Michelin Harmony tires to be redesigned - any truth to this?

[2002Camry]

I was reading on some forum and there was mention that the Michelin Harmony tire will be redesigned soon and will offer better wet traction and handling.

Is there any truth to this?

[dixonL2]

IMHO it should be. While it looks good, it ages quickly, gets noisy with age, and offers only average performance. There are better alternatives.

[2002Camry]

Originally Posted by dixonL2

IMHO it should be. While it looks good, it ages quickly, gets noisy with age, and offers only average performance. There are better alternatives.

What models do you feel are better alternatives to this tire?

Thanks

[dixonL2]

Depends on what you're looking for, but for longevity and staying in Michelins, consider the X-one and Hydroedge. The additional mileage on them makes them cost competitive with the Harmony, and both are quieter. I've had all 3 and much prefer the X-1 (or whatever their second-from-the-top all-season is at Costco, used to be called the X-1). Quiet, lasts forever, handles good. They hydroedge is nice, but narrow-looking for the size, and costs more.

For equal performance & those fat Harmony looks, the Goodyear Weatherhandler from Sears is actually pretty decent, but the Kumho Solus is a better buy than any of the above (price vs. performance vs. quiet). Brother has them and swears by them.

Hope that helps! www.tirerack.com is great with their reviews, though Discount Tire is also great with service and is a ToyotaNation site supporter.

[2002Camry]

Originally Posted by dixonL2

Depends on what you're looking for, but for longevity and staying in Michelins, consider the X-one and Hydroedge. The additional mileage on them makes them cost competitive with the Harmony, and both are quieter. I've had all 3 and much prefer the X-1 (or whatever their second-from-the-top all-season is at Costco, used to be called the X-1). Quiet, lasts forever, handles good. They hydroedge is nice, but narrow-looking for the size, and costs more.

For equal performance & those fat Harmony looks, the Goodyear Weatherhandler from Sears is actually pretty decent, but the Kumho Solus is a better buy than any of the above (price vs. performance vs. quiet). Brother has them and swears by them.

Hope that helps! www.tirerack.com is great with their reviews, though Discount Tire is also great with service and is a ToyotaNation site supporter.

Thanks for the info and references.

I think you are referring to the X Radial tire and not the X-1 (X-1 has been discontinued for years!).

Here is the X Radial link:
http://www.michelinman.ca/overview/x...l_dt/1722.html

[dixonL2]

Yup - that's the one. I think the X-Radial is the evolution of the X-1 prior to the Hydroedge. Whatever, I liked the tire when I had it, it not only drove very well but had a far more aggressive look than the Hydroedge, which can look a little puny, width-wise. Only problem I had was blowing one on a long family road trip (hit a large piece of debris, unavoidable, it was either that or the cars around me) and finding out they're only really carried by Costco. Ended up with a Hydroedge on that wheel. Drove fine though.

[joe-electro]

I bought a set of Michelin X-Radial DT tires from the local Sam's Club. I think this is the same tire that is sold by Costco. Although I've gotten very good tread life so far (+40k miles and lots of tread left) I'm worried about abnormal sidewall wear. It appears that the van is riding up on the sidewalls during normal turns. Since this tire has a single-ply sidewall this worries me. Has anybody else experienced this problem?

Thanks,

Joe