Getting some new shoes(tires) for the '97 A8 - Conti's or Kumho?

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Feb 15, 2007 | 09:37 AM

brittcrowell

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Getting some new shoes(tires) for the '97 A8 - Conti's or Kumho?

I got the car two years ago and it had Conti SportContacts. Two looked brand new and the other two looked really good. Well 40,000 miles later its time for some new shoes. Haven't looked around town yet since I'm in CO on business. But been looking on TireRack. I'm back in college and closely approaching and empty wallet every day. The A8 only has 16" rims.
I'm looking at the Kumho Solus KH16 for $65 which I can get road hazard on.
Or the Continental ContiPremierContact for $84 no road hazard available.
I'm not much worried about the snow living in Bama these days and I'm mostly interested in a nice smooth quiet ride.
So what you guys think?

Thanks
Britt

Feb 15, 2007 | 09:47 AM

jazbo123

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Take a look at Sumitomo HTRH4 ($59US in your size)

I have 17s on my 98 and they are really quiet (and were pretty inexpensive). They don't handle as well as Mich Pilots though...

One caveat. My 17s are pretty quiet, but some of the Tire Rack reviews actually say they are noisy (not my observation). Maybe it's size related.

Feb 15, 2007 | 10:52 AM

KYNZ

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check out the hankooks too. cheap tire but great quality.

Feb 15, 2007 | 02:35 PM

Acceler8

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If cooper tires are available to you, give them a shot.

Feb 16, 2007 | 04:16 AM

MercutioATC

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ContiExtremeContact

They're a little more expensive, but I love them on my '01 S8.

Feb 16, 2007 | 04:36 PM

TSHong

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From: Atlanta, GA

Between the two, the Conti's. Khumos are entry level tires.

Feb 17, 2007 | 12:41 PM

graham42

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Just put the Kumho Solus 16's on my '97 300 miles ago. So far so good.

The KH16's appear to be a phenominal tire for the money. Read the reviews for this tire on Tire Rack, people LOVE them. You can't beat the price. My last set were Nitto NT460's and I loved those, but they're not made anymore, so I had to find a replacement. I chose the Kumho KH16's, we'll see how they hold up.

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Feb 19, 2007 | 08:08 AM

brittcrowell

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My dad is pushing some Michelin Symmetrys from sam's club

Total there would be about $500 for the set mounted ballanced, with lifetime rotation and road hazard , blah blah blah. We put two of them on the wifes GranPrix a few months ago and they seem fine but the tread pattern is smaller than that of the Conti's. The groves are bigger.
I'm still trying to decide between the Kumhos and the Conties. Looks like shipped and installed prices are $386 vs $462.
I've had Kumhos on my old 5000TQs before and couldnt say anything bad about them. If i could get 2-3 years and 30K miles out of them , I would be happy I guess.

Britt