Idea tire for fast country back road runs?

[Rod Paine]

I am currently running our 2019 Audi RS 3 on Virginia country back roads, 10am-2pm midweek only,
when these roads are typically vacant and as weather permits. Running Michelin A/S3+ 245/40/18 on
Neuspeed RSe10 18x8.5" wheels and road performance has been very good thus far. What is currently a
better tire now available, since these tires are 2+ year old models.

Tire sources are pretty vague and not very positive about what tire make/model would be a good
upgrade. Current tires have 42,383 miles of which 30,396 have been fast back road runs, ranging an
average of 80-100 miles per run, 3 days a week.

[xeonoex]

I think this is one of the best resources comparing performance tires, though it is track focused:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...-buyers-guide/

Depends on what you're looking for between price, treadwear, and wet performance. Can't really go wrong with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or Continental ExtremeContact Sport for a daily though. They're both great, but the continental will probably save you some money.

[CavEsk1337]

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S gets my vote.

[NapalmEnema]

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S gets my vote.

This is the way.

[Alex D]

I am currently running our 2019 Audi RS 3 on Virginia country back roads, 10am-2pm midweek only,
when these roads are typically vacant and as weather permits. Running Michelin A/S3+ 245/40/18 on
Neuspeed RSe10 18x8.5" wheels and road performance has been very good thus far. What is currently a
better tire now available, since these tires are 2+ year old models.

Tire sources are pretty vague and not very positive about what tire make/model would be a good
upgrade. Current tires have 42,383 miles of which 30,396 have been fast back road runs, ranging an
average of 80-100 miles per run, 3 days a week.

As mentioned the Michelin Pilot 4S works even better than the A/S3+ but not in the cold weather we are about to get for the next 4-5 months.

[xeonoex]

Yeah, PS4S are great, even in wet, but I'm in Texas, so I can't speak on snow or icy conditions. I don't know too much about performance all seasons.

[mqbhskr]

The new (well, new-ish) Pilot Sport All Season 4 has received pretty much universally rave reviews. I've been using them for the last 1.5 years (after a decade+ on Conti DWS06 and its predecessors), and I like them as well. If you're running the A/S3+ today, going to PSAS4 seems like the obvious/logical/safe choice.

[o1turbo30v]

Do you need/want all seasons? If not, dump the all seasons and get some dedicated summer and winter tires. Summers. either the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or the new Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02. Winters, Pirelli Sottozero 3's, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, or Bridgestone Blizzack LM32's. All seasons arent really all that great at anything.

[Potatohead_RS3]

Do you need/want all seasons? If not, dump the all seasons and get some dedicated summer and winter tires. Summers. either the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or the new Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02. Winters, Pirelli Sottozero 3's, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, or Bridgestone Blizzack LM32's. All seasons arent really all that great at anything.

Interesting. Didn't know this tire existed.

[Roadtrippn]

I've been running a square setup with the 255/30ZR-19 Conti extreem contact sports, they are a pretty great tire and i have no complaints. I don't track the car, yet at least, but will report back when i do!

[Hollingsworth]

For a summer tire, check out the new Continental SportContact 7. In all the test reviews, it performs equal to, and in most cases better, than the Michelin 4s for dry handling and braking. The big deal though pertains to wet handling & braking - this new Continental completely destroys the Mich 4s and other UHP summer tires. It sets a totally new standard for wet performance by a summer tire.

It has been out in Europe for about 1.5 yrs and has been slow to make it to the states. Currently, Tirerack only has it in a couple of 21" sizes. Hopefully we will see it soon.

[Potatohead_RS3]

For a summer tire, check out the new Continental SportContact 7. In all the test reviews, it performs equal to, and in most cases better, than the Michelin 4s for dry handling and braking. The big deal though pertains to wet handling & braking - this new Continental completely destroys the Mich 4s and other UHP summer tires. It sets a totally new standard for wet performance by a summer tire.

It has been out in Europe for about 1.5 yrs and has been slow to make it to the states. Currently, Tirerack only has it in a couple of 21" sizes. Hopefully we will see it soon.

Tire choice in Europe is immensely better than here, it sucks. They're on the Goodyear Asymmetric 6 or something for example and we're still on the two or three. Winter tires are like that too. I doubt we will get the SC7 here because we have the ECS02 instead.

[ketchupfreak]

You mentioned you only drive when weather permits so I'll throw in Hankook RS4. They are great for canyon roads and even track use but will last longer than A052 and RT660.

[paNX2K&SE-R]

Hey Rod, do you still do your runs in the winter/cold weather? If so then you might want to stick with an all season ultra high performance tire. The Conti DWS06 is a great choice along with the BFG G Force Comp 2 A/S, both are cheaper than the excellent Pilot Sport All Season 4.

If you want to step up the grip in warmer temps then the Conti ECS is great if you still want them to last a couple of seasons, maybe 20k miles. If you want to join the 200tw club I like the RS4 a lot, and you can still get 10k miles out of them if you're not too aggressive.

I do about 5000 miles a year running the mountain roads of NC/SC/VA/KY/WV and have personally run both the RS4 and ECS on my Miata. I can get 2 seasons out of the ECS, and one season out of the RS4. I use the G Force Comp 2 A/S on my daily driver VW awd turbo wagon.

[Rod Paine]

paNX2K&SE-R,
The tires I've been running are All Weather tires, 245/40/18 size necessary to deal with
back road surface defects, which the original 235/35/19 did not survive! Current tires
have 42,481 on them of which 30,586 miles have been fast country back road mileage.
New Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 245/40/18 going on this week, also mounted on Neuspeed
RSe10 18x8.5 wheels. My experience with Neuspeed wheels over the past 40 years
has been excellent. Can't say the same about other brands over this lengthy period!

My PHOTO GALLARY shows these wheels, FYI.

[RMode]

paNX2K&SE-R,
The tires I've been running are All Weather tires, 245/40/18 size necessary to deal with
back road surface defects, which the original 235/35/19 did not survive! Current tires
have 42,481 on them of which 30,586 miles have been fast country back road mileage.
New Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 245/40/18 going on this week, also mounted on Neuspeed
RSe10 18x8.5 wheels. My experience with Neuspeed wheels over the past 40 years
has been excellent. Can't say the same about other brands over this lengthy period!

My PHOTO GALLARY shows these wheels, FYI.

Pilot Sport 4S are not all season tires, they are summers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rod Paine]

RMode,

You are correct! Too much tire nominclature in my recent purchase!

They are All Season 4

[sal11585]

Pilot sport 4 all season if you need tires that work in cold weather also. I have been using as3+ and now as4, in the past, I used pilot sport super sports and 4s summer tires. I think the as3+ and new as4 are 85% of the performance but work in all temps