Nokian is coming out with a new all-season (read: three-season, it is good for light snow but not the deep stuff) tire for North America. It's called the eNTYRE, and here's an exclusive image of the tire:



Other facts: The eNTYRE will come in T, H and V speed ratings. It is designed to compete in the Grand Touring category, against such tires as the Bridgestone Serenity and Michelin Primacy MVX4. It has an asymmetrical tread pattern.

The eNTYRE will feature 3D-sipes which give better handling on dry surfaces and promote even wear. Additionally, the main circumferential grooves are polished to help water flow easier for improved aqauplaning properties.

According to my source, it should be available by Summer of 2010.

 

Competitive cost?

 

Considering that the Primacy MXV4 and the Serenity are expensive to begin with, I imagine it will be competitively priced in that segment.

 

This winter, I'll be riding on the Dunlop Graspic DS-3, 205/60 R16 size (OE for my '99 TL).



After using the X-Ice, and WS60, why did I go with the Graspic DS-3, a completely untested tire?

My first concern was my budget. This year, I did not have as much money to spend, and every dollar counted. The only other tire in its price-range was the Altimax Arctic, an excellent bang-for-the-buck snow tire in its own right, which may be superior in all respects to the DS-3. However, due to Dunlop's success with the SP Winter Sport 3D, I wanted to give the DS-3s a try.

The Graspic DS-3 is not as new a tire as you might suspect. Rather, it is identical to the Dunlop DSX-2 tire that was introduced in Japan last year. It has two technologies which I find interesting.

First, inside the tread are microscopic caltrop-shaped spikes that bite into snow and ice:


The second is 3D sipes which, as shown below, keep the heavily siped treadblocks flat against the road surface rather than at an angle:



Unfortunately, tirerack didn't test the Graspic DS-3 in their latest round of Arctic Circle tests. So, unless and until someone can find a comparative review of the DS-3 a/k/a DSX-2, we'll just have to wait for my completely subjective review in December. In the meantime, tirerack.com has some consumer comments about the tire posted HERE.

And here's a commercial for the DSX-2:

 

Dunlop does make some good winter tires. I'm currently running a set of the WinterSport M3 on my 2010 SH-AWD TL & before that I had a set of the WinterSport 3D on the 2006 TL. Both have performed excellently in the snow & ice.

 

Dunlop is a very underrated tire company. They make good tires period. Their all season Sport Maxx tire is one of the best tires out there in tread wear, comfort and noise as well as wet traction and light to moderate snow.

But I was able to find the Michelin MXV4 in 245/45/18 for $177 and that is an insanely good priced so I jumped on that and will be putting them on once I get my car. The MXM's on the TL's are just too loud and pretty much suck.

 

I ran these tires on my 03 CL-S with absolutely no problems. However, since they didn't have any to fit the 19" rims that come with the HPT set-up, I just ordered a set of the Blizzack LM-60's sized to fit.

 

I bet the blizzaks will make your pulsating sound go away. Atleast I hope.

 

Please let's keep my thread on track with Tire News & Info.

 

JUST RELEASED

December 2009 Issue of Eurotuner magazine has a published a Giant Tire Test consisting of ten tires in the extreme and max-performance category:



Here are the results... Boldface means it was a max performance tire (as opposed to extreme performance)

10th Place: Kumho Ecsta EX
9th Place: Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta
8th Place: Hankook Ventus R-s3
7th Place: Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
6th Place: Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
5th Place: Yokohama Advan Neova AD08
4th Place: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
3rd Place: Toyo Proxes R1R
2nd Place: Pirelli PZero

And... the winner was:


(Photo of TLAwesome's bro's RSX with brand new Continental ExtremeContact DW tires)

1st Place: Continental ExtremeContact DW

Of note:
The ExtremeContact DW had the best dry lap, best wet lap and best wet grip and was the best wet overall

The Hankook Ventus R-s3 was the best in dry overall, and had the best dry slalom

The PZero had the best wet slalom

The Proxes R1R had the best braking in both dry and wet

And the Advan Neova AD08 had the best dry grip (cornering)


Overall, it was a well-done objective review. I would have liked to see some subjective ride and noise quality remarks, but my feeling is that would have just pushed the ExtremeContact DW even further ahead.

 

Tirerack recently published Road & Ice test results of popular Winter tires, including the brand new LM-60 and Graspic DS-3:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=125

Looks like Dunlop still has a way to go in terms of the technology. The Graspic DS-3 performed last place in most of the tests, and had very poor wet-braking. Of course, Tirerack doesn't test everything (e.g., hydroplaning resistance), but it's the start of the big picture.

The LM-60 simply cannot compete however, with the studless snow & ice tires on the ice, but then again it is a performance winter tire.

 

Just puchased '10 TL Base and will be dumping the stock 17" wheels/tires. Narrowed rims to 18" or 19" TSW Jarama or Montage.

In researching tires (for Florida driving) will getting a tire with a higher UTQG Treadwear Grade mean longer tire life?

 

UTQC is only a guideline, because there is no consistency in testing, and it only tests tires for the first 7200 miles after which a manufacturer is allowed to extrapolate (read more about it HERE). A better indication of how much treadlife you're likely to get is to look at what kind of warranty the manufacturer is offering, if any.

 

I just made a wallpaper for anyone who likes Continental tires. You'll recognize the car from this thread... my brother's RSX.

Enjoy:

 

Continental has a new ContiSportContact, the ContiSportContact 5 which, judging by the results from their new ExtremeContact DW, should be one of the best Max Performance tires available.

Very little info is available on this tire other than it is an optional OE fitment for the 2010 Renault Mégane RS 250.

 

Continental finally updated their Global site with information about the 5P. You can read about it here:



Tirerack has them in limited sizes for now, more are possibly OTW:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....portContact+5P

 

looking for a good all season tire for my 2006 tl ,(dealer want 1440.00 ) a good body shop ill Lake county
and is 250 to much for brake pads ?