Got the Continental DWS 215/45-17 mounted today. Wow, all I can say is who let the air out of my tires. I no longer feel every pebble in the road; expansion joints on the freeway are gone and all the rattles inside the Mini are mysteriously silent. I drove it home, so the wife hasn't had her say yet. She'll drive the Lexus home and probably wonder why in the world she ever got the Mini. I like the tires. The suspension is still tight and you know you're driving a car with sports handling characteristics, but a lot smoother.

The original Conti run-flats still have over 50% tread left, so I brought them home and will try to get rid of a couple and keep a couple for emergencies since the DWS are hard to get sometimes. Anyone want two Conti SSRs in 205/45-17 real cheap?

 

Pictures please???

 

 

I've been strongly considering these tires for my '09 Clubby too, good to hear a positive review. Another MINI owner poster on here that he thought they felt mushy on initial turn in, you don't tho?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIdave

I've been strongly considering these tires for my '09 Clubby too, good to hear a positive review. Another MINI owner poster on here that he thought they felt mushy on initial turn in, you don't tho?

This is my wifes Mini. She doesn't do rallys, slaloms or twisties too fast. The tires only have a few miles on them and feel great. Totally different feel from the runflats. I get in trouble for accelerating on freeway onramps. Gaaa!!! I like them.

 

We are also considering these for our R56 but they're a bit pricey at Discount Tire so we might wait to see if they have a rebate offer. Tire rack has them at a good price but they don't offer Road Hazard.

 

Continental has a great road hazard warranty (see below). Plus, they have a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. They were $125 at America's Tires, but with a $100 rebate it came down to $100 each. All the mounting, balancing, road hazard, free flat repair and rotation, taxes, etc. came out to about $500 out the door. A lot cheaper than some runflats and dealers want. I brought the old tires home and will get rid of them at a garage sale or craig's list soon. Or just roll them down a hill someplace. Just kidding.

Warranty: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....s&tab=Warranty

 

You got lucky with that rebate because they don't have it anymore

 

Yup, it was 14-15 of May. He called me on the 12th and let me pay in advance and get the rebate. Lucked out.

 

As gunner mensioned Conti offers road hazard protection for the 1st year. Our Sonsio road hazard coverage is strictly primary - it can't operate as a secondary to the manufacture's road hazard.

Alex

 

Good to know

 

I just got the same tires in 215/40-18 size. They feel amazing on the road, and look great too. Oh and the free TomTom coming in rebate doesn't hurt either.

 

i think i read that thread too. he hadn't broken them in yet though, i think he's a fan now too.
unless prices change i'm planning on these in the fall. my run flats have about 16k on them and feel awful in the rain, i wouldn't say dangerous but bad. i figure i'll get them through the summer and burn them up on a track day or something then put on the dws, then swap rims and do snows...fresh next march hah...unless conti puts out a rebate sooner, i wasn't aware of that rebate or i probably would have already done it

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Need

I just got the same tires in 215/40-18 size. They feel amazing on the road, and look great too. Oh and the free TomTom coming in rebate doesn't hurt either.

I couldn't get the GPS. Darn. Oh well, got a nice Nuvi 770 for my bike and the Mini has navigation. All bases covered.

 

I purchased a set of DWS 3 weeks ago for my '07 MCS and have been very disappointed. Here's my take.

Pros: very quiet and comfortable. No comparison to the factory Dunlop RFTs. Makes a completely different ride. No snow or rain in Sunny California to test them out in, though this is supposedly a strength.

Cons: difficult to keep the car straight! The tires wonder around way too much on freeways and other straights. Had the tire shop check alignment twice but no improvement. Driving without Sport mode helps some, so it seems they don't do well with tight suspension/steering vehicles. Steering is also noticably different. Initial turn in is delayed and rear end wants to swing around. I've also driven on twisting roads - they seem to do better when constaintly being pushed through turns.

In short, the handling is so sketchy my wife is uncomfortable driving it. I've driven is about 3K miles now and agree with her about the freeway wondering - must look like a DUI candidate.

I'm talking tomorrow with the Tire Shop Mgr about returning these tires.

Anyone have other suggestions?? Is this only a problem for "S" models?

P.S. Also had a sidewall flat on day 4 of usage. Tirerack provides a replacement under warranty, but still cost me ~$120 with shipping, mounting, balance & alignment (again). Suddenly, these tires are not such a great deal.
P.S.S. I posted a similiar review to TireRack today. Will be interested to see if they accept it since it's not a "glowing" review.

 

Hey Adams:

Good info, there are such mixed reviews on this tire that I've been hesitant to buy it. Your review tilts me closer to the Yoko Avids.

Would you mind letting us know what size you have, and what air pressure settings you have tried? Also - what was the nature/cause of the sidewall damage?

 

Road hazard - wife hit a pot hole, but not bad enough to damage the wheel. Just the tire. Can't saw how other tires might have held up...

 

This is the key right here...

Alex