Bridgestone vs. Michelin

[amartz]

I've got about 30k miles on my Sumitomo's on my 2012 3.8. I doubt they will make it to 40k. I stopped by Costco, and got the following out-the-door quotes:

Michelin Primacy.......: 60k mile tires - $1077.73
Bridgestone Serenity+:..70k mile tires - $995.48

Comments?

 

[kn5owa]

I bought one set of each of those exact tires about a year ago at Costco for under $800/set. Don't forget the $70 discount - they alternate between the two brands - you can't get both at once.

One more note - they used to make a big thing about after sale service - I found it to be non-existent . Costco/michelin go hit with a humogous lawsuit a few years ago after they rotated some tires and the guy wrecked his car. Not Costco's fault - but the juries dont care.

Those prices seem outta sight.

p.s. update: I paid $707 out the door for the Bridgestone's
The Michelin's were comparable - but I traded that car in (with the new tires)

 

[homeofstone]

Either tire is quiet and smooth so its your choice.

 

[kn5owa]

Either tire is quiet and smooth so its your choice.

I put Bridgestone's on my Sonata and Michelin's on a Ford Taurus (the predecessor of my Genny).

They seemed equally good - and again, I've never paid more than $800 for a set of tires in my life. But prices seem to go up in quantum jumps and Costco is now charging some kind of slush charge of $15/tire which adds $60 to the set.

 

[Mark_888]

I've got about 30k miles on my Sumitomo's on my 2012 3.8. I doubt they will make it to 40k. I stopped by Costco, and got the following out-the-door quotes:

Michelin Primacy.......: 60k mile tires - $1077.73
Bridgestone Serenity+:..70k mile tires - $995.48

Comments?

I put the Michelin Primacy MXV4 on my Genesis at about 20K miles (purchased from Costco). I now have 52K miles on my Genesis (32K miles on the tires) and they appear to have more than 50% tread left in my estimation. They are excellent tires (not just for long wear reasons), but they only fit the Genesis 17" wheels.

If you purchase from Costco, make sure to take advantage of the free 7500 mile rotations. That is extremely important on the Genesis (much more important than other cars I have owned). Also, I had an independent suspension shop do an alignment right after tire purchase. I used a shop recommended by my local Costco tire dealer (Costco does not do alignments).

 

[amartz]

But prices seem to go up in quantum jumps and Costco is now charging some kind of slush charge of $15/tire which adds $60 to the set.

Yeah, these quotes included that $15 per tire handling fee.

 

[amartz]

Don't forget the $70 discount - they alternate between the two brands - you can't get both at once.

Good to know. The $70 discount is on the Michelin's right now, and is included in the quoted price. Guess I should watch and see when it goes back to the Bridgestones then. Any idea how often that happens? And if you believe the numbers Costco quotes, it would appear the Bridgestone is the longer wearing tire. I wonder if real-world experience backs that up?

 

[kn5owa]

Yeah, these quotes included that $15 per tire handling fee.

Still seems like you're getting high prices.

But then, a couple of years ago, I could rent a decent car for $30/day - now it's more like a $100 per day.

I gotta go to Costco tomorrow - maybe do a little pricing on tires - very curious.

Will report back.

 

[amartz]

They are excellent tires (not just for long wear reasons), but they only fit the Genesis 17" wheels.

Both quotes are for the 235 50 R18s that are on my Genny.

 

[Mark_888]

Both quotes are for the 235 50 R18s that are on my Genny.

You must be looking at the Michelin Primacy MXM4 and not the MXV4. I cannot speak from experience about the MXM4, which is a different tire than my Primacy MXV4. You might want to look at customer ratings of tires on Tirerack.com.

My understanding is that the Primacy MXM4 has slightly better handling than the Primacy MXV4, at a cost of slight less comfortable ride (but still comfortable) and less tread life warranty (55K mile warranty instead of 60K miles).

As I am sure you know, Costco is a participating retailer in the $70 off offer for 4 new Michelin tires until June 10, 2015.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[amartz]

As I am sure you know, Costco is a participating retailer in the $70 off offer for 4 new Michelin tires until June 10, 2015.

Didn't know the date. If I decide on the Bridgestones, I can make it until June, I'm sure.

 

[Mark_888]

Didn't know the date. If I decide on the Bridgestones, I can make it until June, I'm sure.

The $70 discount is on Michelin tires, and was probably included in the price you were quoted. You can obviously buy Bridgestones anytime.

I suspect that the Primacy MXM4 is a very good tire. I would probably ask the Costco tire guy which is best based on your criteria (tread length, handling, braking, comforts, etc). Not all customers value the same things in a tire. They know which tires get the fewest returns (Costco has a very liberal return policy if not satisfied).

 

[amartz]

The $70 discount is on Michelin tires, and was probably included in the price you were quoted. You can obviously buy Bridgestones anytime.

The discount was included in the Michelins. If I'm leaning towards the Bridgestones, then it makes sense to wait until June.

 

[Mark_888]

The discount was included in the Michelins. If I'm leaning towards the Bridgestones, then it makes sense to wait until June.

OK, I guess you have determined that Bridgestone will go on sale in June, which was not clear to me.

 

[amartz]

OK, I guess you have determined that Bridgestone will go on sale in June, which was not clear to me.

Well, based on your comment that the Michelin's discount ends June 10, and kn5owa's comment that the $70 discount alternates back and forth between the Michelins and the Bridgestones, it seemed logical to me that sometime in June or July, I might see the Bridgestones go on sale. Just guess on my part.

 

[sims11]

Genesis 2011 3.8

Tire on the car right now: 235/50R18

I was quoted
1. Michelin Energy Saver 55K warranty 215*4+60 = $920. (With discount, $850)
2. Michelin Pilot MXM4 50K warranty $240*4+60 = $1020 (With disc $950)
4. Bridgestone Serenity Plus 50K warranty $215*4 + 60 = $920 (With disc $850)

Michelins are 97V whereas Bridgestone is 97W. I read up on the internet and it seems 97W Bridgestone is capable of higher speed - that does not matter for me , but what do I give up for the higher speed is a question that comes to mind?

@amartz - it seems that the tires you were quoted for are different and have far higher warranties also. Do please share the tire model #. Also, are you including taxes in the quote you received?

Any advise as to which tire? I am generally a sedate driver, I know, even with the Genesis...

 

[homeofstone]

Genesis 2011 3.8

Tire on the car right now: 235/50R18

I was quoted
1. Michelin Energy Saver 55K warranty 215*4+60 = $920. (With discount, $850)
2. Michelin Pilot MXM4 50K warranty $240*4+60 = $1020 (With disc $950)
4. Bridgestone Serenity Plus 50K warranty $215*4 + 60 = $920 (With disc $850)

Michelins are 97V whereas Bridgestone is 97W. I read up on the internet and it seems 97W Bridgestone is capable of higher speed - that does not matter for me , but what do I give up for the higher speed is a question that comes to mind?

@amartz - it seems that the tires you were quoted for are different and have far higher warranties also. Do please share the tire model #. Also, are you including taxes in the quote you received?

Any advise as to which tire? I am generally a sedate driver, I know, even with the Genesis...

The W rated tires will also give you slightly better handling. I run the W rated Serenity tires by Bridgestone. W rated is what came standard on my car.

 

[sims11]

The W rated tires will also give you slightly better handling. I run the W rated Serenity tires by Bridgestone. W rated is what came standard on my car.

Got it. Then I will simply wait for the Bridgestone sale to come about. I can wait for some time.

I also read here and as per Tirerack reviews also the Bridgestone seem to have better handling.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Mark_888]

Michelins are 97V whereas Bridgestone is 97W. I read up on the internet and it seems 97W Bridgestone is capable of higher speed - that does not matter for me , but what do I give up for the higher speed is a question that comes to mind?

Usually, a W rated tire will have stiffer sidewalls, which results in better handling, but slightly less comfortable ride compared to V rated (H is even softer). A W rated tire will also usually have a shorter tread life than a V speed rated tire.

However, there are other complicating factors, such as the use of sophisticated (and expensive) tread compounds, tread pattern, and other factors that makes comparing tires from 2 different manufacturers a little harder.

 

[amartz]

@amartz - it seems that the tires you were quoted for are different and have far higher warranties also. Do please share the tire model #. Also, are you including taxes in the quote you received?

I put all the info I had in the original post. These are Costco offerings, so if you have one to stop by, you could probably get the model #, etc. The quoted price was the out the door price, including taxes and the $15 per tire fee for putting them on, road hazard warranty, nitrogen fill,, etc., etc.