New Tyres - Michelin Latitude Cross

42125 Views 91 Replies 28 Participants Last post by Flash635, Dec 28, 2020

Coight57

Discussion Starter · Jul 11, 2016

3

Decided to try a Michelin all-terrain tyre. I wanted the same size as my Pirelli Scorpions which have worked very well.... 265/60 R18, however Australia only has the 255/55 R18. So after a negative asking the local tyre dealer and Michelin Australia if they could get the 265/60 R18 Latitude Cross for me, I decided to look at other options. And as much as I would prefer to support local business, I purchased 5 x Michelin Latitude Cross 265/60 R18 from the UK, couriered by FedEx economy and with strip/fit/balance costs added, I came up $155 better off (or the identical price fitted and balanced if I had bought the smaller 255/55 R18 tyres here). Quite amazing.

Pirelli Scorpion ATR versus Michelin Latitude Cross
* very noticeable handling difference in how better this tyre turns (caught me by surprise how much sharper/easier it turned on a tight corner I regularly drive)
* comfort is probably a little better, but marginal
* noise is just audible, whereas the Pirellis were quiet (the noise is not obtrusive, but on most road surfaces just audible - concrete highway seems quieter?)
* yet to test wet weather and offroad - will give an update soon.

The Michelins are supposedly very good in the wet. My Pirellis were good until recently, now with the tread depth half worn.

Cheers Paul.

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fleabag

· #2 · Jul 11, 2016

Wonder if you're noticing the improvement in turning because your comparing s new tire to your old tire. New to new comparison may be different. I say that because I felt my new tires were amazing but after a few hundred miles the feel "normal".

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Coight57

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 11, 2016

That is very likely as the Pirellis have certainly lost some grip as they have worn down. Also, the Michelin is around 10-15mm (1/2in) wider on tread width touching the bitumen (same size tyre, but more contact area on the road).

schootsie

· #4 · Jul 11, 2016

It seems a few manufacturers do the same thing,start off with softer rubber and lots of sipes but change to a harder compound half way down and the sips all worn off so no squeegee action left. Bridgestone Dueller were (are still?) absolute mongrels for it and would become serious fun (or life threatening in some situations) in the wet once down to half. Yokohamas much the same. Michelin not so much, they seem consistent down to the wear bars. John

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fincher

· #5 · Jul 11, 2016

As a side note, I really like the black window trim on your Touareg...is that stock or DIY?

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Coight57

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 13, 2016

schootsie said:
It seems a few manufacturers do the same thing,start off with softer rubber and lots of sipes but change to a harder compound half way down and the sips all worn off so no squeegee action left. Bridgestone Dueller were (are still?) absolute mongrels for it and would become serious fun (or life threatening in some situations) in the wet once down to half. Yokohamas much the same. Michelin not so much, they seem consistent down to the wear bars. John

John, I didn't know of that. I thought the loss of grip may be a combination of loss of sipes and maybe ageing of the rubber (actual road wear can age the rubber, thus reducing grip). Tread depth wasn't the problem as the tyres still have 5-6mm remaining and the traction loss happens on a wet road with no standing water (so it's not aquaplaning). Cheers Paul.

Coight57

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 13, 2016

fincher said:
As a side note, I really like the black window trim on your Touareg...is that stock or DIY? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do you mean the window glass tinting? I had the windows tinted by a third party when I collected the vehicle new. Cheers Paul.

schootsie

· #8 · Jul 13, 2016

paulm57 said:
John, I didn't know of that. I thought the loss of grip may be a combination of loss of sipes and maybe ageing of the rubber (actual road wear can age the rubber, thus reducing grip). Tread depth wasn't the problem as the tyres still have 5-6mm remaining and the traction loss happens on a wet road with no standing water (so it's not aquaplaning). Cheers Paul.

Hi Paul, generally if you look closely at the tread rubber you will notice a distinct change in texture and feel. At about that time is when they become super slips on damp roads, not necessarily water covered. It is usually about half way down so if new tread depth was 10mm, it will become exciting at about 5mm give or take. Just my observations over many years and lots of different tyres.John

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Ewie

· #9 · Jul 14, 2016

schootsie said:
It seems a few manufacturers do the same thing,start off with softer rubber and lots of sipes but change to a harder compound half way down and the sips all worn off so no squeegee action left. John

This makes some sense. I recently replaced 2 Pirelli Verde half worn tyres (about 5mm tread left) because there was what looked like "pealing" of the rubber. The manufacturing must have been faulty at the change in rubber type interface. Pirelli paid for half the cost of the tyres plus the fitting, balancing and wheel alignment.

Interesting point, the Pirelli rep said that the tyres have a circumferential conductive strip approx. at centre of tread width which he said it was to dissipate static similar to the strip of rubber that dad had attached to the back bumper of his old FJ. You can't see this strip (about 5mm wide) on a new tyre but if you look closely on one that's done a few Kms you can see a difference in colour/texture.

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Singh

· #10 · Aug 4, 2016

How are the Michelins going Paul, any offroad experience, especially in the mud?
My contis are on last legs so looking at replacing and Michelins are high on the list

Coight57

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 5, 2016

Singh said:
How are the Michelins going Paul, any offroad experience, especially in the mud?
My contis are on last legs so looking at replacing and Michelins are high on the list

Singh, sorry I can't give an offroad performance update as I haven't been offroad as yet - that may change next week (some dirt roads last weekend, but nothing to test the tyres). Although according to Nooby and others they are a good offroad tyre... and just looking at the more open/more aggressive tread design compared to my Pirelli Scorpions, I'm quite confident there will be an offroad improvement. My main concern was onroad performance, specifically in the wet which they have proven to be very good.

Interestingly, the actual tread footprint is significantly wider than the Scorpions by an additional 12-15mm (identical size tyres), and that too should improve traction.

Have about 3000kms on the tyres - great in the wet onroad, comfortable with the only criticism being a little road noise on some surfaces, compared to the Scorpions which I found silent.

Will keep you updated on the offroad capability.

Cheers Paul.

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Singh

· #12 · Aug 5, 2016

paulm57 said:
Singh, sorry I can't give an offroad performance update as I haven't been offroad as yet - that may change next week (some dirt roads last weekend, but nothing to test the tyres). Although according to Nooby and others they are a good offroad tyre... and just looking at the more open/more aggressive tread design compared to my Pirelli Scorpions, I'm quite confident there will be an offroad improvement. My main concern was onroad performance, specifically in the wet which they have proven to be very good. Interestingly, the actual tread footprint is significantly wider than the Scorpions by an additional 12-15mm (identical size tyres), and that too should improve traction. Have about 3000kms on the tyres - great in the wet onroad, comfortable with the only criticism being a little road noise on some surfaces, compared to the Scorpions which I found silent. Will keep you updated on the offroad capability. Cheers Paul.

Thanks Paul, am used to the noise as the contis are even nite aggressive. Plus only use the v10 for offroad adventures

Chainsaw

· #13 · Aug 24, 2016

paulm57 said:
Do you mean the window glass tinting? I had the windows tinted by a third party when I collected the vehicle new. Cheers Paul.

Think he means the trim around edge. My 2012 (just had to race outside and look) it is a black rubber. Looks same as yours.

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Coight57

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 29, 2016

2

Singh said:
Thanks Paul, am used to the noise as the contis are even nite aggressive. Plus only use the v10 for offroad adventures

Quick update Singh on the Michelins. Just did 5000kms up to Cooktown and then 400kms on Fraser Island on the way home. Drove about 25-30kms of the Creb Track but not really wet - it had been closed 2-3 days before I drove on it, but only a few wet sections and not much to try the tyres out. Same with the Bloomfield track that we did the 35-40 kms offroad (all that's left not with bitumen now) and again no issues but it wasn't muddy. A number of creeks on both tracks up north, but nothing a two wheel car couldn't do. Fraser I was impressed with the tyres on sand (400kms on sand over the 5 days). So far still no real muddy conditions and the little bit of slippery stuff on the Creb Track didn't feel slippery. The tyres so far are very very good. Cheers Paul.

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Black1

· #15 · Sep 8, 2016

Just before I pull the pin and buy a set of Michelin Latitude Cross 265/65 R17's can anybody confirm that they fit a T2 V6 TDI With Air Suspension???

Looking to by in the Melbourne area and was wondering if their are any supporters of the forum that I should support in the Melbourne area???

Thanks

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seafarer28

· #16 · Sep 8, 2016

Black1 said:
Just before I pull the pin and buy a set of Michelin Latitude Cross 265/65 R17's can anybody confirm that they fit a T2 V6 TDI With Air Suspension???

Looking to by in the Melbourne area and was wondering if their are any supporters of the forum that I should support in the Melbourne area???

Thanks

I know of a few aussie members with air that have fitted 265/65-17's tyres with no rubbing however I don't know anyone that has fitted specifically the Latitude Cross in that size, I'm sure they will fit without rubbing but cant categorically say for sure.
For off road I chose to go with a thinner size in LT construction of 245/70-17.

tonyB

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Black1

· #17 · Sep 8, 2016

Thanks Tony!

From what I've read shouldn't be an issue! just wouldn't mind confirming before becoming the crash test dummy!

Planing on spending most of the time on the black top but will be doing a bit of beach launching the tinnie down south. The Conti 4x4's that have served me well are up for replacement.

Had a good look at & are still tossing up the Conticrosscontact LX2 but feel if I loose one might be hard to replace in the future.

China

· #18 · Sep 15, 2016

I've just ordered a set of Michellin Lattitude Cross 265/65x17 for my steel spring T2 at $294 each, including balancing and wheel alignment.
A shipment has arrived today, so all going well they'll be fitted mid next
I am confident they won't rub, let you know next week.

Singh

· #19 · Sep 19, 2016

great

Thanks for the update Paul, seems like you are making the best of it all!

paulm57 said:
Quick update Singh on the Michelins. Just did 5000kms up to Cooktown and then 400kms on Fraser Island on the way home. Drove about 25-30kms of the Creb Track but not really wet - it had been closed 2-3 days before I drove on it, but only a few wet sections and not much to try the tyres out. Same with the Bloomfield track that we did the 35-40 kms offroad (all that's left not with bitumen now) and again no issues but it wasn't muddy. A number of creeks on both tracks up north, but nothing a two wheel car couldn't do. Fraser I was impressed with the tyres on sand (400kms on sand over the 5 days). So far still no real muddy conditions and the little bit of slippery stuff on the Creb Track didn't feel slippery. The tyres so far are very very good. Cheers Paul.

Black1

· #20 · Sep 22, 2016

4

Just had the Michelin Latitude Cross 265/65 R17 fitted at Jax Tyres in Frankston $1,095.00 for 5 Tyres.

Initial impressions are great! A little noisier than the Conti's they replaced which had done 101,000 Ks

The ride is sooo much softer to.

Hopefully I've posted a few photos correctly??? Which show the physical size difference from the original brand new, never used, Hancook Ventus ST 255/60 R17 up against the new Michelin Latitude Cross 265/65 R17.

Speedo is nearly spot on accurate now 100k's indicated is 101k's on GPS.

Thanks to all contributors for their valuable advice shared on this great forum.

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