David,

I suppose I shouldn't beat up on the XGT to bad. You will have to understand my point of view before taking anything I say as advice.

I lean to the touring side of the High performance/ Touring rating. I don't have much use for anything else and would never consider anything but Michelin (with the possible exception of Continental).

I absolutely abhor all tendancies toward all weather threads. This is the main failing to me on the XGTs. They are, after all, Michelins. But they should be for SUVs.

My other problem with them is that as the lesser cost choice they are ... how do you say it ... you get what you pay for.

My mention of Continental has to do with the Continentals that are still on my 97 540. I replaced two already with MXM Pilots (at around 180 ea. from tirerack). I replaced them because they were thoroughly worn out. The two that remain must have been replaced just before I bought the car at 41k. it now has 10k on the Michelins and at least that on the Contis.

Because the worn tires were on the rear and I planned on getting two more soon, I left the Contis on the front (something I normally wouldn't do). I have now driven the car 10k and can say I have never driven any car that exhibited my dream touring condition better than the car with those Contis on the front.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician