I've always used Bridgestone (higher end tires) until I switched to Conti ExtremeContact DWS for my car. Happy w/ the switch.

But I have an 1999 ES300 that needs new tires now; currently wearing Bridgestone Turanza Serenity+ which have been pretty good. Nothing really lacking. That being said, safety first and while Conti's aren't available in the required size, there is a Michelin Premier A/S that seems relatively better rated per TR.

I've been averse to Michelin - 25 years ago, I used them briefly and was not happy with them at all. Are they better now? Any one using the Premier A/S tires? Should I switch to them or just stick w/ the known Turanza? I don't care about mileage. Just safety (dry and especially wet).

The Michelin design sounds a little weird - groove channels get wider as the tread goes down. That makes sense for hydroplaning but not for traction....? Not sure the design is good?

I've used Michelin's Premier A/S on my Honda Civic for 6 years. They were great tires and performed above average on both dry and snowy roads.

GTG

Check the line I can’t remember if the defender or the priemere just recently changed.

My mom got a nail and had to get new but they did not make one anymore I forget which.
Just make sure if you are getting a “deal” they aren’t trying to dump the overstock of the discontinued.

I’ve used Michelins on my 8 Volvos, a couple of Mercedes, a Jaguar, and several Lexus ES300s, 2 LS430 and RX350, since 1973. Since ~1980 or so, I’ve bought them at Price Club now Costco. No problems, good wear, Price/Costco’s excellent service and warranty.

Black, and typically round.

Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+

Love these on our Flex, great wet traction, quiet & 500 treadwear.

Edit: Bought these after our LBJ's review on his Escape. Huge improvement over the Nitto Motivo that were on it prior.

After multiple horrible experiences with Michelin tires, I switched to Bridgestone Turanza's and never looked back.

Compared to the Michelin's, I get 1 less MPG, but the increased traction in all conditions is a clear advantage.

They switched production from Japan to somewhere cheaper, but the tires appear unaffected.

Michelin were so focused on fuel economy, they scarified quality and traction, kind of odd, considering how expensive they were.

In tire rack tests, it appears that the Premier A/S are the clear winner in the wet and in light snow, but I'll reserve judgement until I see a lot more reviews and miles driven.

I'm quite satisfied with my tires and they've always gotten me home in any weather, so the competition has to be even better.

As with most any tire manufacturer, they make good ones and cheap ones. Read reviews for the model you’re looking at.

Any statement that X manufacturer makes the best tires is overly general.

-Rob

Michelins have been great for me, but a cheaper alternative if they have them in your size is Uniroyal. They have been owned by Michelin since 1990.

quote:

Originally posted by Seotaji:
After multiple horrible experiences with Michelin tires, I switched to Bridgestone Turanza's and never looked back.

Compared to the Michelin's, I get 1 less MPG, but the increased traction in all conditions is a clear advantage.

They switched production from Japan to somewhere cheaper, but the tires appear unaffected.

Michelin were so focused on fuel economy, they scarified quality and traction, kind of odd, considering how expensive they were.

In tire rack tests, it appears that the Premier A/S are the clear winner in the wet and in light snow, but I'll reserve judgement until I see a lot more reviews and miles driven.

I'm quite satisfied with my tires and they've always gotten me home in any weather, so the competition has to be even better.

This sounds like my perspective. My last set of Michelin's last 1 month on the car and then had to take them off. Also, seems like Turanza is on sale at Costco; Michelin's are not on sale at Costco nor local tire shop.

Sounds like Michelin may be improving and folks here generally have good experiences, but I may stick w/ the Turanza this time around.

Thanks guys.

I'd say that even within a brand that they have good and bad tires. Historically I've had great luck with Michelin tires. However, the last set of Michelins I put on my Camry (PRIMACY MXM4) had great reviews on Tirerack, but only lasted about 30K miles. I'm used to getting 45-60K on a set of tires so I found that pretty disappointing.


I'm running General Altimax RT43's on it now - They seem to be holding up very well and they are incredibly quiet compared to the Michelins and the Bridgestones that were on the car when I bought it.

Bought the Turanza on sale. Known quantity and no real complaints with the tire.

That being said, I touched both the Michelin Premier A/S and the Turanza. The former feels like a notably stickier rubber. But the tread depth seems like half that of the Turanza.

So, seems like Michelin would be favored on dry but not sure about on wet. And seems like it would have a shorter life.

only had them for 6K miles but Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3+ are fantastic.

Most have been great but the Premiere LTX tires did not make it to 30k on a light Forester. Way too soft.

I put the second set of Michelin Pilot Sport AS on my Honda S2000 last fall and also my Nissan Pathfinder. I just added a set of them to my 2015
Mazda 3.

Initially I was unsatisfied with the tires on the Mazda due to noise level. After a couple hundred miles, they settled down and the noise level decreased to the normal loudness in the Mazda - Not a quiet vehicle.

Costco had these for $130 off a couple months ago.

I’ve had consistent performance and wear on Michelin tires from Costco.

I've always had good results with Michelin.

I run them on the car, SUV, 4x4 and the motorcycles.

It's too bad the Conti DWS 06 doesn't come in the right size; great tires.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+

Love these on our Flex, great wet traction, quiet & 500 treadwear.

Edit: Bought these after our LBJ's review on his Escape. Huge improvement over the Nitto Motivo that were on it prior.

I had Nitto’s on my Z3. They were excellent on traction and cornering, but wore pretty quickly.
The Pilot Sport AS3+ do a lot of things very well. They seem to be holding up very well.
I had Michelin’s on a Toyota Solara. The model of the tire escapes me now. I went thru a few sets on the car in 230k miles. They were all seasons that were used in Wisconsin (snow), St Louis all all kinds of crazy weather and Virgina. I never had any issues. Do a little research on Tire Rack.
I had looked at the Conti’s as well. They were reviewed very well. Both sets are very competative with each other.

Can't really beat Super Sports or Pilot Sport 4s. Sport Cup 2s are also a good option.