A4 Tires

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
April 23, 2013

These tires replaced a set of half-worn Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 tires (I picked up a puncture in one of the PA3s and couldn't find a replacement, hence the half-worn). Compared to the PA3s, the Xi3s have similar wet weather grip and noticeably lower (but still acceptable for this type of tire) dry grip. Unfortunately, I can't comment on snow or ice performance because I never had a chance to try the Xi3s in the snow. The biggest difference was in dry weather feel - feedback was significantly muted with the Xi3s and there is also significant 'tread squirm' with the Xi3s. If I had to give each a subjective score relative to a summer tire (using a Goodyear Asymmetric as the reference summer tire), I would give the PA3s an 8 and the Xi3s a 4 - there really is a huge difference between the two. Ride comfort and noise levels are quite good with the Xi3s - a little better than the PA3s.

Initial Review, 12,000 Miles on Tires
April 27, 2013

This tire is outstanding. Starting the 3rd season with them and they still drive like new. Very sure handling on dry and wet roads, and incredibly quiet. Very significant tread remaining, so wear does not appear to be a problem. These tires replaced the stock Goodyear Eagle LS-2's, which pale in comparison. They did not handle anywhere near as well, were loud, and wore to the point of needing replacement by 30,000 miles.

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
April 02, 2013

Bought these almost 1.5 years ago for my wife's Audi A6 Quattro AWD and it became an absolute tank in the snow. Nothing could stop it. Turn the traction control off and it just dominated the roads. Truly forged a path for plow trucks to follow in the February snow storm where New England saw upwards of 3 (THREE) feet of snow. I was beside myself with this tire being labeled as "All-Season". Props to Audi on their AWD powertrain and all that, but these tires just showed to up perform, and they did just that. The roads have dried up now and the ride is still very smooth. Our two kids (3.5 and 7mo) both pass out from the smoothness and quietness of the ride. Had a 4 wheel alignment done at the time of installation.

Initial Review, 30,000 Miles on Tires
February 07, 2013

Great winter tire, but like most winter tires they wear quickly if you drive them on dry pavement. I have had these tires on for three years of Wisconsin winters and have gone through countless snow storms with no issues. Honestly I feel safer driving my 2wd truck in the snow with these tires than with a 4x4 vehicle. I could only imagine how well these tires would perform if they were studded also.

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
April 02, 2013

Went from the OEM 225/45/18 Hankook Optimo H431 on OEM 18x8 to 245/35/19 Michelin PSS on 19x8.5 wheels. I'm very ocd when it comes to proper air pressure. I use nitrogen and run 38psi, 3psi over oem to optimize for proper load rating. Even though I drive a 4-door sedan, I drive it spirited! The PSSs in my honest opinion is an incredible tire in all aspects. I use to race BMWs and Mazdas in SCCA and know a little about racing. Hence, this tire has great turn-in and allows for sustained control cornering with little push. The variable contact patch seems to just bite the harder I engage cornering and handles the car's weight transfer during cornering, maximizing lateral grip. Wet weather handling is great, however our rainy season has yet to hit us down here in central Florida. In the rain that we have had the tire does very well in both handling, hydroplaning, and breaking. I've driven on Goodyear's F1, Bridgestone's S04, and Conti's Contact DW & DWS. Looking forward to updating this review after I put some mileage on the tires. Stay tuned!

Initial Review, 3,000 Miles on Tires
April 10, 2013

Excellent snow tire especially when paired with an all wheel drive sedan. The car stuck to the road like super glue(TM) in every winter driving condition. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
April 04, 2013

I drive my 328i to work most days, and live in Edmonton, Canada - where we can get all four seasons in an afternoon, and our winter takes its toll on everything. I bought the Michelins because they were held out to be a great combination of ride, handling, traction and wear. They replaced the rock hard run flats that came stock with the BMW - yikes... Anyways, I was very impressed with the Michelins on everything, from dry straight to twisty wet - except the ice. At anything below freezing, the Michelins turn into hockey pucks. It makes driving more fun, but less safe!!!

I would absolutely recommend these to fellow BMW drivers, but would also recommend that they look at some of the lower cost alternatives - like the Pirellis, Contis or even the Kumho Ecstas. I will likely take a look at replacing these with a 4 Season (NOT all season) tire like the Pirelli or Kumho 4S - just so long as I don't have to take a huge hit on performance. As it is, the Michelin is a fantastic "almost" all season tire, and if I lived in Europe or south of the Snow belt, I'd buy it again. Or maybe I should just move to So Cal...

Initial Review, 11,000 Miles on Tires
January 26, 2013

I put these DWS after reading the reviews. They're comparable to the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. Snow traction with the awd was impeccable. I just got rid of the Audi and threw these on my new Subaru WRX. They are all-around great performing tires.

Initial Review, 12,000 Miles on Tires
April 22, 2011

This tire strikes a good balance with great handling and a comfortable ride. The noise level is not objectionable either. I run with winter tires, so I can not attest to snow performance.

Initial Review, 4,837 Miles on Tires
March 22, 2013

I ordered 2 sets of these tires ( both studded, hence the lower dry traction score and noise ) with new steel rims, one set for my brother who has the identical vehicle. I have just over 7780 kms on these, ordered October 15th, installed on the 22nd of October.

These tires are AMAZING in the snow, and equally competent on ice with the carbide studs. Wear seems to be non-existant, however I haven't measured the tread depth. The only downside to having studded tires though is the noise, which is more annoying at lower speeds in town, as well as reduced traction braking and accelerating on dry road in the winter.

With the traction control off, you can break them loose in wet snow, but it takes a bit of throttle to do so. With traction control on, this car is like a 4x4, I managed to climb about a 25 degree incline with about 5 inches of fresh wet snow ( back lane that didn't get plowed ) without losing forward momentum, although the traction light was flickering.

If you live in the snow belt, you need these tires. If you also have a lot of ice in the winter ( melt/freeze cycles + rain and snow ) you need them studded. What a difference over driving most of my life on all seasons.

Initial Review, 20,000 Miles on Tires
March 11, 2013

Worst tire I've ever had. They are very loud and ---- in Ice/snow. I've never been in a 4x4 and been scared to drive in the snow, there terrible. The noise associated with these tires is unbearable on long drives. Buy anything else besides Hankook. For me its back to Bridgestone or nothing.

Initial Review, 10,000 Miles on Tires
March 16, 2013

Wish i had ripped the OEM tires off from the start. These tires are so good that it took me a week to get used to the responsiveness of the new tires. Exceptional dry and wet - good but not exceptional in snow and on ice.

Initial Review, 3,000 Miles on Tires
January 05, 2013

The A4 is my take it easy, every day driver, but sometimes I hit the twisties pretty hard. The Primacy is the perfect tire for this use. Day in and day out, it's easy to forget about the tires because they are smooth and quiet, and they simply do their job. When I push it over the mountain roads, this tire isn't as good as the Pilot Sports I replaced, but it's much better as a daily driver with much less noise.
We don't get a lot of snow, but it's been pretty good on slick roads. The Quattro system is outstanding, but it's still the tire that does the work on these roads and the Primacy performs very well.
Given the way we use this car, the Primacy was the perfect pick.

Initial Review, 4,500 Miles on Tires
March 01, 2013

This tire is just being used on the rear of a 2 wheel drive Colorado. The original tires that were on this truck when I purchased it from the dealership were Hancooks. They must have been the cheapest tires that they could find, because I could not even get a regular start from a redlight without breaking traction in the rain. On the other hand, these Firestone Winterforce UV tires give the best traction that I have ever had with this truck. I have owned many 4X4 trucks and these tires make my 2 wheel, drive just like it was a 4X4. I thought that I was pushing my luck here in Saint Louis trying to get by another winter without snow tires and I'm glad that I did buy them this year. The first storm we had, was a combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Most other cars were getting stuck on the Interstate on the steep hills, but not me and my 2 wheel drive pick-up. Stop thinking about getting them and just buy them ASAP!

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
February 26, 2013

I've read many reviews regarding these tires stating that these tires made their car feel like a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The truth is, they do not. I've owned 4wds all of my life and these tires cannot compare to 4-wheel drive and good tires. Let me explain... do these tires dramatically help my car in the snow? Absolutely. Do they inspire confidence that my all seasons would never be able to do in the snow? Yes. Can I spin my front tires in the snow with ease? Yes I can. I have a lot of hills where I live here in NJ. We recently had about a foot of snow.. and on average hills, my car made it up very well, but the tires would break loose a bit. And my speed wasn't as fast as I would have liked. But yes, the tires made it possible for me to proceed up the hill. Did it turn my car into 4wd? No. Would I recommend these to anyone looking for a safer ride in the snow.. yes of course. They really help. But just don't expect you can drive 'anywhere' in the snow... like up steep hills.

Initial Review, 20,000 Miles on Tires
February 11, 2013

Reviewed this tire with 2000 miles on them ... now have 18,500 and 2 winters. These tires have performed beautifully and are not going anywhere soon. I'll keep them!

Use is mostly highway/city, with some off road but nothing crazy. Mostly dirt roads in the Adirondacks. First winter season was a 8ish but this 2012-13 winter I give them a 10 (they got better and I got use to them). These tires and the 4runner walk through light and deep snow with ease ( on ice I would recommend caution with any tire - drive for conditions). Tires are still quiet and provide a smooth ride on highway every time. No leaking or any issues. No balance issues. Religiously rotated (hey, when your pay this kind of money for tires you better take care of them).

I give these tires an A+ and a 10+ and will not hesitate to purchase similar Michelin's again. You will not be disappointed if you have a 4runner and you purchase these tires.

Initial Review, 30,000 Miles on Tires
February 28, 2013

These were the OEM tires on my car on the 19" wheels. I am shocked at how well they've worn. Outstanding grip, especially when warm. I wish they were a little less but for the money I have to admit they're darn good. I got 30000 miles of usage out them which includes commuting, blasting up and down the freeway, plenty of hard cornering, and some serious mountain road driving.

Initial Review, 4,000 Miles on Tires
February 25, 2013

My car was so-so in the snow before I bought these tires. Now i feel like I'm driving a 4WD truck. I can go through anything (within reason) and feel completely comfortable. We've got hit pretty hard with snow this winter too and there's no way I could have made an hour commute everyday in this snow without these tires. I will definitely be purchasing these again when it's time for a new car.

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
February 27, 2013

This is a great tire. Just drove 100+ miles in heavy snow and freezing rain and I am very impressed. These are not snow tires, but they provided oustanding traction. They are also very quiet, good in rain, and fun to drive in the dry. Not sure if they will reduce fuel consumption, but I will find out after I get some more miles on them. Pirelli has a winner here.