Michelin Primacy 3

Name: Michelin Primacy 3
Brand: Michelin
Rating: 3.8 (191 reviews)

The Michelin Primacy 3 is a Premium Touring Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tire review data from 191 tire reviews averaging 76% over 2,904,674 miles driven, and 28 tests with an average result of 6th.

Dry Grip 85%

Wet Grip 79%

Road Feedback 76%

Handling 77%

Wear 69%

Comfort 80%

Buy again 66%

First On Market	February 2012
Wheel Size	15 - 20"
Width	185 - 245mm
Profile	40 - 65

Rolling Resistance	A - D
Wet Grip	A - B
Noise (dB)	68 - 71
Winter Rating	Not Winter Rated

The Primacy 3 is ranked 68th of 150 Summer Premium Touring tires.

This tire replaced the Michelin Primacy HP and this tire has been replaced by the Michelin Primacy 4.

Tests Included

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

14th

Average Result

6th

Latest Tire Test Results

2018 Ace 235/45 R18 Summer Tire Test

9th of 11 tires

View Full Test >>

2018 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16

1st of 16 tires

Very balanced with top marks when worn, especially good on dry roads, still very good in the wet
None mentioned

View Full Test >>

2017 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test

9th of 20 tires

Excellent wear, short braking distances on dry roads, low rolling resistance
Average wet grip, limited resistance to aquaplaning, highest price
Recommended

View Full Test >>

Size	Fuel	Wet	Noise
16 inch
205/55R16 91 H	D	A	71
205/55R16 91 H	C	A	69
205/55R16 91 V	C	A	69
205/55R16 91 V	D	A	71
215/60R16 95 V	C	A	69
205/60R16 96 V XL	C	A	69
205/55R16 91 W	D	A	71
17 inch
215/55R17 94 W	C	A	69
225/45R17 91 W	C	A	69
225/45R17 94 W XL	C	A	69
215/45R17 91 W XL	C	A	69
215/55R17 94 W	C	A	69
225/50R17 94 H	C	A	71
215/55R17 94 V	C	A	69
225/45R17 91 V	D	A	71
215/55R17 94 V	B	B	69
215/55R17 98 W XL	C	A	69
215/55R17 94 V	C	A	69
225/50R17 94 V	C	A	69
225/50R17 94 W	C	A	69
225/60R17 99 V	C	A	69
18 inch
245/40R18 93 Y	D	A	71
245/45R18 100 W XL	C	A	71

View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Michelin Primacy 3 >>

Questions and Answers for the Michelin Primacy 3

2017-11-25 - trying to find the treadwear rating printed on the sidewall of Michelin primacy 3 and continental sportcontact 3 and 5. This is my deciding factor on these tires 235/50 R17 96 Y or W for my Jaguar s type 2004 3.0. Why on earth do no uk websites display this info, would really help if this was included in this website PLZ.

Unfortunately manufacturer's treadwear ratings aren't a super reliable way of judging wear. Instead we suggest looking at user reviews and tests, and if you do that you will see that the Michelin Primacy 3 should last longer than the Continental tires you mention.

2020-08-20 - What is the difference between 100V and 104V XL please?

The 104 is a higher load rated Primacy 3 intended for vehicles which require the higher load rating

2022-10-24 - I have a budget tire and a Michelin primacy on the same axle. Should I change the budget tire?

I would advise you always match across axles so in this case yes I would change it.

2023-02-17 - What are some good alternatives to the tire. I need to get the front 2 replaced but was hoping for cheaper than £300.

I would suggest reading / watching this summer touring tire test to see what some of the good alternatives are.

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Size	Price Range
205/55 R16	$166.99 - $176.99 (2 Prices)	Compare Prices >>
225/45 R17	$281.99 - $281.99 (1 Prices)	Compare Prices >>
225/50 R17	$258.99 - $258.99 (1 Prices)	Compare Prices >>
245/45 R18	$313.99 - $371.99 (5 Prices)	Compare Prices >>
Available in 21 tire sizes - View all.

YouTube Review

Top 3 Michelin Primacy 3 Reviews

Given 99% while driving a Vauxhall (215/50 R17 W) on mostly motorways for 17,000 spirited miles

Fitted to the front at 81385 miles, laser alignment completed at the same time + new front shocks, springs, top mounts & bearings fitted. They have lasted to 98885 miles and still are just over the treadwear indicator. Amazing tires. Incredible grip in the wet and dry; 100% confidence in them always. Slight slip now with full acceleration in the wet; but they are almost fully worn! Incredible comfort and quietness, and great durability on the front of a car which has 354NM of torque. I have always run top rated premium tires from all the biggest brands. These are the best tires I have ever had; second to none. Very highly recommended and great value too.

Helpful 222 - tire reviewed on November 30, 2015

Given 69% while driving a Opel Grandland X 1,5D (215/65 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles

The tires lasted about 25,000 miles on my car, which I don't think is too good. Response was average, although braking on dry and wet roads did not cause problems. The biggest problems were keeping the car moving in a straight line on a rough road (probably due to the nature of the car itself). The handling of the tires on different surfaces (gravel, asphalt) was good.

Helpful 44 - tire reviewed on September 13, 2022

Given 57% while driving a Skoda (215/55 R16) on mostly town for 0 average miles

bought these tires a year back and now after just 8000 kms of drive tires have cracks all over. When contacted Michelin customer care a very simple response they gave that we cant support since they have stopped import of these tires.

Such a pathetic response and leaving customer in between without supporting and looking into their bad quality product. What they replied is that i should better buy new tires of other make and since they will and wont support with replacement or reimbursement.

Asked them to submit report and in written then its more that 80 hours and yet to receive feedback. I have been chasing continuously but of no help.

If anyone can guide please help. I have spent 54K on these tires just a year back.

Cant share pics here as there is no option to.

Helpful 26 - tire reviewed on September 11, 2023

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Latest Michelin Primacy 3 Reviews

Given 67% while driving a Toyota Camry (235/45 R18) on mostly town for 500 average miles

I got this Michelin Primacy 3st for my Camry 2005 here in the Philippines. Few hours after the installation, one of tire's shoulder waa damaged(not sure how) though it did not lose air. I questioned its durability as the rubber felt soft. I often get punctured on my Michelin tires. Other than that, the tires performed decent on dry and wet roads. It is not the quietest out there(Giticomfort F22 is a lot quieter) but it is good enough. It provides great road feedback. It sends almost every bump on my steering wheel(Hydraulic power steering, not EPS) which I find is both good and bad. Handling is also very good even though this is not built for sporty driving. Overall, I would recommend this is Primacy 4/4S isn't available in your area.

Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on December 1, 2023

Given 83% while driving a BMW 745LI (245/50 R18) on mostly motorways for 50,000 average miles

These tryes were the factory fitted types thus went with these for replacement, they have been fantastic, 5 and half years, and 80k kms roughly 50k miles, and they are down to 4.0mm left, so approaching change.

smooth, and the biggest one for me was quiet, and decent handling. The car is a 7 series, so not aiming for the sporty handling, needed it to be smooth and quiet over anything else.

Going to give the Primacy4 a go for the next change, but been extreamly happy with the Primacy 3's/

Helpful 26 - tire reviewed on August 6, 2023

What to know the BEST All Season Tires for 2024? Click to find out!

Given 60% while driving a Volkswagen Polo GTI (215/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 30,000 spirited miles

I believe Michelin Primacy 3 could be labeled as a good tire, however for the type of vehicle that I drive they are simply not good enough. I am driving a VW Polo GTI and the tires simply do not cope with the amount of torque the vehicle has. It's super easy to lose grip even in the dry if you try to put the power down. The tires simply slip, sometimes even in 2nd or even 3rd gears.

Helpful 27 - tire reviewed on July 15, 2023

Given 76% while driving a Citroën C3 (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 30,000 spirited miles

Excellent tires, these were the ones that came with the car. Never had any issue, always dependable on any circumstances. Superb grip on dry and wet, even when close to the twi the grip in wet was quite good. Aquaplaning resistance not the best. Also didn't last as long as expected, but overall great tires. High price though.

Helpful 24 - tire reviewed on May 9, 2023

Given 61% while driving a Skoda (205/50 R18) on mostly country roads for 16 average miles

This is an OK tire, does not do anything particularly well, average mileage. The one things that let these tires down is the wet performance, with poor wet braking and total lack of grip with any standing water and will aquaplane in a puddle. This was so bad I replaced after 16,000 miles with over 3mm of tread left. Have changed to CrossClimate 2 SUV’s which are much better.

Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on April 14, 2023

Given 86% while driving a Citroën C4 Picasso (2013 ) (205/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 easy going miles

When I bought a NEW C4 Picasso 1.6 BlueHDi 88/120 was year 2016 equiped with those Micheline Premacy 3 with DOTxx16 "first half of the year 16", and now I will replace them all with four (4) NEW Bridgestone Turanza 6. With Premacy 3I made mostly easy going driving through all 6 years of driving. First year I made 21000km mixed al roads and 70% was highway driving - summer season with averge fuel consumption 4.7l/100km through full diesel tank and mixed all type of roads. The rest 43000 kilometers I made in next five (5) years. For my style of driving, is that type of tire the best one, but the price for the NEW Premacy 4+ si to high for me...Bridgestone Turanza 6 is cheaper.

Helpful 28 - tire reviewed on March 22, 2023

Given 83% while driving a Citroën C3 (205/55 R16) on mostly country roads for 40,000 average miles

6 year old 17 plate (40.000 miles) car and tires from new. MOT advising fronts are getting near minimum and have just replaced. Original rear tires have plenty of tread left in them! Very happy with them although have just replaced fronts with Avon ZV7 as they were mid range and of course cheaper as I average about 6,000 a year.

Helpful 27 - tire reviewed on December 21, 2022

Given 89% while driving a MG Gs (235/50 R18) on a combination of roads for 71,000 spirited miles

Fitted to my mg gs suv. Have had from new,(2016) just been advised close to legal limit after having covered 71000 miles. YES 71,000

Helpful 31 - tire reviewed on November 16, 2022

Given 39% while driving a Kia Motors (225/45 R18) on mostly town for 12,000 easy going miles

Fitted to a kia e-Niro. Lasted just over a year with hardly any hard driving except accelerating away from lights occasionally. Dry grip is OK, nothing special, wet grip is terrible. It could be that the electric car is heavy, but these tires are binary. They either grip or dont, there's no feedback of when the tire will start to slide, it just loses all grip in an instant. This car is a lease, but if it were mine I'd change them ASAP. Also their longevity is terrible too. Overall a pretty poor tire at premium prices.

Helpful 30 - tire reviewed on September 30, 2022

Given 49% while driving a Ford Fiesta MK8 Ecoboost (100hp) (195/55 R16) on mostly town for 18,000 spirited miles

Bought the car in 2020 with roughly 9000 miles on the clock. The tires were in good condition at the time. Grip was decent and wear was low around the centre of the tire. Did notice the sides of the tires wearing faster though. Wheel alignment was done but did not change wear patterns. Decent in the wet but will start to slip if you are excessive on the throttle in turns. Did not spin much in a straight line in the wet back then. After 2 years and 9 000 miles, the tires started to go south. Lots of understeer and sudden loss of grip in medium to tight turns. Excessive wheelspin if I apply more than a quarter throttle on most roads at pull away. (With traction control activated there is still wheelspin) The tires feel very hard and dry although they still look good and have a lot of tread left. Braking feel is very numb right now, there is no feel or the car doesn't slow down much until about halfway down the pedal travel. (brake discs and pads are still in good condition so it can only be the tires) I need to replace them soon as they do not give much confidence when pulling away, braking or turning in general.

Helpful 35 - tire reviewed on August 24, 2022

Given 86% while driving a Citroën C5 Tourer (225/60 R16) on a combination of roads for 37,000 average miles

Excellent allround tire city, country or highway. Smooth traveling no matter what the roads are like, but when it comes to turning or wet roads you can feel the tires struggling a bit. Fuel consumption is decent at avg. 7L/100km. The wear is great, in my opinion, 60 000km with a set. The only set back is the price. cca 800E for 4 tires seems too much for my blood.

Helpful 30 - tire reviewed on June 10, 2022

Given 84% while driving a Skoda (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 18,000 spirited miles

From the first day driven on the new tires to nearly 18,000 miles (2 years ago), these tires have great wet grip, amazing handling and superb wear rate. They are truly exceptional. They were direct replacements for my Michelin Pilot sports (which are in my opinion are as near perfect as possible) and to be honest I think these are dare I say, even better. I have been driving for over 30 years and possibly used pretty much every recognised brand, make and model, including the likes of Continental, Pirelli, Goodyear, Bridgestone etc etc. but none match or even come close to Michelin. They are just a class above in every aspect. If you want the best performance, price and wear rate I would not buy anything else!