I slightly dissagree, they are not the best tyres. I know there is an idea that Citroen design their cars around the Michelin tyres, that might be true it might not.
However, Only the most modern of Citroens can actually have their original tyres as tyre design and style move on. Xms came from new with some very cheap looking michelins which are obviously way out of date by todays technology. All which is available in the Xms tyre size is the Energy, which isnt anything at all like the tyres Xms came with.
My C5 hatch wears 215.55.16 tyres, it had Michelin Pilot Primacy tyres from new. I couldnt get them any more and ive just fitted a pair of Michelin Primacy HPs, totally different tyre compared with what this car came with. Its much chunkier, has a heavier duty looking sidewall with, totally different compound and new technologys. Its a great tyre but its nothing like the tyre that the C5 was designed around - if thats true.
Another C5 of ours (195.65.15 tyres) had Michelin Energy tyres on (should have had Primacys but no longer available), the new saver ones not the E3as-which are reasonable. The energy savers were pretty poor, very soggy even at the ight pressures. The tyres wore out on the outer edges as a result, even with the tracking being checked. Its now running Goodyear Excellence and the whole driving experience is much improved. Despite the tyre looking less soggy the ride is still excellent, in fact i would say its improved over sharp ridges etc. Grip is better in the wet and about the same in the dry, wear has been very good up to now and noise is also down. For this car at least i find the Goodyears superior. They are cheaper too, but thats not why i cheange to them.
Ive just had another pair of Goodyear Excellence tyres fitted to the C5 estate which has 215.55.16 tyres the same as mine. The ride actually seems slightly better with the Goodyears than the Michelins. It will be intresting to see how they compare over time. I cant comment on grip between the michelins and GYs as ive not tried the GYs properly yet.
It does largely depend on how you drive and what you want from a tyre. Wet grip in particular is what i want from a tyre, Michelins do offer good grip, but there are better tyres for grip.
On another Note, ive had Toyo CF1s before and found them to be very reasonable. Cant comment on wear as i sold the car they were fitted to after a few thousand miles with them - it wasnt a Citroen though. I parked next to a green Xm estate last week which had Toyo Cf1 front tyres and michelin energys on the back, it wasnt you was it?
(Some new Citroens now come fitted with Bridgestones from new, dissapointing)
