Michelin Primacy MXV4 Review.

[OutdoorOBW]

Nice to hear there not terrible in the snow. I'm hoping they last me until next winter.

[EdwardRice]

Originally Posted by AWDFTW

Car: 2003 Subaru Outback base model wagon. 2.5H Auto.
Tires: Michelin Primacy MXV4 225/60/16 H rated.
Miles on car at install: 87500ish.
Current miles on tires 100.
...
Hasn't rained yet so no input there. Will update this thread during the winter to see how they do in Chicago's snow/slush/ice/mix.

I need to replace 4 tires on my 1997 Legacy Outback (wagon) at about 90K miles -- sidewall damage to one and the other three are worn enough that apparently I'd better not replace just the one tire. Grrrr.

I've been running Bridgestone Dueler H/L P205/70/R15's, and I'm trying to figure out whether I have to stay with 70-profile or can go to 60-profile. The Outback Scout model used /60/ tires, and I can get the MXV4 tires I want in the /60/ but not the /70/ profile.

If I have to stick with /70/ tires I'll get the Michelin Hydro Edge *with Green X!!!!!*, which looks adequate.

Last winter, I drove the Outback in some serious snow, and determined empirically just how much snow-over-ice it could go through. The answer is... about four inches above the top of the front bumper. Up to the top of the bumper, solid footing and no problems. But four inches higher and I just built myself a drift to dig myself out of. I wouldn't trade my Outback for _anything_ in snow and ice.

[OutdoorOBW]

With the few light dustings and the one time the roads were covered I have had no problems. The g/f even said "this car does pretty good in the snow." I have also climbed on hill that was packed snow at a local Buffalo Wild Wings to park and had no problems hopping the curb and climbing up the ~8ft hill. Before anyone get their panties in a bunch we are allowed to park there.

[AWDiesel]

I just put Primacy (225/55/17) MXV4s on my 2008 OBW and they are very nice.

We've had tons of snow here in the Northeast and these tires, although not aggressive winter tires, have very good grip in the snow.

The ride is incredibly smooth and quiet.

[Cannonball]

I just bought a set after sliding my OB in a ditch with the old (35,000 mi) set of BF Goodrich Advantage TA's. You can see pics in the gallery under snow shots. I can say that these tires are smooth. I went to Sugar Mtn yesterday to ski and it was dumping snow all day. I had absolutely zero issues getting out of Banner Elk. All the while watching a 4 Runner and a Volvo XC90 slip sliding around. I tried to spin the tires on purpose in a parking lot and they were very predictable. Much better than the BFG's when they were new last year in the snow.

[adwolf11]

some people on the tire rack are claiming that these tires fall out of balance easily & are 'impossible' to balance properly.

has anyone experienced these issues? i think i'm going to buy a set..

[AWDFTW]

Haven't had any problems yet in 4 months and 6500 miles. Will be getting their first rotation in a week or two.

[dboz]

FWIW, I love the CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT DWS, which I run in the winter on my EVO X. They are smooth, quiet, handle the slop well, have a 50k warranty and are pretty cheap. I paid $135 each, keep in mind my factory replacement are $350 each, so they seem cheap to me in comparison.

Two full winters on them and still like new. Cleveland weather BTW.

[fuel98rider]

Originally Posted by adwolf11

some people on the tire rack are claiming that these tires fall out of balance easily & are 'impossible' to balance properly.

has anyone experienced these issues? i think i'm going to buy a set..

Would disagree with this statement on two counts. 1) Mine have 15,000 miles on them in 10 months. Have been rotated and balanced every oil change (3 changes). They put the tires on the balancer, spin it up and take them back off, as they are still in balance, mind you, this is with two wheels not needing weights at all because the tires are so inherently balanced (a Michelin staple). This car regularly gets run up and down unimproved forest service roads, and still has not had any problems.
2) My mother's Altima has the same Primacys (different size). 35,000 miles and still not problem with tires needing balanced.

I think people are blaming the tires for other underlying issues, such as driving style (running over curbs, not good), and wheel/bearing problems. If the tire is showing balanced on the machine, yet causes shakes/vibrations on the car, the problem isn't the tire.

[arthuruscg]

I agree with Fuell98rider's response.