[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by PatienceWins

Is it the general practice to replace tire at 5 years, irrespective of mileage?

Yes. Since the rubber becomes hard and starts to develop cracks.

[sdp1975]

Originally Posted by PatienceWins

Is it the general practice to replace tire at 5 years, irrespective of mileage?

My 2004 M-800 is running great on OEM tubed tyres @ 58K km.

I wouldn't change tyres unless I see a problem .

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by PatienceWins

What is the lifespan of a car tire?

If you are doing city driving should be okay but if you frequent highways better to change if five years old.

[echo77]

My XM1+ lasted 75K kms as you can note in my post above. I can't recall right now when I had changed them previously but I think they were between 5-7 years old. They had small cracks here and there, or else I'd have kept them on for some more time.

If you're losing air, you may want to check if it is due to rims rusting near the valve. In which case you may want to get the rims replaced.

I've replaced all of my rims (standard, not alloy, because they were rusted inside, especially near the valve and leaking air at the valve) - 2 were replaced a couple of years back because or air leakage and 2 were replaced during this tyre change, after I realized they'd have to be replaced sooner than later.

[PatienceWins]

Originally Posted by echo77

My XM1+ lasted 75K kms as you can note in my post above. I can't recall right now when I had changed them previously but I think they were between 5-7 years old. They had small cracks here and there, or else I'd have kept them on for some more time.

If you're losing air, you may want to check if it is due to rims rusting near the valve. In which case you may want to get the rims replaced.

I've replaced all of my rims (standard, not alloy, because they were rusted inside, especially near the valve and leaking air at the valve) - 2 were replaced a couple of years back because or air leakage and 2 were replaced during this tyre change, after I realized they'd have to be replaced sooner than later.

That is very good life from XM1+. I am using XM1, not XM1+. There is enough thread to go for another 5000 kms, but nothing compared to what you have got.

I do not think there is issue of rust as I am using alloy wheels. Will get it checked anyway. Thanks

[PatienceWins]

Just changed all the tires to Michelin XM2, 185 65 R14, for my getz - same size as earlier. Paid Rs. 5000 per tire. Charged separately for alignment and balancing, valves. Got Rs. 100 for the old tires. Nitrogen for all tires free.

The old tire XM1+ was 5 years old and was losing air faster. The ride quality is much better with new tires. Too early to give impressions as I just drove a few kms in traffic after tire change.

[Darth Sid]

Originally Posted by vibbs

Guys,
The Stock JK Tyres Tornado on my Punto have worn out and I am planning to change to Michelin XM2 185/70 R 14.

I am looking to upgrade the stock 165/80R14 on my newly bought Swift petrol to the same size you mentioned in your post. I am trying to choose between the XM2 and the Earth-1. Did you get your tyres? Any review?

Originally Posted by srichida

Looking for a decent upgrade here - should I stick with the stock size or go for larger ones? Also, what do you recommend between the Earth 1 and Michelin XM2?

I am trying to choose between the same tyres. Will go to install tyres tomorrow morning. Which tyre did you finally get and how do you feel about it?

[vibbs]

Originally Posted by Darth Sid

I am looking to upgrade the stock 165/80R14 on my newly bought Swift petrol to the same size you mentioned in your post. I am trying to choose between the XM2 and the Earth-1. Did you get your tyres? Any review?

I ve zeroed in on xm2. Will be getting it done in the next couple of days. If you can wait a few days you ll get my review.

[Darth Sid]

Originally Posted by vibbs

I ve zeroed in on xm2. Will be getting it done in the next couple of days. If you can wait a few days you ll get my review.

Ah, well. I am actually going to try to get new tyres tomorrow morning itself. I might just beat you to that review.

[headbanger]

Originally Posted by Darth Sid

Ah, well. I am actually going to try to get new tyres tomorrow morning itself. I might just beat you to that review.

I have not experienced Earth 1 tyres. But having XM2 on all 3 cars at my home + 1 car of my friend, I can vouch for the quality of XM2 tires- long term/short term/dry road/wet road - these tires are excellent and will do the job. It has to be a really good tire from another manufacturer to beat XM2 at the price range it sells around.

[Darth Sid]

Originally Posted by headbanger

I have not experienced Earth 1 tyres. But having XM2 on all 3 cars at my home + 1 car of my friend, I can vouch for the quality of XM2 tires- long term/short term/dry road/wet road - these tires are excellent and will do the job. It has to be a really good tire from another manufacturer to beat XM2 at the price range it sells around.

Yet another positive review. A friend of mine replaced his City's stock tyres with the XM2. Another did the same on his new Amaze but he used to have the Earth-1 on his old Swift which lasted him for 50k km. Pretty much everyone seems to recommend the XM2 as the first choice and the Earth-1 as a good alternative.

With the XM2 it is the price and its ability to handle the occasional broken road that I need to look at. I think what I will do in the morning is try to get the XM2 at a good deal. If I can't, I will settle for the Earth-1.

[Darth Sid]

Last Saturday morning I got my new Swift VXi's tyres changed. The store was New Punjab Tyres in sector 22, Chandigarh which is about 7 km from my home. This was the first time I drove my car and I used that distance to familiarise myself with its driving characteristics, all quite new for me. Very little time and distance for someone who had until then driven any car only once every 1-2 months since 2009. This is my first time driving a car with electric power steering.

Now that that's out of the way, on to the tyres. The store quoted me 4500 INR a piece for the Michelin Energy XM2 and 4400 INR for the Yokohama Earth-1 in size 185/70R14. They told me they have had bad feedback for the Earth-1 which is quite noisy besides being simply inferior to the XM2. I don't know if the fact that this was primarily a Michelin dealer had anything to do with those comments but it didn't matter. I was relying mainly on the reviews on Team-bhp to decide. Very little negotiations happened and I went ahead with the store's offer of 1600 INR a piece for the XM2 in exchange for my stock Bridgestone S248 pizza cutters and bought five units.

The XM2 on the Swift: Comparison with stock is difficult as I have had little time with my car prior to the tyre upgrade and haven't really pushed it. Ride is quite comfortable and cabin noise is very low but that is probably due to decent NVH control. However, I haven't heard the tyres make any noise that I could hear over the engine's. Stability appears better than with stock but then again it could be me having got used to the car. Shape is aesthetically pleasing but tread looks boring compared to the Earth-1. Another point I must mention is that I have yet to verify the correctness of the tyre pressure. Even though the shop rebalanced the wheels most of the times new tyres tend to be overinflated or unequally inflated as was the case with my brother's 2010 Beat petrol.

The XM2 on a Chevy Beat: So my Swift wasn't the car to be shod with new XM2's last Saturday. My brother's 2010 Chevy Beat petrol was also due for a tyre replacement as he had gone through the second set of tyres since its purchase. First set was the OEM fitted JK Vectras and the second was Apollo Acceleres. Both were the stock 155/70R14 size and both lasted only 30000 km each. He was looking to upsize to 175/65R14 and wanted the most economical deal since he knew that his tyres don't usually last. We saw a bunch of tyres but selected the tyre that the shopkeeper was pushing - Michelin Energy XM2 in size 165/70R14. He claimed to have installed this tyre/size on several Beats and quoted us 3600 INR a piece! This was a sweet deal since the MRF's and Goodyear's he had in the same size about 100-200 bucks more expensive.

Now the Beat actually handles quite nicely but after the tyre change the precision is gone. Feedback isn't as sharp as it used to be and sidewall flex is quite apparent which seems more a function of the tyre's construction than profile. Tyre pressure was found to be off by as much as 5 psi in two tyres above the recommended value when checked later at a pump but correcting it didn't really change its characteristics. The car does, however, give a comfortable ride as it glides and sways over road irregularities. In short, handling has suffered a bit but comfort is way better. These were my brother's observations which I concurred with when I drove his car. Oh, and because of the increased sidewall height the tyres fill up the wheel arches quite nicely. All in all he is happy he got quality rubber for his car. As am I.

[nishantdlv]

My Estilo is due for its 2nd tyre upgrade. It currently runs on Ceat Milaze 165/65/R13 with alloys. I'm happy with the handling with these 165 section tyres, but definitely not happy with the noise these Ceats make! Also they didn't last long!
Should I downsize to 155 as many have recommended it as an ideal upgrade? Also, will it be wise to fit 155 on my current alloys which house 165? Logically, it won't be a snug fit, right?
Should I think of anything else than Michelin XM2? Have almost finalized Michelins after reading all the reviews.

[jinojohnt]

Is there any drastic difference between XM1 and XM2?
My Alto (800cc, 2008 model) runs on XM1 (front pair) and Apollo (rear pair).
My Apollos are due for replacement, but XM1s are not available anymore.
Anything to take care, when I buy XM2?

[blueeyed]

Does XM2s come in size 165/65 R14?

I was in search for this particular size. I know that earth-1s come in this size but couldn't find any dealers nearby. Then one of the dealer told me(over phone)that they have xm2s in this particular size while the michelin website doesn't specify anything about this size.
Anybody have any information regarding the same?