Just a word of warning: I used to have Bridgestone ER60, even though they didn't have much profile left they were pretty good. Good grip and handling. Then I switched to the XM2. Grip... nah, not really. You brake hard, it blocks up. Corner hard, car will just go straight. Advantage: Slightly (really slightly) lower fuel consumption... I guess. The difference is so small it's hard to say. Road noise is also reduced. But really, the lack of grip is a bit scary (though now that they are worn in it seems to be a bit better). In the wet they seem to do just fine, no problems so far. Although the car just kept moving forward in my car park once... the tyres were still wet from outside at that time.

One more thing: I was always wondering why there are so many idiots driving in my car park with squeaking tyres. I tried hard with the ER60 (when there was no one around), but no matter how fast I drove I could get any noise. With the XM2 they basically always squeak, even at low speeds.

So yes, they are comfortable, they'll probably last a long time, that's all good. But they seem to be a bit lacking in the most important department, grip. (Again it seems to have improved a bit, but I was happier with the ancient Bridgestone).

This post has been edited by kadajawi: Dec 10 2012, 07:19 PM

Yup. But maybe not everyone realizes that you do pay for the longer durability. I was aware that the grip levels weren't going to be superb, but still I was a bit disappointed (the ER60 I believe weren't exactly super grippy slicks either).

To be honest I don't know. And in recent times I haven't had any bad experiences with them. Still not as good as the ER60 I had before, but acceptable. Or I drive slower. Maybe they weren't worn in yet? But if you are looking for grip I'd look elsewhere, at the cost of being not so long lasting, having slightly higher FC perhaps and being a bit noisier. Your choice.

I did read a test by a Russian (?) magazine... well, I tried to read, and there they tested both the XM2 which is mostly sold in ASEAN countries and some other energy efficient tyre from Michelin that is also energy efficient. The other one scored well, might even have won the test, the XM2 was one of the worst tyres in the test. (Though perhaps it was too cold and the XM2 is designed for hot countries?)