Tire newby
#11
AudiWorld Super User
I've read this strategy of summer and winters before, but can't help but wonder about the gap. Could you please discuss further how you suggest dealing with the month or more in late Fall and early Spring in the northern areas when temps don't allow summer tires....do you suggest riding on winter tires on dry, cold (upper 30s/lower 40s) pavement for prolonged periods?
I've done the most performance-oriented UHPAS for most of the year and then studless winters for max capability in the actually snowy months as my solution. I sold an OE set of PSS and installed AS3 for the very reason that I couldn't use them long enough each year and didn't want to ride on studless winters more than needed.
Your thoughts?
I've done the most performance-oriented UHPAS for most of the year and then studless winters for max capability in the actually snowy months as my solution. I sold an OE set of PSS and installed AS3 for the very reason that I couldn't use them long enough each year and didn't want to ride on studless winters more than needed.
Your thoughts?
#12
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Hey Guys,
I have millions of questions, but I'm trying not to ask them all at the same time. I have noticed that my car has somewhat of used up tires. I am not a tire expert and before I go to a shop and get persuaded to purchase a new set of tires. I thought I may ask you guys. I saw these tires on tire rack for a very reasonable price. Sumitomo*HTR A/S P02 (W-Speed Rated)
These seem a little cheap, but reviews and specs show that they are worth it. I am not one to buy cheap with a nice car, but if I could save some money here and still get a good product due to brand name I am definitely willing to purchase these. I would like your guys opinions on these.
I have millions of questions, but I'm trying not to ask them all at the same time. I have noticed that my car has somewhat of used up tires. I am not a tire expert and before I go to a shop and get persuaded to purchase a new set of tires. I thought I may ask you guys. I saw these tires on tire rack for a very reasonable price. Sumitomo*HTR A/S P02 (W-Speed Rated)
These seem a little cheap, but reviews and specs show that they are worth it. I am not one to buy cheap with a nice car, but if I could save some money here and still get a good product due to brand name I am definitely willing to purchase these. I would like your guys opinions on these.
Why do I say this.
1. People here have not tested / used all the tire options out there. No one here who commented probably has tried the tire you asked about
2. People here tend to recommend what they are currently driving - as to validate their own choice / decision
3. Some people here have a healthy obsession with or against certain brands
4. On tire rack you are getting reviews from people who have the tire on their car. Plus you are also getting tireracks objective test results
The tire you asked about - is rated very highly on Tirerack - but per usual people here dismiss it because it is not what they have
Make your own informed choice
Ratings & reviews Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 (W-Speed Rated)
CONSUMER SURVEYS
Based on 74 submissions of our online survey.
Total Miles Reported
296,727
Performance Category Rank
3 out of 26
Would You Buy Again?
Probably
% vs. Best in Category
93%
See All Results for Ultra High Performance All-Season
TIRE PERFORMANCE RATINGS
Average Rating:
4.1 out of 5
WET
Hydroplaning Resistance Wet Traction
8.3 8.3
DRY
Cornering Stability Dry Traction Steering Response
8.5 8.9 8.6
WINTER/SNOW
Light Snow Traction Deep Snow Traction Ice Traction
8.0 7.6 7.3
COMFORT
Ride Quality Noise Treadwear
8.6 8.6 8.0
#13
AudiWorld Member
There is certainly a difference on how to interpret quantitative (large sample survey) vs qualitative data (individual or small group reports). Biases occur in both and agree they should be noted. Inter-rater reliability is one bias in the Tire Rack survey, as the same people are not rating all the tires and we don't know if those who buy Sumitomo have the same evaluation criteria as those who buy Continental, etc. So, all must be taken with a grain of salt from the forum to the survey.
You are right that the Tire Rack experts who conduct those tests have more first hand information than do we, so, let's go to the test!
Quotes from the Tire Rack test....
"The Sumitomo HTR A/S P02's dry performance could best be described as capable, but left the driver wishing for more in all regards after the laps had ended."
"Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 245/40R18 97W)
What We Liked: Good winter weather traction matched with passable dry and wet performance
What We'd Improve: There is some room for improvement almost everywhere
Conclusion: An acceptable, if not category-leading, blend of characteristics"
As they point out, there are clearly better choices.
You are right that the Tire Rack experts who conduct those tests have more first hand information than do we, so, let's go to the test!
Quotes from the Tire Rack test....
"The Sumitomo HTR A/S P02's dry performance could best be described as capable, but left the driver wishing for more in all regards after the laps had ended."
"Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 245/40R18 97W)
What We Liked: Good winter weather traction matched with passable dry and wet performance
What We'd Improve: There is some room for improvement almost everywhere
Conclusion: An acceptable, if not category-leading, blend of characteristics"
As they point out, there are clearly better choices.
Last edited by Sportstick; 05-05-2016 at 07:17 AM.
#14
There is certainly a difference on how to interpret quantitative (large sample survey) vs qualitative data (individual or small group reports). Biases occur in both and agree they should be noted. Inter-rater reliability is one bias in the Tire Rack survey, as the same people are not rating all the tires and we don't know if those who buy Sumitomo have the same evaluation criteria as those who buy Continental, etc. So, all must be taken with a grain of salt from the forum to the survey.
You are right that the Tire Rack experts who conduct those tests have more first hand information than do we, so, let's go to the test!
Quotes from the Tire Rack test....
"The Sumitomo HTR A/S P02's dry performance could best be described as capable, but left the driver wishing for more in all regards after the laps had ended."
"Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 245/40R18 97W)
What We Liked: Good winter weather traction matched with passable dry and wet performance
What We'd Improve: There is some room for improvement almost everywhere
Conclusion: An acceptable, if not category-leading, blend of characteristics"
As they point out, there are clearly better choices.
You are right that the Tire Rack experts who conduct those tests have more first hand information than do we, so, let's go to the test!
Quotes from the Tire Rack test....
"The Sumitomo HTR A/S P02's dry performance could best be described as capable, but left the driver wishing for more in all regards after the laps had ended."
"Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 245/40R18 97W)
What We Liked: Good winter weather traction matched with passable dry and wet performance
What We'd Improve: There is some room for improvement almost everywhere
Conclusion: An acceptable, if not category-leading, blend of characteristics"
As they point out, there are clearly better choices.
I do agree with Maverick to look at tireracks results but I would also add that they should be taken with the same grain of salt as those of us forum members With Tireracks consumer results, you have no idea 1. If they are reviews written by a consumer or a supporter of that tire company and 2. What the consumer is comparing the tire to (usually their worn out OEM tires that can perform very crappily at the end of their life.).
Additionally, Tireracks own professional testing of the tire has been putting the tire against other bargain tires, not higher end tires so the results of that test should be taken as what it is and not be reflective as to how this tire performs against benchmark all seasons like the AS3 and the DWS. Their testing is also very brief. It is not a long term test so how the tire performs at half-life is not assessed.
I've made this mistake before. Tirerack was all the rave about the Hankook v12 as such an incredible bargain tire but when you actually compare it against tires I had bought and used before (BS S03 and S04, PS2, PSS, and even RE760) the tire was not in the same league. I prefer even the budget friendly RE760. What was interesting is just how much the performance fell off after 5K miles whereas the PSS was performing excellent after 18K miles with plenty of life left.
For the AS tires, there are some really great options out there that are universally praised for not much more coin. Some lean a bit more towards better winter capability with less summer performance (DWS) and others may be more summer performance oriented and have less snow capability (AS3).
Mike
#15
I stand by my recommendation to go with the Michelin Pilot Sports. Look at Tire Rack and you will see that they are always the highest rated tire in their category, both by customers and experts.
#16
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There is certainly a difference on how to interpret quantitative (large sample survey) vs qualitative data (individual or small group reports). Biases occur in both and agree they should be noted. Inter-rater reliability is one bias in the Tire Rack survey, as the same people are not rating all the tires and we don't know if those who buy Sumitomo have the same evaluation criteria as those who buy Continental, etc. So, all must be taken with a grain of salt from the forum to the survey.
In addition, Tire rack, by virtue of offering a MUCH larger sample size of reviews removes a lot - albeit not all - of the bias in rating tires. Big different when you have 50, 100, 200+ reviews per tire vs 3 people here having driven it. When a large number of people rate the tire in terms of specific characteristics, individual bias is mainly eliminated. The power of large vs small sample sizes
So to me, that says some tires tested better - so no argument there. How much better is not mentioned so we can dismiss your "clearly better choices". The bottom line is this - Tire rack's test showed this was an acceptable tire with acceptable performance. Now someone can weigh these test results as well as the price of this tire against a tire that performed better and make their own decision.
If the Sumitomo cost $110 a tire and a different tire who tested better costs $200 a tire - someone needs to weigh that with the test results. How much is a difference is there between a 7.12 and 6.85 rating in comparison to the price differential? There are grades of differences and only each consumer can make that decision for themselves of what is most important to them.
Last edited by Maverick61; 05-05-2016 at 10:58 AM.
#17
AudiWorld Super User
There is nothing wrong whatsoever with others here sharing their own experiences and preferences with tires, good or bad. Or for anything else Audi related for that matter. That's why folks come here asking questions and what the forums are designed for. The tire experiences here will relate to specific applications on an A6 whereas Tirerack reviews are made from owners with tires mounted on many different brands and model cars. Tirerack as well as the forums are both sources for information that can aid in making an informed decision. Neither is exclusive.
#18
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For the AS tires, there are some really great options out there that are universally praised for not much more coin. Some lean a bit more towards better winter capability with less summer performance (DWS) and others may be more summer performance oriented and have less snow capability (AS3).
Mike
Mike
Consumer Survey Results By Category
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 2 $200
Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 (W-Speed Rated) 3 $107
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (W- or Y-Speed Rated) 16 $254
Oh yea - that 2,3 and 16 - those are the consumer rankings. So much for the AS3 being universally praised
#19
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If they choose to listen to 1 or 2 people - so be it their choice. But at least they are armed with more information to make an informed decision
#20
I agree - people can share what they want. I want to educate people on the difference between listening to one or two people vs obtaining the input of 1000's of surveys and professional test results.
If they choose to listen to 1 or 2 people - so be it their choice. But at least they are armed with more information to make an informed decision
If they choose to listen to 1 or 2 people - so be it their choice. But at least they are armed with more information to make an informed decision
There is nothing wrong whatsoever with others here sharing their own experiences and preferences with tires, good or bad. Or for anything else Audi related for that matter. That's why folks come here asking questions and what the forums are designed for. The tire experiences here will relate to specific applications on an A6 whereas Tirerack reviews are made from owners with tires mounted on many different brands and model cars. Tirerack as well as the forums are both sources for information that can aid in making an informed decision. Neither is exclusive.