Slow Guy

For me I wanted a all season tire. We don't get enough snow or extended cold temps to justify a set of winter tires. However, like right now we do get snow and temps in the 20's. I do drive my cars in rain and snow as long as there isn't much salt (brine) on the roads.

I went with the Mich PS2 Plus A/S's. They have been great in heat/dry/wet and even snow. Yes, they were pricey. If there is another A/S option when these wear out I will look seriously at them but not because of issues with the Mich. (just price).

Have Yoko Parada Spec X's on the Cayenne, those have been great too, but they're not for the 993.

CorrdoBrit

Had OEM Conti's on my M3 and I really disliked them. Can't remember the model but should be easy to find out what came from the Factory. Very little feedback and pretty scary in slick conditions. They broke loose unpredictably. Now they were 5 years old but with only 3K miles on them I expected more.

fast_freddy

They test the tire on a BMW 3 series if memory serves, a decidedly different car than a 993. I went with advice to try out a set of Bridgestone RE11's over a set of PS2's in 2009. I wish I trusted my instincts, the PS2's are decidedly faster and have substantially better turn in with a lower level of "ride quality". If it's just a street tire you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. For Auto-X it's a different story, to the tune of 1.5 seconds for a 40~ second course.

Magdaddy

that sums it up in a nutshell for me right there...I truely believe that for street use, virtually all "known" tire manufacturer's build hi- performance rubber within a few percent(performance wise) of each other.

My car came with a relitively fresh set of PS2's on it. After they were toast, I replaced them with Hankook Ventus St's EVO's. The Hankook's were under $700 delivered for a set of 4...the PS2 rears alone were over $900 IIRC.

They feel every bit as sharp in all aspects, as with the Michelins. Granted, the car has changed since I first got it-Walrod bushings, Wevo mounts-but with a much less aggressive alignment(much less camber all around).

I've had Hankook's on my DD as summer tires for years-gone thru 2 sets. Great value, wear, and performance for the buck.

As mentioned by another lister, if you plan to autocross/DE your car, maybe there are other concerns. But IMHO, besides Goodyear and Dunlop...most others have good choices available. I used to be a big BF Goodrich fan for performance rubber, now I'm impressed with the Hankooks.

Value, solid wear, and consistant performance thru-out the life of the tire has always been important to me.

nile13

And I'm saying that a StarSpec is faster than PS/2 by a lot. And so is Azenis RT-615. Not much of an argument, it's enough to see what everyone runs at SCCA Nationals in Street Tire classes. And money is really no object there.

RE11 is not a great tire, IMHO. I've autocrossed a Miata on 11s for an event last season. Was completely underwhelmed by them. Imagine they'd feel even worse on a heavier car.

Canyon56

Let us know what they're like. I was never excited about the Conti 2/3 myself. But these are optimized for dry and wet (hence the DW designation.) As I mentioned earlier they also come in a DWS, which is optimized for dry, wet, and snow. Maybe if I lived in a wetter climate, the DW might make sense as a performance tire.

The tire has letters in the tread (D, W) as tread wear indicators. Each letter shows the wear and indicates whether they are too worn for dry or wet. Might be just a gimmick or maybe something effective (?)

The edges are in a chamfered pattern which Conti says, "concentrates on a maximum surface contact, resulting in increased traction.” They also say, "the tire has high void to tread ratio which improves water evacuation for outstanding wet handling."

According to Conti, their marketing strategy for the DW and DWS is to value-price them in relation to competing premium brands. They have a 340 treadwear.

They may be a decent option if one lives in a place like the wet and cooler Northwest.

CorrdoBrit

Plus it seems they give you a 60 day trial period. Get something else if they don't live up to expectations, although in my experience most tires has felt and handled great initially once scrubbed in.

177mph

I have unfortunately had a few different sets of continental tires. They were always on cars i had bought used. I have NEVER found any of them to be good tires. Ever...

leonardjohnr

I few cars ago I used to only buy the best street rubber... then I started tracking my car and, of course, got track tires... after you drive with track tires... the performance of street tires all blends together.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Jonathan,

FWIW,...I know which ones you are referring to. I just replaced the PS2's on my wife's car with these new Conti's last week and I couldn't be happier.

nile13

While it's partially so, I would not agree completely. I've been on race rubber for the last 8 years. I still prefer good tires for the street.

The reasons are simple. One - if I spend the money on a performance car, I might as well have the only thing that holds it on the road and is more important than all the other mods combined. When I drove a $2K 7-series as a beater I had Michelin MX4 on it (don't ask). Two - I have to brake once in a while to avoid... ummm... Boston drivers (and NYC drivers every so often). So I need good tires. Continental has not made any in my 25 years of trying them.

Magdaddy

they make damn fine bicycle tires...just to interject.

expensive, light, durable, and wear well

mrsullivan

A Steve Weiner recommendation post carries more weight than like 5 of you civilian posts

Kidding... but Steve, thanks for your post...!

nile13

BTW, my 993 is currently on Continental snows (came with a set of wheels I've just bought) and we are expecting 2 feet of white stuff today. Not that I'm going anywhere any time soon

Matt Lane

To add to some of the recommendations above, I installed Dunlop Direzza Star Specs this season and have been very pleased. For a track or auto-x capable street tire, I've have very good service. 9 days of DE w/ about 5K total miles. Great stick, and the rears still have some life. A very good performance tire at a very fair price.

Best,

Matt