Snow Tire - Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 vs Pilot Alpin PA3

bmwhitman · 08-29-2011, 09:27 PM

I'm looking to buy snows for this winter for my e90 (330i). I'm looking at the Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3. Can anyone comment on these tires?

cb4 · 08-29-2011, 10:44 PM

Pilot alpin 3 are fantastic wet and dry cold weather tires. Snow and ice they are decent. Not great.

I went with the Alpins as I have AWD and the roads are clear of snow and ice 97% of the winter. My car is a daily driver and not used for long trips. If I used my car for ski trips and longer winter road trips I would have chosen a better snow tire. But for my usage the Alpins are ideal.

Gary@TireRack · 08-30-2011, 12:19 PM

The Pilot Alpin is a bit more performance oriented between the two with slightly better dry grip and cornering/steering response. The Primacy version has slightly better snow and slush traction.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

bmwhitman · 09-08-2011, 01:07 PM

It sounds like there are marginal differences between the Primacy and Pilot Alpin . Was there a study done on Tire Rack recently? I just want a tire that has good snow and ice traction first and dry handling second. Are these the tires then? If not, any recommendations?

cb4 · 09-08-2011, 04:27 PM

I'd suggest the dunlop winter 3d based on your priorities.

bmwhitman · 09-08-2011, 08:32 PM

My first set of snows were Dunlop winter 3D runflats. They were fairly decent during the snow. They last for about 5 winter seasons after which they started gettting really slippery. Didn't like the runflat factor of the tire though. Tire place who slapped them on had a hard time putting them on my rim. It was so difficult that they actually bent of of my rim in the process. Overall I had no issues with Dunlops, just wanted to try a different brand this year but may go back to them after I do more homework.

Gary@TireRack · 09-09-2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwhitman

It sounds like there are marginal differences between the Primacy and Pilot Alpin . Was there a study done on Tire Rack recently? I just want a tire that has good snow and ice traction first and dry handling second. Are these the tires then? If not, any recommendations?

If those are your priorities in that order you may want to consider the Michelin Xice XI2 or Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 instead.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

bmwhitman · 10-07-2011, 08:22 AM

So now I'm down to Michelin XICE XI2 and Dunlop Winter Sport 3D.

With the Dunlop Winter Sport, they come in 91H and 94V ratings. From a snow or ice traction or even comfort does the ratings impact any of these criterias.

Also, I keep on hearing that Michelin XICE XI2 doesn't have good cornerning and is a bit noisy. Is there any truth to this?

hubble bubble · 10-08-2011, 05:51 PM

Have Xice2 on my wife's Accord. AMAZING on snow, ice and unplowed roads. Other can claim to be almost as good, none are better. Highy recommended if you drive outside Tarana on a regular basis, especially for winter road trips. But they are squishy on dry roads. Never noticed the noise....with the radio on.

I have Hakkapeliittaa R and I love them. Not as good as Xice2 on ice, but as good or better on fresh snow and as good or better than my old Pilot Alpin on cold, dry roads. And the really break away smoothly when you go a little too fast. What do you expect from snow tires from Finland (home of so many rally dirvers). My biggest complaint is that Tirerack doesn't carry them, nor do most major chains, so it is hard to get deals.

Gary@TireRack · 10-10-2011, 10:39 AM

Neither the 3D nor the Xi2 is loud compared to other snow tires. The Xi2 is a bit quieter than the 3D. Basically the 3D and Michelin PA3 are tires you go to for better dry grip and steering response compared to the Xi2 which will have better snow and ice traction.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

Boosted_N54 · 10-23-2011, 10:35 PM

All i know is that my 135i COULDNT MOVE AT ALL in the snow with my stock tires and once i put on the PA3 tires it was driving like like a beast in thr snow never got stuck in th snow with pa3

e90-328i · 10-25-2011, 08:10 AM

Not to throw a wrench in the mix. But I found some pretty good reviews on Toyo garit kx. That's the tire I have decided to go with for my RWD.

08-29-2011, 09:27 PM	#1
bmwhitman Private First Class 46 Rep 177 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i (E90) [0.00]	Snow Tire - Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 vs Pilot Alpin PA3 I'm looking to buy snows for this winter for my e90 (330i). I'm looking at the Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3. Can anyone comment on these tires?
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08-29-2011, 10:44 PM	#2
cb4 Captain 60 Rep 910 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	Pilot alpin 3 are fantastic wet and dry cold weather tires. Snow and ice they are decent. Not great. I went with the Alpins as I have AWD and the roads are clear of snow and ice 97% of the winter. My car is a daily driver and not used for long trips. If I used my car for ski trips and longer winter road trips I would have chosen a better snow tire. But for my usage the Alpins are ideal.
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08-30-2011, 12:19 PM	#3
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	The Pilot Alpin is a bit more performance oriented between the two with slightly better dry grip and cornering/steering response. The Primacy version has slightly better snow and slush traction. Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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09-08-2011, 01:07 PM	#4
bmwhitman Private First Class 46 Rep 177 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i (E90) [0.00]	It sounds like there are marginal differences between the Primacy and Pilot Alpin . Was there a study done on Tire Rack recently? I just want a tire that has good snow and ice traction first and dry handling second. Are these the tires then? If not, any recommendations?
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09-08-2011, 04:27 PM	#5
cb4 Captain 60 Rep 910 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	I'd suggest the dunlop winter 3d based on your priorities.
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09-08-2011, 08:32 PM	#6
bmwhitman Private First Class 46 Rep 177 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i (E90) [0.00]	My first set of snows were Dunlop winter 3D runflats. They were fairly decent during the snow. They last for about 5 winter seasons after which they started gettting really slippery. Didn't like the runflat factor of the tire though. Tire place who slapped them on had a hard time putting them on my rim. It was so difficult that they actually bent of of my rim in the process. Overall I had no issues with Dunlops, just wanted to try a different brand this year but may go back to them after I do more homework.
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10-07-2011, 08:22 AM	#8
bmwhitman Private First Class 46 Rep 177 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i (E90) [0.00]	So now I'm down to Michelin XICE XI2 and Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. With the Dunlop Winter Sport, they come in 91H and 94V ratings. From a snow or ice traction or even comfort does the ratings impact any of these criterias. Also, I keep on hearing that Michelin XICE XI2 doesn't have good cornerning and is a bit noisy. Is there any truth to this?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2011, 05:51 PM	#9
hubble bubble Captain 17 Rep 680 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (0)	Have Xice2 on my wife's Accord. AMAZING on snow, ice and unplowed roads. Other can claim to be almost as good, none are better. Highy recommended if you drive outside Tarana on a regular basis, especially for winter road trips. But they are squishy on dry roads. Never noticed the noise....with the radio on. I have Hakkapeliittaa R and I love them. Not as good as Xice2 on ice, but as good or better on fresh snow and as good or better than my old Pilot Alpin on cold, dry roads. And the really break away smoothly when you go a little too fast. What do you expect from snow tires from Finland (home of so many rally dirvers). My biggest complaint is that Tirerack doesn't carry them, nor do most major chains, so it is hard to get deals.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 10:39 AM	#10
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	Neither the 3D nor the Xi2 is loud compared to other snow tires. The Xi2 is a bit quieter than the 3D. Basically the 3D and Michelin PA3 are tires you go to for better dry grip and steering response compared to the Xi2 which will have better snow and ice traction. Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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10-23-2011, 10:35 PM	#11
Boosted_N54 Major 180 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: 135i N54 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	All i know is that my 135i COULDNT MOVE AT ALL in the snow with my stock tires and once i put on the PA3 tires it was driving like like a beast in thr snow never got stuck in th snow with pa3
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10-25-2011, 08:10 AM	#12
e90-328i Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2011 328i RWD! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: yyz iTrader: (0)	Not to throw a wrench in the mix. But I found some pretty good reviews on Toyo garit kx. That's the tire I have decided to go with for my RWD. __________________ 2011 328i RWD Sports 6MT, BMW P/E, aFe Magnum stage 2, AA tune, P3cars gauge, LUX
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