KDWS 245/55 18 Ordered

[nikdfish]

Well, went ahead and got the local Costco tire center to order a set of BFG KDWS 245/55zr18 for my ride (pending the service manager's approval tomorrow). They normally only do original sizes, but final decisions are up to the local service manager. Since these are within 0.3% of the original diameter, with higher load ratings, there shouldn't be a problem.

There aren't any AWD clearance issues during installation, are there? All the posts I've followed here with this size have given me the impression that it should be a no-hassle fitment. If I'm wrong, please straighten me out!

Price on these has gone up since the last time I checked. Total per wheel (incl. mount, balance, road hazard) is $165.99 plus tax (but no shipping).

They also could have done a Micheline Pilot at the original 225/60hr18 fitment for about $17 a tire less (counting the cash card rebate)

Nick

[FloridaRT]

Did you look at Toyo Proxies?

Bob

[06SilverSteel]

you'll be happy with those tires....I ran them for a while on my car. They really stuck to the ground pretty well.

[HERMINIO]

SS, those are the same I bought last year and also from Costco. I'll recommend them to everyone. You will see the difference against OEM's.

[JimTurner]

I posted a poll thread earlier looking for some expert opinions here. I decided on 255/55/18 Proxies 4, but they don't make that size, so I went with the KDWS.

I got 28k miles out of my Conti's, not bad.

The KDWS's slip on the wet streets here in SoCal MUCH easier than the Conti's ever did. Perhaps it's because I have more rubber on the road, and thus, less pressure (same car weight spread over more rubber on ground). Dunno, but the ESP Nanny got me the other day when I got on it around a wet corner. (For those of you who have not experienced the full intervention of the ESP it is really wierd!).

Today on a drive on I5 out of San Diego during the wind events, the car seemed to be more affected by the cross winds than ever before. Not sure if it was the tires, or the first time that I had a 40mph cross wind.

Besides that, I like these tires. Agressive design, and overall better handling than stock.

jimt

[jfan]

You'll appreciate the change. I've put about 30k on my set (same car - same tire combo). It's quite an improvement over the Contis - probably should hsve been the OE tire.

[Tigers]

Do the kdws have alot of road noise? I had heard they are laud

[formerice]

I got 40,000 miles out of those, they got a bit noisey at 40,000 miles and the centers wore out, but they were very sticky and outstanding in the wet. I have the 255/55 KDW2's now and they also are nice. I think the KDWS's are a better tire overall than the KDW2's, but both are outstanding dry or wet.

[MAGNUM8R]

You sure they are not 255/55/18?
I just had a new set put on after over 45K on the NT's.
There is still plenty of tread on the old ones, but the rubber got really hard after so many heat histories from the track.

[Chrisjh]

I am amazed at how much better the KDWS are over the stock rubber. no fit problems at all. They seem to grip better in the wet than the conti's did in the dry.

[JimTurner]

Do the kdws have alot of road noise? I had heard they are laud

Nope, nice and quiet!

jimt

[moparman53]

I had a set and liked the way they rode, but they didn't last me much longer than the Contis. The rears were worn down on the middle treads. I never had more than 36 PSI in them.

[nikdfish]

My KDWS were in today. Getting them on turned out to be a bit of a production.

The Costco guy was getting ready to start when he found that the McGuard lug-nut key was stripped out, apparently at the last tire rotation. Went to the dodge place, parts department didn't have any replacemnts and the part number on the bag wouldn't work to order one. Service department said they could get the lock-nuts off & replace them with standard lug nuts, but their McGuard master set was incomplete and didn't have one to fit. They finally got them off via brute force ...
They didn't charge for removal & replacement with the standards (maybe because they were the last ones to do a tire rotation?)

Back to Costco & got them mounted & balanced. Noticably more meat there than the originals!





Nick

[JimTurner]

I had a set and liked the way they rode, but they didn't last me much longer than the Contis. The rears were worn down on the middle treads. I never had more than 36 PSI in them.

The stock air setting for these tires is 30 PSI. Overinflation can cause the center wearing that you saw. Dunno if 36 is enough to consider being "over inflated" or not.

I was running about 34 in mine stock Conti's. Firmer ride, and even wear until I replaced them.

jimt