Pilot A/S or Conti DWS 06?

[JST]

What's the current thinking between these two tires? I've seen people recommend both (and I think Nick in particular speaks highly of the DWS), but which would you choose to put on your car?

[clyde]

Originally Posted by JST

What's the current thinking between these two tires? I've seen people recommend both (and I think Nick in particular speaks highly of the DWS), but which would you choose to put on your car?

I put DWS 06 on the Jaguar last month and drove it across the country. Quiet and comfy on the freeway in dry and wet conditions, but next to no experience with snow/ice. I haven't driven the car very aggressively either.

FWIW, when I first told Nick I might drive the car back here, we both said I should put tires on it and he didn't hesitate before recommending (unsolicited) the DWS...but the generation before the current 06. Tire Rack still had some DWS tires in some sizes at close out prices a couple weeks ago.

There seem to be some significant differences, but not sure what exactly. The tread pattern is different. Looks like the new one has more siping, but maybe slightly less total void area. In 245/45-17 sizing, the new one has a 560 tread wear rating compared to 540 for the old. Harder compound? Dunno...maybe just more (or not because they both have a molded depth of 10/32")? The new one is .3" taller diameter and 13 fewer revolutions per mile. The traction rating also went up from AA to AAA. The new one also has a measured section width of 10.0" compared to 9.7" for the older one.

The user ratings are slightly better across the board for the 06, but the sample size is really small compared to the old tire (although it's grown considerably since I ordered in mid January).

If you want to sample, I could drive it in one day.

[bren]

No experience with either, but I'd assume the Conti will offer softer/mushier feel.

[JST]

Thanks, Clyde.

The softer/mushier feel thing is a concern based on some of the reviews. This is for the Golf, so ultimate dry grip is not that critical, but I'd like to main crisp feel as much as I can.

[Nick M3]

The Pilot will be *much* more crisp, but also not as good in the snow.

The DWS is quiet, comfortable, cheap, and offers monster grip on the wet and snow conditions for what it is. But crisp is not a description that I would use.

If you just want year-round traction excluding snow, the DW is actually really good in the cold and kicks ass in the wet.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by JST

What's the current thinking between these two tires? I've seen people recommend both (and I think Nick in particular speaks highly of the DWS), but which would you choose to put on your car?

I switched from Pilots summers to DWS 06's back in May of 15 - because of so little snow, warm winter temps and the need for four new snow tires, I've stayed with the Conti's all winter.

Switching to AS's was a great choice for me, summer-only tires are dumb in the northeast. The Conti's have been great riding and good in cold temps. No complaints, I just hope they wear well.