timing on an alternative to ContiProContact tires

[rawlus®]

i tend to think the conti's are a substandard tire, not performing great at anything, performing average at everything.

does anyone have a decent guess on when we might see other brands and models offered in the smart OEM sizes? what those other brands and models might be?

is there a USA winter tire spec'd yet?

[jwight]

Here's a link to some Continental tires consumer complaints:

Consumer complaints about Continental Tires

Not saying all their tires are suspect, but problems have been reported.

[bumblebee08]

I'm still trying to figure out the beef with these tires? How many US manufactures put an 80,000 mile tire on a vehicle OEM? Sure, they may not be the greatest at everything, but I applaud smart for having the guts to put a high mileage tire on a car from the factory. Anybody remember Ford and the Firestone debacle? I haven't heard of any blowouts or rollovers with a smart yet.....

[bumblebee08]

Originally Posted by jwight

Here's a link to some Continental tires consumer complaints:

Consumer complaints about Continental Tires

Not saying all their tires are suspect, but problems have been reported.

jwright, I'm going to play the devils advocate here, I read all the complaints, non involved the same type of tire the smart uses, and only two mentioned mileage on the tires at the time of failure, and in all cases, the tires were at least three years old, makes me kind of suspect when they won't mention mileage...IMHO

[rawlus®]

Originally Posted by bumblebee08

I'm still trying to figure out the beef with these tires? How many US manufactures put an 80,000 mile tire on a vehicle OEM? Sure, they may not be the greatest at everything, but I applaud smart for having the guts to put a high mileage tire on a car from the factory. Anybody remember Ford and the Firestone debacle? I haven't heard of any blowouts or rollovers with a smart yet.....

if you read the reviews of this actual tire at tirerack.com, you'll see these "80,000 mile" tires have a real-world life far short of that.

smart didn't have guts to do this, it was about the $, this is probably the cheaper solution over pirellis, goodyears or the other brands.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by rawlus®

i tend to think the conti's are a substandard tire, not performing great at anything, performing average at everything.

does anyone have a decent guess on when we might see other brands and models offered in the smart OEM sizes? what those other brands and models might be?

is there a USA winter tire spec'd yet?

I have looked at every tire manufacturer site I can think of and have not found anyone except Continental who makes an OEM-size 155/60-15 (front) tire of any type. I’m thinking that M-B has contracted Continental to supply that unique size specifically for the smart (as I think Mitsu contracted with Denso to supply the one-of-a-kind spark plugs). The choice of 175/55-15 rears is pretty thin too (two Contis). Maybe in the future M-B will lean on Continental for 155 and 175 winter tires. The Canadians should start howling in another 4 or 5 months.

Otherwise, for those who are using 5.5J rims, including on the front, Tire Rack lists two 175/55-15 choices:

Pirelli Winter 190 Snowcontrol (Studless Ice & Snow)
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-18 (Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter)

But fat tires on light cars is not the best situation in the snow. For those with 5.5J/175s all around, maybe hanging on to the original front 4.5J/155s is a good idea and better than nothing.

[xcrew229x]

Somebody needs to go take a gander at the skinny all season tires that come stock on other cars in this price range. Steel wheels mostly, and the cheapest tires available that the car will still roll on. The smart will roll thru a 25mph two lane blacktop curve at 50+. I have no complaints.

[bumblebee08]

Originally Posted by rawlus®

if you read the reviews of this actual tire at tirerack.com, you'll see these "80,000 mile" tires have a real-world life far short of that.

smart didn't have guts to do this, it was about the $, this is probably the cheaper solution over pirellis, goodyears or the other brands.

I personally wouldn't give a wooden nickel for a set of Goodyears, I've never had a set last half their expected life, and usually they throb like crazy. Would not consider them a "solution". Pirelli's are good, but I prefer BFG's.

[rawlus®]

whatever the preference, it would be nice to have a choice rather than be forced to work with whatever the manufacturer has determined to be the solution. this will be the first vehicle i have owned where tire choice is restricted to one tire from one manufacturer.

[rawlus®]

and for me personally, IDRGAF about tire life. i care more about tire performance than tire life. for $45 each, i don't need it to last 80K miles, i'd rather it be spectacular for 30K miles.