Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 vs Pilot Alpin 5?

[tgb1974]

Has anyone ran both on an F8x and noticed any difference or improvements between the older Pilot Alpin PA4 and the newer Pilot Alpin 5?

[M3SQRD]

Haven’t used the PA4 or PA5 but, damn, they went from an asymmetrical-nondirectional design to a symmetrical-direction design! Can’t make a bigger change in tire design than this. Sure makes you think Michelin didn’t get one of these designs right!!

I guess you’re asking this question because the PA4 in the size you need is NLA?

[tgb1974]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Haven’t used the PA4 or PA5 but, damn, they went from an asymmetrical-nondirectional design to a symmetrical-direction design! Can’t make a bigger change in tire design than this. Sure makes you think Michelin didn’t get one of these designs right!!

I guess you’re asking this question because the PA4 in the size you need is NLA?

Correct. Specifically, Michelin stopped making the PA4 in the 275/35/19 size I need for the rears. Michelin does, however, make the Alpin 5 in both 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 sizes. Kind of sucks if I get an irreparable flat in one of my PA4s.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by tgb1974

Correct. Specifically, Michelin stopped making the PA4 in the 275/35/19 size I need for the rears. Michelin does, however, make the Alpin 5 in both 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 sizes. Kind of sucks if I get an irreparable flat in one of my PA4s.

I’ve been in that position with winter tires in the past. I got stuck running two different versions on Dunlop winter tires and i was concerned about mixing them. However, it worked out just fine - older tire on the F, newer version on the R.

[ShopVac]

I had the Alpin 4's on my Audi S4 - and loved them, but when they wore out, I replaced them with Michelin X-Ice. I think with that car having AWD - it really doesn't matter what I use.

On the BMW, I was initially running Toyo snows, but they were bad in the snow and even worse when it was just wet. I tossed them this year, and while I tried with a few places to get the Alpin 4's - they appear to be discontinued, so I went with a set of Alpin 5's.

Outside of the tread depth being a little less with the 5's - I can state performance wise, they're on par with the 4's (though, running on different cars). I will say these are way better than the Toyos. Reason enough to not run cheap tires. My test is being able to go up my sloped driveway without shoveling the snow - which worked on the few times I've done it this year.