road hazard warranty. Great tires, great grip in all weather, very quiet and comfortable and judging by the tread wear so far, they just may go for 50,000 miles. I have run all makes of performance tires in my seven RXs since 1973. These are by far the very best Ultra-performance All Season tires I have ever owned.

I bought DWs for my 8 since I don't get snow here in SF Bay Area. They are an amazing daily driver tire. I think the only knock is that the steering isn't quite as sharp. C&D just did a test and they finished midpack due to the predictable but not up to leaders dry handling. The wet and noise/comfort had great scores.