I'm looking to replace the factory tires that came with my Camry.

I have been getting Conti ExtremeContact DWS for my cars and have been pretty happy with them (wet/dry performance and safety is key; don't care about mileage life).

I was leaning toward them for the Camry but came across the RE980AS as a contender. I used to buy Bridgestones before I moved to the Conti (because I bought a car where Bridgestone didn't have a decent offering for my size).

My hesitation is made in Mexico (vs made in Europe? for the Conti).

Any experiences with the RE980AS?

https://www.tirerack.com/tires...?ttid=230&viewPage=y

I just put these on my Mercedes.
Massive upgrade from the OE Continental summer runflats.

I've had them on less than a month so far, but am very happy with them. They're the #1 rated performance all-season tire on Tirerack.

My other choice was the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+, as we have them on our Flex and they've been great there as well. But the Potenza was around $300 cheaper installed.

Same as you, looked at them then bought DWS06. Conti regularly runs promos in the form of prepaid visa and I combined that with a DT prepaid visa. Very happy with the tires.

Yea - I'm torn between DWS06 (known) and 980AS (sounds incrementally better on paper but new to market; but Bridgestones used to be my go-to before the Conti).

Looking for first hand experiences that break the tie. I may just wait for the Conti rebate (usually good for about $70 on 4).

Trying to decide which tread pattern is more likely to be better on wet. Seems like the DWS would be better against hydroplaning (more evacuation paths and smaller blocks) but the RE980AS has more sipes.

I've yet to experience any heavy rain since getting the Potenza, but they've handled light to moderate rain with no issue.

The summer Contis I had before, weren't even to the wear bars & the can felt very rear light in any rain.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
I've yet to experience any heavy rain since getting the Potenza, but they've handled light to moderate rain with no issue.

The summer Contis I had before, weren't even to the wear bars & the can felt very rear light in any rain.

Can expand on this now, as I got caught in a pretty heavy storm last night on the way home.
Visibility limited speed to about 55mph, but the Potenzas handled the rain very well.
Once it lightened up & visibility improved, 70MPH was no problem either with a moderate/steady rain.

Closer to home, on empty streets, it took near full throttle on damp roads to get some mild break of traction.

So bottom line is solid recommendation for wet traction and hydroplaning?

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
So bottom line is solid recommendation for wet traction and hydroplaning?

No complaints here.

Costco carries them. Just need to wait for Bridgestone rebate.

Adding another experience to these.

Coming home last night, merging of 2 freeways, car drifting into my lane at the merge (each had our own lanes).

Evasive maneuver at ~70mph with no slip. Dry pavement.