Last week I replaced my Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 P235/50ZR18 97W tires with the new Michelin Primacy MXM4 in the same size. After about 200 miles on them, I am considering exchanging them and returning to the Pilot HX MXM4.

The Primacy tires seem much louder above 30 MPH. I was surprised by this as I did a ton of research before I bought them. But the road noise or slight hum is very irritating. My Pilots tires were down to the wear bars, but were quieter on the highway. At least to me.

Before I return them, for what on paper and in reviews should be a worse tire, can anyone tell me if they have the same Primacy tires on their LS 460 and do you think the road noise is louder or quieter than the Pilot HX MXM4. And do you hear a hum above 30 MPH or am I imagining it?

 

Ended up returning the Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires. Went back to new Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires.

The Pilots are much quieter than the Primacy to the tune of about 3 to 4 DB at 70 MPH on the same road according to my decibel measurements. But the real benefit is eliminating the awful and irritating hum between 40 MPH and 80 MPH. I Googled and found a few reports of the 70 MPH hum with the Primacy tires. So I am not the only one to hear it. After about 400 miles the Primacy tires did tend to get quieter, but not to the level of the Pilots new.

I am amazed how different the cars drives with each set of tires. The Pilot HX MXM4's are much more stable and have less drift when going straight. The car feels planted to the road and has a little stiffer ride. The Primacy tires give the LS a much lighter feel, sort of a floating feel and easier turns of the wheel. Not a bad feel, but much different. Both are the same in terms of grippyness.

 

Hey gov! Probably no one, or not many, people have experienced both of those tires. Personally I have not had any Michelins on my LS. Thanks for posting your experience. I am sure in the future people will be referring to it.