Short story: Got BFGoodrich SuperSport A/S tires to replace my stock BFGoodrich KDWS T/A tires and I highly reccomend the SuperSports for anyone replacing their tires and sticking with stock 18" rims.

Longer story: Just got a set of BFGoodrich SuperSport A/S 255/45ZR18 tires to replace my stock BFGoodrich KDWS T/A 235/55/ZR18 tires. I put 32,000mi on the KDWS and there was probably still another 10,000mi left but I pinched one of my tires on a curb which put a nice bubble in it. So I figured that was a sign to get new ones. Before/After pics below.

Right off the bat I noticed two easily noticeable differences; 1) the SuperSports had noticeably better traction on wet road and 2) the SuperSports had noticeably better dry traction in colder temperatures.

Wet traction: It used to be too easy to unintentionally slip out the back when making a turn from a stop on wet roads with the KDWS. I don't seem to have that problem anymore with the SuperSports.

Cold traction: I haven't had the SuperSports in the snow but I did drive them in 40 degree weather. With the KDWS at this temp, if I smoothly went to WOT while already moving in 1st, I could feel the tires slipping while the SuperSports felt like they grabbed the whole way.

I guess the traction could be due to the wider tire (3/4" wider) but my eye really can't tell the difference going from 235/55 to 255/45. I really didn't expect performance difference in the tires so I was really excited to find the SuperSports performed better. The tread pattern also looks cooler on the SuperSports.

PICS:
......tires stacked...............up for alignment.................old KDWS...............new SuperSports...

 

Thanks for sharing, Mike. I'm looking to replace my very worn BFG's right now, and have been leaning toward The Hankook V12 Evos and the SuperSport A/S's like you got. Both have received good reviews and fit my budget. I live near Seattle, so wet weather performance is incredibly important in my decision as my '07 GT is a daily driver.

 

Yeah, I beleive the KDWS is being phased out (last time I checked on certain popular sizes they were discontinued) and as of right now it looks like the A/S SS is the replacement. I'm waiting the see how long they last (I suspect the A/S SS like the SS is probably around a high twenty to 30k tire versus the KDWS which seemed to last in the high thirty to 40k area).

 

Well, it looks like I've changed my mind yet again on which tires to get. I'm ordering a set of 255/45/18 Continental Extreme Contact DWS's today. They have better reviews for rain & light snow, which is a huge consideration where I live. I have a second set of wheels and tires for the summer months anyway (with drag radials for the backs to better harness the power of the blower when it's dry out).

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five Oh Brian

Well, it looks like I've changed my mind yet again on which tires to get. I'm ordering a set of 255/45/18 Continental Extreme Contact DWS's today. They have better reviews for rain & light snow, which is a huge consideration where I live. I have a second set of wheels and tires for the summer months anyway (with drag radials for the backs to better harness the power of the blower when it's dry out).

I saw the Continetals but I didn't think they offered a 255/45/18 (at least not on TireRack).
My "musts" were the 255 width (widest safe width for 8.5" rim) and then the 45 ratio to maintain the sidewall dimension so the speedo stays the same. Then I looked to TireRack rankings to find the best ranked tire that was affordable (say near $150ish per tire). The SuperSports were $165 and the Pirelli PZeros were $176. There were two better ranked tires at that size (can't remember which ones right now) but they both costs something like $215 each.

Ultra High Performance All-Season Tire ranksings from TireRack here:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=UHPAS

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob

Yeah, I beleive the KDWS is being phased out (last time I checked on certain popular sizes they were discontinued) and as of right now it looks like the A/S SS is the replacement. I'm waiting the see how long they last (I suspect the A/S SS like the SS is probably around a high twenty to 30k tire versus the KDWS which seemed to last in the high thirty to 40k area).

I didn't know the KDWS's were being phased out but I can see why since the SS are way better than the KDWS. But the KDWS's sure are cheaper at $119 per tire. The SS and KDWS are both 400 AA A tires so I'm thinking they should last equally as long. But I wouldn't be mad if I got 10,000 less miles out of them. Heck, I only got 32,000mi out of my KDWS before I put a bubble in one.

 

BTW, I mis-printed my stock tire size in the my initial post.. obviously the stock tire was 235/50ZR18 (not 235/55ZR18). 255/45ZR18 would have the same sidewall dimension at the 235/50ZR18.

 

I just put in my order for the extremecontact DWS($179 255 45R18 at the rack). I was also looking at the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ($196) as well. Merchants will match tire rack price, but they charge an additional 40 to install For "HP" cars they call it..

BTW- I have 50,450 on the KDWS's with some wear left!

 

I just ordered the Continental Extreme Contact DWS for my wife's car, as well. 235/50/17's for her '08 Mercury Milan Premier. I sure hope these work well since we're gonna have them on both cars now.