Continental UHP vs DWS
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
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From: Atlanta, GA area
08 ML63 AMG, 04 E500, 05 SLK350
Continental UHP vs DWS
I've had our used ML63 for about two months now.
I currently have Continental CrossContact UHP which I believe are summer only tires. They work fine here in Atlanta, though I feel they hydroplane a little more easily than I'm use to.
Once a year we will take the ML63 to Chicago area over Christmas. The roads are usually clear, raining, or sometimes get snow storms, but the temperatures are usually almost always at or below freezing.
In my old FX45 I had a set of snow tires and would mount them every year for this trip. I'm thinking of not doing that with the ML63 mostly to save at least $2k on a set of snow tires and rims.
When I replace the tires, should I consider the DWS instead of the UHP? Will I lose a lot of grip? Would they increase the comfort?
I currently have Continental CrossContact UHP which I believe are summer only tires. They work fine here in Atlanta, though I feel they hydroplane a little more easily than I'm use to.
Once a year we will take the ML63 to Chicago area over Christmas. The roads are usually clear, raining, or sometimes get snow storms, but the temperatures are usually almost always at or below freezing.
In my old FX45 I had a set of snow tires and would mount them every year for this trip. I'm thinking of not doing that with the ML63 mostly to save at least $2k on a set of snow tires and rims.
When I replace the tires, should I consider the DWS instead of the UHP? Will I lose a lot of grip? Would they increase the comfort?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 963
Likes: 58
From: USA
CL63 AMG
The stock UHP are junk compared to the DWS. I made the switch last year from UHP to DWS and the car felt like a totally different car.
The car handles better, rides smoother, has much more grip, and absorbs bumps better. Also the tread life is improved as well and you can blast through standing water like its nothing in the DWS. Braking traction is also greatly improved as well on my 08 ML63.
Also, the UHP were 39lbs each, the DWS are only 35lbs each, so you shave off 16lbs in unsprung mass rotating mass by just upgrading tires (where mass reduction makes the most difference). I even tracked my car on the DWS tires and was blown away at the performance for a 540 treadwear tires which wasnt designed for that purpose.
Get them, you will never go back to stock again.
The car handles better, rides smoother, has much more grip, and absorbs bumps better. Also the tread life is improved as well and you can blast through standing water like its nothing in the DWS. Braking traction is also greatly improved as well on my 08 ML63.
Also, the UHP were 39lbs each, the DWS are only 35lbs each, so you shave off 16lbs in unsprung mass rotating mass by just upgrading tires (where mass reduction makes the most difference). I even tracked my car on the DWS tires and was blown away at the performance for a 540 treadwear tires which wasnt designed for that purpose.
Get them, you will never go back to stock again.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 963
Likes: 58
From: USA
CL63 AMG
Yes they are, I have no idea why the UHP hasn't been discontinued yet, it has no positive redeeming qualities compared to the DWS which comes from the same company. DWS is by car the best all around all season tire in the 295/40/20 tire size. They also last a very long time and resist wearing on the inside of the tires more so than the stock tires. You should be able to get a good 30k+ out of them easily.
