Questions and Answers for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
2016-11-20 - I have Michelin pilot Alpin PA4s on my car but I'm unsure if they are mounted correctly. The Outside is correctly on the outside with the curved part of the tread pattern always on the inside of the tyre. However because the rotation is different on one side of the car than the other because the wheels are mounted the opposite way round the curved part of the tread faces the opposite way too. Is this just how this asymmetric tread pattern works? Seems strange that the rotational direction should allow the curves splines to be facing what looks like the wrong way on one side of the car. I guess only way to solve would be if two different tread patterns were made for left and right side of the car. But mine are all the same. Would welcome any views?
This is normal, and while it might seem counter productive it apparently has no notiable impact in performance. The Uniroyal Rainsport 3 and Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta are more extreme examples of this.
2017-10-23 - This is probably a lame question, but are these tyres Run Flat?
Some Tyre stores list then in the Run Flat section and Michelin themselves say nothing about such feature.
I would like to put a set of these on a BMW X3, where there is no spare wheel.
There are both runflat and non-runflat versions of the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4. Michelin name their runflat technology ZP, for zero pressure.
2018-09-10 - I am currently looking at winter tyres for my Nissan Juke Nismo RS of which the fitment of tyre I need would be 225/45R18 Y 95.
I was wondering if you have any suggestions as to what tyre I should be looking at in this fitment as I would have preferred the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 as I love my Michelin Pilot Sport 4's which I currently have and would have thought the Pilot Alpin 4's would have been the ideal winter equivalent to my current tyre, but from the research I have done I cannot find the Alpin 4's in this size nor can I even find a Michelin winter tyre in this size (I do know about the Michelin CrossClimate+ and they do make it in my fitment but I am looking for a pure winter tyre and not an all-season tyre).
To cut a long story short I am looking for a premium brand of winter tyre and although my preference would have been a tyre from Michelin I am open to other suggestions as I really do want a decent winter tyre that is the next best class leading alternative.
If the Michelin isn't available in your size then there is only one answer, the Continental WinterContact TS850P, which is available in 225/45 R18.
2019-09-06 - Im currently looking at purchasing new winter tyres for my Mercedes E63 wagon. 285/30 r19
There isnt much choice imo, especially winter tyres. Im Currently running Pirelli slottozero II but fancied the alpin4 or conti 830P but wasnt sure which model was newer and any reason why newer model tyres arent being launched in some sizes for powerful vehicles, i also wondered if dropping a size would be ok(more choice 275/35 r19) Or would it mess about with the traction control?
Thanks
I believe the Michelin is newer, though the Conti has won more tests. Regarding changing sizes, officially I can't recommend anything due to the amount of variables involved, but it might be worth checking an owners forum.
2019-09-27 - I’m considering winter tyres this year in the UK. Ideally, I wanted an all season tyre but the Michelin Cross Climate+ are not available in 225/40 R19. Therefore, I am thinking about the PA4’s. Some US tests suggest they are fine under temperatures of 15C and make a great all season tyre. That’s a different climate/location though. Or are they really that good in the dry? I want an all season solution. Thanks
From the testing I've seen, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S might make the better all season, winter tyre option as it's more dry optimised.
Given 93%
while driving a
Volkswagen Passat CC
(235/45 R17 V) on
a combination of roads
for 6,000
spirited miles
This is the third winter that I am using these tires, I have done around 12.000 km so far and the tread still looks as new. On the dry in everyday driving they feel almost as summer tire. Wet grip is amazing, snow grip also. On highway speeds they shine the most.
Only objection would be increased noise in comparison to my previous Alpin 4, but still rather comfortable.
67 - tyre reviewed on December 29, 2014
Given 97%
while driving a
Ford Focus mk2
(225/40 R18 V) on
a combination of roads
for 3,000
spirited miles
Drove them with modded 2010 Focus TDCI 2.0 with 180PS on ST spec suspension and tyre size. this winter season 14/16 for the first time.
Really impressed with them. The car is driven hard. In emergency stops or fast accelaretions the car is like sticked to the ground with glue. And this includes the cold, wet, dirty slippery winter roads situations. The grip never ends. They give you so much confidence. Also you can feel the limits and the level of grip in any sotuation and any time or weather conditions.
Also they are super quiet and comofrtable.
Used to drive Focus Mk1 with Michelin Alpin A4 for 5 years. They are also brilliant in every way. OF course the PA4 is high performance winter tyre and it shows it. I want to try the A5 for my mk1 winter 15/16.
Will buy again for sure!
9 - tyre reviewed on May 1, 2015
Given 90%
while driving a
Audi A4 2.8 quattro
(205/55 R16 H) on
a combination of roads
for 2,000
spirited miles
Amazing grip on fresh snow. Other cars could barely move and mine was barely losing any traction !
It was the first time I invested in a set of Winter tyres, and I now fully measure the benefit. These tyres are perfectly decent in the dry and very good in the wet, but it is really in treacherous conditions that they shine the brightest. They could be the difference between getting stuck and getting home if you're caught in a snowfall.
I'll be happy to mount them back on the car next Fall.
6 - tyre reviewed on May 4, 2012
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Given 92%
while driving a
Skoda
(225/40 R18 W) on
mostly motorways
for 23,424
easy going miles
I drive these tyres since 2014 on my Skoda Octavia Combi vRS TDI M6 FWD 184PS/380NM MY2014. Now they are rolling their 7th season / 37697 km / 23424 mi, still have 5 mm profile and I plan to drive them during the next winter till 2022.
My verdict: a very reliable tyre on all weather conditions - great balance of good grip on dry, wet, snow and ice, comfortable and somehow quiet for a winter tyre (just a bit louder at 40/80/160km/h).
Sporty handling on dry and cold weather, below 10-15*C, if above 15*C slippery).
Not slippery on wet and cold/warm (in contrast to my old summer tyres Bridgestone Potenza S001 (same size, Y speed index).
Very reliable on snow (and maybe ice). I am keen on sporty night driving through the snowy mountains... I actually got in the car and just drive some hundred kilometers just to "slide" on the snowy roads. Those tires are really confident if it comes to active driving on snow. ESP off, side-sliding in the corners, the car keeps its directional stable behaviour...
No seesaw pattern at all (I rotate my tyres every season)!
Because this is a outdated model I plan to replace this set of tires either with Continental Winter Contact TS 860 S or its successor - the TS 870 in its performance/sport asymmetrical version. The Michlines (Pilot Alpin 5 or the upcoming 6) are out because of their symmetrical pattern.
0 - tyre reviewed on January 17, 2021
Given 98%
while driving a
BMW 525D
(245/45 R18 V) on
a combination of roads
for 30,000
average miles
Best winter tyre on the World !!!
0 - tyre reviewed on January 15, 2021
Want the best tyre for real world driving? Watch this!
Given 92%
while driving a
BMW 428i m sport coupe
(225/45 R17) on
a combination of roads
for 10,000
average miles
These were the most expensive and even the most beautiful (thread/sidewall) winter/all season tires I have found for my car. The comfort is superb from the begin to years after. They are also very quiet no matter the road you drive on. Road feedback couldn't be any better that I wish I had that combination of comfort/stability in a track tire. These are marked for speed up to 240 km/h, but don't even think about taking them anywhere over 190 km/h because the deep thread cannot cope with such speeds and starts to shake and wander on the road and probably rapidly wear out. Speaking of thread wear characteristics, it wears somewhat more in the middle exactly where it has less material which could be because I had them mostly lightly overfilled. Driving with these tires on lower specified tire pressure is great when going on bad roads or daily it where you need less responsive ride, but put another 0.2 bar (or equivalent) per tire for a higher specified pressure and it turns the car into a precise sports machine. Would buy them again...
2 - tyre reviewed on January 7, 2021
Given 89%
while driving a
Audi A3
(225/40 R18 W) on
mostly town
for 4,500
average miles
It's a top level winter tyre except the above average noise level. It's because of the thread pattern.
Michelin Alpin A4 tyres which I had before are quiter than these and a bit better when climbing uphill (They had V shaped pattern).
Very good in the dry and wet, good in snow and ice.
If you do not have a sporty car with lots of power and stiff suspension I think these tyres are too much for you, and expensive. I recommend cheaper (not sporty) versions such as Alpin A5.
2 - tyre reviewed on May 3, 2019
Given 91%
while driving a
BMW 520d M Sport
(225/45 R17) on
mostly country roads
for 30,000
spirited miles
I run Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 all year round, getting a full year out of them, that’s about 30k open road miles. They give great confidence which why they have been my tyre of choice for about 4 years. I put new on in December ready for my trip to the Alps and then they stay on all year round (UK). The tyre and Bimmer electronics combo makes driving in slippery conditions a breeze (and fun), even when others are struggling.
Despite being RWD (I prefer it) I’ve never got struck. I also carry chains but have never fitted them other than to prove they will fit. In the mountains on compulsory chains or winters, winters every time! Unfortunately, those with chains inevitably get in the way.
I’m aware they “softâ€, so I don’t abuse them apart from the necessary blast when entering a dual carriageway from a minor road. Most of my miles are morning and evening,not mid day sun. I tried Yokos, half the price, half the mileage and no confidence so the Michelin’s cost no more per mile plus they are nice to drive and grip better.
6 - tyre reviewed on January 27, 2019
Given 100%
while driving a
Audi A4 TDi Quattro Sport
(255/35 R19) on
a combination of roads
for 10,000
average miles
This is the third winter these tyres are back on the car. Tread depth is still 6mm. Just as comfortable as the michelin ps4 taken off but when the roads get greasy and wet these will keep you safe. Last winter drove the car from leeds to Norwich and back in the worst snow and no drama or fuss, that's how good these tyres are. Superb and will buy another set when these are worn out.
3 - tyre reviewed on November 27, 2018
Given 99%
while driving a
Toyota RAV4
(235/55 R18 H) on
mostly town
for 4,000
spirited miles
I got to tell you that I am amazed by this tyres performance. I bought immediately after car purchasing equipped with all season Dunlop Grandtrek ST30 which by the way, do not use it even somebody give its for free, but this will be another topic. PA4 is quite expensive,as it should be a high performence tyre but overall worth the money. I drove 4000km on icey roads, wet and what I've liked the most on -10 degree dry surface and I had no wear what so ever, no significal noise and great grip in 10cm of snow. Brake on wet and dry is also great . I will say this tyres are great for FWD and AWD and higly recommend for Central East European weather.
4 - tyre reviewed on October 4, 2018
Given 89%
while driving a
BMW 525i
(245/40 R18 W) on
a combination of roads
for 3,000
average miles
I purchased these tyres in December 2017 for my BMW525i Tourer as this is the car we use to transport my two little kids. Within weeks of delivery the snow started to fall & I was eager to test them. Overall far exceeded my expectations. I climbed hills no problem at all for a rear wheel drive car leaving other cars in my wake. We then had the beat from the east in March 18 & I did feel extremely smug as these tyres handled & performed flawlessly. I cannot stress how important the safety aspect of these tyres when driving I. Winter conditions. I reverted to summer tyres in April 18- little or no where after 3000 miles or so. All in all highly recommend
5 - tyre reviewed on July 8, 2018
Given 93%
while driving a
BMW bmw
(225/45 R17) on
a combination of roads
for 2,500
spirited miles
1st impression was a little strange as I was not used to winter tyres to begin with and could feel the movement of the tyre surface on the road where the rubber was moving (not losing traction) a little. I soon got used to it and it settled down very quickly. I used them in dry, wet (full blown surface water standing) to 2ft of snow with iced surfaces. The tyres got a full work out in all conditions over the winter and I have to say performed really well in all conditions. Got stuck once in snow but this was due to the chassis settling down on the ice more than the tyres losing traction i.e. got beached. I didn't experience aquaplaning once even though the water was about 1-2 inches deep. Overall the tyres worked really well and having just taken them off today, the wear is about 2mm after 2,500 miles, including lighting up the back tyres on the M4 often enough. I have driven cars with other winter tyre brands and they didn't create near the confidence level the Michelin Alpine PA4's did. Would definitely buy again considering the car is powerful and needs all the help it can get in the ice and snow, they will be going on this winter again, definitely...
5 - tyre reviewed on May 3, 2018
Given 94%
while driving a
Peugeot 307
(195/65 R15 T) on
mostly town
for 20,000
average miles
Great tires!!! - low wear, grip is phenomenal on dry, wet and snow. During 4 years driving on these tires I manage to make 30000 km so far, and the grip is still fine because there is still 5 mm of tread. Michelin proved to me that tire performance does not deteriorate over time. Although they are expressive, Michelin tires are great value for money.
Best Summer Tyres
Best All Season Tyres
Best Winter Tyres
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S - 94%
Toyo SNOWPROX S 952 - 93%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance - 92%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1 - 89%
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 - 88%
Vredestein Wintrac Pro - 88%