Had the horrible OEM RSA's replaced yesterday afternoon.

Today I drove the car in dry, wet, and hard rain conditions. Total miles so far 150.

It the dry the car rides much quieter, and smoother. I spend about a half hour on rural backroads every morning and was able to push the tires a bit. Turn in is a bit faster and much more stable, the RSA's never settled in they walked around quite a bit. The grip on the Premier's is impressive for a touring tire. Side wall is on the soft side but it's very stable and predictable. At highway speeds the car tracks straight with no wandering. I'll add to this when I really get to push the car...

Wet and rain conditions. OMG!!! This tire has the best handling characteristics I've ever felt in hard driving rain. They are planted firm, not a hint of hydroplaning (I got up to 90mph on the NJ Turnpike). Acceleration and braking is night and day compared to the RSA's. Heavy acceleration resulted in zero tire spin. It really felt the same as on dry ground. Braking is much improved but I didn't get a chance to really haul the car down from speed.

My exit off the turnpike is a huge sweeping downhill left. Tons of room to test understeer. At about 60 mph I turned in and felt the right front tire drive into the pavement. No understeer at all!!! Once the car was tracking through the turn I tried to upset it and initiate some understeer. Turning the wheel hard left several times and it wouldn't break loose. VERY impressive wet performance!!! If I had tried that with the RSA's the back end would've come around immediately.

So far I'm very happy!!! Maybe this car can handle a bit better then I gave it credit for...

Shotgun tire in Manalapan NJ did the install. I paid $250 each mounted and balanced with road hazard...

 

RCM - Thanks for the update on your experience with the Michelin Premier's. I could not be more pleased with mine for all the reasons you explained so well along with a much more comfortable ride. Well worth the $$$.

 

Thanks for the review on these tires. I need new one to replace the RSA's soon. I tried a set of Continental DWS on my last car and was not impressed. They wandered off center on the highway and felt pretty soft.

 

So in general summer tires would be better than A/S tires? I'm in florida so it doesnt make sense for me to get snow rated tires if there is a performance hit. How many miles did your RSA's last OP?

 

RSA's in my first Gen 7 lasted 65k. The RSA's on my second Gen 7 are at 45k and due for replacement.

 

The OEM tires lasted a little over 30k miles. Garbage!!!

As far as summer tires being better? I'd say they're different and meet a certain need if you're driving the car a certain way. One of the things I really like about a quality A/S tire is the quiet ride and longer tread life.

Summer tires usually have softer compounds making the tire wear faster and use more fuel, so if your car is used for normal commuting and driving then summer tires are a waste.

Now, If you're doing a lot of spirited driving, maybe a trackway or autocross here and there then Summer tires are a good starting point before graduating to Race compound rubber...

Also, Tire development moves very fast!!! Todays A/S tires may have better grip and performance then some Summer tires from a few years ago... The Pilot Sport A/S3 is one of those tires...

 

I'm sitting at 47k on the OEM RSAs. Just ordered some Michelin MXM4s. $1000 OTD installed w/ road hazard

Hopefully won't be dissappointed

 

I would be very interested in how the MXM4s are for you. I have 47K on my RSAs and that is the tire I have my eye on.

As for the Premier's, do they have a rim guard? I know the MXMs do in our size. If not, are you OK with the sidewall look without it?

Thanks!

 

Still don't understand the RSA hate from people. Just drove to work in a downpour here in Connecticut and hit many spots where the water was over the road at speeds ranging from 40mph to close to 70mph and the car did perfectly fine. Granted I've only got around 5300 miles on my 2013 so the tires still have plenty of tread, but I've no qualms with them so far. Still waiting to get 'er out in the snow, though.

 

I don't understand peoples problems with them either. I have 41,000 on mine and have 7/32 tread left. I drive in the rain quite a lot and have no handling problems, then I don't drive on the upper performance edge of the tire's capabilities.

 

The RSA's got me through last year's winter here in the Northeast, which I was very surprised about considering all the hate these tires were receiving. Never did I get stuck in the snow with them.

I'm sitting at 43k miles now and I was contemplating whether or not to risk it with these tires this winter. My decision was made easier after I hit a pothole two nights ago so now I will be getting a new set.

I found a deal for a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 snow tires mounted on 2004 Maxima wheels for $500. Considering that the RSA's got me through a snow-filled winter last year, I'm thinking all-seasons would be more than sufficient for me so I'm gonna pass on the snow tires.

If anyone in the Central Jersey area is interested in the Michelin Alpins, here is the link for it: http://cnj.craigslist.org/pts/4794624948.html

 

If I go with snow tires I won't think twice about getting some blizzacks on the max, but I think I'll see how the RSAs do this season since it's my first winter with 'em.

 

I have these exact tires and put about 3000 miles on them so far.
I bought for 190 each and paid $20/tire at discount tire for mounting and balance ($16 + fees and taxes). Bought from amazon with free shipping and no sales tax.
So $210 /tire for me.

I have had a good range of tires over the years, from purely sport and non snow to snow tires, and while this is a fantastic tire overall, it is still a allround tire. Meaning it will not turn as sharp as slicker tires, and not as comfortable as my old pirelli.. forgot the model.
The tire is like 9/10 in everything. All better handling tires I've had were complete garbage in comfort and noise. And those pireli were so soft that it felt like driving in butter.
I think the tire is worth the money but I don't want people to purchase with wrong expectations.

The tire does appear to be a 10/10 in rain though. The best I ever had.

 

I have owned (leased) 2 Maximas with the RSA - a 2009 and my current 2011. I am in CT as well.

On both cars the wet traction has always been terrible - scary to drive the car over 50MPH. I don't drive the car in the snow so I can't comment on that.

On the 2009 they vibrated from day1. 3 of the 4 factory tires were determined to be out-of-round by a Goodyear dealer with a Hunter roadforce balancer. The vibrations were better afterwards, but still not smooth on the highway. Goodyear subsequently replaced all 4 tires and that help noticeably, but it still wasn't right.

On the other hand, the 2011 is steady and smooth on the highway with the original tires, even now with 47K on them and only 2 rotations and no alignment.

From what I have been told by people who own tire shops, Goodyear is probably one of the most inconsistent manufacturers when it comes to quality control, ride problems, etc. Michelin is at the other end of the spectrum.

The RSA is a very old design, so Nissan probably pays next to nothing for them. Admittedly, the steering response and handling is very good. That's one thing that I don't want to sacrifice when I replace them.

 

I found the RSA's to have horrible wet traction and marginal dry traction. I could never get them to settle into a turn and even on straight highway they wandered. The ride quality was harsh. The tires would "chatter" under high loads. Chatter is when a tire grabs, releases, grabs, releases, and it happens so fast it can feel like a chatter. These tires chatter in heavy cornering, braking, and acceleration situation.

Admittedly, I drive fast and like to push the car when I can. The RSA are not up to it. I can't believe most police cars I see have them...

The Premiers have transformed the car in a very good way.

 

What size are you running on the Premiers? I cannot find them in 19" sizes it seems.

 

My car has 245/45/18's You're right, it doesn't look like Michelin is making these in 19" sizes...

 

My RSA's are terrible in wet weather. Actually very scary. Will be replacing with the Michelin's also. Thanks for the reviews guys!