Michelin X-Ice Xi3 review

[Drew99GT]

Had these on about 1 month with 2 winter storms and lots of dry highway driving.

Overall, they are a good mix between snow/ice traction and dry handling. The only other tire I can personally compared them to is General Altimax Arctics. I have to say, I was more impressed with the Generals in snowy/wet conditions, especially sloppy wet snow. They're about equal in icy conditions. On dry roads though, the Michelins are better, particularly when temps are above 50 degrees.

One other item to note: I'm getting fantastic fuel mileage with the Michelins. my car usually gets 35 mpg in the summer which drops to low 30s in the winter. I'm getting 34-35 on the dot with the Michelins even in cold weather.

So for my area which has a lot of temperature extremes in the winter, where it can get into the low 60s on a regular basis, but still have the usual 12+ inch snow storm with a few nasty icy events, these are a good mix of dry handling with snow and ice traction.

 

[buck91]

Sounds like they havent changed from the Xice2 I had on my '12 Mustang a few years back.

 

[edyvw]

I was considering them for my wife's Tiguan, but slush is deal breaker.

 

[buck91]

All I'll say was my experience for the Xice is that they were a great snow tire which also drove very well during lack of harsh weather. I had them on my '12 Mustang in west Michigan and they did just fine; never got stuck and was able to easily and safely commute in all weather conditions. Smooth and quiet on the highway. I was VERY happy with them, but insurance "bought" that car off of me before they got a second winter of wear.

Not saying there are not other good choices, but I doubt you'd be unhappy with the Michelins unless you are trying to access terrain best left for a 4x4.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: buck91
All I'll say was my experience for the Xice is that they were a great snow tire which also drove very well during lack of harsh weather. I had them on my '12 Mustang in west Michigan and they did just fine; never got stuck and was able to easily and safely commute in all weather conditions. Smooth and quiet on the highway. I was VERY happy with them, but insurance "bought" that car off of me before they got a second winter of wear.

Not saying there are not other good choices, but I doubt you'd be unhappy with the Michelins unless you are trying to access terrain best left for a 4x4.

I am not saying they are bad. I love their tires and trying to find ever reason to buy X-Ice tires. But I do drive very aggressively, especially in the mountains during snow. I will pass slower cars, and I do not want floating feeling when I hit pile of slush.
Just to be clear, I am not comparing X-Ice to all season tires. When I am talking about their performance I am comparing them with Bridgestone, Continental or Nokian snow tires. I think i might get Latitude X-ice for my BMW since we do a lot of long distance driving and like you said, Michelin is balanced in all conditions. However, those Continental Wintercontact SI look really tempting.

 

[buck91]

Ha, sounds like how I drive! Always tend to spend a little more on tires to make sure I'm good to go

Last year, when I had to drive the '96 year round I picked up a set of almost new Blizzak 245/45r17... We really didn't see much snow that year but one of the few snow storms we did get I made it up to the fire station for a call through probably 8 inches of fresh, thick and wet snow with ZERO problem. I've had other tires on similar cars do as well, but never running that much width. Really made a good impression on me. But like I said, never really got to give them any good tests at highway speeds.

Another tire, a few year back, I ran on a mustang commuting all winter. It was the Hankook iPike W409. Not a record breaking ice tire but holy [censored] did it love going fast through deep snow! I got some stories from that winter

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: buck91
Ha, sounds like how I drive! Always tend to spend a little more on tires to make sure I'm good to go

Last year, when I had to drive the '96 year round I picked up a set of almost new Blizzak 245/45r17... We really didn't see much snow that year but one of the few snow storms we did get I made it up to the fire station for a call through probably 8 inches of fresh, thick and wet snow with ZERO problem. I've had other tires on similar cars do as well, but never running that much width. Really made a good impression on me. But like I said, never really got to give them any good tests at highway speeds.

Another tire, a few year back, I ran on a mustang commuting all winter. It was the Hankook iPike W409. Not a record breaking ice tire but holy [censored] did it love going fast through deep snow! I got some stories from that winter

I run Blizzak's now on both cars (DM-V2 on X5 and WS-70 on Tiguan).
Will see. I might get Xi2 for X5 and see, and if I like it, get Xi3 for wife. She will need tire next winter maybe around December.

 

[360kid]

I've been chasing the highly reviewed winter tires for several past purchases and have usually been disappointed and couldn't figure out why... commenting on the OP comparison to the General Arctics. My newest conclusion is that all of the top rated tires, Xi3, Blizzaks, Conti EWC, etc, are more and more focused on ice traction above all else. Tighter tread patterns and more sipes. This is probably fine for places where icy roads are the norm and/or winter roads are groomed. I feel where these tires are lacking is in snow traction. They favor good ice grip at the sacrifice of snow grip. I mostly drive on sloppy snow, chunky mixed roads. Very rarely is it ice I am dealing with. I've started to go back to some of the more traditional snow tires, deep treads, wide lugs, the tires that don't review well anymore, but I have been a lot happier.

I'm running Hankook I-Pikes on the Odyssey and Firestone Winterforce and they have been the best winter tires I've run in a long time. I think if tire reviewers threw in some deep snow tests, driving on a few inches of slush or 4 - 6 inches of un-plowed roads with tire tracks all over the place, you would see that those top rated studless tires wouldn't do so well.

 

[SHOZ]

Second winter on the Xi3s for my Accent. No problems with snow traction, ice traction, slush is affected by the one size wider than stock size I got.

 

[bilibako2]

My review with Michelin winter tires: x2 and x3..
Both low tire noise,MPG same,put in 1k/month Dec-March.
thread wearing good,my concern will probably use it for 8 to 10 years,age
factor.Feeling good every time snow on the ground that you have the proper tires
Traction,Braking and not feeling your car floating/sliding.To me working in the hospital
that you have to be there no matter what the weather was.FWD/winter tires,to me good combo.
Recommend it to coworkers blank response,to me little price to pay,rather than AWD with so-so
all seasons.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: bilibako2
My review with Michelin winter tires: x2 and x3..
Both low tire noise,MPG same,put in 1k/month Dec-March.
thread wearing good,my concern will probably use it for 8 to 10 years,age
factor.Feeling good every time snow on the ground that you have the proper tires
Traction,Braking and not feeling your car floating/sliding.To me working in the hospital
that you have to be there no matter what the weather was.FWD/winter tires,to me good combo.
Recommend it to coworkers blank response,to me little price to pay,rather than AWD with so-so
all seasons.

Put winter tires on AWD and that changes lifestyle completely. You stop watching weather channel.