Michelin vs Firestone
 

I had made up my mind to order the FireStone Firehawk Wide Oval run flats because of price and reviews. But just found Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus ZP run flats for $100 more (after rebate). And a $70 Visa card making them $30 more. SO, are the Michelin better than the Firestone?

I recently read on this Forum that the Firestones are not repairable and there is a message printed on the tire stating so. That being the case, for $30 more, you’re better off with the Michelins.

Not the case. I had a nail in mine and the firestone store repaired it.

I did a bit of research for you - maybe you have already done the same. Both appear to be very good choices. Both have 10/32 of tread depth new. The Firestone is a performance summer tire, the Michelin is an performance all season tire. The Michelin ranks number 1 in testing of All Season Performance Run Flat Tires by Tire Rack. Testing of the Firestone has not been done yet by Tire Rack but customer reviews are very good. The Michelin has a better warranty.

If I were choosing between the 2, the choice would come down to whether I wanted a tire for more spirited aggressive driving or a tire for cruising and better wet weather handling. I'm thinking the Firestone is the better choice for spirited driving and the Michelin is the better tire for cruising and the wet.

With Michelin current incentives, both are neck and neck on price . . .

Good Luck :thumbs:

Michelin

:iagree:
Except that I think the Firestones would be very close, perhaps equal, in rain.

We have two sets of michelins on two sets of wheels: PS2 runflats and A/S+ runflats. The PS2 (summer tires) are just as good, perhaps a bit better, in rain. Tire Rack also says that summer tires can be better in rain than A/S.

If OP wants to retain grip better in temps below 40'-50', the A/S would be a good choice. If he might go up north and get into an inch or two of snow, they are the ONLY choice. They might last somewhat longer, too.

For more grip in warm weather, the Firestones.

Both are great tires, just slightly different tools for different jobs.

:cheers:

If you're planning on "spirited" driving, I would ditch the run-flats. I've never been a big fan, but then again, my insurance pays for 50 miles of free towing. Even though they weren't Vettes, I have a couple of friends who had the Michelin A/S's on M3 and other tuned 3-series BMWs and they had no complaints. I currently run the Pilot Super Sports and love them, but they're not run flat, so I'll be waiting on that tow if they go....

I have always had good luck with Michelin.

The writing on the sidewall says not to repair the Firestone. Others try to say it means something different. So i phoned Firestone headquarters, they told me that Firestone runflats on the C6 should not be repaired under any circumstances. That's the official word.

Personally, I think that's lawyer BS. I happen to have Michelins, but wouldn't hesitate to have a Firestone patched under the same restrictions as a Goodyear or Michelin. Some shops will patch a Firestone, but some won't. Only you can judge how important that is to you, keeping in mind that about 50% of flats won't be repairable anyway because of the location, size, or shape; of the damage.

We use the Michelin runflats because we drive to remote areas where getting a replacment tire could take several days, we want the best chance for being able to patch it. Many people don't have that issue.

sounds like in the bigger picture the Michelins are ahead slightly.

i'm getting close to replace just the fronts, I have firestones right now. not that i'm unhappy with them but from all the forum discussions they are at least questionable to repair while the Michelins are clearly repairable within their parameters.

however,all prices for 2 (front) tires I found so far (tirerack) were significantly higher than the firestones ($227ea), mich ps a/s ($280ea). and I don't see any incentives for a pair of tires, only for a full set of 4.

any direction where to find a deal that would bring the Michelins closer to the firestone price?
otherwise I just stick w the firestones, no real complaints.

I've had both
 

Both are excellent tires. The do not repair warning is legal b/s. It pertains to punctures outside set points of the tread. Same as any other radial tire. Went with the Michelins this past time because of the higher wear rating and I do travel up north in the winter.

The rebate an card was for getting 4 tires which is what I am doing. Still a hard decision but I think I will go with the Michelins due to price being basically the same. I appreciate all the input!!!

I currently have the Fire hawks on my car, and they are due for replacement after 30,000 miles, which is good for a run-flat tire. I will be replacing them with the Pilot A/S, simply because they get awesome reviews and I want to try a different tire, the Fire Stones get a little rough after a few thousand miles, which is to be expected with run flats, but just another reason to try a different tire.

And its not that the tires aren't repairable it is Fire Stone store policy to replace, it was explained to me by the manager that once a runflat tire is compromised, 100% integrity is lost and for safety reasons they choose to replace rather then repair, if the need ever arises where you have to drive 200 miles on a flat tire, they want you to have the best chance you can.

I attest to the replacement, has I got a pretty gnarly nail in one of my rear tires, instrument panel wasted no time telling me the tire was flat, but I couldn't tell driving, drove all the way home about 20 miles, and looking at the tire you couldn't tell it was flat, drove it to the Fire Stone shop the next morning flat :leaving:, and they replaced it no questions asked, and all I had to pay for was the $30 Road Hazard on the new tire.

Same Here they repaired the puncture fine ,it's been working for three months no problems whatsoever ,it depends on where the repair has to be no one should repair the puncture in the sidewall of any type brand.

I wouldn't even think twice about it. I'd just put Michelins on the '11 two months before I traded up. I still had a set of GY's in the garage with 5/32nd tread on them. Worth the $75 Firestone charged to do the swap. This way, when I wear out the new GY's on the new Corvette, I've got a set of brand new Michelins waiting to go on.:D

This.....Michelins:thumbs:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/003-Copy.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...Wheels/150.jpg

Just an FYI

I ran two sets of Firestones on my 2005 for 105,000 and had them repaired a few times. No problem at all.

Discount tire here had the Michelins PS ZP's priced just about the same as the other brands for some reason. I had already decided to go with the Michelins but then found out I was getting a 130.00 rebate as well.

Rare Bonus...

You may find someone willing to repair a Firestone RFT. But you may want to see the Firestone link below regarding the repair of their RFT. (about 3/4 ways down once you open the link) Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just showing you their policy regarding their RFT.

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare...qs-about-tires

I Agree:thumbs: