Hello! I'm a newbie to the forum and have a couple of questions regarding our '08 S60 2.5T. With 58,000 miles it's due for new tires. Anyone have any experience with Michelin Primary MXV4's? We live in Wisconsin and TireRack's survey is favorable as an all season tire.

The dealer is strongly suggesting a 4 wheel alignment when changing tires. I think I will do it because of the mileage but am curious if this needs to be done because of installing new tires. Opinions or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

"The dealer is strongly suggesting a 4 wheel alignment when changing tires." Translation: The dealer has a boat payment coming due and wants you to pay it.

If the tires have even wear and the car doesn't pull or wobble I would suggest an alinment check. Many dealers have online coupons for that sort of service. Personally I give all my tire business to a local tire/alignment shop that I have dealt with for years and they have never disappointed me. Also, they are WAY less expensive than the Volvo dealer.

Some people on this forum swear by Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires for wear and traction, plus the cost is less than Michelin tires.

 

Personally, Continental ExtremeContact DWS all the way.. The things are truly stunning and are the best all season on the market right now...

Concerning alignment.. I always do it whenever I am changing tyres, simply because its so much cheaper than new rubber, I figure why not get it done while your at it..

 

I agree with the DWS, it's cheaper than the Primacy and a better performing tire in all aspects. And don't buy tires from the dealer, they're a bit more expensive than a tire shop. And I always get an alignment after buying tires also, so I am certain of even wear for the tires from new.

 

Thank you gentlemen. I did some research also and looked at the DWS. Some owners complained about soft sidewalls. Our WI roads get pretty beat up. Any problems with the soft sidewalls, bad roads, and steering response during "spirited" driving?

 

Howdy, I bought my tires from NTB and they offered me a 1,3 or 5 year alignment package that allows you to have it checked or aligned when ever you want. You do not need to buy your tires there to buy the package. I think I paid 299 for the five year. I paid for itself in the first year!

 

Dealer recommends an alignment....sure. What's the wear pattern off the old? I suspect the dealer needs to make an alimony payment...

 

Honestly, Allignment = about $60

New rubber = at least $450...

Pay the money and get the allignment done just to save possible wear issues..

 

I know nothing about the Continental tires, but I have run the Michelin MXV4's on several cars and like them quite a bit, but I think they are over priced. I got a great deal on them when I put tires on the white car last time, so that is what I have on that car and they ride great and do very good as an all season tire. We had a good bit of snow this year and it went fine.

 

The DWS has excellent ratings on Tire Rack. We put the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity's when we changed. Ride much better than the stock Michelins and have a 70,000 mile warranty. The snow and ice traction isn't as good, but I'm in south Georgia so I don't have a lot to worry about there.