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[critical_mass]

Hello guys;

Anyone use ExtremeContact DWS all year round? I live in Pittsburgh so our winters are awful. I will be getting this on 19'' rims on my 335iXDrive. I really don't want get two separate setups if I can get away w/ using these year-round.

Cheers!

[tofu-]

i used them for one winter/summer, and was pretty impressed how they performed in the snow. you'll probably have an even more positive experience with your XI. their summer performance was pretty good as well. i replaced them for summer tires because i wanted more responsive turn in (which probably could have been solved with more front camber), but looking back, they were a great tire minus the soft sidewalls.

they seem to be a great value too.

[dmz]

Not recommended. The DWS are summer only performance tire. They'll be sliding all over the place in freezing temp or snow. AWD won't do jack for you when you don't have grip from your tires. Get some all season performance tires if you want to just keep one set of tires all year around.

[critical_mass]

My impression are DWS are all season performance hence the "S" for snow.

[tofu-]

Originally Posted by dmz

Not recommended. The DWS are summer only performance tire. They'll be sliding all over the place in freezing temp or snow. AWD won't do jack for you when you don't have grip from your tires. Get some all season performance tires if you want to just keep one set of tires all year around.

that's DW, not DWS

[pits200]

I live in Pittsburgh also and travel extensively sometimes going through Somerset and Breezewood during the winter months. I was able to get by on the DWS with my xi and it wasn't much of an issue. On the other hand, my wife has performance snows on her g35x and it is a pretty drastic difference especially in turning and stopping power.

[CombatNinja]

DWS are fine for year 'round use. You'll give up a bit of steering response and ultimate grip but gain back a ton of ride and noise comfort. Not to mention better wet grip and double the tread life. All that said, Pittsburgh winters and 19"s on an e9X I hope you either a) enjoy looking at throughly knackered wheels or b) plan on refinishing your wheels every couple of years. Given your climate I would really, really advise the stock 19s April through October and some cheap 17s with all- season or winters for the rest of the year.

[anerbe]

I agree with Ninja. 19" in the winter is really a bad idea. Winter causes large potholes to appear on the road. There's a very good chance you will damage your wheels, with 19" being more prone than smaller diameters.

Get 17" wheels with dedicated winters, and enjoy the summer with the 19" and Summer UHP tires like the DW.

[cssnms]

I use them year around. They provide excellent grip for an all season, very quiet, excellent wet and snow traction. Unless you are planning to track your car on a routine/competative basis these tires are great!

[pits200]

Originally Posted by cssnms

I use them year around. They provide excellent grip for an all season, very quiet, excellent wet and snow traction. Unless you are planning to track your car on a routine/competative basis these tires are great!

I agree with your comment but I would have to say wet traction is "good" at best, possibly even below par.

But I'm comparing those with my last set of tires which were Bridgestone Turanza Serenity which were outright silly in the rain. I think my car actually handled better in torrential downpours than dry roads since they were so good in the rain.

Either way, these are a solid overall tire for a person who wants a jack of all trades but master of none.

[Toad335]

Agree with the above two posts. Switched to the DWS's this winter off of stock runflats. The difference was phenomenal, and mine's a rear wheel drive. I didn't switch them out for the summer either. I really love the quiet ride and even the tread pattern. I think these tires plus the xi will ensure you'll be able to get around just fine.

[flip4335]

Originally Posted by neurotichamster

Hello guys;

Anyone use ExtremeContact DWS all year round? I live in Pittsburgh so our winters are awful. I will be getting this on 19'' rims on my 335iXDrive. I really don't want get two separate setups if I can get away w/ using these year-round.

Cheers!

DWS, and drive sensibly. Driving sensibly is key with any winter setup.

They are on my wife's M-B E350 4Matic, but we're southeast of you (Leesburg). Nonetheless, they are awesome tires.