[maronha]

The cost of a number of Asian-import tires has skyrocketed in the last few years. Generals are like twice the price they were in 2021. Michelins and Conti's haven't increased much, if at all. I think I put a set of Michelin Primacy A/S on the wife's XC60. Good quiet tire that rides like a Volvo should. I believe I put "regular(?)" Primacy's on my 945T. Again, a good mix of comfort and road manners.

-Ryan

Like everything we buy today it's been an increase. I just bought 4 tires for my truck. Try pricing a 295/70/17. Hopefully I'm done with tires for a good while. I have purchased 4 set in the last 2.5 years. The next car purchase I need to pay attention and make sure it has good tread on it. Mistake made when getting the S40 which resulted in one set of tires.

 

[ChitownV]

Bridgestone - ALENZA AS ULTRA is what we just put on our xc90. Now that I can afford more in my life, I try not to overthink buying tires and just go with a good name and mileage warranty. And being a Costco member, I usually just choose between whichever brand is on special. Our car is very lightly driven over the past 8 years so age was the only reason I replaced the last set which were the Duelers. Like ChitownV said they were getting loud.

I too did the Costco discounts with Michelin and Bridgestones, but then got tired of waiting 3+ hours every time just to rotate tires. Costco also scratched several wheels on different vehicles. That’s when I decided to go with Continental from Tirerack and Continental had a rebate plus tire hazard insurance.

If I had 19in Vulcanis wheels like the OP, I wouldn’t trust Costco to install nor rotate/balance the tires without scratching the wheels.

 

[maronha]

I too did the Costco discounts with Michelin and Bridgestones, but then got tired of waiting 3+ hours every time just to rotate tires. Costco also scratched several wheels on different vehicles. That’s when I decided to go with Continental from Tirerack and Continental had a rebate plus tire hazard insurance.

If I had 19in Vulcanis wheels like the OP, I wouldn’t trust Costco to install nor rotate/balance the tires without scratching the wheels.

Luckily, I have not had any issues with wheels being scratched or anything.

 

[AvI6Tor]

I too did the Costco discounts with Michelin and Bridgestones, but then got tired of waiting 3+ hours every time just to rotate tires. Costco also scratched several wheels on different vehicles. That’s when I decided to go with Continental from Tirerack and Continental had a rebate plus tire hazard insurance.

If I had 19in Vulcanis wheels like the OP, I wouldn’t trust Costco to install nor rotate/balance the tires without scratching the wheels.

If you have a discount tire (I believe affiliated with tire rack) local to you they have great deals on Bridgestone and Contis.

 

[safetyfirst]

If you have a discount tire (I believe affiliated with tire rack) local to you they have great deals on Bridgestone and Contis.

Yep, and they also have great deals on Pirelli's. Thanks !

 

[safetyfirst]

I think I'm down to either Conti Crosstrack LX25 (107H, 740 AA) or another set of Pirelli Scorpion Verde AS (107H, 600 AA). As Discount Tire offer a 70k warranty on the Conti's, that may become the tie-breaker. @ChitownV, any experience on performance of the LX25's in snow ? Thanks.

 

[ChitownV]

I think I'm down to either Conti Crosstrack LX25 (107H, 740 AA) or another set of Pirelli Scorpion Verde AS (107H, 600 AA). As Discount Tire offer a 70k warranty on the Conti's, that may become the tie-breaker. @ChitownV, any experience on performance of the LX25's in snow ? Thanks.

The LX25 works very well in the snow. The last two winters weren't too bad so I didn't get much driving in medium to deeper snow depth. You might want to use the Tirerack review system to read the feedback on SUVs with a similar weight to the XC90.

If you have a discount tire (I believe affiliated with tire rack) local to you they have great deals on Bridgestone and Contis.

I remember talking with the President of Tirerack many years ago when he was going through discussions about Tirerack managing distribution/logistics for Discount Tire. He was pretty excited, to say the least. IIRC, Tirerack projected they would manage 40% of Discount Tire's volume in just the first year. A few years ago, Discount Tire acquired Tirerack. They keep their individual business strategies, but can benefit from the factory rebates, discounts, and economies of scale to price competitively.

Unfortunately for me, the closest Discount Tire is an hour away, in good traffic.

 

[safetyfirst]

"You might want to use the Tirerack review system to read the feedback on SUVs with a similar weight to the XC90."

Great idea. Thanks. All the Volvo owners, including several XC60 and XC90, were positive, including use in light snow.

OK. Chocks away !

 

[rfkuehn]

My driving is mostly on dry and wet pavement, with occasional snow.

I had Nokian WR G2's on the 18" rims and they were a great tire, especially in snow.

I used to be all-in for Nokian WR SUV Gx series, now I'm not, long story. I've now got these on two cars, will install on the new GH when the time comes - 3PMSF -

PIRELLI SCORPION WEATHERACTIVE

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Scorpion+WeatherActive&partnum=36VR8SWAXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Volvo&autoYear=2004&autoModel=XC90&autoModClar=2.5T%20AWD

Looks like there's a promotion underway until end-Feb; happy shopping.

https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers/details.jsp?promoID=IRI62

 

[Blue SUV]

I used to be all-in for Nokian WR SUV Gx series, now I'm not, long story.

I've now got these on two cars, will install on the new GH when the time comes - 3PMSF -

PIRELLI SCORPION WEATHERACTIVE

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Scorpion+WeatherActive&partnum=36VR8SWAXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Volvo&autoYear=2004&autoModel=XC90&autoModClar=2.5T%20AWD

What do you think of them? The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, but it's still a fairly new tire.

 

[rfkuehn]

What do you think of them? The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, but it's still a fairly new tire.

Yep, really happy with them - installed first on minivan, worked well locally, road trips, and ski trip up the (relatively) big mountain. So then went on the XC90 too when its time came up.

Looking at TR, there's relatively few 'CROSSOVER/SUV TOURING ALL-SEASON' + 3PMSF ('All-Season w/Severe Snow Service Rating'). Honestly, for the first time on minivan I looked for relatively higher price point (I mean, I don't buy tires that often - price difference for a set is less than I spend to take the family to Silver Diner) and thought the Michelins looked weird. Then just got the Pirellis again when it was time for the XC90.

 

[ChitownV]

I mean, I don't buy tires that often - price difference for a set is less than I spend to take the family to Silver Diner

Personally, good tires are worth the price to ensure making it to Silver Diner. 😄 My XC90 has safely made it there hundreds of times in all types of weather. Granted, city and suburban pavement isn’t like driving up a snow capped ski mountain.

 

[Hong Kong]

My personal experience after 17 y. driving xc90 2.5t AWD and trust me tried so many different models.

For snow of fresh by night 60 cm in St. Mortiz Switzerland Alp few years ago all roads was closed by night towards Italy the only one pass 2200 m high crossing was open. New Goodyear Ultragrip SUV 235/60/18'' was so good that I that drive over 40 years on snow ice ect in Slovenia, Germany, Swiss never had.
All other cars was sliding like on ice we pass so easy and I enjoyed driving up and down. There was one Italian Bmw I told him to rotate car and to be able to go uphill to drive in reverse and he first moment looking on me like WHAT??? Yes try to believe I had in 1985 one Bmw 315 that I drive like this in mountains. LOL

Wredestein was good but not last long. Pirelly that you mention also didn't lasted to me more than 22000 km and than never again same as Michelin 21000 km. Too soft for heavy front of XC90.

The second recommendation that I proved to made over 8000 km is that I rotate tires every 5000 km in cross x if possible depend of tires. Trust me help prolong duration few thousands km 100%.

This is Julier Pass the best road in Europe ever. Summer or winter I love it.

Immagine you are in middle of Switzerland mountains and all roads out is closed. Than we waiting that at least a little bit is cleaned and pass 2200 m high cross...

Diavolezza 3332 m you need to visit if you are in Switzerland.

 

[rfkuehn]

The second recommendation that I proved to made over 8000 km is that I rotate tires every 5000 km in cross x if possible depend of tires. Trust me help prolong duration few thousands km 100%.

I install new tires at midpoint between oil changes, then rotate (just front-back) with every oil change - first after 3,750 and then every 7,500. That's keeps the wear balanced and alternates where the more-worn tires sit. Deeper tread starts in front, equalize after 3,750, then becomes deeper at rear during another 3,750. Rotate and start the pattern again. Never more than 3,750 wear difference between front and rear.

 

[safetyfirst]

Great advice. FWIW, I was taught that rotation of tires from side to side (as opposed to F<->R) is generally disfavored, even with non directional tires, as it tends to put more stress on the tire.

 

[safetyfirst]

Ended up going with Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive 255/50R19 107V 700AA per @rfkuehn suggestion. Good deal on Tirerack at $985 for 4. All season plus three-peak mountain snowflake. Will report back on performance later.