Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires any good?

[996GT2]

My Accord is due for new tires soon, and originally I was just going to get another set of the OEM Michelin Primacy MXV4s. However, after checking out Costco's site, it seems that the new Pilot Sport A/S 3s are the same price as the Primacys. These have gotten some pretty stellar reviews online, with many reviewers saying that these are comparable to summer-only tires in terms of grip. The treadwear rating is lower than the Primacy, but 45k miles doesn't look too bad at all.

So what do es AT Garage think about these tires? I figure if they cost the same and might improve handling a bit, they're worth a try, right?

 

[Jimzz]

Looks like a newer tire but the early reviews look good.

 

[phucheneh]

Supposed to be a performance tire, but has a 45k warranty. When tires straddle that line, a few things can often be assumed...namely, I expect them to ride pretty stiff and not be terribly great in cold weather (and nearly as bad as a summer tire on actual snow/ice).

Your current tires are more geared towards decent ride quality and I would probably rate performance somewhere in the 'acceptable/competent' range. Those Pilots supposedly have almost as much tread life, so I would assume a pretty similar tread compound. The improved performance is gonna come at the cost of a much stiffer tire, I suspect.

Up to you if it's worth it on an Accord. At least with that size, you've still got a decent amount of sidewall. I'm going to have to replace the 205/55/16's on my car fairly soon, and I will definitely be going a similar route; something more performance oriented but with long wear. The Turanzas that came on it don't offer much of either.

 

[996GT2]

Supposed to be a performance tire, but has a 45k warranty. When tires straddle that line, a few things can often be assumed...namely, I expect them to ride pretty stiff and not be terribly great in cold weather (and nearly as bad as a summer tire on actual snow/ice).

Your current tires are more geared towards decent ride quality and I would probably rate performance somewhere in the 'acceptable/competent' range. Those Pilots supposedly have almost as much tread life, so I would assume a pretty similar tread compound. The improved performance is gonna come at the cost of a much stiffer tire, I suspect.

Up to you if it's worth it on an Accord. At least with that size, you've still got a decent amount of sidewall. I'm going to have to replace the 205/55/16's on my car fairly soon, and I will definitely be going a similar route; something more performance oriented but with long wear. The Turanzas that came on it don't offer much of either.

So it turns out that Consumer Reports actually tested this tire in last month's issue, and according to them, the ride quality is pretty good ("very good" according to them). I'm thinking there has to be a compromise somewhere in order to achieve good performance, good ride quality, and good tread life, but it seems like Michelin has pulled off something special here. Perhaps there would be a slight MPG drop due to the increased rolling resistance, though. The snow/ice performance is pretty average, but not as bad as some of the others tested.

Here's what they had to say about it:

Among the all-season models we tested, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 stands out. It delivers excellent dry-braking and handling capabilities that beat even many summer tires, as well as very good tread life.

 

[phucheneh]

They're saying the ride quality was the best of the group. I would all but guarantee you will notice the increased stiffness over the tires you have now. You may not find it particularly unpleasurable, but it'll be there. Kind of a glass half empty/full thing...one man's 'damn, these are harsh!' is another's 'damn, these are responsive!'

I don't normally trust CR, but I gotta LOL at Uniroyal, General, and Nexen on the bottom...exactly where they belong...then Bridgestone below them.

 

[996GT2]

They're saying the ride quality was the best of the group. I would all but guarantee you will notice the increased stiffness over the tires you have now. You may not find it particularly unpleasurable, but it'll be there. Kind of a glass half empty/full thing...one man's 'damn, these are harsh!' is another's 'damn, these are responsive!'

I don't normally trust CR, but I gotta LOL at Uniroyal, General, and Nexen on the bottom...exactly where they belong...then Bridgestone below them.

That's not actually the whole list. There were 10 more below the bridgestone: Sumitomo, Kumho, Nitto, Falken, Toyo, Falken, Maxxis, Yokohama, Firestone, and Fuzion, in that order.

I do tend to agree with CR, at least on the Bridgestone. My last car had Potenza RE960AS PP tires (the predecessor to the RE970AS PP), and to be honest they didn't feel much different from regular touring tires.

 

[Jimzz]

So it turns out that Consumer Reports actually tested this tire in last month's issue, and according to them, the ride quality is pretty good ("very good" according to them). I'm thinking there has to be a compromise somewhere in order to achieve good performance, good ride quality, and good tread life, but it seems like Michelin has pulled off something special here. Perhaps there would be a slight MPG drop due to the increased rolling resistance, though. The snow/ice performance is pretty average, but not as bad as some of the others tested.

Here's what they had to say about it:

WTF, how the hell did they test those tires. There is no way the DWS got a Worst rating for snow. They have a very soft sidewall so the ride is softer but they work great in snow for a all-season.

CR ratings are pretty bad when it some to cars and I see the tires ratings are just as bad.


Oh and tirerack tested the tire. They also said it rode firmer than other all-season tires in the same group.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=177
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (W- or Y-Speed Rated) (Ultra High Performance All-Season 245/40R18 97Y)

• What We Liked: Impressive traction, especially in the wet
• What We'd Improve: Soften the ride slightly

I like a firmer tire, I think most are to mushy IMO. So for me that is a good rating.

 

[ballmode]

I have the DWS and they have been out for a few years now, this is nice for me to see what is upcoming out there for my next purchase or stay with the DWS's

 

[Ferzerp]

Rating your all seasons on snow/ice performance is like rating your pillow on nail driving performance.....

 

[EagleKeeper]

It seams to be a summer tire.
Notice the 45 vs 60K warranty.

If you do not need the all season capability and are willing to give up the extra 25% tread life warranty; try them.

 

[Maleficus]

I have the A/S 3's on my 335, I live in south texas (perpetual summer) I find the ride quality acceptable and the tire responsive.

I'd buy them again.