ContiExtremeContact tires....opinions??

[kingvitamin]

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these. I've read some of the reviews at TireRack, and they seem to be just about perfect. I'm just wondering how much performance is going to be lost going with an all-weather tire, and if they will be noisy. Also should I go with a 215/40/17 or 215/45/17 on my stock Racing Hart's (MP3)? I think I would like to try a little wider tire this time around, just don't know if a lower profile tire would hinder performance. This will be my 1st set of replacement tires by the way. Any input appreciated!

 

[Pmpkinhead]

My Thoughts

I would go with the 215-45-17. The 215-40-17 would be a little higher performance but you increase the risk of rim damage due to the lower sidewall (you do live in OH and you know how wonderful OUR streets are). I purchased another set of factory RH rims to alternate winter/summer instead of going "all season". I have Michelin Pilot Alpine 215-45-17 snow tires (awesome winter traction). Don't go back to the 205's if you dont have to.
1244 (mspo)

 

[kingvitamin]

So I take it that I wouldn't run into any problems with rubbing, going with a wider tire? Also I'm still looking for some opinions on those Continetals. That's for the info.....

 

[Pmpkinhead]

I don't believe they changed the body or wheel wells between the MP3 and the MSP. Check the specs on the wheel (rim) offset but I don't believe they changed that either. My car runs great with that size!!!
What do you mean by "just don't know if a lower profile tire would hinder performance"? Normally the less side wall, the less roll-over of the side wall in turns! Performance increase, not decrease! see link: http://woot.systemcrash.org/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21452
See MP3intheSTL!!!
1244 (mspo)

 

[rowan]

I like 'em!

I have the 215/40 but in retrospect, the 215/45 would be better.

And I've hit a lot of pot holes with no damage so .. very tough tires! Totally worth the money.

Nice and quiet. Road noise starts to become noticable at about 130 km/h and gets a bit of resonance at about 140 km/h .. but above 150 it gets quiet again. hehe.

Not a whole lot of staight line grip, but good lateral grip and response. They also handled all the Toronto Winter with ease. I was pretty surprised.

 

[kingvitamin]

Thanks. I think you sold me on the Continentals. I don't really drive my MP3 much in bad weather, but want to able to. I think I'll order a set when I get back from Vegas next week (If I have any money left). Still undecided on the 40 or 45 thing though. Rowan, why don't you like the 40's?

 

[rowan]

Well there's nothing wrong with them. But the 45's would probably sit better on the rim as the 215/40 should really be on a 7.5 wide wheel. Also that extra sidewall would have been nice to have in the early spring when all the new potholes started appearing.

The 215/40 is also a tiny bit smaler than stock and leaves a bit more wheel gap, while the 215/45 will fill up the wheel wells more, like on the MSP. I have fit the MSP wheels & tires on my MP3 for a while and didn't have any problems with rubbing so 215/45 is good to go if you decide to get that size.

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

i cant remember at the moment what continentals i ahve on the front of my car but i know they are what came on all 2002 SE-R Spec-V's. And i also know they suck, the wet traction is horrible and dry traction is't much better, do to an emergency stop and flat spotting of my dunlops i ahd to swipe these tires off my friends old spec-v rims.

and oh yeah i have the 215/45/17, i like the size better, the wider tire actually makes the car feel even more stable than it already was ...... now if i could just get some traction everything would be great.

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

found out i have the contisportcontacts, im about to go with the new cooper zeon 2xs's.

 

[rowan]

conti's got a new version of the sportContact as well..

 

[kingvitamin]

Well, I just ordered the 45's off of TireRack about 5 minutes ago. I decided on the higher sidewall after a pothole incident yesterday. I hope they are a little quieter than the Dunlops. I don't expect them to be the BEST for under $400 shipped, but after reading all the reviews on TireRack, one would think they were. I'll let you all know what I think of them after I get them.

 

[rowan]

Quieter than the Dunlop SP9000? I thought those were surprisingly quiet given their performance ...

You shouldn't be disappointed with the contiExtreme's though.

Post some feedback after you get 'em on the car.