Pilot Alpin PA4 TIRE REVIEW
There are 70 reviews for the Pilot Alpin PA4
Rating Snapshot
When asked, 92% of reviewers recommend this tire
1-10 on 70 reviews
Won't buy this one again
I have had three sets of these tires on my 2016 Ford Focus RS. It was the OEM winter tire for the car, and I was impressed enough to buy subsequent sets. The first two sets were incredible - great handling characteristics for a winter tire, quiet and smooth drive, great treadwear life, and unstoppable in even deep snow. However, this past winter I put a replacement set on, and the handling characteristics have gone significantly downhill. There is so much sidewall flex, and such significant movement in the tread that I feel like I'm driving on jello. I'm guessing that this is a new rubber compound, and while it does perform well in snow and on ice, I am disappointed that the change in compound has so negatively impacted the driving characteristics. I know that no winter tire will ever give as crisp and edgy handling as a summer tire, but I am directly comparing this tire to itself.
Nothing better than the Pilot Alpin PA6 for high powered Sports Cars
Over the past five years, I’ve used two full sets of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires on my 2020 AMG GT C for winter driving, and they’ve been absolutely spectacular. At temperatures below 40°F (4°C), these tires provide better grip than most summer tires do at 60°F (15°C) and above. On dry roads, even at high speeds (up to 168 MPH / 270 KPH), I have full confidence in their performance when taking fast corners, even in temperatures below 20°F (-7°C). Braking performance is also exceptional. On damp surfaces, they inspire more confidence than track-focused tires like the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 while on dry surface. In wet or lightly snow-covered conditions, I can drive cautiously but confidently, knowing they will keep me safe and get me where I need to go. It’s worth noting that my GT C is RWD with nearly 600 HP, so maintaining grip in extreme cold is absolutely crucial—and these tires deliver.
Love these tires!
The grip is great. After installing them, I could feel it. Also, they're very stable, provide me a feeling of total control. I was surprised that they're pretty quiet too. Lexus is a very quiet car, and I think they fit quite well. I love the look and tread of the tires. So far so good. No snow yet, I will give you a follow up review if I can.
From -7c.. to damp +7c I just trust them. P.S. I treat them gently over +15c.. there they start to get soft..
I am on my second set and use it the whole year. I live in -5 - +17c climate. The first set was 225/40-18 FR and 255/35-18 rear, sold the wheels and tires after 28k km (plenty left) and went for 4x 255/35 - 19" to cover the RC-F brakes. In my case 35-45k km is about max and that is fine by me.
Excellent High Performance Winters
First winter on them and they're very good. Exceptional handling and ride on very cold days and bare pavement. Not as good in snow an ice as the X-Ice but they didnt have my size so these are the next best
Great performing tires
I bought the Pilot Alpins tires for a BMW 5 series and shortly afterwards ICE X tires for a Lexus RX450h; both sets of tires perform exceedingly well and are confidence inspiring in all winter conditions.
From the Ist Drive with them after installation Just awesome, quieter than My previous snows and pervorm similar to my summer tires Pilot super sports
Purchased in February 2024 for the next season
Poor wear life, all other characteristics are satisfied. Would like to hear from Michelin
Poor wear life, all other characteristics are satisfied. Here are the details: Bought a new set of PA4 at Costco tire on Nov 19,2022. Only equipped this tire during the winter time (From end of November to end of March). So until today, this tire has total mileage of 10200, roughly 70% highway, 30% local drive. Both front tires have depth less than 3/32 (based on my measure), while both rear tires have roughly 6/32. Car is 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63S sedan, RWD, tire size is 245 front, 265 rear. Everything is stock. I understand the warrenty will be in half for the car like this but the wear rate for front tires are way too much. Tried to call the customer service but the auto reply suggets me to find a authorized Michelin shop and do an inspection. I went to the same Costco, where I bought the tire, their Michelin authorized technician firstly try to play around the mileage game with me, saying maybe I equip the winter tire during summer time and some other non-sense stuff. I show him my personal service log and then he started to measure the exact depth. So based on what he measured(which written on Costco Final Invoice), LF has 3/32, RF has 2/32. He says only RF is qualified for 5000 mileage warrenty, becasue of the car, it has half of the warrenty number(30k) and deduct my used 10k. LF is not qualified. He described how this warrenty works, I need to buy a new same tire and warrenty will cover roughly $110.00. I asked him what about the LF, he says he doesn't care. I am shocked... I cannot imagine the braking balance on a new tire on RF and meanwhile, the LR only has 3/32 on a rainy day. This is not the experience I expected from a brand I've been used for almost a decade. From ealier Primacy to PS4AS, then PSS mixed with PA4. I am even considering try the PS4S for the summer. I would like to get official response on this from Michelin. Thanks.
Ming, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss this situation further.
Michelin US
March 19, 2024
Not a great value, would not recommend
I paid top dollar for these 20 inch high performance Michelins (over $400 each) and I am very disappointed. They are extremely noisy, nasty humm…I should have bought Nokians.
FMA9607, sorry to hear of your disappointment. Remember, as part of the Michelin Promise Plan, there is a 60 day satisfaction guarantee.
February 13, 2023
Superb Traction & Extremely Quiet
I had these tires installed on my 2015 Audi S5 (18” factory wheels) for the South Jersey “Late-Fall to Early-Spring” period where we do not normally see much over 6” on any given snowfall. Over the last several seasons these tire have been tremendous! They are quiet, handle superbly with Audi’s 4wheel drive, offer great traction and stopping — in short, I could not ask for a better winter tire in our type of fall-to-spring driving conditions.