TheSamba.com :: View topic - Mark VII tires: best for dry, winter, all weather

Mon May 08, 2023 7:40 pm

I have been a long time VW owner but that is of the air cooled breed. I have been on the same a since '08.

I still have a 71 camp mobile and a 74 convertible bug, but las year I bought a 2016 Golf Sportwagen SEL turbo Automatic FWD.

I am out of my depth here. This is my first post in the water cooled forum.

The issue I am currently having is grip.

The tires it came with have 20000 miles on them and they can't handle the car's power on dry pavement in hard acceleration. They are all over the place in the snow and not much better in the wet.

I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ 225/40ZR18 92Y on stock rims.

I would love the best dry, wet and snow handling, comfort and longevity.
I know I can't have it all in 1 tire. Do I get 2 sets of tires (with the winter set on 15-17 inch rims), or do I focus on overall compromise.

If it is 1 tire for compromise, The most important factor is safety - so a tire that performs well in rain and snow is more important than one that gets me off the line the fastest.

What tires do you recommend for overall?

If I get a second set of rims, I can then have 1 set of tires for performance in the summer and comfort and traction in the winter.

What tire do you recommend for performance?
What tire for comfort and wet traction (likely on a smaller rim)?

Thanks, Brue

Tue May 09, 2023 2:47 pm

I put Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus on our Cayenne and it has been a good all around tire, but it is AWD. On our 2013 Beetle TDI I run a Michelin Pilot Sport 4 A/S in the summer, and Continental VikingContact 7 winter tires in the winter. Both will spin with ease during hard acceleration, I think its just the nature of the drivetrain.

Thu May 11, 2023 11:06 am

2002sportside wrote: I put Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus on our Cayenne and it has been a good all around tire, but it is AWD. On our 2013 Beetle TDI I run a Michelin Pilot Sport 4 A/S in the summer, and Continental VikingContact 7 winter tires in the winter. Both will spin with ease during hard acceleration, I think its just the nature of the drivetrain.

Thanks for the info on tires you were using. And as far as losing traction on hard acceleration, I believe you are correct that it is the nature of this drive train. I am sure there is a tire and suspension set up out there that will reduce this issue. However, that will be at the cost of comfort and traction on wet roads.

Sat Jun 10, 2023 9:22 am

i ran the DWS 06 on my passat wagon and they are a quality tire.
didn't last as long as i would have liked, but phenomenal grip on all surfaces.

i am currently running General Altimax RT43 (made by Conti) on my JSW. they are also a great all season tire and are wearing very well.

Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:30 pm

Michelin are a top line brand, but perhaps biased to low wear.
Tried any Pirelli?

Wed Jul 02, 2025 4:25 am

There is no perfect all season tire. I have run two sets on every car I have owned in my life. "All season" tires are really not very good in any season apart from holding air in my experience.

Way back in '76 I bought my first FWD after owning and driving air cooled VWs. The hype was that FWD was superior for traction... what a load of tripe! Compared to what? Not a rear engine rear drive VW I will tell you that!

I am not at all surprised you have traction issues with a FWD and turbo. So did I with my bone stock '76 Rabbit and when I put a turbo on it the situation did not improve! It would get wheel spin at 70 mph when I pulled out to pass on the highway. With FWD increased torque takes weight OFF the driving wheels. That is just the nature of the beast. You might find a tire that is a little better or you might not. In the end you will just have to learn how to manage the torque.

...or drive around in reverse... I kid you not! That was the only way the Rabbit would come anywhere close to matching my Beetle in fresh deep snow!

Fri Jul 04, 2025 6:27 am

The Germans have another set of winter tyres.
It is probably law in some areas. The shops sell a wheel tote to stack and keep them tidy.
In F1 And rallying tyres are changed to suit conditions to win.
Won't do everything in one tyre or they would use it.
The 4x4 general grabbers are useless on road in the wet useless you enjoy drifting...again a 50/50 tyre.
Wheel alignment has a big influence on grip. Older vw had another set of numbers for sportier drivers.
Weight transfers to the rear on acceleration. Watch the front lift,rear squat down.
You can see old fwd cars parked not moving becoming lower at the back as springs shorten and flatten.
There are no FWD top fuel drag cars.
The material in the carcass like silica is probably different from what we used 20 years ago,
Certainly seem to age quickly today so even if not worn, maybe reduced ...
LSD and traction control helps but you canna change the laws o physics.