[MrBeast]

Hello all.
So I was using the Michelin XM2 (175/65/R14) which have been used for almost 9000 kms now. A few days ago, the front right side tyre suffered a side wall cut. I had parked my car after coming back from the airport and that time, everything was fine. When I came down in the evening, I saw the flat tyre.
There was no impact on the tyre in last 2-3 days and the roads on which the car was used were in good shape. Since only dad or I drive the car, there is no chance we wouldn't know when the tyre suffered a major impact, if any. There was no damage to the alloy and the cut was towards the inner side of the tyre. Sharing the photo with you all. I am not sure if the Michelins are still reliable or not but with my kind of driving and conditions of the road, a tyre suffering from a side wall cut is an area of concern.

[WhiteFang]

I have a 3-year-old Polo 1.2 Highline which clocked 26000 km so far. It is equipped with OEM MRF tyres. I don't know whether it is inherent to Polo's suspension setup or a cumulative of that with MRF tyres, even a slight unevenness on the road is felt inside the cabin severely. This, coupled with the present health condition of my back and daily 40 km commute to work; I thought of going for a car with better ride quality. Now the issue is the depreciation hit I need to take for my trouble-free Polo and also the reluctance in spending a considerable amount on upgrading.

Now coming to the question, I have heard good things about Michelin XM2 about the ride quality it offers. The thread life of my present set of tyres are good to last for another 20,000 Kms. But if the ride quality difference is noticeable, I won't mind spending now to upgrade the tyres as it would be a negligible amount compared to what I need to pay if I change my vehicle.

Please suggest.

[vsrivatsa]

Originally Posted by WhiteFang

Please suggest.

I used Michelin XM2 for the last 5.5 years on my Honda City - did not face any issues and the tires are very good. It looked like it could do another 5000 kms but at approx 54,000 kms on the ODO I changed my tires as Michelin does not recommend using tires beyond 6 years and I wanted to keep a buffer and not wait the full 6 years.

Coming to the topic of what I moved to: I went in for Michelin Primacy 4ST this round as these are the Premium offering from Michelin while the XM2 is the base offering.

I have done only about 25 kms so far, but the smoothness and the low noise of the Primacy 4ST is observable over XM2s. So I would recommend that you consider the Primacy 4ST as well while there is nothing wrong with the XM2 also - just that it is an old model by today's standards.

[WhiteFang]

Originally Posted by vsrivatsa

I used Michelin XM2 for the last 5.5 years on my Honda City - did not face any issues and the tires are very good. It looked like it could do another 5000 kms but at approx 54,000 kms on the ODO I changed my tires as Michelin does not recommend using tires beyond 6 years and I wanted to keep a buffer and not wait the full 6 years.

Coming to the topic of what I moved to: I went in for Michelin Primacy 4ST this round as these are the Premium offering from Michelin while the XM2 is the base offering.

I have done only about 25 kms so far, but the smoothness and the low noise of the Primacy 4ST is observable over XM2s. So I would recommend that you consider the Primacy 4ST as well while there is nothing wrong with the XM2 also - just that it is an old model by today's standards.

Thank you. I checked their website. 4ST is not available for Polo Highline stock tyre size. That leaves me with XM2 as the only option. My concern is whether the ride quality will get significantly improved over the stock option. Apart from that, there is no other reason for me to change my stock tyres with sufficient available grip.

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted by WhiteFang

My concern is whether the ride quality will get significantly improved over the stock option. Apart from that, there is no other reason for me to change my stock tyres with sufficient available grip.

Yes.

I have seen three transitions - from Apollo, MRF and Bridgestone to Michelin XM2 in three different cars and in each of them, the ride quality has seen a noticeable change for the better. It shouldn't be different with your Polo.

[WhiteFang]

Originally Posted by dailydriver

Yes.

I have seen three transitions - from Apollo, MRF and Bridgestone to Michelin XM2 in three different cars and in each of them, the ride quality has seen a noticeable change for the better. It shouldn't be different with your Polo.

One more noob question.
I called up a Michelin dealer nearby asked for the options available from XM2 or 4ST. He said it is not possible to swap 195/60 tyres for 185/60 in a Polo and he suggested 185/60 XM2.

Does it require to do any other changes to accommodate 195/60 on stock alloys?. Is there any advantage for 195/60 over 185/60 when it comes to ride quality?

[vsrivatsa]

Originally Posted by WhiteFang

My concern is whether the ride quality will get significantly improved over the stock option

I cannot help you here as I discarded my stock MRF tyres on Day One of car purchase. I drove straight to a tire shop and exchanged the MRFs with XM2. When you exchange tires on Day 1, most tire dealers offer a good price for the stock tires.

Originally Posted by WhiteFang

One more noob question.
I called up a Michelin dealer nearby asked for the options available from XM2 or 4ST. He said it is not possible to swap 195/60 tyres for 185/60 in a Polo and he suggested 185/60 XM2.

Does it require to do any other changes to accommodate 195/60 on stock alloys?. Is there any advantage for 195/60 over 185/60 when it comes to ride quality?

195/60 is not recommended over 185/60 as this would deviate from the original circumference by +2.1%. The recommendation is to stay within 2%.
The ideal upgrade size for 185/60 would be 205/55 which would result in a 5 mm increase in GC. Is yours R15 or R16? I think the Primacy 4ST is available in 205/55 R16 configuration.

[WhiteFang]

Originally Posted by vsrivatsa

195/60 is not recommended over 185/60 as this would deviate from the original circumference by +2.1%. The recommendation is to stay within 2%.
The ideal upgrade size for 185/60 would be 205/55 which would result in a 5 mm increase in GC. Is yours R15 or R16? I think the Primacy 4ST is available in 205/55 R16 configuration.

It is 185/60 R15. That makes XM2 the best option available for me to keep with Stock alloys.
A dealer near me is quoting 5400 for an XM2 including labour. Is it a good deal? The used tyre he will buy back based on the condition. I don't expect much there.

[vsrivatsa]

Originally Posted by WhiteFang

It is 185/60 R15. That makes XM2 the best option available for me to keep with Stock alloys.
A dealer near me is quoting 5400 for an XM2 including labour. Is it a good deal? The used tyre he will buy back based on the condition. I don't expect much there.

Ask at a couple of places and decide - seems like a good price as Amazon.in shows it at Rs.5328/-

Premji Tyres in Mumbai/Thane (assuming you are buying in Mumbai) area is a good dealer based on my experience (Had ordered from Premji Tyres over Amazon) - check there as well.

Important thing is to ask on the Week of Manufacture for the tires. It would be good to have it as recent as possible and within 3-4 months.

[Sunil2307]

Got 185/65 R14 for my 2012 Skoda Rapid for 5400 each. Old ones (same brand and specs) sold for 400 a pop. The tyres were around 4.5 years old and had run about 70000 km.

[vipul_singh]

Michelin seems to have upgraded the XM2 for select sizes, calling it the XM2+. From the Malaysian launch videos of the XM2+, it seems to offer better wet grip when worn.

Here are the screenshots from the Michelin India website. Prices seem to be almost at par with the XM2.

[aditya.86]

Need suggestions on XM2's and Earth-1's for i20 crdi- 185/70 R14. Usage would be 70% highways.

Getting the Michelins for 5k a piece vs Earth-1's for 4.6k per tyre.

Very confused.

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by aditya.86

Need suggestions on XM2's and Earth-1's for i20 crdi- 185/70 R14. Usage would be 70% highways.

If highway usage is that much, go for XM2 rather than Earth1. XM2 would last longer in mileage and comparatively stay silent at that.

[aditya.86]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

If highway usage is that much, go for XM2 rather than Earth1. XM2 would last longer in mileage and comparatively stay silent at that.

Thanks Sukiwa. Went ahead with the Michelins.

I have a 360 km highway drive coming up tomorrow. Since the tyres are brand new, should it be ok taking the car as i read somewhere that new tyres need breaking in.

This trip would constantly involve speeds above 100.

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by aditya.86

Since the tyres are brand new, should it be ok taking the car as i read somewhere that new tyres need breaking in.

Just ensure that you needn't get into situation that necessitates quick acceleration or sudden braking. Keep it smooth & slow and enjoy low-rolling resistance of XM2. I generally drive/ride new tyres on known roads within city so as to avoid sudden maneuvers.

This trip would constantly involve speeds above 100.

Reach speeds gently & reduce speeds gently as well.