Any experiance with Firestone - FIREHAWK AS V2 ?

[SDF1]

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for budget tire but still safe and comfortable (noise level)
I've been recommended to look at Firestone - FIREHAWK AS V2, they tell me it is based on the Conti DWS06 but improved. They are 605$ installed at Costco, they are running a 110$ special.

I will NOT touch Conti DWS06 with a 1000ft pole. My first set after 2nd year would not balance even with force balancing and force matching by removing tires from rims and Conti gave me a completely new set. I decided to check the Rims, found one that was bent and got used OEM rims that I checked were straight and mounted it on them, 2 years later... same issue. Steering wheel vibrates and noisy. Sorry had to rant.

Other than that I'd have to bite the bullet and 2nd recommended option was the Micheline Defender 2 for 1000$

[Audibot]

What size tires you looking for? Any performance requirements? (ultra high perf all season vs a touring tire?)

I've personally had my own bad experience with the original DWSs. 3 of the 4 tires were from same batch and had sidewall cracking/failures. Conti blamed me for riding them with too low pressure (I was at 42 psi each).

That said, just got a set of wheels with a set of DWS06 mounted and swapped them on. So far they are pretty good, but noisy on concrete. Too few miles to tell.

Also I just got a set of Bridgestone Potenza summers from Tire Rack on closeout for <$700 (they were 2020 date code). Might be able to find some good ones on closeout.

[SDF1]

What size tires you looking for? Any performance requirements? (ultra high perf all season vs a touring tire?)

I've personally had my own bad experience with the original DWSs. 3 of the 4 tires were from same batch and had sidewall cracking/failures. Conti blamed me for riding them with too low pressure (I was at 42 psi each).

That said, just got a set of wheels with a set of DWS06 mounted and swapped them on. So far they are pretty good, but noisy on concrete. Too few miles to tell.

Also I just got a set of Bridgestone Potenza summers from Tire Rack on closeout for <$700 (they were 2020 date code). Might be able to find some good ones on closeout.

Looking for 225/50/17. Requirements, all season I live in Charlotte so we get snow... for 2 days a year... lol
I just want something that will last 40,000miles and work well during heavy rain and quiet.

The DWS06 is very loud on concrete. I typically drive from Charlotte to Charleston and the speed of traffic is ~85MPH and it gets very loud.

[Audibot]

Have you considered the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+? They are on promotion right now, and you can get both an instant and mail-in rebate to reduce the price to <$700 with a 50k warranty. Haven't driven on these though.

Another option is Vredestein Hypertracs. They have a 100 day trial period which is nice, in addition to an 8-year, 50k mile warranty. I tried these out on my TDI but swapped them solely for the mpg hit. But for the conditions I was driving in (spirited), they did not really feel inferior to the Pilot Sport All Season 4s I have. They were nice and quiet on both concrete and asphalt. And a set of 4 is <$630.

[SDF1]

Have you considered the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+? They are on promotion right now, and you can get both an instant and mail-in rebate to reduce the price to <$700 with a 50k warranty. Haven't driven on these though.

Another option is Vredestein Hypertracs. They have a 100 day trial period which is nice, in addition to an 8-year, 50k mile warranty. I tried these out on my TDI but swapped them solely for the mpg hit. But for the conditions I was driving in (spirited), they did not really feel inferior to the Pilot Sport All Season 4s I have. They were nice and quiet on both concrete and asphalt. And a set of 4 is <$630.

So these are my options. hummm


FIREHAWK AS V2 225/50R17 98W XL BL ALL SEASON TIRE = 606$ Installed

BRIDGESTONE - POTENZA RE980 A/S PLUS - 225 /50 R17 98W XL BSW = 821$ Installed

Yokohama AVID ASCEND GT Touring Radial Tire-225/50R17 94V = 760$ Installed

[kwilson]

I'd skip Firestone. My experience is that they are generally cheap, crappy tires with a ton of road noise.

[Theiceman]

I'd skip Firestone. My experience is that they are generally cheap, crappy tires with a ton of road noise.

sorry I just can't agree with this. I run firestone Firehawk Indy 500s on my Porsche and they are a great tire..
I think it is unfair and inaccurate to generlize an entire brand.

in general all tires become more noisy once you pass the 50% wear threshold. some good tires mentioned here..

I also ran the 970s and felt them a decent tire ( old tech now ).



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[bb-tt]

sorry I just can't agree with this. I run firestone Firehawk Indy 500s on my Porsche and they are a great tire..
I think it is unfair and inaccurate to generlize an entire brand.

in general all tires become more noisy once you pass the 50% wear threshold. some good tires mentioned here..

I also ran the 970s and felt them a decent tire ( old tech now ).



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^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^

run the indy 500s on my avant great wet traction, allot cheaper than other options, and last twice as long. Used to run the pole positions on the TT they were a decent tire also but the indy's are allot cheaper price wise but not performance wise

[SDF1]

Still researching!
My requirements. Must be sold by either Costco or Discount Tire. Best two for warranty and service. So I'm looking at what they carry


PIRELLI - CINTURATO P7 ALL SEASON PLUS - 225 /50 R17 94V SL BSW = 601$ BUT they are SL not XL.
Maybe (Not confirmed) Sale - Cintuarto Weatheractive and Scorpion Weatheractive - 8/14/23 through 8/20/23 110$ off
TireRack -> Wet 9.0, Comfort 9.1, Winter 7.7

FIREHAWK AS V2 225/50R17 98W XL ALL SEASON TIRE = 606$ Installed

Yokohama AVID ASCEND GT Touring Radial Tire-225/50R17 94V = 760$ Installed
TireRack -> Wet 9.0, Comfort 8.5, Winter 7.4

Bridgestone - TURANZA QUIETTRACK - 225/50R17 = 802$ Installed
TireRack -> Wet 8.9, Comfort 8.9, Winter 7.5

BRIDGESTONE - POTENZA RE980 A/S PLUS - 225 /50 R17 98W XL BSW = 821$ Installed
TireRack -> Wet 9.1, Comfort 8.9, Winter 7.4

PIRELLI - P ZERO AS PLUS 3 - 225 /50 R17 98W XL BSW = 843$
Maybe (Not confirmed) Sale - Cintuarto Weatheractive and Scorpion Weatheractive - 8/14/23 through 8/20/23 110$ off
TireRack -> Wet 9.1, Comfort 8.9, Winter 7.4

Maybe (Not confirmed) Sale - Sunday Morning
MICHELIN - DEFENDER 2 - 225 /50 R17 98H XL BSW = 847$
TireRack -> Wet 8.9, Comfort 9.0, Winter 7.7


Sooo many options :/

[Theiceman]

warranty and service is a bit of a built in paranoia IMO .. i dont think ive even a flat in 40 years of buying tires.. dont get side tracked..

but of those i would like pick the Potenzas, as i have a good history with them

but it is personal choice.

[Audibot]

warranty and service is a bit of a built in paranoia IMO .. i dont think ive even a flat in 40 years of buying tires.. dont get side tracked..

but of those i would like pick the Potenzas, as i have a good history with them

but it is personal choice.

One of the lucky ones! I got a screw in my tire less than 1 week after my PSAS3s were on dropping off a friend in Baltimore. And more than once have had improper valve stem install causing slow leaks.

I agree tire warranty is an issue. Tire Rack has been great with warranty responses (whichever 3rd party they go thru) and with remote deposit, zero issue getting that check deposited. That said, that Costco customer service is something else.

[SDF1]

Thank you!
Any tires that you'd recommend to stay away from? To reduce my list? lol

Right now I'm thinking it's between these two. Only reason i don't jump for Pirelli is they are SL not XL load rating.

PIRELLI - CINTURATO P7 ALL SEASON - 225 /50 R17 98H XL BSW JA = ~8xx$ Installed
8/14/23 through 8/20/23 110$ off - Maybe

BRIDGESTONE - POTENZA RE980 A/S PLUS - 225 /50 R17 98W XL BSW = 821$ Installed

[WHT13AR]

I think I'm putting Nexen tires on my car. 2 year or 3/32“ free replacement. About 850 mounted/balanced for 255-40-19.

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[SDF1]

What about the BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT?

[Audibot]

What about the BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT?

Those (in diff size) are actually the tires I got for my RS. Price is great for a set of 4. That said, these are summer tires (you specified all seasons above), and treadwear seems to be the major complaint on these (you are unlikely to get those 40k miles). If this is your daily driven car, I don't think these are going to be the tires you want.

Additionally, I don't know how many days out of the year the temperature gets in the 40s or below in your area, but you will either mess up or wear down these tires very quickly if you are driving them in those conditions.

[SDF1]

At night in "winter" it gets 30-40s but during the day its in 50-60s. I've never had summer tires, do at 40s and below these tires aren't safe?
I put on 15k miles a year. I don't do that many miles on the car anymore but when i do drive it, I have a heavy foot :)

They are on tirerack for a steal 350$ for the set! that's the only reason i was considering them.

[SDF1]

So back to the following options

BRIDGESTONE - POTENZA RE980 A/S PLUS - 225 /50 R17 98W = 810$ Installed
or
Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus 3 All Season 225/50R17 98W XL = 725$ Installed

[A4B8 2.0tfsi]

Can you even decide to turn left or right in an intersection? Just pick a tire and be done with it. Buy cheap or expensive. Read tire reviews on the matter, instead of asking for advice from a couple of people on a forum. All seasons suck for the majority of the time, compared to the correct tires for the season, so just be done with it. Make a choice and move on.....

[eljay]

So back to the following options

BRIDGESTONE - POTENZA RE980 A/S PLUS - 225 /50 R17 98W = 810$ Installed
or
Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus 3 All Season 225/50R17 98W XL = 725$ Installed

I don't have recent experience with Bridgestones, but I'd give them a try.
The Pirellis are excellent tire. They do everything well, except.... they don't last. My P Zero AS+ lasted 23k kms on my B6 Avant and it most definitely wasn't my driving as the Costco tire center manager admitted seeing them last about what I got out of them. When I went to Costco to get warranty as they were guaranteed for 80k, I got the runaround that I wasn't coming in to rotate them as required by the warranty since I change my winter wheels/tires at home. So, I got nothing out of them.
I now run Indy 500 for summer and Michelin winters.

[SDF1]

I don't have recent experience with Bridgestones, but I'd give them a try.
The Pirellis are excellent tire. They do everything well, except.... they don't last. My P Zero AS+ lasted 23k kms on my B6 Avant and it most definitely wasn't my driving as the Costco tire center manager admitted seeing them last about what I got out of them. When I went to Costco to get warranty as they were guaranteed for 80k, I got the runaround that I wasn't coming in to rotate them as required by the warranty since I change my winter wheels/tires at home. So, I got nothing out of them.
I now run Indy 500 for summer and Michelin winters.

Wait a second... there is a 80k guarantee?? So if they did wear up by 23k they'd give a new set???

[eljay]

Wait a second... there is a 80k guarantee?? So if they did wear up by 23k they'd give a new set???

No.
See here: https://www.pirelli.com/tires/en-us/.../tire-warranty

[SDF1]

ORDERED
Potenza RE980 A/S Plus - 225 /50 R17 98W XL BSW => 780$ installed :)

Now I have to find an alignment shop as the car pulls to the left. Discount tire does alignments now for 89.99$ Can they do my Audi A4 B8 2009 2.0T?
Audi Dealership wanted 299$...VW is 99$ but said they dont have equipment to calibrate steering wheel anymore for Audis...

[Audibot]

ORDERED
Potenza RE980 A/S Plus - 225 /50 R17 98W XL BSW => 780$ installed :)

Now I have to find an alignment shop as the car pulls to the left. Discount tire does alignments now for 89.99$ Can they do my Audi A4 B8 2009 2.0T?
Audi Dealership wanted 299$...VW is 99$ but said they dont have equipment to calibrate steering wheel anymore for Audis...

Yes they can. Do note they will not adjust the subframe like Audi, but will adjust camber and toe to spec as best they can.

[SDF1]

Yes they can. Do note they will not adjust the subframe like Audi, but will adjust camber and toe to spec as best they can.

My concern is I have dynamic steering so I might have to reset the servo on my own with VCDS.


Called back Audi.
189$ Basic Alignment
289$ Because you have lane assist... No I don't I have lane detect but they said sorry it needs to be recalibrated...LOL

Also they won't adjust the subframe. That's an extra 190$.

So total would be 289$ + 190$ = 479$
I think they are nuts.

[SDF1]

Looks like my front is off.

[SDF1]

Should I get special tools/dealership to adjust my Camber (Subframe adjustment) or do you guys think it's ok?

[Theiceman]

i didn't think front camber was adjustable on this car ? lid be curious what after numbers look like

[SDF1]

i didn't think front camber was adjustable on this car ? lid be curious what after numbers look like

They are "adjustable" by moving the subframe. Video => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GigBps_Ijz8, -1.8 and -1.1. Essentially I'd be moving everything "right" by .7, so i'd end up with -1.1 and -0.04... hopefully lol

[Theiceman]

They are "adjustable" by moving the subframe. Video => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GigBps_Ijz8, -1.8 and -1.1. Essentially I'd be moving everything "right" by .7, so i'd end up with -1.1 and -0.04... hopefully lol

yes of course.. but that isn't really a camber adjustment in my mind . that's messing with the frame, that will move both sides. not really an "adjustment"


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[SDF1]

yes of course.. but that isn't really a camber adjustment in my mind . that's messing with the frame, that will move both sides. not really an "adjustment"


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Do you think I need to ask the shop to do that?

I'm also thinking of asking them to reduce the front toe to zero and the rear tow to .10

[Theiceman]

Do you think I need to ask the shop to do that?

I'm also thinking of asking them to reduce the front toe to zero and the rear tow to .10

i have a feeling shop wont touch the sub frame .. and really they should be doing an inspection of all bushings and components before they even start ..

looking at the numbers your front left is too negative, if they try to move the frame to more positive it will of course move the front right more negative... As its not really an adjustment , it is just about grunting it over a little by loosening the sub frame bolts which i think are TTY .

Could be tricky work if they want to take it on ..

anyone know the specs of front camber and the side to side differencea allowed ?

[eljay]

In my experience with alignments with Audi, VW, BMW, and Mini, that is one job that I will always take to a dealer despite double or triple cost. I've tried independent shops with very good alignment equipment, and none of them got it quite right.

[treginginco]

These tires are a bit pricey, but they are phenomenal in wet weather
Michelin Cross Climate 2.

I have them on my allroad and my Touareg. I simply haven't driven on a better all around tire in all my years.

[bb-tt]

i have a feeling shop wont touch the sub frame .. and really they should be doing an inspection of all bushings and components before they even start ..

looking at the numbers your front left is too negative, if they try to move the frame to more positive it will of course move the front right more negative... As its not really an adjustment , it is just about grunting it over a little by loosening the sub frame bolts which i think are TTY .

Could be tricky work if they want to take it on ..

anyone know the specs of front camber and the side to side differencea allowed ?

i did it on tt took multiple adjustments as it shifted everytime we tightened it back down was a major pita. On the b8 i got the spc adjustable control arms makes life so much easier

[Theiceman]

i did it on tt took multiple adjustments as it shifted everytime we tightened it back down was a major pita. On the b8 i got the spc adjustable control arms makes life so much easier

I was trying be positive so i said tricky instead of pain in the ass.. lol..

but yes, adjustable control arms is the practical answer if you can't find the route cause if it being out.

I never check alignment on my car So i don't have to deal with it lol.

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[SDF1]

These tires are a bit pricey, but they are phenomenal in wet weather
Michelin Cross Climate 2.

I have them on my allroad and my Touareg. I simply haven't driven on a better all around tire in all my years.

Ahhhh looking at the reviews... it does seem like a better tire but less sporty...
They are about the same price...

Michelin CrossClimate 2 OR Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS
several people say it's noisy. So it's off the list phew => https://www.tirerack.com/survey/Surv...irePageLocQty=