continental dws versus falken fk 452
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 544
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From: Los Angeles, CA
05.C230K.SS
here's my 2cents. i was running falken fk452 235/35/19 in the front & 265/30/19 in the rear on my 203 with lowered suspension. After about 10k miles, the rears were pretty much slicks and a goner. Performance-wise, they weren't that great because every time it rained, my ESP light would come on. It slipped alot each time i accelerated from 0mph in rainy weather. but when it's dry, the tires aree pretty grippy, as i can corner and drive more aggressively.
Now, i replaced my falkens with the conti dws in the rear, and it's night and day. no more slipping when it rains. idk about tire tread life though. i've had these for less than 1k miles. but i really like these better than the falkens.
my fronts are still falkens. can't really tell you how good they are, but after 10k miles, there aren't signs of wearing yet.
falkens are obviously cheaper than the contis, but you're paying for better quality in the contis. i think it's like $100 or so more expensive but i'd go for contis if you want more sticky tires.
Now, i replaced my falkens with the conti dws in the rear, and it's night and day. no more slipping when it rains. idk about tire tread life though. i've had these for less than 1k miles. but i really like these better than the falkens.
my fronts are still falkens. can't really tell you how good they are, but after 10k miles, there aren't signs of wearing yet.
falkens are obviously cheaper than the contis, but you're paying for better quality in the contis. i think it's like $100 or so more expensive but i'd go for contis if you want more sticky tires.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Witness Protection Program
06 CLK350 -SOLD! 2010 Cadillac SRX Premium Turbo
I have ran both and think they are fairly similar. The advantage to the DWS is it's all season and do wear better than the 452. Rears burning up at 10k could have been a camber issue. Went 28k on the 452's and 31k on the DWS on a staggered setup, but I have a camber kit installed. Either are a pretty good choice.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,054
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From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
its hard to compare since one is all season and the other is a performance tire. If you're looking for a better comparison look for the Continental DW. Or you can try the Hankook V12 evo k110, great bang for the buck. I also like the Yokohama S.drive and I'm on the Bridgestone RE760 right now and I enjoy very much.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 456
Likes: 4
From: Canada
2003 c240 4matic wagon
I have the conti dws on my c240 4matic wagon
have about 3K km on them and im likeing them alot so far quite nice ride have run them in heavy rain and dry city and hwy
very happy so far
have about 3K km on them and im likeing them alot so far quite nice ride have run them in heavy rain and dry city and hwy
very happy so far
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
2001 C240
I plan on installing Conti DWS also on my 2001 C240 that is still on it's factory Michelan tires. I have read the DWS are good for snow anti-lock braking. The original Michelan Energy Plus tires are only good on dry pavement or maybe rain. In snow the anti-lock brakes just keep pulsating for very long stopping distances. Dangerous and scary. And I am not an aggressive driver. There is still ample thread on them at 46000 city miles, but they are almost 10 years old and I think the rubber might dry out or go bad.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,545
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From: Washington DC
1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
continental makes very good tires, the dws is a good all season tire. i've got that on my black wheels but i'm gonna switch them out this summer to michelin ps2, which i would recommend for a good summer performance tire. then i'll get some bridgestone blizzaks on my stock wheels for winter driving. if you have two sets of wheels, definitely use one for summer and one for winter and don't worry about getting all seasons like conti dws. if you want to go for continentals, get the contisport contact, that's what my stock wheels came with the those things grip extremely well. but they absolutely suck in the snow, almost got me in a wreck once
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 250
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From: Charleston, SC
2005 C230K
My mom is the website administrator for Continental Tire North America. They really do make great tires, and are far underrated. Here in America they just don't really get the exposure they should, but Conti's in Europe are like Michelins to us (in terms of popularity) - that's why they're OEM for many Porsches and Ferrari's nowadays, aside from the aforementioned fact that they're great tires! Don't know what size you're looking for, but General also makes some decent tires for how much they cost, like the Altimax HP and Exclaim UHP. General used to be somewhat of a sub-brand of Continental but I think they've kinda separated now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 6
From: Washington DC
1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
My mom is the website administrator for Continental Tire North America. They really do make great tires, and are far underrated. Here in America they just don't really get the exposure they should, but Conti's in Europe are like Michelins to us (in terms of popularity) - that's why they're OEM for many Porsches and Ferrari's nowadays, aside from the aforementioned fact that they're great tires! Don't know what size you're looking for, but General also makes some decent tires for how much they cost, like the Altimax HP and Exclaim UHP. General used to be somewhat of a sub-brand of Continental but I think they've kinda separated now.
