Michelin Pilot Exaloto A/S VS Toyo Versado LX

[Ryehighguy]

Hello all, I'm planning on (finally) switching out the stock RS-A's on my '04 3 GT next week after 69,000km.

I was originally planning on switching to the Michelin Pilot Exalto's based on independent reviews from Tire Rack and other sites. I know they're more (around $230/each), but I'm wondering if anyone here has them and has thoughts.

My other choice (and the one recommended by the tire shop) is the Toyo Versado LX's. They're a bit cheaper ($200/each), but I'm told they're just as good, if not better, than the Michelin.

I do a mix of city/highway driving and plan to keep these tires on all year (another reason I looked at the Michelin's - the snow rating was good... but the Toyo's are supposedly the same in winter).

Thoughts/advice/help?

Thanks!

[Fuman]

most of us would recommend getting a set of snows, and a set of all seasons.
discounttires.com (website) has a $100 dollars off if you order 4 tires.

I also did a search on 4 season tires.
I couldn't find the tires you listed on tirerack.
but I hope this helps you
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareTires.jsp?sortValue=1&resultsNumberSelected=Y&displayResults=19&compare=true&compareList=6%2C13%2C14%2C17&RunFlat=None&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&width=205%2F&ratio=50&diameter=17&performance=UHPAS&performance=HPAS&performance=PAS&performance=GTAS&performance=ST&performance=AS&startIndex=0

[Edmonius]

I've got the Pilot Exalto A/S's on right now, with a dedicated set of winters. As far as all-season tires go, these are actually pretty good! Don't think I'd be using them at the track, but for street driving in various conditions, I'm pretty happy. They grip really well in the dry (I'm a "spirited" driver lol), fairly well in the wet, and I haven't tried 'em in snow, but I don't really plan to anyway.

That said, as soon as these wear out, I'll probably go for a set of dedicated summer tires like the Yokohama S.Drive or Falken RT615's. Gummy tires are magic.

[Flagrum_3]

I'll be getting the Pilot Exalto's as soon as my oem's wear out.They are rated no#1 in performance all seasons and also a couple of my friends have them and use them year round and are very pleased with them.Plus look at the wear rating, the Michelins' should last quite long....I don't think you'd be making a mistake with the Michelins.


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[Fuman]

I'll be getting the Pilot Exalto's as soon as my oem's wear out.They are rated no#1 in performance all seasons and also a couple of my friends have them and use them year round and are very pleased with them.Plus look at the wear rating, the Michelins' should last quite long....I don't think you'd be making a mistake with the Michelins.


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The Pilots are rated at 400-A-A. RS-As are 260 A-A.
So the Pilots should last longer. According to the rating system.
Tires like Yokohama Avid H4S are gripper and last longer, 500-AA-A
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position 400-AA-A
Kumho Ecsta AST (KU25) is also 400-A-A.
Try finding out the sidewall stiffness of the tires if you are a spirited driver.

[garboui]

if you go for the versatos, try some different tire shops. you should be able to get a better price. i just picked up a set of ultra 800's for my dads van and they were ~140 each installed and balanced.

BTW the ultra 800's are a nece tire, waay better handling than the michelins that were replaced as well as a quieter ride.

[Flagrum_3]

The Pilots are rated at 400-A-A. RS-As are 260 A-A.
So the Pilots should last longer. According to the rating system.
Tires like Yokohama Avid H4S are gripper and last longer, 500-AA-A
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position 400-AA-A
Kumho Ecsta AST (KU25) is also 400-A-A.
Try finding out the sidewall stiffness of the tires if you are a spirited driver.

Not trying to be argumentative but I'm well aware of the ratings, the Pilots are also a V rated tire compared to the Yoko H4S which is H rated, hense Michelin would have the stiffer sidewall plus the Michelin beats out every other tire you've mentioned in your list in all categories including the H4S, which means its grippier,stiffer, better steering response, and since the OP is looking to use them all year round, there's also the fact that the Exalto's beat out all competitors in ice and snow ratings.....But I'll admit I'm slightly biased when it comes to Michelin's but only because I've owned several sets and they always were exceptional, unlike many other sets I've experienced including Yokohama which I found to be terrible in real life instances.


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[Ryehighguy]

Thanks. Looking online, this is wear I found my reviews/info for the tires:

Michelin: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Exalto+A%2FS

Toyo:
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Toyo&tiremodel=Versado+LX

The Michelin's are rated 400-A-A and Toyo's 400-AA-A

[Fuman]

Not trying to be argumentative but I'm well aware of the ratings, the Pilots are also a V rated tire compared to the Yoko H4S which is H rated, hense Michelin would have the stiffer sidewall plus the Michelin beats out every other tire you've mentioned in your list in all categories including the H4S, which means its grippier,stiffer, better steering response, and since the OP is looking to use them all year round, there's also the fact that the Exalto's beat out all competitors in ice and snow ratings.....But I'll admit I'm slightly biased when it comes to Michelin's but only because I've owned several sets and they always were exceptional, unlike many other sets I've experienced including Yokohama which I found to be terrible in real life instances.


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its cool man no worries. But doesn't AA mean it has better traction than A?
(sidewall wise, I don't know if the V rated has anything 2 do with it, can you explain if it does? I'm still trying to understand the rating system)

[MajesticBlueNTO]

its cool man no worries. But doesn't AA mean it has better traction than A?
(sidewall wise, I don't know if the V rated has anything 2 do with it, can you explain if it does? I'm still trying to understand the rating system)

One company's ratings does not necessarily translate to another company's ratings (even though they should, they don't).

More reading here...as referenced in the tire FAQ at the top of this section (http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/tyre_bible.html)

[Fuman]

One company's ratings does not necessarily translate to another company's ratings (even though they should, they don't).

More reading here...as referenced in the tire FAQ at the top of this section (http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/tyre_bible.html)
I thought MOT/DOT did the UTQG tests? The section in ur link didn't state who did the UTQG tests. Any ideas?

[MajesticBlueNTO]

I thought MOT/DOT did the UTQG tests? The section in ur link didn't state who did the UTQG tests. Any ideas?

from here (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=48):

"...
When looking at UTQG ratings it is important to realize that the Department of Transportation does not conduct the tests. The grades are assigned by the tire manufacturers based on their test results or those conducted by an independent testing company they have hired. The NHTSA has the right to inspect the tire manufacturer's data and can fine them if inconsistencies are found. While most new tire lines have their grades established when they are introduced, they are allowed a 6-month grace period to allow the tire manufacturer to test actual production tires. Once a grade is assigned it must be branded on the tire's upper sidewall and printed on its label.


Unfortunately, the rating that is of the most interest to consumers is the one that appears to be the least consistent. While the Treadwear Grade was originally intended to be assigned purely scientifically, it has also become a marketing tool used by manufacturers to help position and promote their tires.

Treadwear Grades

UTQG Treadwear Grades are based on actual road use in which the test tire is run in a vehicle convoy along with standardized Course Monitoring Tires. The vehicle repeatedly runs a prescribed 400-mile test loop in West Texas for a total of 7,200 miles. The vehicle can have its alignment set, air pressure checked and tires rotated every 800 miles. The test tire's and the Monitoring Tire's wear are measured during and at the conclusion of the test. The tire manufacturers then assign a Treadwear Grade based on the observed wear rates. The Course Monitoring Tire is assigned a grade and the test tire receives a grade indicating its relative treadwear. A grade of 100 would indicate that the tire tread would last as long as the test tire, 200 would indicate the tread would last twice as long, 300 would indicate three times as long, etc.

The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful. ..."

[IMHIP2]

The Versado LX also has a $50 rebate currently if purchased though a autorized dealer until sometime in November. Check Toyorebates.com or something like that. You will need a form from the installing dealer.

http://www.toyorebate.com/

Just picked up a set of Versados on Friday for the Odyssey (235/65/16) so can't comment on anything with regards to life or ability in the snow.

[alau]

I have Pirelli P-Zero Nero (215/45/17) and they have very good grip. I have Pilot Sport A/S on my wife Jetta 1.8T and they are good too. Both is around $1K...talk to Tire23.
P.S. I am not sure their snow performance since I have snow tires for winter.

[kaZoomm]

I just replaced the gawdawful stock RSAs with Michelin Pilot Exalto A/Ss (215/50/HR17) at Tire World (905-677-TIRE) - installed, balanced, out the door with taxes: $907.44 - less the $50 Michelin rebate = $850.44. This was better than importing them from tirerack.com.

NOTE that the Michelins are 'directional' tires - make sure your installer gets the left & right sides correct!

I'll report how these do in T.O. snow once we get some. The H rating is repotred as better for snow than the V (also the Mazda3 won't go faster than the H rating anyways...)

[kaZoomm]

Well, that winter storm on Sunday was certainly a good test! I'm quite satisfied with the Michelin's performance.

They're at least as good as the other Michelins that I have - and I didn't get momentarily stuck any worse than the 4x4s with snow tires in the parking lot :)

The only thing I miss about the RSAs is the fun of doing donuts across a slushy parking lot :chuckle