[tsk13]

Found another informative link - http://www.livelifedrive.com/malaysi...ng-performance

Originally Posted by khoj

Hi tSk, thank you for this information. If you do go to BK tyres could you find out the availability and prices for the following sizes
185/70R14
195/60R15
205/50R16 &
205/55R16
Do note/ask the speed ratings for the above sizes as in H, V, W etc.

Dear Khoj Ji

Apologies for the delay, here's the information:

185/70 R14 & 205/50 R16 won't be coming.

195/60 R15 for Rs.6,150.00 (I think 'W' Speed Rating)
205/55 R16 W for Rs.10,000.00

Further, ContiSportContact 5 has also been launched but I think its 17 inch onwards.

[TheTeacher]

Seems to wear out fast on good roads. Source here; please read individual reviews.

[Kamikaze]

The review by Top Gear Australia states that the Primacy 3 ST has been modified to fit Asian roads

From the article:

This tyre is made just for Australia and Asia. Michelin took the Primacy 3 from Europe and had to toughen it up to withstand the terrible roads in places like Thailand, Malaysia… and Australia

[Kamikaze]

Contacted Madhus today to enquire about availability of the Primacy 3 ST in 195/60R15. Was told it will take 1 more month for the P3ST to be available in this size. Indicative pricing will be Rs 6200 per tire (around 300-400 more than the LC).

Unfortunately cannot wait for a month more - my focus now shifts back to the LC and the AVS DB.

On a related note, contacted Yokohama sales office and was told they will be launching a new pattern in October - was told that the pattern that will be launched is probably Earth1 - I was hoping that they will release the V551 or the C.Drive2

At least now with the upcoming release options out of the way, my choice is a straight fight between the LC and the AVS DB, with the AVS DB probably winning.

[Nikhilb2008]

The P3ST will not be coming in 14". I may have made a typo earlier. It will be 15" and above only.

Right now, it's available in 195/65-15, 205/55-16 and 215/55-17.

[debugged]

Originally Posted by tsk13

195/60 R15 for Rs.6,150.00 (I think 'W' Speed Rating)
205/55 R16 W for Rs.10,000.00

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Right now, it's available in 195/65-15, 205/55-16 and 215/55-17.

Different dealers having different sizes?

The Post started off with picture of 195/65/15. My 195/60/15 PLC is due for replacement and would like to know if it is worth waiting a couple of months for P3ST to be available in that size.

[Kamikaze]

Originally Posted by debugged

Different dealers having different sizes?

The Post started off with picture of 195/65/15. My 195/60/15 PLC is due for replacement and would like to know if it is worth waiting a couple of months for P3ST to be available in that size.

My 2 cents (I am no tyre expert but have been doing quite a bit of research leading up to my tyre replacement):

The P3ST is better than the PLC in almost all aspects - Michelin says this themselves and backs this up with data. The P3ST has also got positive reviews based on launch testing (like here). It is also one of the newest tyres in Michelin's portfolio and packs some of Michelin's latest tech. Attached is the PDF catalog page on P3ST.

When I was at Millivisions to buy my AVS DB, I was told that the PLC is/will-be discountinued when the P3ST is launched.

So, in many ways, if you are set on the PLC, I think it is worthwhile to wait for the P3ST. However, you may have to shell out Rs. 300-400 extra per tyre for the P3ST over the PLC.

There are already P3STs available in some sizes, and these should be available in 195/60R15 in a month at the most.

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by debugged

Different dealers having different sizes?

The Post started off with picture of 195/65/15. My 195/60/15 PLC is due for replacement and would like to know if it is worth waiting a couple of months for P3ST to be available in that size.

Please do wait. The P3ST will be available in that size in a month or so. Dont know exactly.

[R2D2]

These tyres (195/65/R15 91V) are available in Pune. Just called my dealer to check. I am thinking of going in for them.

Given my experience with the PLC (the best tyres I've ever used yet) this one should be a no brainer. Or so I hope.

Will update this thread should I decide to 'upgrade'.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Will update this thread should I decide to 'upgrade'.

Ok guys, well, I contacted the dealer. Price was 6050/tyre but the worst part was NO rebate on the old rubber! The dealer mentioned that owners of 'high end' cars (LOL! Toyota and high end? ) do not purchase 2nd hand rubber so he cannot offer me a rebate.

That meant about Rs 30K+ for this change to a new set of tyres. Thought I'd give it a skip for now and change only after another year or so.

[Screwdriva]

Have you guys noticed how Michelin has not advertised this tyre's fuel efficiency gains over the previous generation anywhere?

When the MXV8 and the Primacy LC launched, both were touted as the most fuel efficient tyres in their class. Not the case with the Primacy 3 or the Primacy 3 ST.

I'm guessing the Marketing guys couldn't do this because there were no gains or maybe even losses in efficiency.

[arunphilip]

Well, I took the plunge, and swapped out the 205/60R16 MRF tires on my EcoSport with the Michelin Primacy 3 ST in the same size. Let's see how they fare.

This was done at Madhu's yesterday. Thanks are due to Samarth (sammyboy) for putting me onto Madhu's, to Nikhil himself for his very practical and pragmatic advice, and to Mr. Ravi and Mr. Gopal (hope I have their names right) for excellent customer service.

[R2D2]

Seems I spoke to soon. Deja Vu all over again circa March 2010! When I went to the tyre shop to top off the nitrogen I was advised to replace the tyres by the tyrewalla a guy who I have known for nearly 25 years.

He showed me are very fine cracks in the sidewall near the treadline caused by the car being idle/unused for extended periods of time. This is courtesy my extended trips out of town, the latest for 1.5 months that caused my battery to die out.

I thought he was kidding me. He laughed and said no, knowing how particular I am about my car & safety he advised me to do so. He told me that it could pose a danger at highway speeds. These tyres were manufactured in Dec 2009 (date code 5209) and fitted in March 2010.

I blame myself for the situation. Guess the car should have been raised on blocks or jack stands before travelling.

As I generally use this car for inter city runs and do not compromise on safety, I am taking the P3ST plunge tomorrow and replacing all tyres with stock size shoes.

The P3STs are made in Thailand versus my PLCs that were made in Italy. Will update this thread later this week. I have pretty high expectations from these tyres given they are the PLC's replacement.

PS - I will be buying the tyres from another dealer, Lokmanya Tyres on Karve Road in Pune. Not the person referred to above. His prices are higher.

[R2D2]

Ok folks, finally got 5 P3STs yesterday, stock size 195/65 R15 91V. Tyre MRP Rs 6,275 in MH, offered at 6,050/tyre.

Cost was Rs 6,200/tyre (Rs 31K) inclusive of:

a) Wheel balancing weights (chargeable)
b) New valves. The old ones were the OEM fitted at the TKM factory (chargeable)
c) Metal valve caps (free)
d) Nitrogen fill (free)
e) No credit card surcharge. That saved me 2% i.e. Rs 620

The dealer asked if I wanted the wheel alignment performed. I politely declined and said it's done when the car goes for its annual service. The service is due in November. Of course I didn't explicitly say it's because they (DSK-T) do it perfectly

Now for some first/initial impressions. Do keep in mind that it was only a 8-9km drive back home in typical Pune traffic i.e. stop and go.

a) Car seems to roll much less. My impression the P3STs have firmer sidewalls. This should translate into better handling on the highways and twisties.
b) The steering seemed a bit tighter. Now that could be because of extra grip AKA stickiness as Michelin claims OR because the alignment needs to be redone.
c) These tyres are slightly more silent than the PLCs. But that could be because they are brand new. As we all know tyres become hard with age. I must commend the PLCs for having run without any rolling noise for 3.5 years.
c) I will 'run-in' the tyres for 100-200 kms in the city before taking the car out for a highway/expressway sprint say to Lonavala and back on the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

Just sharing a couple of pics. Please excuse the quality. My Samsung Galaxy Note 2's camera isn't exactly known for good IQ.

Buying tyres from Lokmanya Auto was a pleasure just as it was back in early 2010 when I purchased the PLCs. This dealer remains highly recommended. Other dealers I had asked had quoted MRP with balancing (weights) extra. Guess I save about 200/tyre totalling to a saving of Rs 1,000, or Rs 1,620 if you include the CC surcharge. It is a small amount when you consider I shelled out 31K, but when seen on its own, Rs 1600 or even 1000 bucks isn't bad at all. About 10-20 litres of petrol at current prices.

More thoughts on these tyres to follow in due course. Stay tuned.

PS - Stiffer sidewall or not, I will be following the same precautions with these shoes that I did with the PLCs i.e. maintaining correct tyre pressure and being careful on bad roads.

PPS - Request Nikhilb2008 to share any tips on using and maintaining these tyres, it will be helpful for us non-BLR P3ST owners.

[arunphilip]

Michelin India's website has been updated to list the 3 ST: http://www.michelin.in/Home/Products...imacy%203%20ST.

Surprisingly & confusingly, the website lists only one size: 205/55R16, despite the other sizes being discussed here. Moreover, my EcoSport is running on the 3ST in the 205/60R16 size.