My review of the BF Goodrich KDWS 245/55/18's...

**Neo1130** · 11-13-2009, 12:28 AM

Got them all mounted and balanced today at Costco. Initially they didn't want to install them because of Costco's strict rules on installed "non OEM sized" tires. But I assured that there would be NO problems with rubbing or anything.

On for a drive...

Noise - They are quiet. Not TOO quiet, but quiet enough that on a long road trip, it wouldn't be annoying in the least. They are a tiny bit louder than my Conti's and the MXM4's, but BARELY.

Acceleration grip - Not the greatest out there for acceleration, even in 245 form. My lightly modded Mag used to rip just downshifting into 1st with the old Conti's... The MXM4's hooked up nicely from a dead stop. But the KDWS's? I am not exactly impressed with off the line, immediate WOT acceleration. Also, on the dry roads, when I downshift from 2nd to 1st, I can feel them on the verge of wanting to slip. BUT, with all this said, I have found that the first 500 miles on new tires, don't always have the greatest traction.

Cornering grip - Very nice! I am pleased with the turn in of these tires! They don't feel floaty at all like previous tires I've owned. The car feels more in control than before. Doesn't feel like it wants to be plowing through corners at all. Where you point the wheel is where you go!

Stopping grip - Haven't tested it to the limits yet, but it seems decent. They don't seem to want to follow the grooves in the road as much as the old tires, while under breaking.

Ride quality - At freeway speeds, hitting the little turtles in the road seems like they hardly exist. Smaller bumps are barely noticeable. However, you can definitely tell these tires are a harder compound when coming into something like a driveway. Seems to take bumps well that are smaller than the width of the tire. If it's something larger than the tire width, it is pretty stiff and noticeable.

I haven't tested the rain or snow grip as of yet, but that may change tomorrow. Should snow a little tomorrow, at least enough to make the roads a little slicker than normal. I'll try to update after that...

So far, I'd give these tires an 8 of 10. Just simply because of the out of the pit grip at WOT isn't what I was expecting... Then again, I'd like to break these tires in a bit before I make the final call on that...

**SRTpete** · 11-22-2009, 03:04 PM

A great tire- hard to beat the handling characteristics......wait till they get broken in!

**Neo1130** · 11-22-2009, 09:50 PM

Yeah, I've put 500 miles on the tires so far and they DEFINITELY grip in a cornering aspect... However, their acceleration still lacks... I don't have many mods either! But I am going to blame that on the harder compound... It's expected I guess... Can't have everything!