| cfvisser |
I recently replaced the Michelin Cross Terrain OEM tires on my 2002 MDX Touring with Michelin Pilot Alpin in the same size. Tirerack has a great price on the PA's (not the newer PA2) for $79. Basically I got four tires for the price of about two X-Terrains. Mainly I liked the price, but I also wanted more snow grip for winter driving in Colorado, and I had had very good experience with similar "performance snow tires" on my WRX.
I have only had a good test of the MDX with these on dry pavement, and I am very happy. First, the steering effort and feel has increased relative to the Cross Terrains. A very noticeable improvement. On a drive up the paved Bear Creek Canyon road, I found the steering precision to be much improved... you really feel like your line through corners is accurate to a few inches (instead of a foot with the CTs.) Overall the handling is sportier than with the CTs. No increase in tire noise, no difference in ride quality. And this was at temperatures in the 60-75 range. The pavement advantage should be even greater at the cold temps the PAs are designed for. I expect the snow grip will be quite a bit better than the CTs, given the PA's siping.
The one drawback will be tire wear. Snow tires are, of course, not rated for wear. But even if they only last half as long at the CTs, I will be happy with the better dry road handling and safer snow traction.
I have run performance snows (Dunlop Winter Sport M3s, Pirelli Winter 210s) as all-around tires on my Group N Impreza. In the summer, gravel and wet road performance are as important to me as dry grip. Sure, Bridgestone SO3s have great stick on dry pavement, but they understeer big time on gravel, which is what I tend to be driving on when I am having fun. And I don't mind the lower pavement grip of performance snows-- the limit comes a bit sooner but breakaway is more progressive. Turn in is not as sharp as with S03s, but the car is more tossable.
Charlie |
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