Summer vs. All Season Tires
05-03-2008, 05:39 AM
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I live in the South, currently in Northern Alabama, with possible move soon to Atlanta. The area isn't known for severe winters, but it does dip into the 20s (or even a bit colder in the mornings) in the winter, and a light dusting of snow is possible. Anyway, I need tires and I'm stuck trying to decide between PS2s or the PS All Season. I really don't want to maintain two sets of tires and wheels with a seasonal switchover.
There have been great comments on this forum about the PS2s, but what about the PS All Season tire? I'm looking for solid performance (but not necessarily autocross), minimal tramlining, sharp steering response, and smooth, low noise rolling when trolling around town and on the interstate.
Any opinions? I'd like to dump these Dunlop runflats pretty soon (maybe anything would be an improvement). Things were simpler in sunny SoCal!
Thanks!
There have been great comments on this forum about the PS2s, but what about the PS All Season tire? I'm looking for solid performance (but not necessarily autocross), minimal tramlining, sharp steering response, and smooth, low noise rolling when trolling around town and on the interstate.
Any opinions? I'd like to dump these Dunlop runflats pretty soon (maybe anything would be an improvement). Things were simpler in sunny SoCal!
Thanks!
05-03-2008, 06:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Bama214' post='573453' date='May 3 2008, 09:39 AM
I live in the South, currently in Northern Alabama, with possible move soon to Atlanta. The area isn't known for severe winters, but it does dip into the 20s (or even a bit colder in the mornings) in the winter, and a light dusting of snow is possible. Anyway, I need tires and I'm stuck trying to decide between PS2s or the PS All Season. I really don't want to maintain two sets of tires and wheels with a seasonal switchover.
There have been great comments on this forum about the PS2s, but what about the PS All Season tire? I'm looking for solid performance (but not necessarily autocross), minimal tramlining, sharp steering response, and smooth, low noise rolling when trolling around town and on the interstate.
Any opinions? I'd like to dump these Dunlop runflats pretty soon (maybe anything would be an improvement). Things were simpler in sunny SoCal!
Thanks!
There have been great comments on this forum about the PS2s, but what about the PS All Season tire? I'm looking for solid performance (but not necessarily autocross), minimal tramlining, sharp steering response, and smooth, low noise rolling when trolling around town and on the interstate.
Any opinions? I'd like to dump these Dunlop runflats pretty soon (maybe anything would be an improvement). Things were simpler in sunny SoCal!
Thanks!
05-03-2008, 10:19 AM
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I'm a generally a fan of summer rubber when possible, but for your weather and only one set I would be torn also. I'm originally from TN with similar winters -- not enough snow (and ice storms) to justify 2 sets, but enough to challange the summer tires for at least a few days a year. All seasons might be a little quieter since that is also something you are looking for also.
Good luck.
Good luck.
05-03-2008, 03:22 PM
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I have snows but I still run all seasons instead of just summer. They are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S and I have the 18" sport package staggered sizes. There is no way I will ever out drive these tires. They are huge, rears are 11" across on the back so I don't see the need for the max performance of summer only tires. And with the all season I am fine for any weather except deep snow.
There is big difference between all season and high performance all season though. I won?t run cheap tires, no reason to have a BMW if you use lousy tires
There is big difference between all season and high performance all season though. I won?t run cheap tires, no reason to have a BMW if you use lousy tires
05-03-2008, 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Bama214' post='573453' date='May 3 2008, 09:39 AM
I live in the South, currently in Northern Alabama, with possible move soon to Atlanta. The area isn't known for severe winters, but it does dip into the 20s (or even a bit colder in the mornings) in the winter, and a light dusting of snow is possible. Anyway, I need tires and I'm stuck trying to decide between PS2s or the PS All Season. I really don't want to maintain two sets of tires and wheels with a seasonal switchover.
There have been great comments on this forum about the PS2s, but what about the PS All Season tire? I'm looking for solid performance (but not necessarily autocross), minimal tramlining, sharp steering response, and smooth, low noise rolling when trolling around town and on the interstate.
Any opinions? I'd like to dump these Dunlop runflats pretty soon (maybe anything would be an improvement). Things were simpler in sunny SoCal!
Thanks!
There have been great comments on this forum about the PS2s, but what about the PS All Season tire? I'm looking for solid performance (but not necessarily autocross), minimal tramlining, sharp steering response, and smooth, low noise rolling when trolling around town and on the interstate.
Any opinions? I'd like to dump these Dunlop runflats pretty soon (maybe anything would be an improvement). Things were simpler in sunny SoCal!
Thanks!
05-04-2008, 05:31 AM
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In Atlanta I don't think I'd worry about it.
Like someone else said the all season tires will give you a better overall ride quality and less tire noise. Also like some else said chances are your not going to out drive a high end all season tire. So if you need/when you need new tires go with the all seasons and chances are you'll be happy with them.
For some of you norhterner's how well does the 5's handle in the snow with all season tires?? I live in Wisconsin and got my 545i at the end of winter so never had to drive it in the snow (has damn RFT's on it right now). My Lexus LS has All season tires and does ok in the winter (you can live with it I guess the best way to put it). I know snow tires would be best but if I can get by with out having two sets and dealing with getting them changed twice a year I'd like to.
Like someone else said the all season tires will give you a better overall ride quality and less tire noise. Also like some else said chances are your not going to out drive a high end all season tire. So if you need/when you need new tires go with the all seasons and chances are you'll be happy with them.
For some of you norhterner's how well does the 5's handle in the snow with all season tires?? I live in Wisconsin and got my 545i at the end of winter so never had to drive it in the snow (has damn RFT's on it right now). My Lexus LS has All season tires and does ok in the winter (you can live with it I guess the best way to put it). I know snow tires would be best but if I can get by with out having two sets and dealing with getting them changed twice a year I'd like to.
05-04-2008, 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by SergeyM' post='573786' date='May 4 2008, 12:44 AM
You'll be just fine in Atlanta with summer tires. I am NYC area and went through the second winter on summer tires w/out much problem. It does not make sense to sacrifice year round performance for 3-4 days of careful driving. With no snow on the road even at lower (20F) temperatures summer tires are pretty good. You just need to let them warm up for the first 3-5 miles.
05-04-2008, 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='573462' date='May 3 2008, 10:02 AM
My decision was easier since I'm in NY, but I switched to Bridgestone Ultra High Perfromance All Season with a W speed rating. I'm leaving them on until I return the car off lease when I will reinstall the Dunlops Runflats.
Based on what I've read, I expected a worse ride from the stock Dunlop RFTs. I don't find them rough at all. I just want to change the tires once on this car and be done with it.
05-04-2008, 10:33 AM
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Hey Bama, I bought a set of Pilot A/S last fall when I got my staggered 18" 124s. I think they are terrific tires for what the seasons can throw at you, so long as it's not too extreme. I didn't want to change to a winter set-up simply because the winters here are not that severe. I moved to St. Louis almost ten years ago for a job, and the winters have been rather mild, snow-wise at least. It does get cold, so pure summer tires all the time would tend to harden during the winter months. I was glad I chose the A/S since this was a odd and particularly bad winter, at least by local standards. I have friends in Georgia, and on occasion, they tell me that snow and ice are not all that uncommon, but still infrequent. As others have stated, summer tires probably will do you fine, but If you want the peace of mind of A/S, I do not think you'll notice an enormous difference between the PS2 or A/S for street use/spirited driving. If you are power-sliding through every corner all day long, that may be another story. 2 cents. Good luck with your decision.
