[vicali]

I'm all over the map looking for new tries to replace the 215/65-R16 Duellers that have worn off our Forester..

I started out with SPTs and other aggressive UHP Allseasons, and now I've worked myself back to good old Touring All seasons.. I like the look of the 215/65s on there, and plan to hit gravel once in awhile so I don't really want to go down to a 225/55..

My short list as of today :biggrin:

215/65-R16 Michelin Defender XT 98T 820AB @149.99
215/60-R16 Michelin Pilot Exalto AS 95H 400AA @149.99 (these seem to be on their way out)
215/60-R16 Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus 95V 600AA @159.99

Anyone running the Defender or Turanzas?

 

[visionviper]

There's also a new Michelin tire coming out this April that competes with the Defenders and its big selling point is wet weather performance. Might be worth a look. As of right now I'm planning on putting those on my Forester.

 

[AWDFTW]

I would think 225/60/16 would also fit, and there are a ton of options in those sizes.

For road comfort and great wet traction, I'd suggest Michelin Primacy MXV4.

 

[vicali]

Interesting on the new Michelin Premier A/S, I wonder why they would give it a lower 'handling' rating than the Defender.

 

[Wyldcat89]

^thanks for finding this. I spoke with a gentleman from tirerack about the Primacy MXV4 and he said it was discontinued but didn't know what it was being replaced with at the time. This is the tire that is going to replace it.

I'm primarily looking for wet traction so I'll probably give these a try if they're quiet.

 

[vicali]

Alright, so I limped through another season on the old Duelers, but that's not an option again.

Looking for a good 3 season tire that will complement the 215/60-16 Xi2 winters. They will going onto the stock 16 rims. Previous set were 215/65-16 Dueler D687 from a friends SH Forester..

Need them for daily around town, some highway, but mostly Sunday driving. They may be a bit of gravel involved.. but not many Rallies.

Right now this is my list;;
215/65-16 Michelin Defender - $162
215/65-16 Bridgestone Turanza Serenity - $159

215/60-16 Michelin Premier A/S - $174

215/55-16 Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 -$149

The Pilots are -3% and the current 65 series are +3%.. I understand sizes and don't mind running either of these.

 

[Alex.F]

I'm eyeing NT421Q, but not planning any gravel.

 

[vicali]

Trying to find photos of 215/55-16 on sf/SGs..

all I can find so far is @RE3Rotor's winter setup..

and @stg2wgn begining post;

 

[vicali]

Final out the door quotes in CAD;
215/55-R16 Pilot Sport A/S3 (-3%) $678
215/65-R16 Defender (+3%) $710
215/60-R16 Defender (0%) $736
225/60-R16 Defender (+1.8%) $736
215/60-R16 Premier A/S (0%) $790

 

[vicali]

Search is done, Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus in 225/60-R16 98H are on the car. Initial feel is great; quiet, smooth, good response, and grippy.
We run x-ice in the winter so these are only a three season tire, but they could still get us home in a pinch of snow.

I ended up with these over the Defenders based on the Defenders T speed rating.
These were matched price-wise with the Premier A/S, but the Premiers gives up some dry grip and treadware to maximize wet weather response.. something less important when living in a semi-arid desert climate.