Michaellin Primacy Tyres

[John Bulmer]

I bought a new A4 in May which came fitted with Michellin Primacy tyres. Most of the time they are fine but when travelling on an uneven road surface say where tree roots are growing under the surface or a repair has not been done too well the steering is very erratic.

Has anybody else experienced this?

[gazza57]

Got Michelin Pilot Primacys all round on 2.7t A6, can't say I 've noticed any erratic steering symptoms.
Are you sure it's the tyres?
Have you had the tracking, camber, castor checked recently? if not and perhaps someone has kerbed it, in which case it may need tweaking.
Alternatively check that the wheels are properly balanced, if you've lost a weight off the rim you can get those sorts of symptoms usually at a set speed.
I find the primacys to be the right sort of balance between wear and grip, opt for softer compounds you are always changing your tyres, but go too hard and you lose grip, the primacys seem the best compromise.

Gazza57

[neil w]

More likely to be the size and width of wheels and suspension specs rather than the tyres , my A4 ( b5) tdi has 16" rims with 205/55vr 16 michelin primacy tyres and is great as is my wifes A4 (b6) 130 tdi avant model fitted with 17" rims running 235/45 zr 17 tyres (in its case TOYO Cf1's).
In august I was in Germany and had a 2.0 diesel avant S line avant on hire for two weeks. it was fitted with 18" rims running Michelin Primacy tyres and it was very jittery on uneven road surfaces following cambers etc and giving a very unsettled ride.
It was excellent on the Autobahns but a nightmare in the Austrian and Italina Alps

[k6rff]

Yes, I had this on Bridgestone REO50s that were supplied with the car. Very sensitive and skittish. Eventually took them off half worn and put them on ebay. I replaced them with Pirelli P Zero Rosso's that were really good for about 2000 miles but are now again becoming a little difficult - especially on our crap and rutted Kent roads. I think the steering/suspension is just not that sorted compared to my 2002 B6.

[Bratty]

I think that tyre technology is becoming a black art! I had a BMW (E34) M5 which handled superbly on Michelin tyres. They obviously got worn down very quickly and I had the rears replaced. Because they were slightly cheaper I went for Dunlops and was happy. Drove out of the Tyre Franchise and drove home. I realise that new tyres might be a bit slippy but when I drove into a sharp left hander (at moderate speed) the car went schitzo!! Because I am an idiot, I decided to try the same config on the next tight corner and unsurprisingly yet again I had to empty me pants!!
The next day I drove back to the dealership and expressed my dissapointment! They were not interested (because of the cost?), in the end I offered to take the werkstatt meister out to show him!!?!! Shortly after they replaced them for Michelen at no extra cost!!!
Also having had many big bikes, there are specifically manufactured tyres for certain bikes!!?!!

Dunk