Across reviews, the Michelin Primacy 3 is most often described as a safe, comfortable touring tire with strong dry grip and generally confidence-inspiring wet traction, especially for commuting and motorway use. Many drivers report low noise (when new) and good stability, with several high-scoring reviews highlighting impressive longevity and efficiency. However, a meaningful minority report faster-than-expected wear (especially on heavier/torquier cars), some wet/aquaplaning weakness in standing water or as tread gets low, and a softer/vaguer steering feel; price is also a common complaint.
What owners mention most counted across 158 reviews
I downsize original car tires Michelin Primacy HP 215/55 R16 V, after 44000 kms age, rotate at 20000 kms front to rear, to Michelin Primacy 3 205/55 R 16 V.
That has a god choice to downsize tire to my car, Dry or wet, asphalt, mud or sand, all with no problems, only correct tire pressure and adequate speed, always exemplary driving.
This tire is very sensitive to correct tire pressure, is a good tire whit adequate tire pressure, and very random, noisy and rude, whit wrong tire pressure.
Sorry for my advice, but that's all the true about Primacy 3.
These tires came fitted to my 2015 model Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi. Michelin seem to be able to strike the best balance of all tire manufacturers I have tried between dry/wet grip and wear. I have 62,000km on the car from new and there is still 3mm tread on all 4 corners. Normally I expect to get 50,000km max out of my tires and replace them well before hitting the wear indicators but these tires just keep on giving. Dry grip is excellent, wet grip is almost as good, handling is best in class, and wear is outstanding. If there is one area where these tires could be improved it's in the comfort/road noise dept. They are as good as other premium brands but if the comfort could match the grip/ride/handling/wear then this tire would be untouchable by any other tire out there. Maybe that's the price to pay for the amazing wear properties.
Which tires do you drive?
Researching the Michelin Primacy 3? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
First sorry about my english.
I have a ford focus mk2 1.6 Ti-VCT Duratec model fwd (about 1250kilos weight). I run on 205/55/16 tires.
From the factory it had bridgestone re500 tires if i can remember. Then after 28,500km (2 and 1/2 years) changed with PILOT EXALTO PE2. Much better tire but had a noise and trebling in the steering wheel. Then after 25.500 (3 years) changed with MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 3. Again much better than the other 2. On the 2nd year the tire slipped a lot and on the 3nd year (after 20.000km) changed with PRIMACY 3 with a hope for better handling in all conditions.
My hope ended after 1 and 1/2 year (10.000km) with the tire slipping a lot. Now after almost 3 years and 22.000km the tires are dangerous for my taste. The front tires have a lot of tread and the rear are almost like new but they feel like wood. The gum of the tires i think last for 1 to 1 1/2 years.
I would like to test pilot super sport or pilot sport 4s but its not available in 16" tires, so i had to change the firm and try another tire. I found toyo r888 for almost the same price as the michelin. I know its a different philosophy tire for ultimate hold on dry but for the low km i drive on 1 year i think they will last for 3 years (20 to 25.000km)
I know here in Greece almost all roads are slippy and when we have a light rain its like driving on snow but i was expected from the tires to hold a lot better for the km i drive (about 25.000km max in 3 years).
For the comfort the primacy was the best tire from the others i had, thats why i gave 8 score.
The wear rate if you change the tires back with front (i hadn't) i think the car can hold over 40.000km.
Best regards to all of you
Konstantinos
Just bought tires to replace Michelin that had completed
20,000 miles, the grip in wet is main reason to buy as they are class on wet roads , dry not bad either
Definitely recommend
I drive quite a powerful and heavy rear wheel drive. I have found the tires to have good feedback, grip in dry is good. Grip in wet is questionable - I do find my back tires slipping sometimes (not dangerous however, as car is quite powerful and is rear wheel drive).For wear, I get around 15,000 - 18,000 miles out of the back tires (rear wheel drive), and around 20,000 - 21,000 for the fronts. I am happy with this as I do drive quite fast at times. Would buy again, although I would probably try CrossClimates for rears next time.
This tire was fitted to my new BMW 540i. Grip, handling etc were all ok but the noise over most road was the worst I have ever experienced. Every time you go over a small bump in the road it feels like being on solid tires, the whole car vibrates. How BMW can say they improve safety and COMFORT I don't know! After 25 years of BMW's this will be my last....shame, the car build quality of the car is excellent.
Great handling tires in wer or dry and a great price. Owed these tires for around 12 months or about 7500 miles and already need to change both front tires not due to spinning wheels but I do like to throw my car into corners. Would still buy again.
I was definately satisfied with the performance of the Premacy 3, in wet and dry.
I'm just a little concerned about the wear. After 3 years and about 24.000 kilometers they only have about 4,5 mm of profile left. So I won't make it to 40.000km (about 24k miles), while my ex Kumhos KU-31 lasted to 70.000 km (in 3 years, i was driving more before). But it's true they were XL, extra load, while these Michelins are not.
Anyway, I expected less wear after reading reviews and Michelins reputation. My next tires for this (quite heavy) Citroen will definately be XL, probbably not Michelin.
Very good dry and wet grip. Replaced P7s on front, slightly less mpg. Wear not that good 18000 miles got to replace soon,I'm not a boy racer but give it the occasional squirt, the P7s are not that good in the wet the michelins are much better but the price you pay is faster wear. Not sure what to buy this time.
Hi, second set of primacy 3, great tire dry and wet performance superb, but did notice that you have to over inflate them 0.3 to 0.4 bar over car manufactire recomandation and then they perform as they should, if you leave it on car manufacture inflation recomandation they wear out fast and the hendling is not good, I try on 2 cars this and it work, first car done over 45000 km and on the other car now they are around 37000km wich is great for tire on a 2 tons car with 400Nm torque on front wheel
Conclusion, great tire for summer seasson will buy againg, in winter time use winter tires
