Bridgestone vs Michelin tires (Costco)

[JEDI]

2005 Mazda3i (16" tires)
I'm almost at my tires warning mark (~4/32" tire tread left).

every other week costco has one of these brands on sale at $70 off for a set of 4.
till 8/15/12 they also offer $30 off installation if u buy Bridgestone.

my main criteria is wet traction. (had a close call using Walmart's viva2 tires which had Traction =B )

How are Bridgestone's compared to Michelins?

 

[Throckmorton]

They're both good brands

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I personally would go with Michelin. Totally anecdotal but, I had a set of new Bridgestones (3000 miles) hydroplane on me at 50 mph on an Interstate and the gentle curve was diamond cut to aid with run off.

 

[Ferzerp]

Look up the individual line of tire (not just brand) on tirerack, discount tire, etc. See how they're rated there.

We can give you a few data points, but they have reviews providing many more.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

I only buy Michelin tires any more, they pick up less nails than any other brands I've use(I work construction) and they also last much longer and provide a better ride. Of course I don't do racing tires or over sized on my trucks.

 

[Raizinman]

When you compare manufacturers like Bridgestone & Michelin, its like comparing Ford against Chevrolet. What specific model tire are you looking for? Costco pretty much only handles the higher end, all purpose tires (as a general rule) and pretty much any tire you get there will work just fine. Both Bridgestone and Michelin make great tires that the auto manufactuers use as OEM. You have to go through and compare the specs of each tire to get what you want.

 

[BUTCH1]

I had Bridgestone's as oem on my car and they were decent, lasted 45K and rode smooth. If they are substantially cheaper than the Michelin I would get them without thinking twice..

 

[foghorn67]

Both good brands, but please post the specific tires you are comparing.
Tires are categorized in speed rating, tread life and wet and dry traction. Then you throw in compounds, and sidewall constructions into the mix.
Viva2's are shit. They are an attempt by Goodyear to satisfy cheap Walmart requirements.

For example one set could be more performance orientated with a shorter tread life. The other set might be higher mileage tires that ride quieter.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Both good brands, but please post the specific tires you are comparing.
Tires are categorized in speed rating, tread life and wet and dry traction. Then you throw in compounds, and sidewall constructions into the mix.
Viva2's are shit. They are an attempt by Goodyear to satisfy cheap Walmart requirements.

For example one set could be more performance orientated with a shorter tread life. The other set might be higher mileage tires that ride quieter.

i was going to say this but didn't feel like typing it all.

 

[sdifox]

Model is much more important than brand

 

[Gibson486]

Michelin Exalto

 

[Howard]

I've heard that Michelin is one of the best manufacturers out there. YMMV, and of course the model trumps the make.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I just got some Bridgestone Insignia from Costco on Tuesday. Cant really give a review on the tires till they have been used for a while. What I will say is Costco's service is HORRIBLE. I was there 30 minutes before they opened and it took almost 3 hours total till they were done. I was number 7, they have 4 bays, so it makes zero sense it would take that long. I rather of spent $40 more someplace else, than wait that long for tires.

 

[JEDI]

I just got some Bridgestone Insignia from Costco on Tuesday. Cant really give a review on the tires till they have been used for a while. What I will say is Costco's service is HORRIBLE. I was there 30 minutes before they opened and it took almost 3 hours total till they were done. I was number 7, they have 4 bays, so it makes zero sense it would take that long. I rather of spent $40 more someplace else, than wait that long for tires.

wow.. u ask them why?
and call up corporate to bitch if you dont like the answer

 

[foghorn67]

Quite honestly. Ask the Costco guy to compare tires to your original tires supplied by the manufacturer. He'll tell you the pros and cons of the comparable tires. Don't just simply ask what's better than a Viva 2. Because anything they carry is better than that crap.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Depends on the specific model you're looking at for each brand. For me (235/50R17), it came down to the RE960AS Pole Positions and Pilot Sport A/S Pluses. Flipped a coin and chose the Pole Positions.

 

[vshah]

My car came with exalto pe2s and they were great tires, just too expensive. Now I use dunlop direzzas in the summer and continental dws in the winter. Check out prices on the contis. They have great wet traction.

 

[lothar]

Quite honestly. Ask the Costco guy to compare tires to your original tires supplied by the manufacturer. He'll tell you the pros and cons of the comparable tires. Don't just simply ask what's better than a Viva 2. Because anything they carry is better than that crap.

Are the Costco guys actually educated about tires or are they like geek squad members that work for BestBuy?

-Lothar

 

[foghorn67]

Are the Costco guys actually educated about tires or are they like geek squad members that work for BestBuy?

-Lothar

They have a computer that tells them.

 

[NoCreativity]

Definitely look at tirerack ratings. I had a set OEM of Michilen Pilots (don't remeber exact model) on my Fusion that had plenty of life left on them. But I had to replace them because I'd hydroplane even in small puddles.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Are the Costco guys actually educated about tires or are they like geek squad members that work for BestBuy?

-Lothar

They go through Costco's certification program, whatever that entails. From past experience, and from just having been there an hour ago for a tire rotation, they (varies among the guys) tend to be pretty knowledgeable. The guy I talked to was the same guy who sold me my Primacy's 2 years ago. Again, I guess it depends if you're asking him what's the best tire for driving in the rain that also doubles for auto-crossing, or comparing OEM vs some higher rated replacements.

 

[Ns1]

I just got some Bridgestone Insignia from Costco on Tuesday. Cant really give a review on the tires till they have been used for a while. What I will say is Costco's service is HORRIBLE. I was there 30 minutes before they opened and it took almost 3 hours total till they were done. I was number 7, they have 4 bays, so it makes zero sense it would take that long. I rather of spent $40 more someplace else, than wait that long for tires.

Their service doesn't "suck", it's just slow.


After years of buying Costco tires, best bet is to go with a friend and drop off your car and pick it up later. Save $100 over the nearest competitor and get rotation/inflate/repairs for the life of the tire.

They ALWAYS take forever. Even going in for a free rotation takes 2 hours.

 

[shabby]

How are Bridgestone's compared to Michelins?

Be specific, which bridgestone and which michelin tire? These companies make dozens of different tires ranging from garbage to amazing.

 

[COPOHawk]

Use www.tirerack.com for reviews...best tire research website I have seen. Also could use www.discounttire.com for user reviews, but I find less reviews there.

 

[Excelsior]

My main complaint with getting tires at Costco is the price even with the $70 off isn't always the best. Although they offer lifetime rotation/balance, it takes nearly 2HRs almost every time I want to have the tires rotated. Too damn long.

With that said, the Michelin Exalto's I got for my sedan have been nothing less than stellar. Great ice/snow traction for an all season, incredible wet traction (never hydroplaned, even in torrential rain on the interstate at 75mph), and decent wear.