I've got to replace the stock Conti's on my A4.

I'm looking at Pirelli's (P7000SS) or Dunlops (Sport 8000) in 225/50 16.

Any ideas better than this

Ray

My brother bought a set of these in 225/45ZR17 size to mount on his new '99 BMW 323i less than a year ago. About a month ago, after less than 18,000 miles, he dumped the Pirellis because of excessive noise. They were fine in the beginning, but the problem became bad for the last 2-3 months he had those tires. There was plenty of thread left in them, so I am guessing the noise problem has something to do with the hardening of the rubber compound.

I drove my brother's car just before he switched to S02 PP's, and the car sounded like a truck! The tire roar was very annoying and espacially evident as you slowed the car down to stop. The switch to new tires has made a night-and-day difference and he is happy again with his car. I think my brother's experience is not an isolated case, and manu others have experienced the same problem to some extent with this tire.

The P7000 SS are very reasonably priced and have a long life, but I find them unacceptable due to this experience.

What do you expect from performance-oriented tires. Of course they are going to be louder than stock. IMHO they only get loud above 70 mph... otherwise I don't notice them, and I've put about 15k miles on them.

I have them in 225/45x17. And previously had them in 16's. They're a decent tire. Not at all loud.
Not as sticky as S-02's, but hold the road well.