Topic: Price on Bridgestone Potenza versus Michelin Hydroedge (New vehicle...

[cherhs]

Looking at purchasing 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i wagon. Want to change out the existing tires - Bridgestone Potenza RE92A 225/55 R17 95V for Michelin Hydroedge as part of the deal.  Perhaps I'm really niaive but I hoped they'd do the swap at a fairly reasonable price. The original dealer we've been to, said it would be $55 a tire more for the Michelin versus the Potenza plus $20 per tire to replace and balance = $300 total for tire changeover! Does anyone know the actual cost of Potenza RE92A's versus Michelin Hydroedge? I went to web (carmodifier) and found one close in size (hydroedge that is) for MRSP price of $183 and their cost $153.16. At the higher cost of 183 X 15% tax = $211 per tire. On another webpage 10 10 tires.com I found the exact size P225/55R17 for $169.99 Cdn X 15% = $194.49 per tire. I can't seem to find the Bridgestone Potenza RE92A 225/55 R17 95V in Cdn dollars as they are mostly USA. Can anyone tell me what one of these (Potenza one) would be per tire Cdn$ so I can verify there is actually a $55 dollar difference per tire more for the Michelin Hydroedge vs the Bridgestone Potenza? I recall the tire guy at the initial dealer saying "yeah the Bridgestone is a poor tire costing $300 but worth $150"...this makes me uneasy about the quote they have given me. Also at the London Subaru dealer he said he'd only charge $15 per tire to do the work and additional cost would depend on the difference in the tires themselves. Also at the London dealer I got an overall vehicle quote $850 less than the the initial dealer! Gave me an additional option at no charge whereas initial dealer charging full for it. I'm going to make some more dealer calls in our vicinity to get best quote overall to see if original (closest for mtce.) can match...if not, we go to London lots. I really would like to make the swap for all season now as I plan alot of driving over summer and every trip to Ottawa in the last few years has been major rain and I don't trust the Potenzas. I definitely will look at the winter as well once snow is in the air. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Craig]

TireTrends.com price is $161.70 for P225/55/17.  If they are only charging you $75 per tire for the switch, they're doing you a favour.  They probably have customers (who don't know better) commonly ask for replacement RE92s.

You will not get a lot of positive comments about the RE92 from driving enthusiasts like those on this forum, but they should be fine for your trips to Ottawa, especially on the AWD Subaru.  

To me, it's a wash.  The dealer is not gouging you on the swap.  He is making some money, but I was afraid in the other thread, that he would charge you $120/tire for the swap.  At $75/tire, it might make sense for you.

Economically, of course, you're probably better off keeping the RE92s, even if you change them well short of the wear bars.

And I know the rain you speak of on the 401 to Ottawa.  It can be nasty.

[morty]

I dont recommend swapping into the the Hydroedge. Simple reason is that the stock tire is a V-rated and the Hydroedge is only a T-rating. Will compromise the handling and braking capability of your new Subaru. You should maintain the speed rating or improve it. Hydroedge is a great tire, but in this case it would not be appropriate.




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[johngenx]

I agree.  The PO of our 2001 Outback put S-rated tires on the car.  We swapped to an H-rated set, and what a difference.  (H-rated is the OE spec for the 16" wheels back in 2001) These are heavy cars that can make some speed and need some reasonable sidewall stiffness.

You will be disappointed by going down so far in speed ratings.  And don't be fooled into "but I don't plan to drive at 210km/h" as speed ratings are much more than "top speed."

I also agree that the RE92's are junk, but the V-rated RE92 will work much better than the T-rated Michelin.

[weebl]

Price wise, I agree they are not gouging you, but definitely stay away from the T-rated tires.  I'm really starting to like what I hear about the BF Goodrich Traction T/A, which is hopefully available in your size in the V speed rating.

[cherhs]

Thank you to those much more knowledgeable than I am for your advice and guidance and steering me away from making a mistake with the Michelins. I just realized I was looking at the tire size for the wrong Outback model. The model I plan to get has 225/60 R16 97H (sorry folks). Does this make a difference in advice that was given above? I really appeciate any help you can give as to what better tire I should be going for to replace the Bridgestone Potenza's. Should I still be looking at a BF Goodrich Traction T/A with an H rating?

[cherhs]

Further to my last note...I've checked the internet...I came up with the following 3 options that I think might be better replacement choices versus the Michelin Hydroedge and be suitable for the Subaru Outback 2.5i - Michelin Pilot XGT H4 Performance, Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus Performance and BF Goodrich Traction T/A H/V All Season...Can anyone help me with input on these 3 tires...experience with any of them? which would be the best choice based on driving in rain, long wear, quiet and smooth ride? I need to advise the Dealer ASAP as to which tire to change to...it's getting closer (e.g. by month end I hope) to getting the new Subaru! Thank you all once again.

[ovr50]

I think it was Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires that wife had previously on the Solara. If so, they were not my favorite as I found them poor in the wet and I thought they were poor handlers. Replaced them with Yokohama Avid H4Ss which seem a lot better IMO. I would caution you that I am no tire expert tho.

[johngenx]

Michelin Energy is junk.  Old, old, tire design, like the RE92.  Overrated.  We've had many OE sets over the years on our MB's and each replacement tire (usually Bridgestones) were MUCH better.

If you're going with an H-rated tire, look at the RE950 Bridgestone.  If V-rated, look at other Bridgestone tires.  I've only had positive experiences with Bridgestone.  If you're concerned with wet performance, their tires that have "Uni-T" are terrific.  It really works to keep wet traction as the tire wears.

[johngenx]

Except the RE92.  Why they keep selling that old POS tire is beyond me...

[weebl]

Since OEM was H-rated, I would say going to V-rated is unnecessary from how you describe you're planning on driving the car.  BFG Traction T/A (H) would be my choice out of what you have listed.  No personal experience with this tire yet, but I have heard nothing but good things about it (all speed ratings).  It's my top choice for replacing my existing tires, and in fact, my mother-in-law just got them this weekend on her Integra (hasn't had them long enough to have comments yet).  I understand they will have reasonably long wear and is excellent in rain or dry, and haven't really heard of noise or harsh ride issues.  It seems to fit your bill.

Toyo Proxes TPT (H) are also generally well regarded as well, but I know less about these tires.  Consider these as well if you can't get the BFGs.

[cherhs]

In talking with one of the dealers he said "I just got off the line with Michelin and the tires they strongly recommend is the Michelin Pilot XGT H4. However he said the cost to me with the tires being balanced and fitted onto the Outback would be $720 plus taxes. I told him I was shocked and he cut the price in half. However, I'm getting another quote on the same from another dealer so I'll see what they come up with tomorrow.  I haven't given up on the BFG Traction T/A (H) Weebl and will talk to dealer and get prices on it tomorrow.  Thank you all for your responses.

[weebl]

I hope you can fair well in getting good tire choices from the dealer.    Once you get your car, we can't wait to see pictures of it!

[morty]

IMO...the Traction TA is a much better tire than the XGTH4. The BFG will offer you far better wet performance and be less expensive.



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