I love my new 2008 Accord EX-L!

On Dec 10, 8:30 pm, "Polfus" <nostringscouldsecureyou@thestation>
wrote:
> "ACAR" > wrote
>
> >> He's got Michelin Pilot HX MXM4, VR rated.
> > These tires are #16 out of 17 Grand Touring All Season;
> >http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=GTAS
> > ANYTHING ELSE would be a better choice (other than #17 of course).
>
> Those are based on customer reviews.

Yup, you can read their comments in the survey area.

>
> Read this for a more accurate rating of the Michellin HX MXM4:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...eMakeModel=Mic...

More accurate under test track conditions on a RWD sports sedan in the
hands of experienced drivers.
None of the tests attempt to simulate winter conditions.

>
> In TireRack's test, they rated the Michellin Pilot HX MXM4 **HIGHER** than
> the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V.
>
> And that tire was rated #2 by readers, where the MXM4 was rated #16.
>
> But it out-rated the #2 tire on the results you rely on by readers
> submissions.
>
> So if you are going to use TireRack as a source, please use the results THEY
> achieve, not the one's readers submit.

Actually, I read the comments posted about any tire I am considering.
While I appreciate the tests the Tire Rack conducts, I keep in mind
that they are in the business of selling tires. When user comments say
the tire doesn't work in the rain but the test says it does, I'll go
with user comments, especially when they number in the 100s.

>
> Peace,
> Polfus

Peace out.

On 12/11/07 10:33 AM, in article ,
"Polfus" <nostringscouldsecureyou@thestation> wrote:

>
> "ACAR" > wrote
>
>>>>> He's got Michelin Pilot HX MXM4, VR rated.
>>>> These tires are #16 out of 17 Grand Touring All Season;
>>>> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=GTAS
>>>> ANYTHING ELSE would be a better choice (other than #17 of course).
>>>
>>> Those are based on customer reviews.
>>
>> Yup, you can read their comments in the survey area.
>
> Exactly...and what a wide variety of comments they are!
>
>>> Read this for a more accurate rating of the Michellin HX MXM4:
>>>
>>> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...eMakeModel=Mic...
>>
>> More accurate under test track conditions on a RWD sports sedan in the
>> hands of experienced drivers.
>
> And thats a negative in your eyes?
>
> What about the readers that review the tire, affect its "rating", and yet
> drive everything but a Honda Accord?
>
> How do you know that many of those submissions are from drivers that can't
> drive at all? How about from insane speedfreaks that are upset it doesn't
> have the same performance as a summer tire, so they say "it sucks!" or
> similar? There are a lot of factors that make those "ratings", and you bring
> up a great point as well about WHAT VEHICLE will the tires be on...
>
>> None of the tests attempt to simulate winter conditions.
>
> Yeah...thats true. Then again, I don't drive in the snow a whole lot, and
> when I do I'm careful as hell.
>
> So...when I am worried about it, I've always gone for the tire chains.
>
> I don't think its smart for anyone to use any kind of tire in the
> snow...every damn one of 'em can loose traction, depending on conditions.
>
> You *know* that's true, ACAR.
>
>>> In TireRack's test, they rated the Michellin Pilot HX MXM4 **HIGHER**
>>> than
>>> the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V.
>>>
>>> And that tire was rated #2 by readers, where the MXM4 was rated #16.
>>>
>>> But it out-rated the #2 tire on the results you rely on by readers
>>> submissions.
>>>
>>> So if you are going to use TireRack as a source, please use the results
>>> THEY
>>> achieve, not the one's readers submit.
>>
>> Actually, I read the comments posted about any tire I am considering.
>> While I appreciate the tests the Tire Rack conducts, I keep in mind
>> that they are in the business of selling tires.
>
> Well....for example, they rated a cheaper tire higher than a more expensive
> tire ( the Goodyear RS-A vs the Michellin Pilot HX MXM4 ) in that test.
>
> So that theory may be invalid sometimes
>
>> When user comments say the tire doesn't work in the rain but the test says
>> it does, I'll go
>> with user comments, especially when they number in the 100s.
>
> Cool....not trying to tell you what to do. Just recommending that the
> reader's submissions be scrutinized closer for their real potential benefit.
>
> For example..I have driven my 2008 Accord EX in the light snow and wet rain
> already here in NY on *busy, dangerous* freeways and have been "spirited" in
> my driving as well. The tires stick like they are on rails, and I have
> noticed no slipping, loss of traction, soft feel, or mushy response. They
> have a little road noise I can tell, but I think they have great road
> handling characteristics.
>
> I am NOT saying they are the best tire on the planet....but I AM saying that
> I don't think its necessary to rip them off a brand new vehicle based on
> reports from young kids that drive at Mach2 in the rain on an offramp and
> get upset that they slip or can't handle 6" of snow.
>
> Peace,
> Polfus
>
>
I will add one additional observation to the discussion. When you look at
the user ratings on tirerack.com, pay particular attention to the number of
miles on the tires. A lot of them are initial impressions of new tires with
lots of tread vs. the old bald things they just took off. If you filter it
down to just look at the user comments that reflect significant experience,
different answers almost always emerge.

On Dec 11, 11:33 am, "Polfus" <nostringscouldsecureyou@thestation>
wrote:
snip
> >> Read this for a more accurate rating of the Michellin HX MXM4:
>
> >>http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...eMakeModel=Mic...
>
> > More accurate under test track conditions on a RWD sports sedan in the
> > hands of experienced drivers.
>
> And thats a negative in your eyes?

It is not representative of real-world conditions, nor of a mid-sized
FWD sedan.

>
> What about the readers that review the tire, affect its "rating", and yet
> drive everything but a Honda Accord?

I lump all the mid-sized FWD sedans together when reading the reviews.

>
> How do you know that many of those submissions are from drivers that can't
> drive at all?

And these folks would post comments to The Tire Rack?

How about from insane speedfreaks that are upset it doesn't
> have the same performance as a summer tire, so they say "it sucks!" or
> similar?

These comments are usually obvious.

There are a lot of factors that make those "ratings", and you bring
> up a great point as well about WHAT VEHICLE will the tires be on...
>
> > None of the tests attempt to simulate winter conditions.
>
> Yeah...thats true. Then again, I don't drive in the snow a whole lot, and
> when I do I'm careful as hell.
>
> So...when I am worried about it, I've always gone for the tire chains.

Really? I haven't used chains since I left Colorado.

>
> I don't think its smart for anyone to use any kind of tire in the
> snow...every damn one of 'em can loose traction, depending on conditions.
>
> You *know* that's true, ACAR.

I know some all season tires will work better than other all season
tires in the winter and the VAST majority of drivers will buy a single
set of tires to use year 'round. And they wouldn't know what to do
with a set of chains even if they had them.
>
> Well....for example, they rated a cheaper tire higher than a more expensive
> tire ( the Goodyear RS-A vs the Michellin Pilot HX MXM4 ) in that test.
>
> So that theory may be invalid sometimes

Sometimes. The high performance RS-A is The Tire Rack's comparison
standard.
>
> > When user comments say the tire doesn't work in the rain but the test says
> > it does, I'll go
> > with user comments, especially when they number in the 100s.
>
> Cool....not trying to tell you what to do.

Sure you are.

> The tires stick like they are on rails, and I have
> noticed no slipping, loss of traction, soft feel, or mushy response. They
> have a little road noise I can tell, but I think they have great road
> handling characteristics.
>
You are obviously happy with the tires. Great.
On the other hand, if you've never had your tires slip, you are not
really a "spirited" driver.

> I am NOT saying they are the best tire on the planet....but I AM saying that
> I don't think its necessary to rip them off a brand new vehicle based on
> reports from young kids that drive at Mach2 in the rain on an offramp and
> get upset that they slip or can't handle 6" of snow.

There are nearly 900 comments posted for the Michelin Pilot HX MXM4
and about 27 Million miles accumulated by reviewers. Consider the
possibility that this sampling includes more than just the idiots you
suppose it does.

Keep us posted on how well the tires do as they wear.

On Dec 11, 8:20 pm, "Polfus" <nostringscouldsecureyou@thestation>
wrote:
>
> I expect them to last only 30,000 or so anyway....and Im sure I will be
> using something different when I get my next set.

There are excellent tire choices for the Accord, most of which have
user comments consistent with Tire Rack test results. I strongly
suggest you go that route.

On Dec 13, 2:02 pm, "Polfus" <nostringscouldsecureyou@thestation>
wrote:
snip
>
> I have already gone thru that site a bunch, and see many possibilities.
>
> Which ones would you go with, if it were your new 2008 Accord EX sedan?
>
> Peace,
> Polfus

Depends; lots of trade-offs. One set of tires for winter/summer? Lots
of snow? How will I drive the Accord - as if it were a sports car or
like a family car (that it is)? Manual or automatic trans? What's more
important - comfort or performance?

Asking me isn't a good idea. I have a sports car in the garage. My
Accord would be set up with a bias towards utility, comfort and
compliance. I'd probably consider Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S,
Bridgestone Turanza LS-H, Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge, Goodyear
Assurance TripleTred and Michelin HydroEdge. Price and warranty might
end up being my deciding factors. Based on my daughter's 2004 Accord
EX, I'd probably start hunting around for comments from folks who
replaced shocks before buying tires.