Winter tires: Michelin X-Ice Xi2 or General Arctic Altimax

[Sky1111]

Folks, this is the first time I am buying winters for Highlander, and I would like to hear your opinion on the following:

- Rims: Toyota steel rims 17" ($90 a piece) - they look like old RAV4 wheels because of the silver paint> Definitely do no want cheaper generic wheels.

- Tires: I am trying to decide which way to go, and it is very hard to make a correct choice:

Option 1: dealer installed Michelin Latitude X-ice Xi2. Everybody says go Michelin, but I see a lot of bad customer feedback. Negotiated price on the road: ~$1400

Option 2: non-dealer installed General Arctic Altimax (on the same 17" rims). They seems to be overall very good tires, although the expectation that General is noisier on the highway, and probably won't last as long. Price on the road including rims: ~$1200

Which tires should I go with from these two?

Thanks in advance!

[Dman1]

Originally Posted by Sky1111

Folks, this is the first time I am buying winters for Highlander, and I would like to hear your opinion on the following:

- Rims: Toyota steel rims 17" ($90 a piece) - they look like old RAV4 wheels because of the silver paint> Definitely do no want cheaper generic wheels.

- Tires: I am trying to decide which way to go, and it is very hard to make a correct choice:

Option 1: dealer installed Michelin Latitude X-ice Xi2. Everybody says go Michelin, but I see a lot of bad customer feedback. Negotiated price on the road: ~$1400

Option 2: non-dealer installed General Arctic Altimax (on the same 17" rims). They seems to be overall very good tires, although the expectation that General is noisier on the highway, and probably won't last as long. Price on the road including rims: ~$1200

Which tires should I go with from these two?

Thanks in advance!

You seem to pass off the generic steel rims as if they are the plague. I have used them with every set of winter tires that I have ever owned and never had an issue. I highly doubt that Toyota's steel rims are of better quality. It all came down to money for me, and the extra $$$ was not worth it, IMO.

Regarding tires, I would suggest that whatever tire that you get, that you do not go to the dealer to buy or install them. In my experiences, their prices are significantly higher, although, if that $1400 includes the rims, then that is not a bad price (my Geolanders with my generic steelies cost me $1400 (taxes in, cash sale) plus I got a $50 rebate...and that was 3 years ago). I considered the General Arctic Altimax as well, but opted for the Geolanders, which were a bit more costly, but a better performing tire.

As for road noise, it was not a factor for me, as winter tires are generally louder on the road anyway. Traction on snowy, wet, and dry pavement were the main things that I had considered.

[Sky1111]

$1400 includes rims, install, taxes, etc. - everything on the road. And still get $70 mail-in-rebate
The generic rims of that size are $65 each - and based on my experience with another car, they don't fit perfectly on the center, and this little offset creates vibration once you reach 100km/h... tried to balance few times, until my mechanic explained to me.

Now I am very seriously inclining towards General - they do look like a real winter tire unlike Michelins... deeper thread, more aggressive blocks. Plus they are cheaper with no mail in rebates (Canadian Tire has them for $150 each).

So looks like you also decided to pass on Xi2 as well? So you are happy with Geolanders?

[Dman1]

Originally Posted by Sky1111

$1400 includes rims, install, taxes, etc. - everything on the road. And still get $70 mail-in-rebate
The generic rims of that size are $65 each - and based on my experience with another car, they don't fit perfectly on the center, and this little offset creates vibration once you reach 100km/h... tried to balance few times, until my mechanic explained to me.

Now I am very seriously inclining towards General - they do look like a real winter tire unlike Michelins... deeper thread, more aggressive blocks. Plus they are cheaper with no mail in rebates (Canadian Tire has them for $150 each).

So looks like you also decided to pass on Xi2 as well? So you are happy with Geolanders?

I'm not sure if the Xi2s were available in my size when I bought my winter tires 2 years ago. Besides, the place where I bought them from loathed Michelin's and he did not carry them. He carried the Geolanders, the Generals, and another model that I did not consider. The Geolanders ranked a bit better than the Generals at the time, which is why I chose them, but I am sure that I would have been happy with the General's as well.

As for my Geolanders, I have no complaints whatsoever. They work very well and they sure got tested last winter. I would highly recommend them.

In regards to my steel wheels, I have never had a problem with fitment issues. My father ran into a problem with his Camry when he went to do a brake job, but a simple spacer is all that was required. No issues with vibration.

[tagheuer]

you should be aware that there may be potential fitment issues with using the 17" steel RAV4 wheels.

Those wheels are 17 and 6.5" wide which generally fits best with a 235 tire.

some people here seem to mount 17", 245 65 tires on the RAV4 steel wheels which according to every tire website I have checked, seem too wide.

Thus, I personally do not think the RAV 17" steel wheels are the best option, because they are only 6.5" wide, and that is signficantly narrower than recommended for 245/65/17 tires.

I understand the theory about narrower tires being better in the snow, but that is not what I'm talking about here, I'm talking about people mounting 245s on a rim that is only 6.5" wide, whereas a much better fit would be a 7 or 7.5" wide rim.

Also you are getting into potential load capacity issues going with a smaller footprint.

Check the more lengthy detailed winter/tire thread for this.

I posted this concern and no one seemed to have a great response convincing me otherwise.

Again, EVERY single tire place I checked, including tirerack.com, discountire.com, belle tire, etc. etc. do not recommend using a 245 wide tire on the 17x6.5" RAV4 steel wheels.

Sure, it can be done, but its not the best situation.

[Sky1111]

Guys I am not getting RAV4 rims... I am getting correct 17" for Highlander - as sold by the dealership. They do look like RAV4, but they are in fact quite different.

Did anyone here tried Michelin X-ice Xi2? or Blizzak DM-V1?