New Michelin Primacy MXM4

[The Critic]

This is a new tire which will be launching in the new few months. Some sizes may already be available, but a full launch (I believe) with a wide range of sizes will be available on July 10.

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-selector/name/primacy-mxm4-tires

This is a new tire promising better handling and braking than the popular Primacy MXV4, while still retaining most of the low noise and fuel economy characteristics. It does so with only a slight reduction in treadlife-- 55,000 mile warranty for the Primacy MXM4 vs. 60,000 mile warranty for the Primacy MXV4.

I had called Michelin's Tech Line to ask about tire options for the Altima, and the rep suggested that I wait for these new Primacy MXM4s if I was able to. That is how I found out about these new tires.

 

[Quattro Pete]

$228 each in my size (235/45/17). Ouch! At this price, they'd better be doing dishes, laundry, and mowing my lawn, too.

Personally, I've never been able to justify Michelin's poor price-performance ratio.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
$228 each in my size (235/45/17). Ouch! At this price, they'd better be doing dishes, laundry, and mowing my lawn, too.

Personally, I've never been able to justify Michelin's poor price-performance ratio.

Yes, they are expensive, but how often do you hear of runout problems, balance problems or mysterious cupping problems with Michelin tires?

Also, TireRack's page has the wrong warranty info and the wrong reviews for this tire. I have e-mailed their webmaster to let them know.

 

[hate2work]

I just put new tires on our Corolla, and considered Michelins briefly, but the price/value was just too poor. I took Bill's lead and ended up with the Pirelli P4s in 195/65-15. OTD was $425.90 at Discount, the Michelins would have been $200+ more for less of a tire.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: The Critic

Yes, they are expensive, but how often do you hear of runout problems, balance problems or mysterious cupping problems with Michelin tires?

I don't doubt that Michelin's quality control is one of the best, but it still doesn't justify the hefty price premium, IMO.

None of my other tires exhibited any of the problems you mentioned either.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Most people knocking Michelins have never had the joy of owning them. They consistently outlast and outperform almost any other tire. On our service trucks they last nearly DOUBLE the life of the average steel belted radial. But they only cost a bit more.

And they may save your life in the rain!

Just shopping around you can get great deals. I just bought 4 245/75/16 load range E LTX/MS for one of my service vans for 678.00 delivered to my door from Discount Tire Direct!

Just 15 bucks to mount and balance with new stems and all.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Most people knocking Michelins have never had the joy of owning them.

Just to clarify, I've owned or driven on 3 different sets, and 'joy' would be the last word I'd use to describe them:

- MXV4+ Energy on my '00 Accord V6: one of the worst tires I've ever owned: it was comfortable, but that's about it. Dry/wet/snow grip was pitiful. Sidewalls were awfully soft, despite being V-rated, so steering response was terrible, but I guess it wasn't meant to be a performance tire, so OK.

- Pilot Alpin on my '01 A4: it was supposed to be a dedicated winter tire, but my car felt unstable in the snow with this tire, despite having AWD. Fiance's FWD Jetta with Nokian WR tires felt more confident in the white stuff.

- Energy something (can't recall the exact model) on my father's Nissan Primera: again, comfortable, and nothing else. Poor dry grip (it would squeal at every corner), and poor wet grip as well. When it was time to get new tires, I convinced them to go with Bridgestone Turanza ER300 and he liked them a lot more.

Now, I'm not saying all Michelin tires are bad, but more often than not, you can find a less expensive alternative that will be just as good if not better performing.

No offense to anyone, but when I hear Michelin, I think of Bose.

YMMV

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: The Critic

I had called Michelin's Tech Line to ask about tire options for the Altima, and the rep suggested that I wait for these new Primacy MXM4s if I was able to. That is how I found out about these new tires.


Just have to ask... why would you be looking at tire options for the altima now? Even with junk tires, youll get 20k out of them, and to replace sooner is really poor economics. Have you had issues with them?

Even if they are lousy, I can see no good reason to change. Adjust driving style if needed, but dont burn $600 on tires.

Problem with looking for a set of tires in advance (because Ive done this multiple times) is that there are so many manufacturers, that other great tires are being refreshed too. On top of that, what is rated really highly at first can get knocked pretty badly by the time there are lots of miles, say over 5 million reported...

Makes it tough

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

- MXV4+ Energy on my '00 Accord V6: one of the worst tires I've ever owned: it was comfortable, but that's about it. Dry/wet/snow grip was pitiful. Sidewalls were awfully soft, despite being V-rated, so steering response was terrible, but I guess it wasn't meant to be a performance tire, so OK.


Those were not Michelin tires, but rather, OE tires with specifications designed by Honda engineers and Michelin was merely the supplier. OE tires should not be used to judge a particular manufacturer's capabilities-- as the tire design was controlled by the OEM, not the tire manufacturer.

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Just have to ask... why would you be looking at tire options for the altima now? Even with junk tires, youll get 20k out of them, and to replace sooner is really poor economics. Have you had issues with them?

Even if they are lousy, I can see no good reason to change. Adjust driving style if needed, but dont burn $600 on tires.

Problem with looking for a set of tires in advance (because Ive done this multiple times) is that there are so many manufacturers, that other great tires are being refreshed too. On top of that, what is rated really highly at first can get knocked pretty badly by the time there are lots of miles, say over 5 million reported...

Makes it tough


I had called them to discuss options for warranty-ing the Hydroedges on the Saturn. I decided to also ask them about options for the Altima while I was on the phone even though I do not intend to buy new tires for the Altima until the OEs wear out.

 

[prax]

I wish I had waited. I have 500 miles on my Primacy MXV4's. Very smooth, but a bit noisy for my liking.

I think they should ignore rolling resistance and concentrate on traction and/or treadlife.

 

[nthach]

The Energy MXV4 series are mediocre compared to the Primacy series - I would have gotten them over my current Bridgestone RE960s. My MPG has taken a HUGE hit with the Bridgestones - with my old Michelins I was able to hit 26MPG on the highway. Now, it's only 21-23.

I had Pilot Exalto A/S, they were a very happy balance between handling and MPG.

 

[JHZR2]

wow, Ive not seen any real drop running the 960s versus my pirelli P6. Something else is wrong with your numbers. 21 vs 26 is nearly 20% drop.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
wow, Ive not seen any real drop running the 960s

Same here. No noticeable drop in mpg compared to my previous Dunlop SP Maxx as well as my winter General Altimax Arctic, but then again, none of them are LRR tires.

 

[bdcardinal]

I am super happy with my PS2s on my Volvo. i have about 5,000 miles on them and they have only worn about 2/32 from new tread.

 

[NJC]

Just bought a pair of Primacy MXV4 195/60R/15's for my Volvo wagon - seemed to have excellent Tirerack reviews and longer tread life than the Exalto's.

 

[The Critic]

Michelin has just launched a small batch of sizes:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...romCompare1=yes

For the 205/55-16 size, the new Primacy MXM4 is actually less expensive than the Primacy MXV4.

For the 215/55-17 size, these new Primacy MXM4s are about 20% more expensive than the Primacy MXV4.

It's possible that Michelin is pricing the 205/55-16 size a bit aggressively to capture more customers, as the 205/55-16 size is a very common size that also makes up a large portion of the economy car market.

If anyone decides to purchase this tire, please post a review on here!

 

[JHZR2]

Wife's rabbit IIRC takes the 205/55-16 size, but her OE contis have over 75% of original tread at 25k.

These will be on my list if/when we replace them. If she picks up a few nails, I guess we will get some otherwise it won't be soon...

 

[occupant]

Until they expand the line, I wouldn't be looking at these on 16" wheels for my Torino in P225/60R16. Even if they did have them, it seems they would cost twice as much as Kumho Ectsa LX Platinums.

But it is nice to see that the Primacy MX4V in my size is $137 for H rated and $135 for V rated. That's still $50 more per tire than the Kumhos. Can't do it. I might step over to a Yokohama AVID of some sort but that's what, a $3-$5 difference per tire. The UTQG treadwear probably isn't high enough to warrant being that much more money if the MX4V's are at 620. Darn it, if I could only get the new Kumho Solus KR22 in H speed rating!

 

[PandaBear]

There are lots of excellent tires in the 235 45 17 size, even the ultra high performance summer / all season tires with 300 UTQG or so ratings are only $100 each.

I don't care how nice are Michelin tires (although they are very nice), they are not worth more than 2x of other tires that have better handling. There is no way a 500 UTQG luxury performance touring tire will handle that good compare to an ultra high performance all season / summer with about 300 UTQG.

One nail, and you are out $240 or more (if you want a matching pair on the same axle). At $130 a tire would be a fair price.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
..... but the price/value was just too poor........
And that's the issue I'm having looking at OE replacements in the 215/50-17 size. For example, are the MXM4's $42 a tire better than the Yoko Avid ENVigor?

I too have never had any of the issues(other than treadwear for which credit was issued) mentioned favoring a Michelin purchase. Great quality tires I'm sure, to each their own, just would have difficulty justifying the price premium in my own mind.