Hello all. My wife's 05 VDP will need new shoes soon, and she currently has Khuomo (sp?) and doesn't like them - she says they are not as quiet as she'd like. She's not a spirited driver, but would still like them to handle well. She puts about 15K a year on them.

I have seen others recommend the Michelin Pilot MX4M 97H tires. What is your experience with quiet tires that still provide decent handling? I'd prefer to get all season tires. I'm really not concerned with price, just a good quality handling and quiet tire.

Very much appreciate your input!

 

FWIW, I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S installed on the 03 S-type and called them quiet. Had Sport A/S Plus later put on the 05 and would also call them quiet. Installed a set of Michelin Primacy MXV4's on my 95 VDP - I'd call them "Silent." Very happy with them, 22k miles in.

 

Two weeks ago I replaced the Pirelli Zero Nero's with a new set of the same. Quiet and grippy. Im not an overly aggressive driver though.

 

For your location and stated concern re noise go with All Season tires. If cost is not primary concern go with Continental or Michelin.

 

Installed Michelin Pilot MX4M's on my dad Cadillac CTS. Could not stand the directional Toyo's the dealer installed. It used to sound lake a tractor inside whinning down the road. What a difference now it rides great, drives greater and no noise. Put these on and it was like a totally new car.

 

I want to the thread and ask for a test-drive in your XKR.

 

I liked the Conti's that were stock on my VDP, but were no longer being made and went with Pirelli P Zero Nero A/S and I have to say I they ended up being pretty darn good. Pirelli's are usually known as noisy, but these were not at all, and offered a slightly firmer and sportier ride than the Conti's. If I were to choose from either, I'd take the less expensive of the two.

I think I paid like $600 for all 4 mounted at a NTB!

 

I haven't had good luck with Pirelli's...the ones I had on my 07 were noisy as heck...and the P Zero's I had on my 02 XKR disintegrated - the inner sidewall failed at 70MPH on the interstate (Yes, it was a harry and scary situation!)

The Michelin Super Sports on my 2010 are outstanding tires - quiet and very grippy - but are Summer tires. In Atlanta we usually get some ice in the Winter, although it doesn't last long. Maybe I should just not worry about that and go with what works for most of the year. I was considering getting some of these for the VDP.

I have tried V rated tires in the past but my experience with those is that the sidewall seems to be much weaker/looser and degrades handling in turns and such.

 

For an all season, I have had great success with the Continental Extreme DWS. They are quiet, get a lot of miles out of them and have great traction in the rain. I had a set on my Mercedes E-Class and loved them. I now have about 10K miles on a another set on my '07 VDP.

 

Funny, was having this very conversation just a few days ago while watching the Dubai F1 GP.

We unanimously agreed:
All-season's: are not.
Pirelli P Zero's drive well in perfectly dry conditions, albeit with significant wear.
Michelin PS2 were the expected favourite by all... but the Super Sport is new technology and are WOW!
And a few of us are going to give the Conti Extreme Contacts a go again: price point is unbelievable for such a favourable rated tire.

FWIW.

 

So I have narrowed my choice down to:

Michelin Primacy MXM4 (245/50R18 99V)

Continental Extreme Contact DWS - 235/50ZR18 99W)

It's been suggested that the Michelin Primacy would complement the VDP's suspension better, possibly because it is a V rated tire and may be softer than a higher rated tire? (Full cost at Tire Rack is $900 plus about $58 shipping)

I have discovered some good feedback on the Conti Extreme DWS tires, and I like the tread design. I have to say I have never owned Continental tires before. The Conti's are $180 less expensive as well. (Full set at Tire Rack is $720 plus about $58 shipping)

This VDP's suspension is definitely stiffer than the 98 VDP she had before this one. I am wondering if the V rated tire would indeed soften the ride somewhat?

 

keep us informed !

 

So we went with the Continentals. The local Tire Plus guy I know gave me a good deal, only $9 more per tire than the cost from Tire Rack, which I would have paid anyway with shipping cost. Tire Rack charges sales tax in Georgia so that was a wash. Out the door price with lifetime rotate and balance was $898.87.

We drove the car around for an hour or so. Wow - did not know the Khumo's were as hard as they were. These Continental's have improved the ride 100%!!! They are silent. I can not hear them at all, even on concrete.

They don't have the "stance" that Michelin's or the Kumos had - they definitely look like a non-sporty tire, but they're on a VDP so that is not an issue.

Time will tell if they hold up, but the handling so far is really good. Soft ride, does not feel like a marshmellow in corners. I think we made a good choice.

We're driving to Texas in a couple weeks - will update the experience after that.