Tires FEDERAL or Cooper
Recommend a switch to "Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring" tires. I have a 2011 Tiguan SE. Replaced my stock 17-inch Continentals after 7,500 miles because they were too noisy and I had 2 flats within a month. Did considerable research on all-weather tires before I settled on the Cooper CS5 . . a new unique tread design and rubber compounds. There was a 100% improvement in my SUV's handling, as well as a soft, quiet ride. Now have 54k on this SUV, and my W-rated tires remain almost like new.
I just saw a sedan with this package and it looked like quite an upgrade compared to a regular Focus. Playing around with the configurator it doesn't seem like it is available on the hatch for some reason, but it really changed the character of the sedan. The tires are wide and it looks hunkered down with a restrained body kit.
I've been exceptionally happy with the Cooper RS3 tires on my Focus - I'd take a serious look for your car. They are sticky, quiet and good in the rain.
I am in St. John's, Newfoundland and have Cooper Weather-Master WSC in a 235/55r17. I didn't stud them and they are excellent.
Just replaced the crappy Bridgestones at 37k miles with Cooper CS4 touring, very nice and stable ride, excellent in wet and a good looking tire to boot.
Here are some of the 165/40-16s Federal 595 EVO I just picked up. The wheels are RH Classics 16x7.5 these tires (like most Federals) run a full size wide, so they run like a 175. They also stretch more round, less "quarter pipe" like a Nankang. I'm not a huge fan of the flames, but they ride nice and at least they'll wear off the tread. haha
The federal rsr 595s I'm using on the rse05s hold up much better at the track.
Outperformed my 02 Cooper S at an AutoX event! I'm also talking about in the rain vs other tires I've had. Blows Michelins, Toyos, Pirellis, Goodyears out of the water no pun intended lol. They also seem to handle side/cornering load well. My continentals were cooked after a few track days and spirited drives while these seem fine. No chunking or odd wear patterns on the edge of the tread/sidewall. Any of those who have tracked will know what I'm referring to.
I currently have these tires on my mk2 in 165-45r15 on some porsche phonedials. They are awesome because they exist in sizes that the general population doesn't care about and they are super cheap. The down side..... They have sh!tty grip and the sidewalls are made of spaghetti. They feel like poop in the turns. But hey, for how cheap they are I can't really complain.
these tires ride like ****. obviously. and your roads are no worse than anyone elses.
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