Author Topic: Hankook IPike W409 vs Michelin Xice Xi2 vs Michelin Alpine PA3 (Read 25622 times)

alexc · « **on:** October 05, 2009, 12:57:09 pm »

Hello all!
This is my first post and I need some guidance! I have a 2009 Honda Accord Sedan EX-L V6 and am looking for 215/60/16 winter size tires (ws told to go one size lower for the winter). After much research, I narrowed the choices down to the 3 tires marked on the subject line. I was not considering the Hankooks until this very nice guy at a specialied tire shop brought it to my attention. I looked at the Michelins from the Honda dealer and Costco, with Costo being about $150.00 cheaper for the X-ice 2. Costco sells both Michelins and the representative told me the PA3's are a better tire. I am very confused right now and need some HELP! I will be doing more city and highway driving.
Any opinions offered will greatly be appreciated!
Many many many thanks!
Alex

weebl · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2009, 05:41:43 pm »

I can tell you the ratings on the IPike W409 is not the best out there, but that said, it's not a bad tire.

As for the Michelins, you can't say one is better than the other as a banket statement. Depends on how you drive, and where you drive, as well as what your priorities are. Is dry handling important? Or is ice/snow traction more important? Are you staying mostly in Toronto? Or will you do a lot of trips into snow country? What kind of a budget do you have? Cheapest? Good bang for your buck? Or money is no object?

All these factor in to which tires you should consider.

That said, the Xi2 is a good tire, made for more cautious driving. Will perform well on ice and snow that is light to moderate. Dry characteristics will not be the best for a winter tire, and will be suited to slower, more cautious driving. On the other hand, the PA3 will give you some of that dry handling back, but at the cost of reduced ice and snow performance. Better suited to a sporty car that someone still wants to push on the dry days. Xi2 will be a good choice for urban winter driving for most drivers.

alexc · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2009, 06:39:17 pm »

Thanks for your feedback Weebl! It is so hard to choose a good tire, especially when you are not familiar with the products out there. Being a female, I can't help but feel that the salespeople are pushing you to buy a particular brand maybe because they receive kickbacks from the supplier? I will basically be driving in the city and GTA, and maybe go as far as Niagara Falls. That's about it really. After putting my first review on this forum, I was doing some searches and people have positive feedback on the Toyo tires as well. I am willing to spend anywhere between $1000.00-$1200.00 on a set of good winter tires. I may just go ahead with the XIce 2. Again, thank you for your opinion!
Alex

Noobee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2009, 11:47:07 pm »

There are a LOT of other more economical alternatives that will do most drivers just fine:

Canadian Tire's Nordic
Firestone Winterforce
General Altimax Arctic Tires

Many people are sucked-in to the hype that they have to have the most expensive tires. Even the worst snow tire out-performs the best all season tire. However, many people feel better paying more because they feel they're getting a significantly better tire and/or buying the tire for bragging rights.

Toyo and Yokohama brand winter tires actually perform better than the Michelin's. The Xi2s is a really over-rated tire. With Michelin, you're really paying for the name and at least 20% more than what the tire is actually worth.

1TSX · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:09:37 am »

We have the PA2's on our TSX (previous generation of PA3's). They are EXCELLENT. Quiet, excellent grip, and great road feel for for highway driving.

We had the old X-Ice on our old Accord, and they were way too squishy feeling for us. However, we didn't keep the car long enough to test the snow and ice performance in a heavy snowfall.

I'd go with the PA3's IMO.

brodeur · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2009, 05:33:55 am »

Quote from: accheung on October 05, 2009, 12:57:09 pm

Hello all!
This is my first post and I need some guidance! I have a 2009 Honda Accord Sedan EX-L V6 and am looking for 215/60/16 winter size tires (ws told to go one size lower for the winter). After much research, I narrowed the choices down to the 3 tires marked on the subject line. I was not considering the Hankooks until this very nice guy at a specialied tire shop brought it to my attention. I looked at the Michelins from the Honda dealer and Costco, with Costo being about $150.00 cheaper for the X-ice 2. Costco sells both Michelins and the representative told me the PA3's are a better tire. I am very confused right now and need some HELP! I will be doing more city and highway driving.
Any opinions offered will greatly be appreciated!
Many many many thanks!
Alex

Re: APA Winter Tire Ratings Here
« Reply #35 on: Today at 05:29:57 am » Quote Modify Remove

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Quote from: DKaz on September 20, 2009, 02:08:42 am
I don't think APA actually test tires or even gets any opinions from people who've actually owned the tires.

Word of mouth from local drivers is best.

APA is hilarious, there ratings are just bogus. The studed tires get two stars

If we talk real winter performance the Micheline Xi2 Is number one regardless of snow or ice. Over here we actually get real “scientific” test done bye the papers every year. The Xi2 won the stud less class in the biggest test by Aftonbladet. The runner up was not even close.

The Alpine is not a “snow tire” it’s a useless Autobahn tire, designed for actually driving at speeds of 200 km/h during winter. Mostly rain and dry pavement. The Ice and snow performance is secondary.

weebl · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:39:17 am »

You're welcome, Alex. Xi2 is a good top choice, as are the Toyos and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60. These are more ice tires than anything, but will be good for the kind of snow you're likely to encounter as well.

If you want to save a bit of money with only a slight decrease in winter performance, check out the General Altimax Arctic, Pirelli Winter Carving or the Firestone Winterforce.

There are other new models out there from Continental and Dunlop, but I don't know how well they actually perform.

I hope you are getting a second set of rims for the winter tires: makes changeover easier, and saves wear from mounting/remounting your tires. If they are steel, they can take the winter beating better than fancy aluminum wheels as well.

mmorriso · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:40:10 pm »

you can also get Dunlop Graspic DS-3 or Toyo Observe GO-2 in your size and they currently have $50 and $60 rebates respectively.

good luck!

alexc · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2009, 02:42:38 pm »

Wow, this is fantastic! Many thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my post. It really gave me some insight to the many tire products out there. By the way, I just received November's issue of the Consumer's Report and in case anyone is interested, it rated the Michelin Xice 2 as #1, Alpine PA3 as #4, Hankook IPike as #10 and the Toyo G-02 Plus as #12. I wonder how accurate their tests are???

Weebl: I will definitely be getting steel rims!

Thanks again and safe driving this winter!

Alex

TheMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2009, 02:46:21 pm »

The Michelin Xi2 is the top rated snow tire in this month's Consumer Reports magazine.

lol, u beat me to it

mmorriso · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:48:49 pm »

Quote from: alexc on October 06, 2009, 02:42:38 pm

By the way, I just received November's issue of the Consumer's Report and in case anyone is interested, it rated the Michelin Xice 2 as #1, Alpine PA3 as #4, Hankook IPike as #10 and the Toyo G-02 Plus as #12.

a comprehensive list would be appreciated

quadzilla · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2009, 04:19:37 pm »

Quote from: 02MP5MT on October 06, 2009, 03:48:49 pm

Quote from: alexc on October 06, 2009, 02:42:38 pm
By the way, I just received November's issue of the Consumer's Report and in case anyone is interested, it rated the Michelin Xice 2 as #1, Alpine PA3 as #4, Hankook IPike as #10 and the Toyo G-02 Plus as #12.

a comprehensive list would be appreciated

+1 and the test methodology would also be nice.

Noobee · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2009, 09:58:55 pm »

Quote from: quadzilla on October 06, 2009, 04:19:37 pm

a comprehensive list would be appreciated

+1 and the test methodology would also be nice.

What also would be nice if the X-Ice i2s were tested in different regions, under different conditions such as wet and deep snow. A snow tire that performs well in the east coast, may not perform well in Whistler, BC or Alberta and vice versa. And from what I understand, CR only tested with two types of snow: loose powder and hard packed. That's why I take what they write with a grain of salt.

toyotafan01 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:26:43 pm »

I wouldn't agree about low rating for W409 - I have set of 4, bought last winter, and have only good things to say. I live in GTA area, so same road conditions as original post. Tires are very quiet, very good handling on dry/wet roads, no problems on snow covered.

TheMAN · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2009, 01:51:11 pm »

Quote from: 02MP5MT on October 06, 2009, 03:48:49 pm

Quote from: alexc on October 06, 2009, 02:42:38 pm
By the way, I just received November's issue of the Consumer's Report and in case anyone is interested, it rated the Michelin Xice 2 as #1, Alpine PA3 as #4, Hankook IPike as #10 and the Toyo G-02 Plus as #12.

a comprehensive list would be appreciated

The list is available at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm

DKaz · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2009, 02:13:05 pm »

Quote from: Noobee on October 06, 2009, 09:58:55 pm

What also would be nice if the X-Ice i2s were tested in different regions, under different conditions such as wet and deep snow. A snow tire that performs well in the east coast, may not perform well in Whistler, BC or Alberta and vice versa. And from what I understand, CR only tested with two types of snow: loose powder and hard packed. That's why I take what they write with a grain of salt.

They don't test on loose powder anymore... hard packed only.

KRS · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2009, 09:03:09 pm »

A quick Question. There are 2 different Apin PA3's. The Pilot Apin PA3 and the Primacy Apin PA3. one is V rated and the other H rated and they have differnt tread patterns. Which Alpin are you meaning to refer to??

Noobee · « **Reply #17 on:** October 08, 2009, 01:24:45 am »

Quote from: DKaz on October 07, 2009, 02:13:05 pm

They don't test on loose powder anymore... hard packed only.

That's good.....pretty much any tire can get through loose powder. I believe the hard packed stuff varies from area to area.

alexc · « **Reply #18 on:** October 08, 2009, 09:44:36 am »

Hi KRS:
It was for the Pilot PA3 that I was referring to. This is what the Costco representative suggested to me versus the X-Ice 2. He said it was a better tire?? In any case, since this post, I have decided to go with the Hankook IPikes after much research and feedback from this forum. I am so glad to have found this site because everyone has been so helpful and gave insight to their experiences! Thanks again!
Alex

blizzard35 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:35:57 am »

My previous car was a Ford Five Hundred Limited AWD. I drove for 3 winters on the Hankook IPike's and I can honestly say they performed brilliantly. FYI I live in Northern Ontario (between North Bay & Timmins) we get tons of snow/ice etc. and I never had a problem driving on the Hankook IPike's. IMO, you made a very good choice.