Arrrg..... Even narrowing it down the Michelins there are sooo many choices.

Had the Pilot Exalto A/S all researched and sounding good - then find a consumer site recommending the Primacy MXV4 over it.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....t+Exalto+A%2FS

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Primacy+MXV4

http://www.consumersearch.com/tires/michelin-pilot-exalto-as

Main goal is ride comfort and quietness over the OEM Conti runflats. Suppose I can't go wrong with any Michelin non-runflat all season. Opinions on Michelins?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/michel...elin-tires.jsp

 

Ok,I did the research too and found the Primacy MXV4 did'nt have the 205 50 16's which I was told by a Tire Rack rep would work great on my MCS.If you look at the weight difference in each tire(we're all looking to lower weight ratio) I saw the Michelin Exalto's would work for me and also confirmed with Tire Rack

 

Leaning towards the 205/55/16 Primacy MXV4. Amazing UTQG wear rating of 620.

They weigh the same as the 195/55/16 Conti runflats at 23lbs. Conti runflat's in the 205/55/16 size weigh 27lbs.

Going to see if the local Discount Tire shop will match TireRacks pricing, their website says they might.

 

Check Sears to see if they have the rebate on all Michelins.It should be on their website.Good choice either way buying Michelin's you'll be amazed at the ride.Just get a compressor or use AAA as I have as a backup.

 

I'd rather have this one in the rain:
205/55-16 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus
YMMV.

 

MCS Fever:

For what its worth, I put the Primacy MXV4s on my MB C300. I found them to be noisy, but they wore like iron. The downside was that for whatever reason, they cost me 2-3 mpg on the highway. I eventually took them off, well before they were worn out because they just seemed to have a lot of rolling resistance. MB recommended against them in the first place. I don't know how much of that might translate to the Mini, but I do know I would choose them again for any car.

 

Took first trip on the Primacy MXV4s today, 300 miles over Snoqualmie to Yakima and back over Chinook Pass - Not the best roads for MPG - Great for bumps and curves. Great ride comfort - less noise - and the icing on the cake even over these roads ... 36.5 MPG! Previous trip on the Conti's to Pullman and back 33mpg.

 

Still lovin' the Michelins - Must be Murphey's Law or something picked up an aluminum roofing nail in the shoulder - unrepairable area of the tire.

Discount Tire added on the $19 a tire road hazard without really asking if we wanted it or not - Glad they did now! - More than paid for itself with a new replacement tire in just 16 days....

 

Sorry to hear about your nail blunder,but Discount Tire came to the rescue...Great to hear.As far as recommendations on all weather tire I still hold my ground with the Michelin Pilot Exalto 205 50 16.I've put on about 5000 miles in 4 mos..Most smooth riding quiet tire for the MCS.Previous tire was conti runfats 195 55 16,felt every nook and cranny and then some.Michelin here

 

What if I live in an area where there's no rain, the weather is mostly hot and warm, and I'm aiming for ride comfort, 16" wheels, which tires would you guys recommend for me?

 

Just stopped into Discount tire for the first addition of nitrogen in the tires since we bought the tires from them. They have a stall just dedicated to free air pressure checks, you just pull right in. They set the digital tire station (33psi per OEM for our size tires) - hook it to your valve stem - you can see the before and after psi from your driver's seat on a nice large display - as it automatically fills and shuts off at the specified psi.

 

Just to give another review - I have Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S on mine. (205/50-16) and love them. The only knock I can have on them is they are a bit heavy.

 

I will also add. I am a former Michelin Tire Corporation employee on the manufacturing side. I had an opportunity since to see how some of the other tire makers operate. I learned pretty quickly that the tire building technology that Michelin had was way ahead of the other makes. I still believe they make the highest quality tires.

 

I've never bought a set of Michelins that I didn't absolutely love. You get what you pay for.