So, wife's driver's side rear tire went flat today. Tires are down below 4/32-inch, which is O.K. for summer, but not for our upcoming winter rain. Trying to decide on the Conti True Contact for $470 out the door, or the General Altimax RT43, which is $120 cheaper. Looking on tire rack at their tests of each tire, in the exact same BMW sedan, the General hit 32.3 mpg and the Cont hit 32.6 mpg. The General is not an LRR, the Conti is. But, between the two, with that mpg, I am thinking the General is a much better buy?? New Tire Tests Show the Quarter Is the New Penny - Car News - Car and Driver
Are you going to be putting a lot of miles on them or do you anticipate replacing tires due to cracking sidewalls before the tread wears out? If cracking, both tires will probably be replaced about the same time. If you use up the tires based on the warranty mileage you'll be paying to replace the Generals at least 15,000 miles sooner than the Contis. Have you factored that into the cost?
Talked to the tire guys today. I got one place to come down an extra $15 -- he first said $10 -- if I said yes, now. I ended up saying yes "now." Total, out the door, no TPMS surcharge, price: $335 for four installed General Altimax RT43 (that includes a $50 rebate, which, of course, I may, or may not, see).
In some ways this is like a PriusChat discussion of 5 (or more!) years ago. A substantial difference in rolling resistance (may or may not be present in this comparison) will save gas money in driving below highway speeds. There, wind resistance is the major factor. Save gas by driving 5 mph slower. Not that you would With any tire you get 'LRR' (and longer tire life) by staying towards the high end of inflation pressures. Perhaps that is still controversial? Main reason for posting is that 3-mm tire wear bars are not your friends. A lot of wet traction is lost below 5 mm. I have always favored keeping wetware alive, and cars uncrumpled, at the expense of a larger pile of scrapped tires and more latex demand. Perhaps controversial as well.
