Michelen Primacy HP...

[joshwa]

I've just got 4 new 16" Michelin Primacy HP tyres...

And to be honest in my opinion... I'm not hugely impressed...

Yes they're quiet... and probably very fuel efficient, and probably last ages...

BUT they seem SO soft - there doesn't seem to be any reinforced sidewall, there seems to be very little rim protection for the alloys...

They came from the factory (they're from a brand new Audi) at 32psi, and there was a noticable bulge, so I've "topped up" the air a bit (36psi) and there's still a slight bulge and they still seem soft especially around corners...

I had Pirelli P7s on the front and Bridgestone Turanzas on the back - both of these have reinforced sidewalls and rim protectors... and I'm tempted to pay money for a tyre places to switch them over, and literally give away the new michelens and keep the original tyres!

Anyone else have them and feel the same?

Josh

[Zak33]

Not those versions, but I have had tyres that made me less than impressed.

But not michelins. Not ever.

Rim protection is not so vital as tyre wall flex, or lack of it.

What pressures does the handbook suggest for that tyre size?

[Zak33]

hang on...you don't HAVE and Audi..what car are they on?

Tyres are chosen by the factory for the cars characteristics.... what did they get fitted too? And with what suspension?

[joshwa]

They were from an Audi A3 - and are now on a VW Passat

My other 16" alloys (Audi A4) have the Pirelli's and Bridgestone's on and I'm much happier with these wheels / tyres - they feel much firmer / better handling round corners, and have no bulging...

[Howard]

Sounds like they're underinflated if they're done for an A3 which weighs a fair heap less than a Passat I expect Stick 40PSI in them and try again

[TiG]

My octavia vrs only runs 32... for those tyres ( but they are the 17" ones)

TiG

[kalniel]

New tyres always seem 'soft' to me, but I think that's just because 15mm of tread is going to move a hell of a lot more than 2mm! I've also heard that some tyres take a while to bed in and feel harder.

Bulging a little is completely normal for a lot of tyres - when at driving temperature the bulge goes - just check that tyre wear is even.

[joshwa]

I put them up to 36 last night (using a shell garage) - and then checking with a digital tyre pressure gauge - it's only showing as 33 - so it's possible the garage is out - so I might top them up again and recheck with the digital tyre pressure guage.

[Guy]

I had Michelen Pilot Primacy HP's on the Mondeo 205/55/16's I think, and frankly for the price, they were awful I didn't have much faith in them, yes they were good to start with BUT nearly all tyre's are!

Im never gonna venture back into the Michelen camp again, for me Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's are now my new god.