While expensive, the Michelin Primacy 3 is an excellent summer tire for high-end luxury vehicles, as they handle well in both wet and dry weather and provide a near-silent ride.
Quick Facts:
- Type: Luxury Performance Touring
- Sizes: 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”
- Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG): 240AA
- Speed Rating: W, Y, V, H
- Warranty: 6 years/35,000 miles
- Price: $$$$
What Sets It Apart
If you own a luxury touring vehicle, then there’s a good chance you already have a set of Michelin Primacy 3s, as they’re original equipment on many models. There’s a good reason for that, too — these tires are safe, handle well, and do an excellent job of minimizing noise and vibration, creating the smoothest, quietest ride possible.
They are expensive, but if you own the type of car that could use them, price likely isn’t a huge factor. They’re excellent in wet weather, thanks to their auto-blocking sipe technology and a new patented rubber tread compound, but they’re not ideal for extreme winter climates. Don’t worry about flats, either, as they’re available with Zero Pressure Technology that allows them to be driven up to 50 miles without air pressure.
Comfort and Performance
As you might expect from a luxury tire such as this, comfort is of the essence. They do an excellent job of reducing vibrations, and while they may not be the cream of the crop in terms of luxury tires, they represent an unmistakable step up from your standard tire.
The tires use something called Comfort Control Technology, which means they’ve been computer-optimized to reduce noise and vibration. You’ll definitely miss most of the bumps and almost all of the noise as you drive down the freeway, leaving you with just your thoughts — most of which will likely be about how quiet the ride is.
That’s not to say that these tires are just for comfort instead of fun, though. They handle well at high speeds, so feel free to open up the throttle on the open road. Their new rubber tread compound handles curves well at high speeds, and they’re excellent on wet pavement. If you live in an area that’s prone to snow and extreme cold, though, you may want something with a little better grip on icy roads.
Safety and Durability
While we’ve already mentioned how well the Primacy 3 handles on wet pavement, it’s worth repeating here. You won’t have to worry about skidding on soaked pavement, and it has excellent stopping ability when you need to slam on the brakes. Their auto-blocking sipes are adept at forcing water away from the treads, giving you the kind of purchase you’d expect on dry pavement.
Not only that, it has reinforced sidewalls that allow you to continue driving for up to 50 miles after the tire loses air pressure, keeping you safe even if you run over something you shouldn’t have. It allows you to drive with confidence, knowing that a blowout won’t send you careening out of control or leave you stranded in a remote location.
Despite their ability to survive less-than-ideal conditions or the occasional mishap, their warranty leaves something to be desired. They only cover the first 35,000 miles, which is a decent amount — but you’d expect more at this price. You’ll also get protection from defects in the craftsmanship and materials for 6 years, however.
Who It’s For
If you own a luxury touring vehicle, you may already be familiar with the Michelin Primacy 3s — and if you aren’t, you may want to remedy that. They’re often found on BMWs, Mercedes, and Audis as original equipment, although they can also work well on vehicles like Fords, Chevys, and Hondas. They provide a smooth, quiet ride and truly excel in wet conditions, and their ability to run for 50 miles after losing pressure allows you to trust them on long drives into the middle of nowhere.
You won’t find these tires at budget prices, but if you value comfort and silence, you’ll find they’re worth every penny. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they’re just for serene drives into the countryside, though — their superior grip allows you to romp on the gas and have a little fun when the mood strikes as well.
