Tire: Pilot Alpin PA2
Category: Performance Winter / Snow
UTQG (treadwear): Not rated
The Pilot Alpin PA2 sits midpack in the Michelin stable for performance winter tires. Over the years I've tended to prefer the Pilot Alpin PA3, but that isn't to say that the PA2 is a bad tire...cause it's not. Also don't like the one number change let fool you, the the PA2/PA3 are very different beast. And as of this review, the Pilot Alpin PA2 is only available in 18" wheel sizes, which makes it less versatile than the PA3. Either way, this is a very cool tire and utilizes Michelin's own Banded At Zero (BAZ) technology for increased internal structure. As with every other winter tire on the market, the manufacturer recommends only installing these tires in sets of four.
Drivers enjoy these tires, and I've had more run these than any other Michelin performance winter tire. Most will get around 60,000 miles out of a set, which is very good for winter tires. Most complaints about this tire come from the fact that they have stopped making it in a lot of sizes, which means that you shouldn't get attached to running them in the winter. However, if you can manage to track down a set at a good price, they'll last you for many seasons.
