So got a gigantic bubble on the OE run flats so finally had the reason to swap them out like I wanted to since day one. Conti Extreme Contact DWS is absolutely my favorite all season on the market, I can honestly say for me they are the perfect all season tire (ran them on my Audi allroad, for 20k till I got rid of it). Was a bit worried going with the 225/50 R17s on the stock rim, I like the wider tire, but its almost to much tire for the stock rim. I was also worried about rubbing issues in the back. As for size comparison for those of you who have not done the research the 225/50 17 is almost the exact same circumference as the stock 205/55 17s (0.1% difference), and there are way more tires available in that size.

So far so good, no rubbing issues, tires fit (have no worries about ever getting curb rash on my rims, lol), and the ride and handling is so much better. As for flat worries, right now going with a slime kit with air compressor just for emergencies in daily use (I can plug my own flats if I get a nail, and with the TPMS you almost always know well in advance if you need a plug). May pick up a donut for long trips though, although I can't remember ever needing one since owning a car with TPMS.

Will post more info on how the Contis do when I put more miles on them.

 

Got any pics?

 

I'll see if I can take one tomorrow

 

Which OE run flat tires did you have before you put on the DWS?

 

The Continental ProContact SSRs

 

Thanks; that is what I have also. So far I don't find them too bad except on really bad roads, but I think I will get the DWS when replacement time comes. I'll probably get a temp spare to compliment my slime pump kit for emergencies.

 

Hi JudgeS, as you know I have concerns of the fitment of 225/55 17 tires but you had some concerns about rubbing with your size. Could you also get a couple of pictures of the spots that are close to rubbing?

I will be getting the exact same tires...I have read so many good things about the DWS tires.

 

The DWS is really a fabulous tire, its up there with all the other UHP all season in every category (Pilots, Pole Positions, PZeros), except its way better in the snow than any of them, plus its usually the cheapest of the bunch. As I said ran them on my Audi all road for 20k+ miles and they were the best tire I ever owned for all year driving on a AWD car.

 

Hey JudgeS, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the DWS in 225/55-17. Still haven't seen any pics yet of your setup lol, but its okay. I will receive the tires next week so hopefully by next weekend I will have them mounted and I will post pics. I am really looking forward to them!

 

A word of caution on the DWS tires. I have them my '03 MCS that has sport suspension. The ride with every run flat I tried over the years was simply BRUTAL, especially with the lousy road conditions in this part of the country. Unless they have changed the tire (I've had them 2 years), it has a relatively soft sidewall, so it's not the best handling tire out there. But I did not select the tire primarily for handling, I selected it to make the ride tolerable. Handling is noticeably less crisp versus any of the runflats I had, although barely noticeable in normal daily driving. However, when you push the car hard, it is VERY noticeable. Numerous others on the first generation section of this website have noticed the same. The soft sidewalls can be offset somewhat by adding 5 to 8 lbs. of pressure over what would normally be run. On the other hand, if I had it to do all over again, I probably would. It's very good in light to moderate snow, treadwear has been excellent, and I've had none of the pothole damage I experienced with each of the runflats. I will need to buy all season or winter tires for my new CM this fall, and I will certainly consider the DWS again, depending on how the CM rides and handles with the 18" summer run flats it will arrive with in the next few weeks.

 

Thanks for the useful insight...this is something that I have read about and I decided the concessions were worth the benefits of the tire. If only the new Pole Position tire (RE60 something) was available in the same size, since it is as good as the DWS but handles better.

 

Aaron, are those the new tires that Tire rack says are run flats without the harsh ride? Sounds REAL interesting. I'm not at all against the concept of run flats. There's nothing worse than having a flat tire on a dark, rainy night. Actually there is something worse..if it's your wife or GF out on the road by themselves.

 

No they are not, these are non run flat tires. I am with you about the concept of run flats are really good but it does not work that well in reality. Honestly, I haven't had a flat tire that required a road side repair in my entire life...they have typically been slow leaks etc. (knock on wood...)

 

hey AaronL13, hate to be the one to notice... but JudgeS was talking 225/50/17s. You said you ordered 225/55/17s... That might be a problem... That's a 4/5" difference in overall diameter. Might still work though...

 

Yea I am aware of that...I read about people running 225/50/18's on the stock wheels which are actually slightly larger than what I ordered. It was in the Khumo thread. They have had no problems and I verified the offsets and wheel widths also which are all favorable so I should not have a problem.

 

Just ordered 4 Continental Extreme Contact DSW 205/45ZR17 non-runflat tires to replace my run flats. I can't wait to not have to worry about the random runflat warning light going on, the noisy runflat tires, having to buy the EXPENSIVE runflat tires and the HARD ride. For my peace of mind, I also purchased the Continental Comfort Kit, which is a small air compressor that will inflate a punctured tire and insert a built-in sealant at the same time that will allow me to get to where I can call AAA or have the flat changed. It's the best of both worlds... less expensive tires, a better ride and no stupid warning light randomly going off!!

 

MINIsrfun, That's great! Do you have experience using the Continental Comfort Kit? I wonder if it will seal a tire that has sidewall damage as well.

Just like you, I would want it to get us to a repair shop. I would assume that a can of fix-o-flat would do the trick as well.

 

I don't think any tire pump/sealer kit will repair sidewall damage. For a simple tread puncture the cans have the severe disadvantage of having limited pressure which may not be adequate to get the tire up to a safe pressure. The Conti kit is excellent and has a quality pump, but as a minimum get one of the Slime pump/sealer kits for about $25. I have one and also a space saver spare that I will occasionally carry when driving in remote areas. I'm still on run-flats also.

 

Good to know! Hey, do you have pictures of the space saver spare in your car?

 

I'll try to get a pic soon.

 

Good discussion. I have had them for 20,000 miles on my 2005 Subaru Impreza. I'm convinced they're one of the best all-season tires ever made. They grip in the summer and PLOW snow in the winter with NO chains required uphill in a blizzard. I'm looking to buy these for Dean (2012 CMS ALL4), in 225/45ZR18 size as soon as I can find an excuse to replace my OEM Goodyear EfficientGrip summer tires, and I can afford the set & and space-saver spare. Have a sale, TIRE-RACK!

 

I don't know if you guys got the answers that you were looking for..

I have a countryman and 4000 miles into the runflats, I had them pulled and put on PZeros.. Run flats will never go back on my car...ever...

Here's the actual from my order from Tire Rack
4 Qty. P225/50ZR-17 Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season XL

These have been very good, no rubbing and they handled in the snow, water and of course dry just great...

Yes they are a bit softer than the run flats, which is what I wanted....
But they still handle very well for the twisty roads... I run them at 35 to 37 pounds...
If you run the at 32....they are very soft....super smooth ride.... But not mini like, if that makes sense... 35 to 37 and they are very nice...

Got about 6k on this set.... I guess I can let you know when they are worn...but that will probably be another year or so LOL...

I went with a full size rim for a spare, the same thats on the car and it too has the same tire on it.

I also have the premium ... slime kit, pump and all.
If I get a flat, I'll just change the tire, deal with the flat when I get home with the slime repair kit.

I lashed the spare down in the tiny trunk, vertically so its ready to go..

Hope this helps...

 

Any updates? I just got a flat in my OEM tires and want to hear from you all before I decide to remove my RFT and buy all new tires.
I am not sure how much the new RFT will be from MINI of STL yet. Can't get them to pick up the phone :(

 

Just blew a sidewall out of my front pass RF and since they are about 22k miles in I decided to go for 225/50 DWS (on my stock 17" rims) and getting them on tomorrow. I drive mostly like an old lady since I'm coming from a massively lifted Jeep Wrangler so not worried about high performance. Just want an all around good non RF all season and from what I've seen these seem to be pretty good. I'll let ya all know how I like them after a few weeks. Hopefully we get some more snow before the season is over so I can really test them out.

 

Have to say that in just the 15 min drive home was like night and day and these are still not even close to broken in or anything. Can't wait to see how these settle in. So far no complaints at all, but again it was only a 15 mins drive. Highway and back roads. Almost forgot what driving in a car without RFs was like lol.