Techy review of Continental Extreme Contact (long)

Island_370

After 22K miles, it was time to replace the stock rubber (Sport tires). Since getting tires here is a bit a challenge and can lead to extended spare tire usage in the event of a flat, I had a set of Continental extreme contact sitting in the garage for a few months. So I had them installed, and since Murphy would have it no other way, it rained for 2 days. New tire with the release agent still on them are SLICK in the rain. But 2 weeks later and they are properly scrubbed in. I kept the fronts at 245, but upsized the rears to 285 to compensate for what I expected to be a lower grip tire. So now the substance….
(note: I am DE guys, so "track" means a track, not 1/2 mile of straight road 50% for the gas and 50% for the brakes )


The single biggest difference is the softer sidewall. The tire also has larger water grooves, so the tread-blocks are less rigid as well. The soft sidewall and more flexible tread-blocks provide all the pros and cons you expect:

Pros----
Smoother ride for the same tire pressure, quieter ride, less tramlining, better fit on the rears, great wet traction (partial improvement due to the wear bars showing stockers), slightly more compliant rear over bumps and cheaper

Cons---
Less crisp turn-in, greater slip angle, feeling of slightly less grip

Summary. The Pros definitely have it. I am happy with the tire choice. If you have a decent amount of track time, you can drive around most of the cons. A little more initial steering input can compensate for the loss of crispness on turn in. Some experience with the tires will let you get used to the greater the slip angle, the overall grip level feels the same (street assessment only—sadly…no track time). The greater slip angle gives an initial feel of lower grip, but once you get used to it, the final grip level is there (for those who have done it, it is like running Hoosiers for the first time…the more you push, the more grip you find). You need to be careful, you need to be very VERY smooth if you want to get near 9/10th (you should never, NEVER go near 10/10th on a street <dismount soapbox>). The sidewall flex and the tread-block flex add to the momentum of the car and can swing you past the limits of the tire.
For those that want to improve the turn-in crispness, a pound or two of additional tire pressure will help. You will sacrifice some ride comfort with the higher pressures. Not sure what the long term impact on wear is. It should not have a big effect, but only time will tell.

__________________
Autobahn Country Club (North and South Tracks), Blackhawk Farms, Grattan, Gingerman, Mid-Ohio, Putnam Park, Road America, Sears Point, Thunderhill, VIR and "The Ring"

kenchan

also add to the pro's that the same tire size in ExtContact DW are 5-6lbs lighter in weight vs the RE050A's.

this is very noticable in the braking capacity.

Red__Zed

Interesting take.

cossie1600

tire compound makes more of a difference than weight on braking, its a 340 treadwear tire for crying out loud

kenchan

dwntwnall4u

Would upgrading the sway bars help compensate for the softer side walls?

__________________
Working my *ss off for a GTM Rotrex SC to go with my 2006 URD Rotrex SC 4x4 Tacoma.

SPOHN

Unless you mount them to the tires thereself, no it wouldn't help though. Can't really compensate for that.

__________________

kenchan

yah, as SPOHN mentioned swaybars wont help. but using higher psi will a little bit.

im currently using 38psi on these tires. still very smooth. going to use 36-37 in the summer time. it's still kinda chilly where im at.