Tire choices

[Cab0oze]

2 summers ago I bought Falken 452s and after two summers they have been totally destroyed (shoulders rounded off). I do 90% highway with some light track duty occasionally.

I'm looking for new summer tires, and don't want to waste a ton of money on them since i'm only planning on keeping the car for 2 more summers and I don't want to spend a ton of money just to find out that my car is going to destroy them in a summer like the last set. (Note that with the same alignment and post lowering, my winter tires are fine)

Ignoring the no-name brands, I've found:
General Tire G-Max AS-03s for 620 shipped
and
Hankook Ventus V2 H437 for 590 shipped

Anyone have any experience with these? Any other recommendations? Should I wait a month or two for spring discounts/group buys to start showing up?
Tire sizes are 225/40R18 or 215/45R18 (i.e. stock speed3 size)

[5_Alive]

I just purchased 4 BF goodrich sport comp2 tires..
$603/US mounted, balanced out the door.

I haven't used them yet but they have great reviews.

[Cab0oze]

I just purchased 4 BF goodrich sport comp2 tires..
$603/US mounted, balanced out the door.

I haven't used them yet but they have great reviews.
Did you go down to the states to pick them up or something?

[loki]

Did you go down to the states to pick them up or something?

He lives in windsor so very likely

[miako]

Did you go down to the states to pick them up or something?

that's the way to go, picked up a set of hankook ventus evo v12 from the states, 235/40/18 installed under $650US last year when the dollars were at par, best deal ever.

[Cab0oze]

that's the way to go, picked up a set of hankook ventus evo v12 from the states, 235/40/18 installed under $650US last year when the dollars were at par, best deal ever.
So how does that work when you come back? Do you have to pay import tax/is there a risk of that? If not, then maybe I should do that too...

[miako]

So how does that work when you come back? Do you have to pay import tax/is there a risk of that? If not, then maybe I should do that too...

Well... I'm not advising anyone to do it but A LOT of ppl just install them and come back like nothing happened. First of all, tell the installer DO NOT PUT TIRE SHINE ON THE WALL! Secondly drive around in messy (dusty, muddy) area.., if winter time or raining it's hard to tell if it's new. Buy some stuff from Walmart (no food, no alcohol, no plants) and declare those...

I go to the states very often, and I declare everything.. they do spot checks from time to time though, usually customs are nice and they don't even ask..

Last time I bought a set of wheels and tires from the states. Installed and came back same day. Declared everything which is around 1500 bucks, the custom officer just told me to go. I guess I was really lucky or he didn't hear me correctly. lol

[Cab0oze]

Thanks for sharing. I was thinking that, just wasn't sure if other people had done it successfully. Well I guess I'll reserve that as a backup plan because it requires a lot more effort, a tank of gas, and some risk.... and at the end of the day it would only save me 100 bucks tops. Maybe if I can roll it to an already planned trip... snowboarding, hiking, somethin haha

[5_Alive]

I declared them.
The officer was very pleasant and let me through.
Worst case, it would have been around $85 for taxes.

Price in windsor was $949 with taxes and fees.
it was completely worth getting them in the states.

Anyhow, BF's or the new Cooper Zeon is supposed to be good too.
The Continental Extreme DW is supposed to be a really high performer as well.

[Cab0oze]

OK good to know. Keep the suggestions coming :)
Maybe I will get them from the states, I'll just wait for some sort of discount/rebate to come along. There's bound to be one in the next month....

[Mingo85]

Continental Extreme DW is a decent performer now, it was great when the revision first came out a few years ago. However, you will not have to worry about them wearing out in 2 summers. Typically the DW will be good for 40-50k km or more. They provide a comfy ride and last much longer than many summer tires.

If you want better feedback and dry grip for a similar price in the US, go for the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position. Not sure how long they would last though as they are fairly new but they are not rated to last as long as the Conti DW.

[Cab0oze]

Continental Extreme DW is a decent performer now, it was great when the revision first came out a few years ago. However, you will not have to worry about them wearing out in 2 summers. Typically the DW will be good for 40-50k km or more. They provide a comfy ride and last much longer than many summer tires.

If you want better feedback and dry grip for a similar price in the US, go for the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position. Not sure how long they would last though as they are fairly new but they are not rated to last as long as the Conti DW.Thanks man, I noticed that Tirerack has them on sale... 4 for 460, which makes it an amazing deal. I want to order soon, but I'm going to florida for work for 3 weeks so I can't order them yet. Hope the sale stays for a while...

[tompaul]

Thanks for sharing. I was thinking that, just wasn't sure if other people had done it successfully. Well I guess I'll reserve that as a backup plan because it requires a lot more effort, a tank of gas, and some risk.... and at the end of the day it would only save me 100 bucks tops. Maybe if I can roll it to an already planned trip... snowboarding, hiking, somethin haha

what is the price is montreal with continental DW? 225/40r18

[Mingo85]

Thanks man, I noticed that Tirerack has them on sale... 4 for 460, which makes it an amazing deal. I want to order soon, but I'm going to florida for work for 3 weeks so I can't order them yet. Hope the sale stays for a while...

No problem.

Was that with or without the MIR? Not sure if it applied to DW. But a great deal with that MIR if you have someone's address you can mail it to or to mail the ION HD camera.

If the S-04, I'm pretty sure that's their ongoing price. It can change slightly week to week though.

[Cab0oze]

what is the price is montreal with continental DW? 225/40r18
Something stupid like 800

[Mingo85]

Something stupid like 800
Stupid is the norm for tire prices in the land of the free. One day we'll have competitive prices...

[ryan2.3]

i'd recommend going down to the US. I've got those Hankooks for my 16"s and i love them. They dont' stock them in 18 in stores in Detroit, but I was on discounttiredirect.com the Ventus V2 H437 is

$122 each - 225/40R18 - $536 Shipped (within the US)
$114 each - 215/45R18 - $500 Shipped (within the US)

if get it shipped to a place in plattsburgh or where ever in the US that's close to Montreal, you can save a bit

[midnightfxgt]

I think going to the states is only good if you live near the boarder, or are going down for other stuff. Take the 225/40/18 Hankook V2 example:

$536 in US
$680 in Canada

With the exchange rate, you are looking at approx $590 + $100 for install. Now you are close to $700. This doesn't take into consideration the gas you spend, your time, or tax if you get hit at the boarder.

Buying local would be $680 installed, plus HST and OTS, you are around $800.

-John

[greyseason]

Just go to exclusive tire. Keith will hook you up

[midnightfxgt]

Just go to exclusive tire. Keith will hook you up

Def not worth the drive from Montreal haha

[greyseason]

Def not worth the drive from Montreal haha

Lmao TL/DR

[Mingo85]

Depends on the tire you are going for and each person's circumstances (distance to travel, time, gas, etc). In my case my circumstances are zero and none apply.

My tires cost me $500 last year (thankfully the dollar was strong at the time) + $80 up here to mount and balance, etc.

Simplytire for example wants over $1000 after taxes to mount, balance, install, etc.

[Fuman]

Not sure if you got the tires yet since the first post was over a month ago. If you want to do some light track duty, stay away from Hankook Ventus. The sidewalls are soft, very soft. I lost all confidence in my car on the track with those tires.The tires are great for DD, but dreadful for any type of track duty.

[Cab0oze]

Not sure if you got the tires yet since the first post was over a month ago. If you want to do some light track duty, stay away from Hankook Ventus. The sidewalls are soft, very soft. I lost all confidence in my car on the track with those tires.The tires are great for DD, but dreadful for any type of track duty.
Nah, didn't buy yet because I'm on a month long work trip in florida lol
Planning on pulling the trigger on a set in the next 2 wks.
Problem is, while I will be doing light track duty I also need something with slightly soft sidewalls because I suspect the stiff sidewalls is what feathered my last set of summer tires in 10,000km even though my winter tires are fine.... but don't want to go too soft, so duly noted. Thanks guys :)

[Fuman]

Nah, didn't buy yet because I'm on a month long work trip in florida lol
Planning on pulling the trigger on a set in the next 2 wks.
Problem is, while I will be doing light track duty I also need something with slightly soft sidewalls because I suspect the stiff sidewalls is what feathered my last set of summer tires in 10,000km even though my winter tires are fine.... but don't want to go too soft, so duly noted. Thanks guys :)
I'm running Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-04 at the moment. Not too bad for DD & light track duty, went to cayuga last year. I can give you a ride in my car when you're back if you want.

[Cab0oze]

I'm running Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-04 at the moment. Not too bad for DD & light track duty, went to cayuga last year. I can give you a ride in my car when you're back if you want.
You coming to visit me in mtl?? :D

[aboss]

For the record… Hankook Ventus V2 Concept 437 are out of production apparently…

I had their replacement - Ventus V2 Concept2 - in 215-45-18 for 600 installed (+tax) at SimplyTire the other day. Don't know about longevity, but first impressions are great.

[Cab0oze]

For the record… Hankook Ventus V2 Concept 437 are out of production apparently…That would explain why everyone was selling them so cheap