Tire Rec's ('06 Sonata LX W/ 17" Wheels)

Michelin HydroEdge are great tires, made for wet roads, snow etc. and they have a 140,000 km or 84,000 mile wear rating.

First of all, I would never recommend buying another set of the O.E.M. Michelins, even if you did like them. This particular tire is unbelievably expensive, and Michelin has better tires for a better price.

Thankfully, there are several BRAND new tires out there, any one of which should fit the bill well, and all of which are available in your size and speed rating:

*Firestone Firehawk GT, widely available, but especially through Tires Plus and Firestone Complete Auto Care (where you can get nationwide coverage); *Toyo Versado LX; *Cooper CS4 Touring; *Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge; *Kumho Solus KH16.

I think you would be happy with any of these, and all of them are fairly competitively priced.

Hope this helps.

"KW" wrote in news:9453b$4729cefa$4b587158$ snipped-for-privacy@ALLTEL.NET:

I put Yokohama(my first) A540's on my previous car, an Avalonm and loved them. Way better than the OEM's. Smooth, quiet, etc. I'm putting them on my Elantra the minute the Michelin's get anywhere near Lincoln's head. :) Only at Sears and NTB though they are just a rebrand of a regular Yoko tire.

I've got plenty of tread left on the OEM's with 40,000 miles on them, but there is no way I'm going through another Chicago winter with these Michelins. They have the worst wet/snow traction of any tire I've ever owner. I'm going with Yokohama Avid V4S. You may want to check out Tire Rack for comparisons of various brands.

"KW" wrote in news:9453b$4729cefa$4b587158$ snipped-for-privacy@ALLTEL.NET:

I replaced the Michelin MXV4's on my 2005 Sonata just last week. They were really worn after 52K miles.

The new tires are GoodYear Assurance TripleTred. I got to drive about 500 miles in the rain and mud right after getting them. No snow in Ithaca, NY yet.

Anyway, I am simply blown away by their wet traction and handling. I cannot say much about ride quality as that is pretty subjective and I like to feel the road. So, the fact that I find them comfortable does not necessarily say much.

I am *very* happy with my purchase.

They do come with an 80K mile warranty and 30 day trial period.

Sinan

I appreciate all of the help folks. I've still got ~5K or to go before it's time to swap which gives me plenty of time to research all the tires you've listed.

Thanks again!

KW

First and foremost, do some research on Tirerack and see what others are using and saying. I've bought 3 sets of tires from them and the ratings and customer reviews are spot on. I replaced the garbage OEMs on my 02 Sonata With Yokohama Avid H4s and they were awesome in terms of dry weather performance and traction. Kindy sucky on the snow and ice. I recently (2000 miles ago) put on some Kumho Solus tires to replace the Yokohama's and while they are not as high-performance as the Yokohama's, I feel like I am riding on street of cotton. They are quiet, quiet, quiet. More quiet than my Yokohamas. I put Kumho Solus tires on my wife's 98 Corolla and they've held up very well. So far, the Kumhos on my Sonata are performing stellar. When winter and ice does come, I'll be hoping they're better than the Yokohamas. I do recommend them.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

I second the

suggestion. Its a fun research site even if you don't buy from them. I just wanted to add that I am impressed with the Michelin Pilots that came on my Sonata...I was never really sold on Michelins to tell you the truth, yet. I have 56000 miles on my regularly rotated tires, and they are not yet worth to that wear strip mark. I could even probably get through another winter with them, but am thinking of erring on the side of caution and getting a set of blizzaks. PS I love most of the Toyo tires I run on my other cars.

I guess I third the suggestion. Also visit

for reviews.

That said, I never buy from either site. I usually zero in on the "best bets" and then visit

to see what they carry. So far I've done well this way. Discount tire has much better prices, free road hazard coverage, balancing, rotating and tire repair for life. My last set of tires was for a 2002 Deville DHS. I bought them in Michigan and now live in Arizona. I've had them rotated and balanced about every 6000 to 8000 miles and had one puncture repaired. They are the greatest people I've ever dealt with --- and they're the same at any shop I stop at.

====================== A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A beer please, and one for the road." ======================

I now have 26000 miles on my Michelins, still hard as a rock and still have lots of tread. Tire dealer tells me that I need to go to 215/55/17's to soften the ride. outside of that, I will get some 16 inch wheels and get some softer tires. these hard tires are driving me nuts after a year and a half!

-- Message posted using

information at

Mom always said shop around so that's what we do. I've been 3 out of 3 on Tirerack so far and the customer comments were pretty spot on. I've also checked prices at the local guys (Firestone, Tire America, Just Tires) and most don't come close the brand variety. Overall, I usually wind up saving %15 over the local guys and I get the exact brand and model I want versus a "second best."

- Thee Chicago Wolf

We're talking about the Michelin Michelin Pilot HX MXM4, correct?

If so, I am sold on the wear, albeit the ride's a little rough. 22k on mine and they look like new.

I got a set of square tires from them once...never again!