P
pjjohnsen[at]hotmail.com
Guest
I am running the Michelin Artic Alpin 4x4 on my 2001 Pathfinder SE
(3.5L w/ 5 speed). Here is my review after one full winter:
Good tire in dry (quiet - much more so than the stock Toyo's). They
do walk a little in pitted out highway situations and over metal grated
bridges. This is expected with all the siping in the tire. Let's face
it you don't buy a 4x4 to be a racer, however when pushed hard around
turns this tire feels solid.
Good tire in the rain - we get plenty of it out here and lately I drive
this car more in the rain (semi-retired from year round biking to work,
hope to come out of retirement next year
). Additionally, I was
looking for a tire that had good tread wear and review pointed this
way (check out tirerack.com for a bunch of reviews).
Great tire in snow, we get plenty of it on Mt. Hood (not so far this
year) and central OR. We also get a lot of variable conditions from
tons of near freezing wet to black ice. This tire inspires confidence.
Running my Toyos for the first two winters, I couldn't wait to get into
4x4 mode and had a couple of scary 50 mph slips on black ice. None of
that with the artic alpin.
I almost never have the abs kick in either, again not the case with the
stock Toyo's (which is like comparing apples to oranges, but the only 2
tires
I have ever had on this SUV).
Driving style
Generally I drive pretty fast but always with large stopping distances.
I would recommend this tire as an excellent winter tire. I have had
Blizzaks on a Volvo and would attest to the fact that they wear out too
quickly. Not sure the longevity of the Artic Alpin 4x4 as of yet.
Thinking about getting
a set of winter Michelins for a BMW 525i. The only other winter tire
that
I have heard great reviews on is the Nokian Hakka..., volvo purests in
Vermont
would run nothing but on their 240 wagons, that is another story (go
MRG!).
Francois Langdeau wrote:
> Stephen
>
> I'm in Montreal myself and I am debating the best choice for my
> Pathfinder. Trying to find information in the 'net did not help very
> much.
>
> So, my choice right now is between the Alpin 4x4 or the new Geolander
> I/T. But I cannot find much to help. Anybody here would know where to
> look or informations to help narrowing down the choice ? Even
> alternatives are welcomed at this stage. At least I know that the
Alpin
> is not a bad choice.
>
> But between the 2, wich will last longer ?
> Which one is quieter ?
> Performs better on ice ?
>
> Not too concerned about traction in the snow per say.
>
> Thanks to all,
>
> Francois.
(3.5L w/ 5 speed). Here is my review after one full winter:
Good tire in dry (quiet - much more so than the stock Toyo's). They
do walk a little in pitted out highway situations and over metal grated
bridges. This is expected with all the siping in the tire. Let's face
it you don't buy a 4x4 to be a racer, however when pushed hard around
turns this tire feels solid.
Good tire in the rain - we get plenty of it out here and lately I drive
this car more in the rain (semi-retired from year round biking to work,
hope to come out of retirement next year
). Additionally, I waslooking for a tire that had good tread wear and review pointed this
way (check out tirerack.com for a bunch of reviews).
Great tire in snow, we get plenty of it on Mt. Hood (not so far this
year) and central OR. We also get a lot of variable conditions from
tons of near freezing wet to black ice. This tire inspires confidence.
Running my Toyos for the first two winters, I couldn't wait to get into
4x4 mode and had a couple of scary 50 mph slips on black ice. None of
that with the artic alpin.
I almost never have the abs kick in either, again not the case with the
stock Toyo's (which is like comparing apples to oranges, but the only 2
tires
I have ever had on this SUV).
Driving style
Generally I drive pretty fast but always with large stopping distances.
I would recommend this tire as an excellent winter tire. I have had
Blizzaks on a Volvo and would attest to the fact that they wear out too
quickly. Not sure the longevity of the Artic Alpin 4x4 as of yet.
Thinking about getting
a set of winter Michelins for a BMW 525i. The only other winter tire
that
I have heard great reviews on is the Nokian Hakka..., volvo purests in
Vermont
would run nothing but on their 240 wagons, that is another story (go
MRG!).
Francois Langdeau wrote:
> Stephen
>
> I'm in Montreal myself and I am debating the best choice for my
> Pathfinder. Trying to find information in the 'net did not help very
> much.
>
> So, my choice right now is between the Alpin 4x4 or the new Geolander
> I/T. But I cannot find much to help. Anybody here would know where to
> look or informations to help narrowing down the choice ? Even
> alternatives are welcomed at this stage. At least I know that the
Alpin
> is not a bad choice.
>
> But between the 2, wich will last longer ?
> Which one is quieter ?
> Performs better on ice ?
>
> Not too concerned about traction in the snow per say.
>
> Thanks to all,
>
> Francois.
