Another Tire selection thread - need help!

So I'm finally buying a new set of shoes for the '10 LGT, but here is my dilemma:

1) Don't need much winter traction - live in Richmond VA and the weather here just doesn't get that bad. Already own a set of Blizzak's that I'm prolly going to sell.

2) So much information on this site that I can't sift through it all, and don't trust rec's that are not for this particular car/tire size. But here is what I like need:

I think rain/wet performance is probably more important to me than snow/ice because of my geography.
My commute is about 20 miles each way, 1/2 twisties, and 1/2 highway.
Haven't done the RSB, but want to do it soon, so performance/grip is important.
Don't want to sacrifice too much in the way of treadlife. Used to getting about 30k out of a set of tires....

3) Trying to decide between the following in the std 225/45 R18 size for the '10 LGT:

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Yokohama AVID enVigor
Michelin Primacy MXM4

Always been a big fan of Michelin, but the Pilot series is expensive! Not sure if it's worth $50 per tire more than the Yoko's.

Thoughts anyone?

Any advice?

Thanks,

Mark

I am a huge fan of the ENVigors, but I have no idea how the compare to the Michelin's. They are amazing in the rain so far. I am beginning to find the limit of these tires on dry roads and they are an infinite improvement of the stock Slipstones

If grip is important, the pilot sport is better than the primacy - the primacy is a superior road / touring tire, though.

I would say the Michellin is worth the premium over the yokos for noise reasons alone.

Also take a look at the Bridgestone RE960... by far one of my favorite ultra high perfomance A/S tires for the cost.

Back when I was into BMW, I ran either
Michellin Pilot sport A/S
Pirelli PZero Nero A/S

The Pilot sport a/s had more wet grip, but wasn't as agressive as the pzero in the dry once you had some miles on them. The PZero used to last me longer than the Michellins and Michellins had a tendency to get noisier at the end of their life.

The Bridgestone RE960 A/S is basically the best of both worlds between the the Pilot Sport A/S and the PZero Nero.

Originally Posted by awalegacy

The Bridgestone RE960 A/S is basically the best of both worlds between the the Pilot Sport A/S and the PZero Nero.

The Bridgestone's are also close to twice as heavy as the michelin but has a much stiffer sidewall than the michelin. I just bought the BFGoodrich Comp 2's and I'm very happy with them. They are much quieter than the BFGoodrich KDW's I had previously and have good amount of tread on them. I work at Discount Tire Company and have seen the Michelin's and the Bridgestone go through their paces. The michelin is a softer rubber compound which is much better for traction than the Bridgestone but I have found that they wear out faster than the Bridgestone's. The Yoko is relatively new and I havent seen it go through its paces but I'd definitly push sticking towards your other two choices as I have do not like Yoko's personally. Good luck in your decision, keep an eye out for rebates for select tire brands, could also help with the price a little.

I've had both the Pilot Sport A/S Plus (10k miles) and now the Primacy MXM4 (8k miles) on my car (I traded one for the other). The Pilot has better dry grip and offers better 'performance' characteristics but it's a little louder and much stiffer riding. The Primacy has excellent road manners, wet performance, etc. but it is classified as a touring all season tire and not an ultra high performance all season tire. I love the way it rides and it does everything I ask it to do. It's also quieter than the Pilot. To me it feels the Primacy should be more in the high performance category and just isn't classified that way. I would take either tire since I love Michelins -- I've driven most other brands and for me they offer the best balance and quality. Expensive, yes, but worth it to me. It mostly depends on your driving style.

Originally Posted by dew2far

I've had both the Pilot Sport A/S Plus (10k miles) and now the Primacy MXM4 (8k miles) on my car (I traded one for the other). The Pilot has better dry grip and offers better 'performance' characteristics but it's a little louder and much stiffer riding. The Primacy has excellent road manners, wet performance, etc. but it is classified as a touring all season tire and not an ultra high performance all season tire. I love the way it rides and it does everything I ask it to do. It's also quieter than the Pilot. To me it feels the Primacy should be more in the high performance category and just isn't classified that way. I would take either tire since I love Michelins -- I've driven most other brands and for me they offer the best balance and quality. Expensive, yes, but worth it to me. It mostly depends on your driving style.

+1. I'm going mxm4 as soon as the sh*tstones wear out. Yoko are generally harder and noisier expecially when they get some wear. Not bad tires but Michelin is the best. Since you are expecting 30k out of a set have you thought about Michelin super sports? They are the best rated tire in the summer performance category they also have a 30k tread wear warranty. Keep in mind that you have to live with whatever tires you choose for quite awhile. Choose wisely grasshopper.

Originally Posted by Jace2010LGT

+1. I'm going mxm4 as soon as the sh*tstones wear out. Yoko are generally harder and noisier expecially when they get some wear. Not bad tires but Michelin is the best. Since you are expecting 30k out of a set have you thought about Michelin super sports? They are the best rated tire in the summer performance category they also have a 30k tread wear warranty. Keep in mind that you have to live with whatever tires you choose for quite awhile. Choose wisely grasshopper.

Yokos were good about 15 years ago then went through a bad stretch. Don't know if it was ownership, design or what. They probably have some good ones in their lineup, but it would take some research.

Thanks a ton everybody - I'll probably push a little on price on the local dealers to see if I can get a price match deal...and then pull the trigger next week.

I'll post my impressions once I have the new shoes on...

Originally Posted by mwh2009

I think rain/wet performance is probably more important to me than snow/ice because of my geography.
My commute is about 20 miles each way, 1/2 twisties, and 1/2 highway.
Haven't done the RSB, but want to do it soon, so performance/grip is important.
Don't want to sacrifice too much in the way of treadlife. Used to getting about 30k out of a set of tires....

It's hard to see the Pilot Sport A/S+ tires not fitting your criteria the best from among what you've narrowed your choices down to. The MXM4's aren't going to be as responsive (read enjoyable), and consensus seems to be that they aren't nearly as good in the wet as the PS A/S+.

The PS A/S+ is claimed to be a 500-treadwear tire, and I'm sure you'd get well over 30k miles. I drive pretty hard a lot of the time (no matter what car I'm in) and I can count on getting 25,000 miles out of only 220-ish treadwear tires. So if you're not getting at least 8000 miles per 100 treadwear, you're either doing something awfully wrong or there's some autocross or track day use in there somewhere.

I'm in NJ and the PS A/S+ have been the LGT's "cold weather tires" for about the last 1.5 winters (mounted on 18x8 wheels, for whatever that's worth).


Even though it's not on your list, another tire that I'd recommend is Bridgestone's RE970AS Pole Position. This tire appears to be a significant evolution of the RE960AS PP tire (mentioned earlier in this thread). I have the 960's on one of my other cars, and as good as they've been for about 30,000 miles so far, you might as well make the step up now.



Norm

I'd get a set of Hankook summer tires and cash in the $80 rebate. http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...s+V12+Evo+K110

I wish someone can run a similar analysis of everything discussed here in winter time when it snows.

Originally Posted by seiyafan

I wish someone can run a similar analysis of everything discussed here in winter time when it snows.

All of the above mentioned tires will get you through light snow with careful driving and moderate snow with extra careful driving.


None of them will be stellar winter performers.


The best out of this bunch in the snow would be the Primacy MXM4.

Ultra high performance all seasons just weren't designed to see winter conditions often. Their priorities are as follows.

Summer
Rain
Light snow


If you are wanting snow performance, you need to look for a true all season - which will give up performance and responsiveness during the other 3 seasons.

Many have recommended the Front Runners: Michelin, Yokos, etc. Take a look at Cooper ZEONS
Cooper Zeon RS3-A™.....

Made in the USA (Ohio). Highly rated by Consumers Reports. Google the reviews and you will be surprised by the posted great reviews. I purchased the Subbie Limited Wheels from a forum member and have ordered these tires @$119 per mounted and balanced (that's half the price of Michelins - which are made in CHINA) to go on the 17" wheels (225/50/17).


For what it's worth....Good Luck. I do agree the amount of info is maddening but Tire Rack reviews help (they DON'T carry Coopers - so there are no reviews or comparisons).

Michelins are not made in china. Most are made in France and America and a small number are Taiwan. Show me a Chinese Michelin. I've mounted thousands it says right on the sidewall where they are made. Please have some proof before posting such garbage.
That being said cooper has come a long way kinda like Hyundai. Which by the way is made in Korea and the USA not china.
Michelin produces tIres in France, Spain, Germany, the USA, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, Italy and several other countries. The country of manufacture is marked on each tire. Currently, Michelin does not have a manufacturing plant in China, although they have negotiated with a Chinese tire manufacturer (Warrior Tires.)

This is from 2010 but it may be helpful for those concerned where the tire comes from..

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...were-made.html