Happy with the snow handling Have micheline X-ice tires on, big upgrade there compared to the stock Continental tires. Handles great in the snow and on the ice up here in Saskatoon, SK.
i run Michelin lattitudes after going through the OEM GY s at 30K miles.
Used a higher quality tyre last time : Michelin Alpine 5...
I had used cheap winters before but you really do notice the difference in quality, grip etc
It's not as great in ice, but I think Michelin x-ice and Blizzak tires are better for that.
Further to the Xice3 awesomeness. I drove through 50 km of super-twisty tight mountain road this weekend and came across a BMW 5-series on wide tires that would sprint off on the straights then I'd catch him in the twisties then he'd take off on the straights (rinse and repeat)... Anyway, mixed dry/damp pavement at about 10 \u00b0C and the Xice3s had grip to spare in corners.
I have the Michelin PA4's for my R, they are great all around in the winter especially in the dry, X Ice3 were better on ice and packed snow though.
I ran the Xice3 in some pretty severe snow this past winter. One day in particular was a big snowstorm... I took every gnarly/hilly minor road I could find... and got home with no drama and some quality hooning. Those tires are magic.
I had XIce's on my S4 and loved them, for sure getting them on my R Smooth on plowed roads, but turned the S4 into a tank when it snowed.
Around Thanksgiving last year, I had two Michelin MXV4 Eco+ OEM stock tires that were worn and need of replacing. I followed suggestions of colleagues and Consumer Reports and bought two Falken Ziex ZE-512, and installed them on the front of my 1998.5 Turbo Passat Wagon. Although I kept the same size (195/65/R15) I was impressed immediately: much better handling, steering response, road feel, as well as seriously improved wet and dry grip. Extremely stable at 90mph+ speeds, and good cornering. After about 1000 miles however, I thought I had front-end or transmission problems, as there was this terrible WHOO=WHOO sound coming from the front. I took it to a shop and they said no trouble, just tire noise. Noise worsened, so took to VW dealer in Maine while on the road; they said that car was aligned perfectly per spec, but Falken tires were \"cupped\", and worn on the inside.
I totally agree with ALL your comments about the stock Michelins. It is a shame VW but such a crappy tire on such a fine car. The HXMX4 is one of the lowest rated all season tires based on user reviews at Tire Rack. I was really happy to send the Michelins to the recycling bin...
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