Buying tires - Brands/models.

[fitz19d]

So looks like I'm going to need new tires sooner than later on the R32. On my 2nd pair of z rated mixed summer/winter all around performance tires. I've liked them pretty well, but they just don't seem to hold up.

I'm planning on just using discount tire since they are so over the top generous with warranties and such, but also have heard tirerack is great.

I don't really know too much about tires, so I was wondering about a few suggestions, and to make this post useful for others some suggestions for other types of vehicles. Looking for peoples ancedotal experience vs some paid reviewer.


What do people think best value is in a car tire? Does paying more for something allegedly longer lasting actually pan out. Any great long lasting dual season tires. For myself I'm thinking I'm fine without specialty winter tires as the R32 has a really nice independant/smart AWD and there are so few times during our winters I really need it. Or is it much more worthwhile to keep the split summer/winter tire combo?

One of my wheels is bent too, might be able to fix I hear? But if I keep them for winter tires, any good rule of thumb for actual wheels? I do want some of the fancy black types rather than pita to keep clean chrome. I know I shouldnt under any circumstance buy the cheapo banger wheels from discount as they wont last at all/fragile? I imagine though it's quite expensive for something good quality and nice look unless I'm going for some horrible steels or something.

For other folk, for big suv/truck tires, any big shift on brands? Different world w/ different recommendations?

[kidicarus13]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires. Great all season AWD tires.
http://reviews.conti-online.com/7501-en_us/3377670/extremecontact-dws-reviews/reviews.htm

[Bailey Guns]

I'm with the OP. I almost always go with Discount for convenience, price and I've always had excellent service...other than an occasional lengthy wait. I can finance interest free for 6 - 12 months, too. I like using other people's money, even temporarily, when I make large purchases! :)

[fitz19d]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires. Great all season AWD tires.
http://reviews.conti-online.com/7501-en_us/3377670/extremecontact-dws-reviews/reviews.htm

I've heard them mentioned before though I couldnt pull name from top of my head. But I imagine these are going to be pricey 1k territory? I may go for them, but I'm also interested in something that would be durable/long lasting, more affordable, and trading off performance. (especially maybe a extra durable but very boring performance summer tire and I'll get something fancier for winter.)

Also noticed, at least on website, DT doesnt list a warranty, but has some very similiar sounding continental tires w/ 50k warranty? Would love tires to last me morethan a year.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/filterTireProducts.do?brd=Continental&dVeh=dVeh&fl=&c=1&yr=2008&ar=40&fqs=true&rf=true&rd=18&vid=014247&rc=COBINT&cs=225&sortBy=prca&toggled=

and also compare to http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/filterTireProducts.do?qkf=special&dVeh=dVeh&fl=&c=10&yr=2008&ar=40&fqs=true&rf=true&rd=18&vid=014247&rc=COBINT&cs=225&sortBy=prca&toggled=

30k warranty which while Im sure a much shittier tire for fun in an r32, are like $600 cheaper on the total bill...

[whitbaby]

I think I'd first Google "R32 forum"...this will get you in among the peeps that have the same car.
There's usually all kinds of 'opinions' on tires and threads ad nauseum.

[Irving]

I think I'd first Google "R32 forum"...this will get you in among the peeps that have the same car.
There's usually all kinds of 'opinions' on tires and threads ad nauseum.

I'd start with VWVortex.

[funkymonkey1111]

don't forget to check costco--they can order plenty of tires that don't show up on the website. but, i've also had great luck with discount tire, too.

[ray1970]

I'm going to play dumb here.

What's an R32?

[Irving]

It is the souped up, V6, AWD Volkswagen Golf. I think.

[brutal]

I'd start with VWVortex.

I'd also review the opine on Quattroworld, see what they're running on A3's, A4's.

I run Dunlop Direzza Startech for summer and Dunlop 3D winters (preferred the M2/M3's) but mine's a pig A6.

[rondog]

Any tire sellers here?

[jerrymrc]

Since I always did the dedicated winter/summer I thought about that for the G8 but I went with a very good rated AS just in case after trying the summer tires in the first snow last year.

So far I like the cost/performance of the General G-max. Compared to the Goodyear RS-A that were on the car they are night and day. I have tried them in the wet and even hunted the biggest puddles during the rainstorm to see how they did and came away impressed. One other thing. If your looking at a package deal do check out Mod Bargains. http://www.modbargains.com/ I got a better deal on the wheel/tire package after including shipping from them than buying from Tire Rack and I have been a Tire Rack customer since 83. Just my two cents.

[MilehighGS]

After you factor in freight, Tire Rack pricing is really no better than Discount's. Discount will price match anyone anyway. Plus you get all the free services and road hazard when you buy from them. And if you have a tire issue, you have a local place to take it to.
Continental DWS have had very solid reviews and is a good tire, as there are lots of options and opinions. If you plan on having 2 sets of tires, have a set for summer as well as a set for winter. All season tires typically do the job for normal conditions, but when the weather turns (icy roads), a winter tire would be best. For summer months, have a great handling tire.
Discount can help you with wheels also.

[funkymonkey1111]

a tire that might work quite well on the R32 for your needs is the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3. Read up on the reviews before you pull the trigger on anything else. are they going to perform as well in the winter as a snow tire? of course not--but they're a ton better in the snow than a dedicated summer, but not giving up a ton in summer performance

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-selector/category/ultra-high-performance-sport/pilot-sport-a-s-3/tire-details

[Double00]

+1 for Discount Tire. Never had a problem with them!!!!

[Zman]

Costco has gotten plenty of my $$'s over the years.

[fitz19d]

It is the souped up, V6, AWD Volkswagen Golf. I think.

^--- And sorely in need of a turbo because after 3 years it feels slow :(. Just dont want to drop 5k doing it.

[colorider]

Had a bit of a bad experience w discount last year. Needed tires for my travel trailer. They sold me the "correct" tires. 500 miles later the tires are in bad shape. Turns out they were totally incorrect for the trailer. I'm no tire expert, that's why I went to a tire shop. They want me to buy 4 new tires. Before I go ballistic, I talk to the manager. He still wants me to pay for their mistake. I was kinda screwed because I was on my way to another camping trip w the family. I had to shell out more $ for new tires that were proper for my trailer. Heavily discounted price, but still money out of my pocket because they messed up. I no longer go to that discount tire (92nd and wads area).

[lllRorlll]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires. Great all season AWD tires.
http://reviews.conti-online.com/7501-en_us/3377670/extremecontact-dws-reviews/reviews.htm (http://reviews.conti-online.com/7501-en_us/3377670/extremecontact-dws-reviews/reviews.htm)
+1!!
if you find a price, run it by me.. Ill see if i can beat it... But im in pueblo, so factor that in
but do check out the DWS.. Or the true contact...
general gmax is also an ass kicker.

all will get you home in the snow.., and impress you in the summer

[fitz19d]

Anyone know anything about Nitto Motivo? Thinking it's down to those or the Continental ExtremeContact DWS

[fitz19d]

Also, one of my wheels is bent I think I said, so sayeth the service dept. I'm assuming aluminum? Anyone know about getting those fixed, or is that more for steel. Not happy about maybe having to get some cheap crap wheels, because I'm not in a position to drop 2k just like that.

[funkymonkey1111]

Also, one of my wheels is bent I think I said, so sayeth the service dept. I'm assuming aluminum? Anyone know about getting those fixed, or is that more for steel. Not happy about maybe having to get some cheap crap wheels, because I'm not in a position to drop 2k just like that.

http://www.trudesignwheel.net/

[whitbaby]

So looks like I'm going to need new tires sooner than later on the R32. On my 2nd pair of z rated mixed summer/winter all around performance tires.

One of my wheels is bent too, might be able to fix I hear? But if I keep them for winter tires, any good rule of thumb for actual wheels? I do want some of the fancy black types rather than pita to keep clean chrome. I know I shouldnt under any circumstance buy the cheapo banger wheels from discount as they wont last at all/fragile? I imagine though it's quite expensive for something good quality and nice look unless I'm going for some horrible steels or something.



Woody's Wheel Works (http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/home.htm)
2200 S Jason St, Denver, CO 80223
(303) 936-0232

Woody's did a good job on a bent aluminum wheel for me.

[rondog]

I thought Woody's was only motorcycle wheels?

[Irving]

I don't think you should be thinking about tires until you have this on your car somewhere.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/captaintrips/works/11942240-volkswagen-vintage-logo?image_type=clothing&p=sticker&utm_campaign=order&utm_medium=email&utm_source=RB&utm_term=3922986

[whitbaby]

I thought Woody's was only motorcycle wheels?

Their website still says auto wheels too:

http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/home.htm

I had a getoff on my ST1100 years ago and they did a good job on my front wheel.

[BPTactical]

I thought Woody's was only motorcycle wheels?

Woody lived right across the alley from my wife when she was a kid. Knowing what I know of him I would go steal tires before I got them from him.

[whitbaby]

Woody lived right across the alley from my wife when she was a kid. Knowing what I know of him I would go steal tires before I got them from him.

I never bought tires from him just had an aluminum wheel straightened. They did a good job and had it done when they said they would.

I brought the wheel in on crutches, said they see that all the time.

;->

[rondog]

I took the front wheel off my Harley to Woody's probably 16-17 years ago for a new tire and I think bearings too. Long ago, we'd just moved here. They mounted it backwards and when I took it back they whined because I wanted it remounted.

"What's the difference? Just put the wheel on so the tire turns the right direction" they whined. I had to explain that not only would the speedometer drive be on the wrong side and turning backwards, that the tire valve would also be on the kickstand side of the bike, which is inconvenient as hell.

T'ain't been back.

[brutal]

Had a bit of a bad experience w discount last year. Needed tires for my travel trailer. They sold me the "correct" tires. 500 miles later the tires are in bad shape. Turns out they were totally incorrect for the trailer. I'm no tire expert, that's why I went to a tire shop. They want me to buy 4 new tires. Before I go ballistic, I talk to the manager. He still wants me to pay for their mistake. I was kinda screwed because I was on my way to another camping trip w the family. I had to shell out more $ for new tires that were proper for my trailer. Heavily discounted price, but still money out of my pocket because they messed up. I no longer go to that discount tire (92nd and wads area).

I stick with big-o for trailer tires. Been very pleased with their recommendations and work.

We now take you back to your regularly scheduled program.



Sent from my subconscious mind.

[fitz19d]

At one point I wanted to do a black trim with possibly gold or silver highlights and an Imperial eagle from warhammer 40k in silver over black hood. (My car is red..) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Imperial_eagle.jpg

Suffice to say once I showed a sketchup to a few people I was yelled at for Nazi... (didnt cross my mind, just liked looks.)


I don't think you should be thinking about tires until you have this on your car somewhere.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/captaintrips/works/11942240-volkswagen-vintage-logo?image_type=clothing&p=sticker&utm_campaign=order&utm_medium=email&utm_source=RB&utm_term=3922986

[nisils14]

I like the idea of having decidated summer/winter tires, better performance in their respective climates. It'll definitely bring out more of what your R32 is capable of in summer and keeping you safer in winter. That said, there's nothing wrong with good set of all seasons.