06 Civic 5MT - Time for tires, 3 to choose from.

[wing0]

Tire size 205/55/16 H rated.
I still have the Goodyear RSA on stock rims, with around 80,000km on them now. They are almost at the wear bar and only dry traction is sufficient.

I am looking for:
- More comfort/less noise
- Good enough treadwear, RSA was rated at 260 and I still got 80k out of them as I tend to drive as smoothly as possible to save the wearable parts.
- Maintain current handling character, don't want too soft sidewall as I sometime do have to drive aggressively to avoid drivers/stuff on the highway.
- Average 32,000km annually. 90% HWY/10% City
- Have snow tires for winter


3 tire choices with $65-70 rebate, all in H rating.

- Michelin Primacy MXV4
Overall good reviews across the board on different sites. Some people mentioned the tires wander on the highway.

- Michelin Defender
Newer tire with not as much reviews on tirerack. Mainly built as T-rated tires, but in my size, there is H rated. Will the sidewall be softer than MXV4 even if it's H rated? I am skeptical of the treadwear claim.

- Continental PureContact
Another new tire with even less reviews and tirerack test shows good wet braking. Claim to have a bit better treadwear than MXV4, but too new to tell. Handling said to be similar to DWS or just a bit worse.

I think Defender sidewall might be a bit soft, or softer than RSA and really not sure if it can go 30k miles above MXV4.
The reviews on PureContact is nice, but I wanted to see the reviews after 30-40k of driving on them.
MXV4 has the most history behind it to back up its claim, but it is the oldest design of the bunch.

For those who has or have tried one or more of these tires, can you do a quick rank and comment for me?

1. Ride comfort/Noise

2. Handling/sidewall firmness

3. Treadwear

Thanks!

 

[bourne]

The RS-As on your Civic are special OEM RS-A tires. They have their own product code and such. Made exactly to Honda's specifications. No matter the treadwear rating, if you compare a regular RS-A tire to the Honda OEM alternative, you will notice that Honda OE tires are almost 6 lbs heavier in the same size, speed and weight rating. I believe Honda asked for a high treadlife tire. Do not pay much attention to the 260 treadwear rating, it doesnt apply to your OEM tires.

If you are looking at MXV4s , I highly suggest you look into some Comfortred Tourings as well.

 

[randomhero439]

Get the Defender, they last forever.

 

[donnyj08]

lately ive been a fan of Sumitomo HTR A/S PO1 tires. they are cheap, ride good and seem to last a good while.

 

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: bourne
The RS-As on your Civic are special OEM RS-A tires. They have their own product code and such. Made exactly to Honda's specifications. No matter the treadwear rating, if you compare a regular RS-A tire to the Honda OEM alternative, you will notice that Honda OE tires are almost 6 lbs heavier in the same size, speed and weight rating. I believe Honda asked for a high treadlife tire. Do not pay much attention to the 260 treadwear rating, it doesnt apply to your OEM tires.

If you are looking at MXV4s , I highly suggest you look into some Comfortred Tourings as well.


I see that there are two 205/55/16 89H on tirerack
Both with 260AA. One at 27lbs and the other at 20lbs.
I assume I have the 27lbs then.

I also looked at the weight of the 3 choices, MXV4 23lbs, Defender 23lbs and PureContact 20lbs.

 

[Doog]

Continental PureContact would be my choice.

 

[DuckRyder]

I have 2 sets of the Primacy MXV4

I'd rate them

1. Ride comfort/Noise. 9.5 Both sets are V rated.

2. Handling/sidewall firmness 8 for ultimate grip, handling is very predictable with smooth breakaway. 8 is probably about as high as I'd rate any grand touring tire.

3. Treadwear UNK neither set has many miles.

They exhibit some nibble on rain grooved pavement which I find typical of tires with straight tread patterns.

YMMV and all that.

 

[renegade_987]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Continental PureContact would be my choice.


+1 on that, I have Continental's on my truck and they seem to be great tires

 

[bruckus]

I would get the Michelin Primacy's MXV4. Have them on 3 of Hondas right now and they are a great tire. They wear good, are quiet, smooth and last a long time. I have 60000 miles on my rsx tires and there is still good rubber left. I personally am done with all other tires. These are great tires.

 

[SatinSilver]

Hankook Ventus V2 Concepts H speed rating from Discount Tire Direct. I picked some up for my Matrix in the same tire size. Very nice esp for the price of $87 per tire.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
lately ive been a fan of Sumitomo HTR A/S PO1 tires. they are cheap, ride good and seem to last a good while.


+1

I am thinking that Sumis are underrated. My HTR T4s have 22k on them, and barely look worn, which for being city driven, is impressive...

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I called TR with that same question and same choices and rep recommended the Primacy MXV4.

 

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
Hankook Ventus V2 Concepts H speed rating from Discount Tire Direct. I picked some up for my Matrix in the same tire size. Very nice esp for the price of $87 per tire.


Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
lately ive been a fan of Sumitomo HTR A/S PO1 tires. they are cheap, ride good and seem to last a good while.


+1

I am thinking that Sumis are underrated. My HTR T4s have 22k on them, and barely look worn, which for being city driven, is impressive...


I am trying to stay away from directional tires so that it is easier to rotate the tires for more even wear.

 

[wing0]

I am debating between PureContact and MXV4 now and noticed that the former has max pressure of 51psi vs latter at 44psi. Also 20lb vs 23lb in weight.

Any significant differences like sidewall firmness and durability/treadwear due to more material because of those figures?

 

[kr_bitog]

I think if you are after long life, Defender is the choice, otherwise can see here to decide
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=166

 

[fdcg27]

Conti Pure or Mich Primacy.
Have a set of each and would recommend either.
These were the number 1 and 2 tires in CR's latest tire test, IIRC.
Both should deliver long life along with decent wet and snow/ice handling.

 

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Conti Pure or Mich Primacy.
Have a set of each and would recommend either.
These were the number 1 and 2 tires in CR's latest tire test, IIRC.
Both should deliver long life along with decent wet and snow/ice handling.


Can you quickly tell me how you feel about the noise and firmness of the sidewall?

Looking at tireack, it shows primacy not doing so well in the wet, is that your experience too?

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: wing0
I am debating between PureContact and MXV4 now and noticed that the former has max pressure of 51psi vs latter at 44psi. Also 20lb vs 23lb in weight.

Any significant differences like sidewall firmness and durability/treadwear due to more material because of those figures?


IF the Continental PureContact is anything like the Continental DWS, the sidewalls are pretty soft, so that 51 PSI rating is needed to stiffen them up. Even the 205/50-16 Conti DWS's on our Fit need lots of pressure with their dinky little sidewalls. The ride is fantastic, though!

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: wing0
...
Looking at tireack, it shows primacy not doing so well in the wet, is that your experience too?


They are perfectly fine in the wet.

You've got to remember there are a lot of tires named MXV4 - I think not everyone is diligent about reporting the correct tire (IE there are NON-Primacy MXV4's reported as Primacy).

 

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: wing0
...
Looking at tireack, it shows primacy not doing so well in the wet, is that your experience too?


They are perfectly fine in the wet.

You've got to remember there are a lot of tires named MXV4 - I think not everyone is diligent about reporting the correct tire (IE there are NON-Primacy MXV4's reported as Primacy).


Yah, like you said, there are many model with primacy in it, but I was more referring to the tirerack test on MXV4 and some of the comments saying that they started using a new material which made it worse or something. It's just so confusing, but my take is that with 15 million miles reported and MXV4 is still doing well. It can't be that bad.