Looking at new summer tires for my E430...

There is a Michelin promo at Costco, so I'm thinking either

Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus (H-rated)

or

Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (V-rated)


The Exaltos are a bit more expensive than the Energy's, but you get the v-rated construction/performance. My worry is that they will wear significantly faster, even though both have a treadwear rating of 400.

Anyone have any experience with them, esp, the Exalto's? I know the Energy's have a good rep, plenty of info here about them. TIA.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Possibly the Pilot Exalto A/S is too new to get "experience " comments.
As far as treadwear, I think that 400 is a very good number.
The thing that has me a little cautious is, if Costco actually gets " First " quality tires from Michelin ( or any other tire manufacturer ).

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2007 C 230 Sport.

I've had the Exalto's on the E320 Wagon for a month now, and they feel fantastic. What amazes me is how much "faster" the car feels. You really have to pay attention. With the snow tires on it had a sweet-spot at about 115 km/h where the car just liked to sit. With the Exaltos that sweet spot is now around 135.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

Thanks Buckethead!

*j/king*

I'm thinking I'll go for the exaltos. jlomon - did you get yours at Costco?

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

No, I got them at an independent tire shop in Toronto. They were priced at 185 plus tax per tire inclusive of all costs. I bought the stock size for the E320, which was 215 55 16. The sweet part was that Michelin ran a promo in April where they sent you a $50 Esso gift card when you purchased a set of four.

Jonathan

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

Cool, thanks Jonathan.

Yeah, Costco has a promo with Michelin right now, you get $60 off a set of 4. The stock 215/55R16 tires are $189, installation and balancing included. So with the discount, it's a pretty good deal.

Just trying to decide if I should go with stock size or try 225/50R16....hmmm....

manny - not too worried about 'firsts' or anything like that. I'm not sure I buy into that theory. I'm guessing Costco gets volume discounts, plain and simple. But thanks for the tip anyway!

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

I don't think you'll be disappointed, Chris. I'll be very interested to hear what you think of them, especially with that upgraded suspension you scored.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

I'll letcha know!

Yeah, the suspension is great (at least for the way I drive)!

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

On my Golf, the Exalto A/S tires are extraordinary. I will purchase for the Jetta as soon as the OEM MXV4 S8's wear out.

Ray

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2001 Golf GLS TDI 5-Speed Reflex Silver 244K 46 MPG hwy Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 (VW 507.00 MB 229.51), Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (mine)

2010 TDI Jetta Sportwagen DSG White Gold Metallic/Corn Silk 7K miles | Panoramic Roof | iPod kit | Mats+Splash Guards kit | built 11/09 | acquired 12/20/09 (hers)

'88 300E Sold

So I got the Exaltos, and I LOVE 'EM!!

They rock, plain and simple. Got the 215s and looking at the tire, I probably could have gone 225, but I am happy enough with the performance of the 215.

They are very, very smooth and the car tracks beautifully. I had a slight vibration at 80-100 Km/h with my previous tires, and that is now gone. Smooth sailing. In fact, the car sits so nicely and tracks so smoothly, I was doing 140 Km/h in an 80 Km/h zone without feeling it. The car just cruises like nothing I've been in before. I know exactly what you mean Jonathan, when you talk about the car 'feeling faster'. I think it is because they're so smooth - you don't notice the speed until you are really moving (150+).

Performance-wise, I've noticed a better take off for sure. I've only chirped the tires a couple of times, with a more or less full throttle. They grab nicely and if I want to drive hard, they hold up, so no complaints there. We'll see how they do after a few seasons. Did some hard cornering and they didn't break at all.

So overall, a big thumbs up on these tires!

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

I feel the exact same way, Chris. I love them almost as much as the Eagle F1 GSD3's that I have on my W202. Of course, those are pure summer only and I didn't want the wife to be caught out with her car and an unexpected dusting of snow one day in October, so I went with the high performance a/s for her. Wait till you feel them in the rain. You'll wonder how an all season tire like that can do so many things so well.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

I purchased the Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus for my w202 C280 about a year and a half ago. With only 18k miles on them they are over 50% worn out and their wet weather traction is next to nill (no, I am NOT a race-car-driver-wanna-be who wears out tires quick). It's kind of embarasing in the rain that every time I push the accelerator I spin a tire now. I would steer clear of them - I won't be rebuying them in the future.

Just my $.02.

I just ordered a set of Michelin "Primacy MXV4" tires from Costco. This is a brand new tire from Michelin and is an updated one from the Energy MXV4. Once they ship to the store, I will have them put on my wagon. I did a lot of reading and decided to go with this new tire.

Those look like nice tires, the guy at Costco mentioned them as well. I decided to go with the Exaltos as I drive pretty hard... Both seem like excellent tires though, the Primacy definitely seem to be an improvement upon the Energy MXV4s. Primacy are probably quieter than the Exaltos, and may last longer with a 100,000 Km warranty vs. 70,000 Km for the Exaltos. Flip side is increased performance from the Exaltos. All comes down to driving habits and requirements I guess.

Let us know how they are!

I'm exceptionally happy with the Exaltos - and Jonathan, you're right, wet performance is incredible!

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

It looks like I can only have them in stalled on July 1 because I am leaving for Canada for a two week trip.

The guy at Costco told me that this Primacy tire used the Energy outside tread and the S8 inside tread. In another work, Michelin decided to combine the Energy MXV4 and Energy MXV4 S8.

Zeus: Do you know if US Costco member can use Canada Costco stores or vice versa?