biginch

My car: 2011/Acura MDX, Base Sport Utility AWD w/Technology Pkg.
Existing Tire: Michelin Latitude Tour HP Tire 255/55R18 104H

It seems to me so straightforward at first that the replacement should be Michelin Latitude Tour HP Tire 255/55R18 105H. It costs $316 each in walmart.com. Link here.
When I look furthur, I found another option: Michelin Latitude Tour Hp 255/55R18 Tire 105V. The price for 105V is $221, 43% cheaper! Link here
Not a tire guru, I happen to know 105V is considered a higher speed rating tire than 105H.
My question is why such a big price difference. Is 105V considered less comfortable, more noise?
Please help me decide.

mrgold35

I'm on my 2nd set of Continental DWS on my MDX. They are less expensive, longer treadlife, better all weather and dry traction, lighter, less road noise, and higher speed rating of 168 mph. The Conti DWS 06 rank higher in every category against the Michelin tires.

I started out with Michelins on all three of my Acura and I didn't like the road noise and poor weather handling in slushy conditions as you get more mileage on the tires.
MDX: 2nd set Conti DWS
RDX: 3rd set Conti DWS
TSX: 2nd set Conti DWS

If you still prefer the Michelins, I would shop around on price and go for the cheaper price with the most services (free rotation, road hazard, PSI checks, store locations, etc...).

biginch

thanks for your reply, mrgold. I will definitely check it out.

3.2cls6speedmt

approximatley how many miles did your first of conti last?

mrgold35

I replaced my 19" OEM Michelins at 31,124 miles with 255/45/20 Conti DWS (the Conti DWS 06 upgraded version wasn't available then) back in Jan/2014. I road forced balanced when they were put on, rotated or cross rotated every oil change, re-balance every oil change, and did an alignment twice a year. I opt'd for the Firestone lifetime alignment ($100 for initial alignment and $100 to add lifetime every 6000 miles min afterwards) and I have free lifetime rotation/balance with Discount tires. I replaced with the Conti DWS 06 at 83,672 miles in Oct/2016 between 4/32 and 5/32 on the tires (52,548 miles in about 21 months). I would have kept the tires on longer if it was the start of summer compared to the start of winter.

The Conti DWS 06 have a little bit longer treadwear rating and I can see getting 55,000 to 65,000 miles on them depending how close I am to winter. I prefer having 5/32 at a min or +6/32 for winter/snow driving conditions. The 1st set of Conti DWS rode the same, handled the same, same level of road noise, and performed the same in all conditions throughout the +50,000 miles.

3.2cls6speedmt

thanks. Very impressive how long the conti are lasting.

wilsel

I just bought Michelin Premier's, the Latitude replacement. Less than $1000 installed and balanced at Discount Tire (for 19 inch). Great tire so far.

biginch

Thanks for this info wilsel. ?I looked up in discounted tire and?MICHELIN PREMIER LTX 255 /55 R18 109H XL BSW pops up with 60K warranty and higher rating, and , best part, cheaper than?LATITUDE TOUR HP. It did not show up when I looked days ago.

biginch

Thanks mrgold35, again for the valuable input. One question I have is Conti DWS 06 is considered UHP ALL-SEASON. Does this mean less tread life? My main use of mdx is family car and I also value noise level a lot. I read reviews from tirerack and some say that Conti DWS 06 will have noise after certain miles.
Did you experience similar?

mrgold35

I noticed with Honda and Acura vehicles have higher road noise compared to other brands. Picking the right tires can lower the road noise a little bit as the tires wear. OEM Michelins on all three of my vehicles had noticeable road noise increase as the tread wore down (along with weak slushy snow traction). The hwy speed limit is between 75 mph and 80 mph in some parts of Texas (I'm usually 5-10 mph above that). Road noise is really noticeable at those speeds with the wrong tires. My first set of tires on my TSX after OEM were Bridgestones 960 directional tires. Outstanding tires; but, I couldn't cross-rotate and I wore the driver's side tires out faster than the passenger side tires (right turns are usually sharper than longer left turns most of the time). Decided to switch to non-directional tires like the Conti DWS and haven't been disappointed since.

Some of things I do to limit road noise is rotate, cross-rotate, and rotate on oil changes. Each tire hits each corner and does forward/reverse for 7500-8500 miles at time to even out wear. I also do road force balance when new, re-balance every oil change, and alignment around 2X a year (lifetime alignment Firestone; Discount Tires lifetime rotation/balance/road force balance). Rotations and Cross-rotations are one of the best tools to keeping road noise down as the tires wears.

Another factor in road noise are road conditions. The louder the road noise for any tire the older, worn, and lighter gray color of the asphalt. Fresh dark asphalt is almost silent compared to the older stuff. Concrete surfaces are kinda hit or miss; but, usually around average in road noise.

I got 53,000 miles with 4/32 to 5/32 on the tires with the old Conti DWS (540 treadlife). I didn't notice an increase in road noise like I did with the OEM tires as the mileage pile up. The new Conti DWS 06 are rated at 560 treadlife and I expect to equal or exceed 55,000 miles at a minimal.

wilsel

I forgot to mention, you can look at Tire Racks testing on these tires. They surpass the previous Latitude's (biggest leap is wet stopping distance), and come out on top in their class.