OEM Continental TIres have GOT to go!!

[PropMan]

I just had my SECOND flat tire with these POS Continentals. First one was an obvious road hazard (repaired) and this time (different tire) it went flat overnight for no obvious reason. 4500 miles and two flats, plus they are really very mediocre tires--designed less for "performance" than to be quiet and last a long time.

THAT'S IT! I'm going to slap a set of the BF Goodrich 245/55-18 tires on and see what happens--ANYTHING is better than these Continentals!

[MagnumFreak]

Amen brother. Let me know how you like the BF goodrich tires. I am about to change mine also.

I have the self sealing tires they are ok but they are way too narrow for such a powerful car.

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

My self-sealing Continentials are running fine. No leaks, no noise, no usual wear, no problems. I've got 4300 miles and plan to rotate every 6,000. 8) 8) 8) :P

[koliva]

I am getting a cold tire "thump". After a few miles it clears up. I've heard other stories about this brand on other vehicles.

[runnels4]

I have changed to the KDWS 244-55-18 on SALE at the tire rack for less than $ 90.00 each
Exact same diameter, cross section upgrade FROM 6 1/2 inches to a little over 8 inches.
Much better skid pad feel, no noise, and obviously much higher rated. Balance is perfect, and great upgrade short of many $$$ for 20" wheels and tires,

By the way, the Borla nd K&N are worth every cent.

4 days old, 600 miles, and already taking on it's own personality.
Best regards

[DavidA]

Am I wrong or are the self-sealing tires an option? It seems to me that they come with the Protection Package which includes Side Airbags and other items. Are they also a stand-alone option? The people that have had flat tires, were those the sealing style tires of the standard ones? :?:

[MagnumFreak]

You can get the self sealing tires only with the protection group. The folks who have had trouble with flats are running the standard tires.

[1cobrakid]

The self sealing tires are standard on all RTs. They are optional on the other two models. It is a little confusing in the literature. If not I done got horn-swaggled by the dealer.

[MagnumFreak]

The self sealing tires are standard on all RTs. They are optional on the other two models. It is a little confusing in the literature. If not I done got horn-swaggled by the dealer.

Not standard on the RT. Only available with protection group.

[IS300M]

I have continental Conti-tach tires on my 300M, and I am disappointed with their preformance and handling.

[Bob W]

I have changed to the KDWS 244-55-18 on SALE at the tire rack for less than $ 90.00 each
Exact same diameter, cross section upgrade FROM 6 1/2 inches to a little over 8 inches.
Much better skid pad feel, no noise, and obviously much higher rated. Balance is perfect, and great upgrade short of many $$$ for 20" wheels and tires,

By the way, the Borla nd K&N are worth every cent.

4 days old, 600 miles, and already taking on it's own personality.
Best regards

Do you have a link to the tires you bought? I think you meant to say the tire size you bought is 245-55-18 ad not 244-55-18. Anyway I believe that size tire has an overall diameter of 28.5 inches and the OEM tire is 28.0 inches.

Anyone know what the OEM RT wheel width is (8 inches maybe)?

[MagnumFreak]

OEM rims are 7.5 inches wide.

[MySRT]

Stock tire is 28.6 tall.

[E55 KEV]

I can't wait to dump my Conti's also. I am trying to wait for the upcoming 245/45/20 tires and some Dubs.

I wished someone made a Winter Tire in this sizes:

225/60/18
245/55/18

[convbcuda]

I just had my SECOND flat tire with these POS Continentals. First one was an obvious road hazard (repaired) and this time (different tire) it went flat overnight for no obvious reason. 4500 miles and two flats, plus they are really very mediocre tires--designed less for "performance" than to be quiet and last a long time.



I don't think you can blame a road hazard on the tires. The other tire didn't go flat for no reason. It could be a nail that isn't obvious or a bad valve stem.

If you want better performance, that's one thing, but I wouldn't necessarily blame the tires for going flat.

I have the protection package mostly for the side airbags, but I like the idea of a reduced chance of getting a flat. I had to change a tire on 395 across FROM the Pentagon during morning rush hour once. That was not a fun experience!!

[PropMan]

[[/quote]

I don't think you can blame a road hazard on the tires. The other tire didn't go flat for no reason. It could be a nail that isn't obvious or a bad valve stem.

If you want better performance, that's one thing, but I wouldn't necessarily blame the tires for going flat.

I have the protection package mostly for the side airbags, but I like the idea of a reduced chance of getting a flat. I had to change a tire on 395 across FROM the Pentagon during morning rush hour once. That was not a fun experience!![/quote]

You are, of course, right as rain about this. I just needed a push to put some better rubber on the the road and I think the BFG will do the trick.

The second flat was not repairable--slice in sidewall.

Anyone wanna buy 3 OEM Continentals CHEAP with 4,000 miles on them? (he he)

[Tzar007]

I can't wait to dump my Conti's also. I am trying to wait for the upcoming 245/45/20 tires and some Dubs.

I wished someone made a Winter Tire in this sizes:

225/60/18
245/55/18

Yeah, it's quite incredible they don't offer these sizes...perhaps next year. According to tirerack.com, next best would be 235/60/18 (Dunlop has those, but they are damn expensive at 194$ each) . This incurs a 1.7% too slow difference on the speedo (when you are at 60 mph, you're actually at 61 mph).

[PropMan]

Just drove the first three miles with the BFG G-Force. WOW! NOT a subtle improvement in handling. For $400 it's QUITE and upgrade!

http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/files/IMG_3881.JPG

[MagnumFreak]

Looks great. So... would it be fair to say you are happy with your purchase??? :lol:

Planning on going with some Toyo Proxies myself. May wait til the first of the year. Wife is starting to look at me like I am car crazy..... NowadImean??

[Cucamonga Red RT]

Propman,
Can we get more pictures please? rear view to see contact patch width!
Thanks

[PropMan]

http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/files/IMG_3882.JPG

http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/files/IMG_3883.JPG

[Bob W]

So do the new tires look better on your car than the OEM tires? Also what difference in performance have you noticed (or decrease)?

[Cucamonga Red RT]

Thanks for the pics Propman.

Any chance you can tell me what the thread width is?

[PropMan]

The BFG are 245/55-18 and are ZR rated. When compared with the Contis they stick like glue when cornering (but are still 4-season tires, decidely NOT gumballs, but still WAY better than the stock rubber). Ride is not quite as smooth over rough surfaces (like the soon to be graded road I drove over this afternoon), but on smooth pavement they are every bit as comfortable and quiet. And they LOOK fantastic!

Not sure about out of the hole performance improvements--the RT still spins these every bit as crazily as the Contis!!! I can't believe how easy it is to smoke the tires with this car! It reminds me of high school and my 1967 Chevy II with a 327 and posi. Anyone else HAVING trouble keeping the damn thing in its own lane on take-off? He he . . .

[Bob W]

The BFG are 245/55-18 and are ZR rated. When compared with the Contis they stick like glue when cornering (but are still 4-season tires, decidely NOT gumballs, but still WAY better than the stock rubber). Ride is not quite as smooth over rough surfaces (like the soon to be graded road I drove over this afternoon), but on smooth pavement they are every bit as comfortable and quiet. And they LOOK fantastic!

Not sure about out of the hole performance improvements--the RT still spins these every bit as crazily as the Contis!!! I can't believe how easy it is to smoke the tires with this car! It reminds me of high school and my 1967 Chevy II with a 327 and posi. Anyone else HAVING trouble keeping the damn thing in its own lane on take-off? He he . . .

In the picture the tires look wider than the stock tires.

[PropMan]

That's becuase they ARE wider! 245 as opposed to 225--but they are the same height.

To answer the other question--tread width is 9".

[tonyt]

The BFG are 245/55-18 and are ZR rated. When compared with the Contis they stick like glue when cornering (but are still 4-season tires, decidely NOT gumballs, but still WAY better than the stock rubber). Ride is not quite as smooth over rough surfaces (like the soon to be graded road I drove over this afternoon), but on smooth pavement they are every bit as comfortable and quiet. And they LOOK fantastic!

Actually they are WR rated...:)

[PropMan]

Am I missing something here? They are Z rated! Or if they are not then BFG is certainly putting the wrong speed rating on the side of the tire. Or does the "103W" indicate a "W" speed rating? I always thought the speed rating was the "ZR" as seen in the photo . . .

http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/files/ZR.jpg

[tonyt]

My apologies...dumb tirerack site...

[cromagnumman425]

Propman where did you get that R/T badge on the back of you car? I like that much more than the factory RT?

[FStephenMasek]

Thanks, Propman. How do the new tires and the Magnum feel driving on the bad concrete parts of 405 and 5?

[hawk]

Anyone have any experience with the Pirelli P6 tire? They come on the 300C in Europe and are offered in the same size as the stock Contis.

[markyneutron]

got the scorpion ice in transit.
The plan was to leave the crapinentals on just long enough to take the girlfriend out once on snowy roads(with ESP off) and now she doesn't like the car
OK now you know I'm an evil genius.... the ride is mine - all mine :twisted: :twisted:

[RTMagnum]

got the scorpion ice in transit.

You will like the Scorpion Ice! Our streets in Burlington have been poorly plowed after last weeks storm and the new tires with the ESP have been great!

Did you get them FROM TireTrends.com?

[Zog]

I searched Pirelli's website and can't find any 225-55-18V's. What size are they exactly?

[RTMagnum]

I searched Pirelli's website and can't find any 225-55-18V's. What size are they exactly?

The Pirelli Scorpion Ice size I went with are 235/60 R18 (this is the size recommended by the Tire Rack site). I couldn't find this size on the Pirelli site but they are listed on the TireTrends.com site. I called Pirelli directly and they noted that their site was a bit out of date and that these were new tires.

[markyneutron]

The Pirelli Scorpion Ice size I went with are 235/60 R18 (this is the size recommended by the Tire Rack site). I couldn't find this size on the Pirelli site but they are listed on the TireTrends.com site. I called Pirelli directly and they noted that their site was a bit out of date and that these were new tires.

same tire same site

[magnumforce]

I am getting a cold tire "thump". After a few miles it clears up. I've heard other stories about this brand on other vehicles.

I too have the cold tire thump. Is this typical of low profile or selk-sealers??

MagnumForce
05 Silver RT

[koliva]

The tires on my RT are not self sealers. These are production tires and are not the best rubber. I am also HAVING camber problems with revised bolts on ORDER at the dealer. It seems like there are lot's of tire and alignment issues.

[magnumforce]

The tires on my RT are not self sealers. These are production tires and are not the best rubber. I am also HAVING camber problems with revised bolts on ORDER at the dealer. It seems like there are lot's of tire and alignment issues.

Yours pulling right or left?
I have the Self-Sealers provided with the Protection Package.
Mine pulls right, in addition to the cold thump.

[koliva]

It was not pulling, but I bet after the alignment and the new bolts, itwill. I willkeep my eye on it and report on the outcome.

[Walt]

Conti's, I agree with Henry, are terrible, especially in the snow. I just ordered some Nokian Hakka SUV's, 235/60/18 at $175 each plus $15 for studs, and will get them mounted on the OEM rims this Saturday. My other consideration was Blizzaks FROM Sears at $142 each, but the Nokian's have a much better reputation, better wear reputation, and 1/8 inch more tread to start than the Blizzak's. (but Blizzaks are a good option also). I
ll report back after Saturday and after the next appreciable snow in Rochester, NY.

[zonian]

Hey Propman,

How are your G-Forces holding up? Still happy with them? Wearing ok? I'm about ready for new rubber and have had my eyes on a set of those since I saw your original post...

...I love the stock rims, but wanted something with a little wider footprint.

Paul

[PropMan]

They have about 14,000 miles on them and are holding up just fine--looks to me I'll get 25-30 K on them no problem.

I don't think you can get them for $89 any longer--they're back up to $130 ea last time I checked.

[Tmagnum]

Forgive me if I'm wrong but aren't the Continentals the same tire put on Mercedes cars also?

They can't be all bad, can they?

[1cobrakid]

Propman,

I'm glad to hear the KDWS -s are holding up. Did you have problems with the Contis feathering and have the KDWS-s feathered? I'm almost to 17k and the contis are pretty much toast. Someone on another thread told me his snow tires didn't wear nearly as badly as the Contis.

[1cobrakid]

Somthing ate half of my post. The interesting part. Funny, I can't really remember what I was going on about anyway. Bla Bla Bla...

[zonian]

Thanks Prop,


I'll be ready fornew tires probably by summer...maybe by then they'll be back on sale somewhere...

Paul

[VA R/T]

At just over 300 miles I really have no opinion on performance of the contins but they look punk. Maybe some cheater slicks would look awesome. Just kidding.

I did notice a little pull to the right. The dealer said they would take care of it.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON.

[thuffman03]

designed less for "performance" than to be quiet and last a long time.

Hate to say it they do not last very long at all. Just had all mine replaced from Conti. 12500 miles on them and went to get my car inspected and all four were almost to the ware bars.

All I have to pay for is mounting and ballancing. I will take the free tires but my next set will be something else.

[IES99]

Forgive me if I'm wrong but aren't the Continentals the same tire put on Mercedes cars also?

They can't be all bad, can they?

While its true that the Continental self sealers on my C will only make it to 25,000 miles, that is what is to be expected. The treadwear rating is only 360, a rather low rating, but the temperature and traction ratings are A and A, the best you can get in a summer type tire. They are certainly no good in the snow, though.

I don't think that I'll put this brand back when it is time to replace them, but then that self sealing feature can be nice, especially since my wife drives it most of the time. I guess it depends somewhat of the price when it is time to replace them. I know people have been happy with the Goodyear Comfortreds:racing: