DWS or Pilot Sport A/S + on Sport Package?

WithBBQSauce · 10-31-2010, 09:24 AM

I know there have been a few threads on the Continental ExtremeContact DWS vs. the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. My question is this -- is the DWS appropriate for a car with sport package? I ask because I've read about the soft sidewalls of the DWS, as well as the tendency to "float" (according to some reports) at highway speeds, and my concern is that these issues would be exacerbated by the sport package suspension.

Because of these concerns, I've been leaning towards the Pilot Sports, but the good reviews of the DWS and the huge price difference is giving me second thoughts.

FYI, I have the sport package 17x8 wheels in the front and the 17x8.5 in the rear, so I'm looking at a staggered setup.

Thanks in advance!

Erik

Denny347 · 10-31-2010, 05:51 PM

I'm gonna put them on my 18" sport package. I cannot imagine them "floating" too much with a sidewall that is only inches tall.

tofu- · 10-31-2010, 06:02 PM

i use the DWS. i just fill them up a bit more to compensate for the sidewalls

chromisdesigns · 10-31-2010, 06:28 PM

I don't think you'll go wrong either way -- I have the Michelins, but the Contis get great reviews too. They might "seem" to "float" if you are used to Bridgestone runflats, but it's just the contrast between running bricks and real tires. They hug the pavement just fine.

BriMc · 11-06-2010, 09:37 PM

I just put some DWS on my car with sport package and have no problem with float. They are definitely softer, so you won't have the same razor sharp steering response that you get on the OEM rubber, but it isn't that bad.

Flyer · 11-06-2010, 09:45 PM

19 in. DWS's are out of stock for the fronts and hard to find for the rears. I just found some rears (265/30/19) at Walmart of all places, but am being told by everyone, including TireRack that the fronts are on back order for 2-3 months...

xantdieselx · 11-07-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

19 in. DWS's are out of stock for the fronts and hard to find for the rears. I just found some rears (265/30/19) at Walmart of all places, but am being told by everyone, including TireRack that the fronts are on back order for 2-3 months...

Wow, I'm glad I got mine back in August. Went from 17" RFT (Conti) to 19" DWS. These tires are amazing. They are a little squirmy in the wet, but predictable. I have not been able to exceed there dry adhesion limit yet (at least while driving at 8-9/10ths). We'll se how well they do in light snow as the winter approaches. I would definitely buy another set. They are that good.

flawlesskid · 11-07-2010, 03:30 PM

I'm using the DW's and i love them. I'm thinking of switching to the DWS or the A/S Plus pretty soon though. I think they feel very connected so the floating feel isn't there IMO. I think the biggest benefit to the A/S plus is the warranty though some shops may not honor it due to the inability to rotate them.

bavarian19 · 11-07-2010, 07:40 PM

DWS!

TomE92 · 11-07-2010, 09:16 PM

I'll be in the market for new tires soon and considering the DWS.

One question though, what is this "float" you guys are talkign about?

flawlesskid · 11-07-2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomE92

I'll be in the market for new tires soon and considering the DWS.

One question though, what is this "float" you guys are talkign about?

The DWS has a softer sidewall (obviously) than the stock RFT's and some other high performance tires. Turn in isn't as on point and the ride is softer than the RFT's. I can't speak on this existence as i've never driven the 335i on RFT's. I bought my car with Conti EC DW's.

flip4335 · 11-07-2010, 09:39 PM

I have DWS on my wife's Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport Sedan and the difference between them and the Bridgestones she previously had is like night and day! The tires are so well made, that it didn't take many weights to balance the tires and wheels.

I know someone who has them on a staggered set of wheels for his e90 335i and his gas mileage went up 2.5 mpg better than with his Brickstone runflats.

There is a label on the driver side door that recommends psi for speeds up to and beyond 100 mph, so he uses that to inflate his DWS tires, and that seems to address the "softness" and "floatiness" of the tires.

The recommended tire pressure is 39psi front/45 psi rear, and that seems to alleviate the floaty feeling of the tires, as well as the ride.

ajsalida · 11-08-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

I don't think you'll go wrong either way -- I have the Michelins, but the Contis get great reviews too. They might "seem" to "float" if you are used to Bridgestone runflats, but it's just the contrast between running bricks and real tires. They hug the pavement just fine.

This. Just swapped out the RFT's for a set of 18" DWS on a e92 xi, great tire. Did some snow testing other day and they work very well, and on dry pavement feel fantastic, much better than the RFT's.

edit: Tire Rack reviews (esp. on snow) is what did it for me on the Conti's. Pleasantly surprised how good they feel above freezing on dry pavement.

PNF · 11-08-2010, 12:58 PM

i know.. DWS out on the front for most of the sizes unless you want to stretch..

which is why i just put on the Michelin PS A/S... i dont want to wait... fall is here... winter be here soon enough..

BriMc · 11-08-2010, 02:37 PM

I feel the "float" a tiny bit now, but it is more than made up for by the less harsh ride and the lower road noise. I am going to experiment a bit with tire pressure and see what effect that has. IDK if I want to go the full 39/45, I think I read another thread where someone was doing 36/40 with good results.

10-31-2010, 09:24 AM	#1
WithBBQSauce New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 M Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA iTrader: (0)	DWS or Pilot Sport A/S + on Sport Package? I know there have been a few threads on the Continental ExtremeContact DWS vs. the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. My question is this -- is the DWS appropriate for a car with sport package? I ask because I've read about the soft sidewalls of the DWS, as well as the tendency to "float" (according to some reports) at highway speeds, and my concern is that these issues would be exacerbated by the sport package suspension. Because of these concerns, I've been leaning towards the Pilot Sports, but the good reviews of the DWS and the huge price difference is giving me second thoughts. FYI, I have the sport package 17x8 wheels in the front and the 17x8.5 in the rear, so I'm looking at a staggered setup. Thanks in advance! Erik
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10-31-2010, 05:51 PM	#2
Denny347 Major 360 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (0)	I'm gonna put them on my 18" sport package. I cannot imagine them "floating" too much with a sidewall that is only inches tall.
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10-31-2010, 06:02 PM	#3
tofu- Banned 88 Rep 2,854 Posts Drives: 335i Jet Black/Coral Red Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: nyc iTrader: (4)	i use the DWS. i just fill them up a bit more to compensate for the sidewalls
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10-31-2010, 06:28 PM	#4
chromisdesigns Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	I don't think you'll go wrong either way -- I have the Michelins, but the Contis get great reviews too. They might "seem" to "float" if you are used to Bridgestone runflats, but it's just the contrast between running bricks and real tires. They hug the pavement just fine.
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11-06-2010, 09:37 PM	#5
BriMc Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jersey iTrader: (0)	I just put some DWS on my car with sport package and have no problem with float. They are definitely softer, so you won't have the same razor sharp steering response that you get on the OEM rubber, but it isn't that bad.
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11-06-2010, 09:45 PM	#6
Flyer Captain 23 Rep 766 Posts Drives: 2011 e92xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (8)	19 in. DWS's are out of stock for the fronts and hard to find for the rears. I just found some rears (265/30/19) at Walmart of all places, but am being told by everyone, including TireRack that the fronts are on back order for 2-3 months...
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11-07-2010, 03:30 PM	#8
flawlesskid Private First Class 4 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Sport Package Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greensboro North Carolina iTrader: (0)	I'm using the DW's and i love them. I'm thinking of switching to the DWS or the A/S Plus pretty soon though. I think they feel very connected so the floating feel isn't there IMO. I think the biggest benefit to the A/S plus is the warranty though some shops may not honor it due to the inability to rotate them. __________________
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11-07-2010, 07:40 PM	#9
bavarian19 General 549 Rep 18,849 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	DWS!
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11-07-2010, 09:16 PM	#10
TomE92 Private First Class 4 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Brunswick, NJ iTrader: (5)	I'll be in the market for new tires soon and considering the DWS. One question though, what is this "float" you guys are talkign about? __________________ 2014 WW Evo X GSR
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11-07-2010, 09:39 PM	#12
flip4335 General Nuisance in a Private Conveyance 77 Rep 1,907 Posts Drives: like it's rented Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: behind the wheel iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW e90 335i [7.30]	I have DWS on my wife's Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport Sedan and the difference between them and the Bridgestones she previously had is like night and day! The tires are so well made, that it didn't take many weights to balance the tires and wheels. I know someone who has them on a staggered set of wheels for his e90 335i and his gas mileage went up 2.5 mpg better than with his Brickstone runflats. There is a label on the driver side door that recommends psi for speeds up to and beyond 100 mph, so he uses that to inflate his DWS tires, and that seems to address the "softness" and "floatiness" of the tires. The recommended tire pressure is 39psi front/45 psi rear, and that seems to alleviate the floaty feeling of the tires, as well as the ride. __________________ BMWCCA Member # 414198 \|E90\|SGM\|6MT\|Premium\|Cold\|Sport\|Tint\|LCI MSport Conversion\|MTech\|Blacklines\|219M\|PSS\|Quaife\|Helix FMIC\|M3 Suspension\|Megan Racing\|GC Camber Plates/Coilovers\|Eibach 440/800#\|AR Catted DP\|Cobb AP\|StopTech Drilled/Slotted\|SS Brake Lines\|DWS Quaife Review: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311570
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11-08-2010, 12:58 PM	#14
PNF Colonel 175 Rep 2,355 Posts Drives: 15' YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wayne, PA / Taipei iTrader: (4)	i know.. DWS out on the front for most of the sizes unless you want to stretch.. which is why i just put on the Michelin PS A/S... i dont want to wait... fall is here... winter be here soon enough.. __________________ 2015 F80 Fully loaded (minus the CCB) YMB M3 / Individual Amaro Brown BBS \| KW \| Vorsteiner \| IND \| Akrapovic \| BMW CF Performance Interior \| Brembo \| Eibach 2008 E92 335i (sold)
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11-08-2010, 02:37 PM	#15
BriMc Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jersey iTrader: (0)	I feel the "float" a tiny bit now, but it is more than made up for by the less harsh ride and the lower road noise. I am going to experiment a bit with tire pressure and see what effect that has. IDK if I want to go the full 39/45, I think I read another thread where someone was doing 36/40 with good results.
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