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My Experiences With Tires

Over the past several years, this car has had a few sets of tires mounted, and all have been Michelins.  It's my experience that Michelin tires are the smoothest tires you can find, and I've never been disappointed with a Michelin tire (unlike other brands).  So far, this particular car has had two sets of the Michelin Pilot XGT H4.  My thoughts about it are below.  Click the picture(s) to access Michelin's website.
 
   
UTOG Ratings: 400/A/A

The Pilot is Michelin's sporting tire offering, with several different models in the Pilot line designed with different priorities in mind.  The XGT H4 is an H-rated all season tire, but in my experience still delivers a good blend of performance, all season traction, and tread life.  I replaced the first set of these with 38,000 miles, due to an irreparable puncture in one.  With less than 25% tread on the rest, I elected to replace all four.  I replaced the second set at just shy of 44,000 miles due to wear.  On such a heavy car, and with a tire that's only rated 400 for tread life, I think the mileage we have gotten from either set is satisfactory.  These are wonderful tires, but generally have the capability to perform at levels above that of my Seville, and above that which I normally drive.  An S-rated all season tire would better suit my vehicle and driving style.

   
UTOG Ratings: 680/A/B

I replaced the Pilots with a set of X Radials in December 2005.  These tires finished 2nd overall in a November 2005 Consumer Reports all season tire test (1st went to the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred).  The X Radial was the only tire out of 18 tested to score a 5 (out of 5) in handling.  It also scored a 4 in ride and 5 in noise.  Hydroplane resistance was also very good, and it achieved a 5 in rolling resistance.  After having driven these on my own car, I can agree with everything CR wrote about these tires.  They seem to have 90% of the handling capability of the Pilots, but ride smoother and quieter.  Road graininess is completely removed and they ride remarkably plush for being such capable performers.  They should also provide much better foul weather performance, due to the heavy tread block siping.  A relative bargain at only $105 each (in P225/60R16 size), I can't imagine being happier with another tire.

   

 

 

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