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[quackman]

Winter and cold temps are ending so I'm looking to switch out from my Wintersport 3Ds to buy summer tires to replace my aged OEM PS2s. I happily noticed on tirerack that the new Pilot SS tire is significantly cheaper ($1,094 for all four) than the PS2s while being better.
But what if I am looking for something even cheaper for my 18 inch wheels? I see the next significant step down in price has the Continental Extremecontact DW for ($880).

If I am solely driving on the street would I notice any real difference between those two tires? Or even between those two and even cheaper, $600 range tires like Sumitomo and Kumho? I am thinking of going with the Pilot SS for 1,100, but if I'm gonna notice absolutely no difference, particularly in steering feel and turn-in response, then I'l just go with the Continentals for 900. Or maybe even the 600 dollar range tires.

Advice?

[Martin_D]

I would go for the Pilot Super Sports all day long. You will be happy. Tires are not something to cheap out on!

[pbonsalb]

If you are even asking the question, you probably won't notice the difference. Especially coming off your snow tires.

[ben@tirerack]

By pretty much any objective measure, the PSS is better. From a subjective standpoint, I like the steering feel of the PSS better. As long as the PSS doesn't break your budget, that is the way to go.

The DW is a good tire, and nobody should flame you if that is what you choose. But with the price that close, the PSS is hard to pass up.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

By pretty much any objective measure, the PSS is better. From a subjective standpoint, I like the steering feel of the PSS better. As long as the PSS doesn't break your budget, that is the way to go.

The DW is a good tire, and nobody should flame you if that is what you choose. But with the price that close, the PSS is hard to pass up.

This...

[quackman]

Yeah, the price difference doesn't seem very big between Continental and PSS. The Continentals have a better treadwear rating, 340 compared to the PSS's 300. Both sound fine though, best out of the available max perf summer tires.

But any thoughts on the cheaper tires in the $600 range? They have good ratings on tirerack.

[nmehta211]

Are you looking for all 4 tires or rear only? I have 3 tires (2 rear, 1 front) with 2000 miles on them that I took off for winter use, and then upgraded to wider wheels/tires. They are OEM PS2s. The front right tire was destroyed by the tire shop when taking it off, so that's why it is an odd set.

I am in Hartford, not far from Albany, if you want them for cheap. Make an offer if interested.