Report on 18" Michelin ICE Series 3 winter tires

[Rey]

Had the Michelin ICE Series 2 (19") on my '12 RSpec. They were good winter tires, but nothing extraordinary. This series is no longer in production.

I now have a '13 3.8 with 18" wheels. OEM tires are Michelin low rolling resistant - a nice touring tire, quiet, good adhesion in rain and three season conditions. Yes, the low rolling resistant tires are the real deal. They do offer better gas mileage, maybe 1-1.5 mpg. is my estimate.

In anticipation of a long winter trip, bought the new Michelin ICE Series 3 from Costco. I was impressed by the fact they are just as quiet as the OEM tires, plus my average range (a comparison method) computation seems just about the same as the OEM tires.

Some people have complained that the Genesis is no good in the snow, implying perhaps that there is something in its weight distribution or suspension that makes it a poor winter driver. I disagree. I think it is all in the tire selection; and can freely state that my Genesis with the new Michelin ICE Series 3 is a "goat" in the snow. To wit: my travels had me driving over an unplowed Oregon Interstate (big rigs were required to chain, and the non-plowing may have been done to preserve the asphalt) with 8-10" of icy snow for 65 miles. I was constantly bottoming. The road was bumby ice underneath the snow. Got home to an unplowed drive way with about 10" of snow, and motored easily through this into my garage. I,m 74 and have driven in snow all my life; and can attest that these new Michelin tires are by far the best winter tires I have ever experienced.

 

[Epiphany]

I agree with what you say about people claiming the Genesis is a bad car in the snow. I've got Blizzak WS70's on my car, and the Canadian winter ensures I get good use of them. I have been stuck twice this winter, both times on side residential streets where snow was up past the bottom of my bumper and stopped to pick somebody up/drop somebody off. Other than that I've driven through snow that fills my lower bumper opening completely without issue.

 

[amartz]

I had the somewhat interesting experience of not being able to climb a two foot incline from a parking lot up onto a road, in the snow covered Poconos, at least until I found the ESC button and turned it off. *Then*, with a little wheel spin, it climbed out of the parking lot just fine. The ESC wouldn't let me give it any gas whatsoever to climb the incline. This is a 2012 3.8 with new Sumitomo tires.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

I've been pretty happy with my X-Ice 2 tires, but I live in a relatively flat area of the country. I'm glad that it sounds like the X-Ice 3 is a proven improvement.

I also discovered the trick about turning off the ESC when trying to get out of heavy snow or ice on an incline. The ESC is definitely not a help in that scenario. Always got to remember to turn it back on once you're rolling though ...

 

[EXBMWGUY]

I've had Michelin X-Ice 3s on my new 18" wheels for about a week now. Couldn't be happier.

 

[nfetterly]

I have the stock Michelins on 18" wheels, for the winter I bought 17" wheels from Tire Rack with 215mm Michelin ICE Series 3 tires. Had some storms here in Southern Ohio this winter and absolutely no problem in the snow - combination of ESC (which is a big help) and the narrower winter tire is pretty darn good.

I'm from the "North" and used to alot of snow.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

I've had Michelin X-Ice 3s on my new 18" wheels for about a week now. Couldn't be happier.

What did you have before these? I can't believe you didn't have winters before living in the Twin Cities like we do.

 

[stuofsci02]

I also have 17" X-Ice 3s on the car this winter and they are quite good and quite quiet. They are less fuel efficient then the Michelins that came on the car, but that is to be expected.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

What did you have before these? I can't believe you didn't have winters before living in the Twin Cities like we do.

I had Dunlop Wintersports 3Ds on my 19" OEM wheels. Not a good choice at all. They were very loud and didn't wear well. Besides, I wanted a dedicated 18" wheel and a 50 series tire, which I found worked very well with my 5-Series using the X-Ice 2.

 

[stevew84]

I also have Xi3's on my 09 4.6.

The biggest issue where I'm from (Winnipeg) is the cold. Rubber tends to turn rock hard at -40, which means very little grip regardless of road conditions. I put Xi3's on and it greatly improved grip in all conditions.

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[Epiphany]

The biggest issue where I'm from (Winnipeg)

I'm sorry to hear that