So one of my stock Dunlop runflats has developed a sidewall bubble and I decided to order some non-runflat replacements to go on the Challenge wheels for mw JCW's 3 season setup. Based on lots of reading reviews and specs over the last few months, I decided to go with Conti Extreme Contact DW in 215/45/17 from Tire Rack. I was contemplating making the change anyway even though the runflats only have about 8k miles on them and plenty of tread left, but the sidewall bubble sealed the deal. No point in spending $300 to replace one runflat when I already know non-runflats ride so much better from experience with my winter setup. I'll post up some initial thoughts and then a full review once I get some miles on them. They should be delivered and installed by mid-week. Looking forward to dumping the runflats for good.

 

Keep this thread going if you can! I am thinking of these tires for early 2011. My Dunlop RF should be done by then. Espcially if it is a no or low-snow year.

 

I was on my way to MITM/MTTS from far West Texas when I drove into a shallow but destructive pot hole. Stopping for gas in north no-where New Mexico, I saw my sidwall had a bubble. Schomp MINI and Discount Tire told me the scary price for a replacement so as I was driving over Raton Pass, I decided to just get two new non-runflats from DT instead of an exact replacement. DT guy strongly recommended the Conti Extreme Contact DWS in 215/45 ZR17 because I wanted long wear, great punture resistance, and all around performance. $329.00 out the door. I'm not a track guy but I love the twisties. I don't know how different the DW is from the DWS but I bet they are really close in performance. I'm sure you will be as happy as I am.

 

From what I've read, the DW and DWS were developed side by side, and do share some similarities in construction. I have dedicated winter tires, so I didn't need them to handle snow, so the all-season S's weren't necessary. I did consider them based on the fact they would last longer and probably be a little more compliant, but decided to go with a little extra warm weather performance and grip from the DW. Both are great choices from all that I've read. They're being delivered today, so I should have them on either tonight or Thursday depending on when I can get in for them to be mounted.

 

I just put on the ExtremeContact DW in 205/55R16 last week. So far, so good, but I haven't really tried pushing on them yet. Some others in our club have indicated they are a little softer than the S.drives I'm coming from.

Must go on on spirited drive!

 

I got the Conti DW tires put on today, so here are my initial impressions. It is great to be rid of the runflats. The ride is so much better. I knew there'd be a big difference as my winter tires are non-runflats, but never did a direct summer tire to summer tire comparison. Driving on the same broken up roads that would give me sharp impacts on the runflats now give cushioned bumps. I feel like the tire is maintaining much better contact with the road. Some of those annoying rattles/buzzes seem to have just about disappeared. I thought it odd that they developed in the warmer months where the plastics should be more pliable and less prone to rattling/buzzing, but chalked it up to the car no longer being as new. I got the car the end of last October and only had a little over a month before putting on my non-runflat winters, and it didn't develop the rattles/buzzes until the spring, which looking back was probably around when I put the runflats back on. Now that I took replaced those runflats with the Conti DW, I'm not hearing nearly as much rattling/buzzing noises that were a constant annoyance.

Can't really comment on grip yet as I've barely put 25 miles on them, so there's still mold release to wear off, heat cycling to occur, etc. I'll report back once I put a few hundred miles on them and do some more spirited driving. So far though, I'm very happy with my choice of tire and so glad to be rid of those runflats.

 

Small additional update after my morning commute. More of the same, the new Conti DW performed exactly as I'd hoped. I made sure to ride over a few particular patches of road that consistently provided the same less than ideal response from the Dunlop runflats. First is a patch of about 1000 feet with countless small, uneven bumps, patches, and broken pavement that would give harsh impacts and make the car a little darty from inconsistent tread contact with the road on the RFs, with the new DW this morning, bumpy but the car tracked true and straight with no harshness and no feeling that the tires were ever losing any of their contact patch. Similar experience over what can best be described as a patch across the width of the lane that took on the form of a mini speed bump. This is on the expressway so I'm generally hitting it around 65. With the RF tires, a definite feeling of impact and the car twitching slightly as the front tires momentarily lose and then regain full contact with the road. With the new Conti DW tires, a moderate bump and nothing more.

These are areas I drive over nearly everyday, and the difference is considerable. I'm looking forward to some more spirited driving as I expect that the additional compliance will help maintain cornering grip on less than perfect roads, and eliminate some of the dartiness the car had with mid-corner bumps and surface changes.

 

I changed out my OEM run flats to the Continental Extreme Contact DW and absolutely love them! The ride is super quiet and comfortable and the grip like crazy.

 

Just to confirm that these tires fit the OEM 16" wheels right?

Thanks!

 

I would have a tire and wheel set waiting if I had a car on order. Ditched the RF's for the Michelins in my sig after 2,500 miles,,,,,, Soooo much better comfort...........

 

Yes, ideal size is 205/50R16.

 

As I close in on 1k miles on the new Contis I am extremely happy with these tires. They are superior to the OEM runflats in almost every regard, with the only exception being slightly slower initial turn in response. That difference is not major and is easily outweighed by the superior grip during acceleration, braking and cornering. The Contis are much smoother and quieter as well making them much better for the daily commute. I no longer have to turn up the volume at higher speeds to hear the music. I actually was able to take the speed sensitive volume setting down, whereas before even with it at the max, I still had to raise the volume at highway speeds or it was washed out by road noise from the tires. The biggest change that I wasn't expecting is the improvement in straight line grip, both in accelerating and braking. I didn't really think the runflats were restricting performance in this area but the Contis are noticeably better. The additional bump compliance while turning enabling more consistent grip was expected, and I'm very happy to have it. Of course now I can really tell how much of a compromise the stock shocks are when going through the twisities aggressively. I think a set of Billsteins may be in my future to take advantage of the available grip.

 

Jcauseyfd, how are the tires holding up? I am thinking about getting those in the exact same size.

 

So far so good. Last week I was at VIR for the Holiday Laps event. They are paced laps, but very fast nonetheless as it was a dry day and I was with a very fast group. The Contis held up well and I was able to get a decent feel for their grip. Got the impression that they don't start screeching like the Yokos did as they approached the limit. Only felt them get squirrely one time near the end of our run going through the hairpin.

I just rotated them at 5,200 miles (after VIR). Fronts were running 7.5-8/32 tread depth, rears were still at 8.5-9/32 tread depth. The starting tread depth was 9/32. Still quiet and running smoothly.

Looking at the tread pattern though, I'm really worried about having to run these in Jan/Feb (which I know they are not designed for that anyway), so I'm considering investing in a second set of rims and some AS or winter tires for the bad weather.

 

Thanks all..I was thinking about the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE or PS2 until I looked at the survey results from Tire Rack. The Continental Extreme Contact DW"s were no.1. With the threads from Just about sealed the deal for me. My Mini S o9 has about 23,000 and the noise and the rough/bumpy ride is about to make me go back to my Pathfinder.
Again, thanks!

 

Oh Yes! What sizes did you all get... I thought about 215/40/17.

 

I went with 215/45/17 to give a little more compliance over crappy roads. I loved the tires for the couple months I drove on them before putting on my winter set. Incase you're interested in the 215/45/17 wrapped around JCW Challenge wheels, I have an ad in the marketplace. Traded the JCW with snow shoes on it for a 335i.

 

Hi there! I just had a blowout in my RE-01R's, and am poring over TireRack to see about the best options...you've had some decent time in at this point, how are you liking your Conti EC DW's?

 

I'm trying to decide between these two: Conti ExtremeContact DW...or...Michelin Pilot Super Sport (not available in stock size 205/45)...size 215/45/17.

Both have great reviews on TireRack.

 

To all,
I purchased the Conti. DW 215 45 17 and very pleased.. I have at least 5,000 plus miles and no flats or any other troubles..There is a distinct difference from the Dunlops. Although they are not run-flats I am really not concerned. Just have AAA/or some other road hazard coverage. Noise level is better but you can definitely tell when the road surface changes..

Good luck,
JayPee

 

I just put the Conti DWS 215 45 17 on last week, have a little over 600 miles on them. They are excellant in the rain, very quite and the ride is possibly the best i have had with the 6 or 7 different tires setups I have had on the Mini. They are pretty good in the twisties, but you can feel the soft sidewall if you push them to hard. I do A lot of long distance driving and most at highway speed so these will be perfect.

 

I've put about 1k miles on mine and love them. For a street driven car, i'm finding it hard to get them anywhere near their limit. Excellent in both wet and dry conditions. They have also held up well to some pretty nasty Chicago potholes I was unable to avoid. They are everything the TireRack test said they would be...really impressed

 

I've been running these for a few thousand miles now (205/50R16 on 16" Enkei PF01's) and LOVE them. Quiet, smooth, plenty grippy for my crazy Dragon drives, and look good.

 

Great thread. Just ordered some DWs with new 17" conicals (car came with 16"s) - very excited for a more aggressive, look, feel, and less road noise.

 

Fed up with the runflats and will probably get some DW's. These get great reviews on Tire Rack from Mini owners. Biggest complaint in general is reduced steering response. If I had some light weight 17x7.5 wheels I'd probably get the 215/45 as they are XL rated and I think the combination of the 7.5" and XL rating would go a long ways to eliminating a slow steering response. What I have is the stock 16x6.5 V spokes and some 16x8 volks. Got to believe the steering response will be better on the 16x8's than the 16x6.5 but the 205/50/16's are not XL rated and I know from experience, with Goodyear F1-GSD3's, that it makes a difference. Also the rated rim width of the 205's only go up to 7.5".

So, does anyone have experience with these in different rim diameters or rim widths and can tell me how much difference it made. Would love some input from someone with 16x8's and these but I'd be shocked if anyone has this combination.