Michelin Primacy XRS tire

[virtualkuz]

Ok, what the hell was toyota thinking when they put primacies, a summer touring tire, on these cars as OE for cars sold where it snows? I can see it for cars selling in SoCal or texas, but these tires are no good in Chicago winters. I'm still learning the clutch in my car, but it is hard not to spin these in 30 degree weather.

What is everyone doing that has an XRS in an area that sees snow?

I looked on tire rack and they have a blizzak set with 15" steel wheels for about $412. I really don't want to take my rims off though, they look so nice . driving around on steelies is ghetto and covers only de-ghetto it a little. Discount tire (tires.com) has a set of hancook w300 snow tires for $90 a piece that are almost the same size as OE, 195/50R16 instead of 195/55R16. I really want to complain to Toyota for putting these tires on the car. I don't feel safe when it is wet and icy on them. I have a feeling that the XRS is going to burn up snow tires. I almost feel like getting a set of all season performance tires and keeping the primacies. I could swap them back on in the summer.

[cam2Xrunner]

Yeah not to mention they're on national backorder, sucks when you have a blowout and need another one.

[silver04rollas]

I replaced my XRS Michellins with a 205/55/16 B F Goodrich winter slaloms. They were pretty cheap ($115 Canadian apiece + installation) and provide very good traction in snow. They also provide decent grip on dry pavement.

[virtualkuz]

I went over to Discount Tire and ordered some Semperit Sport-Grips. Semperit is a German division of Continental. They are $66 a piece installed. I found some forums with people talking about these on A4 Quattros and MB E320s and they liked them so I figure they'll work out well on the XRS. I got 205/55R16 because 195/55R16 has just about no selection available. The guy used the convertor and at 60MPH indicated I'll really be going 61.18mph, I can live with that slight amount of difference. It also means that for every 61.18 miles I go on these tires I get 1.18 free on the odo

[djwolford]

I'm riding on the michelins still, you can tell that they're not made for rain or snow though.

[seymour44]

Originally Posted by djwolford

I'm riding on the michelins still, you can tell that they're not made for rain or snow though.

the michelins on the xrs are great in the rain, summer tire generally are. i have had no problems in wet or rainy conditions.

[rolla-XRS]

Toyota was thinking "Hey, let's make a sporty car that's faster than a Celica GT-S - but we'll have to put proper rubber on it since all-seasons are simply no-seasons".

Winter tires! The only way to go with a sports car!

Tip: Don't get the Michelin X-Ice. They suck. Spongy as heck. And I didn't notice that they're Q rated tires (160km/h) until it was too late (ie: I bought the hype - hook line and stinker). the latest generation of Michelin Arctic Alpin tires are Z rated I believe and much firmer ride.

I can't wait for summer so I can put my tires back on and drive like a normal person.

[silver04rollas]

Originally Posted by rolla-XRS

Toyota was thinking "Hey, let's make a sporty car that's faster than a Celica GT-S - but we'll have to put proper rubber on it since all-seasons are simply no-seasons".

Winter tires! The only way to go with a sports car!
:

BF Goodrich winter slaloms!

[QUOTE=rolla-XRS]
Tip: Don't get the Michelin X-Ice. They suck. Spongy as heck. And I didn't notice that they're Q rated tires (160km/h) until it was too late (ie: I bought the hype - hook line and stinker). the latest generation of Michelin Arctic Alpin tires are Z rated I believe and much firmer ride.

I can't wait for summer so I can put my tires back on and drive like a normal person. :clap

[silver04rollas]

Putting 205/55/16 ( increasing tire width by half an inch) summer tires definitely makes XRS one of the top handling cars in it's class. With thinner tires 195mm ( Even RSX Base Coupe, TC, Mazda 3, Rsx Type S, Sentra Spec V etc. come standard with 205 mm tires) XRS has a road holding of 0.83g (car and driver) as opposed to Mazda 3 with 0.86g and Rsx Type S with 0.88g road holding. With 205 summer tires ( Pirelli, Michellins), XRS will no doubt have a road holding of 0.87-0.88g