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Head-to-head Updated

Dunlop Sport BluResponse vs Michelin Primacy 4+ — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 10 + 10 road tests and 5,210 + 39 owner reviews. How we score

Primacy 4+ is ahead, 78–69

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Dunlop Sport BluResponse
Tire ADunlop

Sport BluResponse

Summer

± 6

Tests 70 · 10 tests Owners 68 · 5,210 reviews

Best test result: #2 of 20 in 2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (comfort (tester's mark))

“Consider Dunlop Sport Blu Response, I am on my second set with the MB and find them to be excellent with high grip in the dry or wet, quiet and have lasted longer than other premium brands.”

Michelin Primacy 4+
Tire BMichelin

Primacy 4+

Summer

± 4

Tests 85 · 10 tests Owners 70 · 39 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (abrasion)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

Key facts

  • In 4 tests that measured dry braking for both, Sport BluResponse won 0 and Primacy 4+ won 4 (average 94% vs 97% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured wet braking for both, Sport BluResponse won 0 and Primacy 4+ won 4 (average 84% vs 93% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Sport BluResponse won 0 and Primacy 4+ won 3 (average 96% vs 97% of the best).
  1. 77

    Dry

    Primacy 4+ +1
    78
    Why this score
    SourceSport BluResponsePrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 9 tests7882
    Reviews found online7671
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–494%97%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–199%98%

    Sport BluResponse: 60% × 78.3 + 40% × 75.8 = 77

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.3 + 40% × 70.5 = 78

  2. 76

    Wet

    Primacy 4+ +3
    79
    Why this score
    SourceSport BluResponsePrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 9 tests7583
    Reviews found online7874
    Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–193%94%
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–396%97%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–484%93%
    Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–188%93%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–296%98%

    Sport BluResponse: 60% × 74.8 + 40% × 77.5 = 76

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.6 + 40% × 73.8 = 79

  3. 75

    Comfort

    Sport BluResponse +4
    71
    Why this score
    SourceSport BluResponsePrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests8073
    Reviews found online7269

    Sport BluResponse: 40% × 80.2 + 60% × 72.2 = 75

    Primacy 4+: 40% × 73.3 + 60% × 69 = 71

  4. 60

    Noise

    Primacy 4+ +13
    73
    Why this score
    SourceSport BluResponsePrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 7 tests5677
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–298%100%

    Sport BluResponse: 60% × 55.6 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 60

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 76.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 73

    No owner ratings of noise for Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  5. 55

    Treadwear

    Primacy 4+ +30
    85
    Why this score
    SourceSport BluResponsePrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 4 tests5995
    Reviews found online5069
    Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–143%65%
    Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–256%86%

    Sport BluResponse: 60% × 58.8 + 40% × 49.8 = 55

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 95.3 + 40% × 68.9 = 85

  6. 70

    Handling (owners)

    Sport BluResponse +5
    65
    Why this score
    SourceSport BluResponsePrimacy 4+
    Reviews found online7065
  7. 87

    Efficiency

    Sport BluResponse +9
    78
    Why this score
    SourceSport BluResponsePrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 8 tests8778
    Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–097%95%
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–095%88%
Scores at a glance
CategoryDunlop Sport BluResponseMichelin Primacy 4+
Relative Score 69 78
Dry 77 78
Wet 76 79
Comfort 75 71
Noise 60 73
Treadwear 55 85
Handling (owners) 70 65
Efficiency 87 78

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
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Less important
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Important
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Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
± 6

Sport BluResponse

± 4

Primacy 4+

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 4 tests that ran both, Dunlop Sport BluResponse finished ahead 0 times and Michelin Primacy 4+ 4 times.

DisciplineCategorySport BluResponsePrimacy 4+ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 94% 97% −3.1 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16
Dry Handling Dry 99% 98% +0.5 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 93% 94% −0.4 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 96% 97% −1.4 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Wet Braking Wet 84% 93% −9.9 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16
Wet Braking (concrete) Wet 88% 93% −5.8 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Wet Handling Wet 96% 98% −2.2 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Noise Noise 98% 100% −1.5 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Abrasion Treadwear 43% 65% −21.4 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Wear Treadwear 56% 86% −29.6 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 97% 95% +1.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 95% 88% +7.0 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 95% 93% +2.6 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Motor Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #6/20 #9/20 – 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Value Cost 48% 59% −11.7 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Overall Ranking Overall #20/55 #5/55 – 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Sport BluResponse

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and braking performance in both wet and dry conditions
  • Low road noise and high ride comfort
  • Noticeable improvement in fuel economy/low rolling resistance

Cons

  • Faster-than-expected tread wear for some drivers, particularly on front drive axles
  • Soft sidewalls can cause a slightly spongy feel or tire flex during aggressive cornering
  • Poor performance and loss of traction in snow and freezing temperatures
All owner themes in the Sport BluResponse review

Tire B Primacy 4+

Pros

  • Excellent ride comfort and a smooth, compliant 'limousine-like' feel over bumps
  • Strong and reliable grip in both wet and dry conditions, inspiring confidence
  • Noticeable improvement in quietness and traction compared to predecessor tires or factory options

Cons

  • Loud road noise and a harsh drone on rough or coarse asphalt surfaces
  • Soft sidewalls can reduce steering agility and initial responsiveness compared to dedicated sport tires
  • High premium price point relative to competitors
All owner themes in the Primacy 4+ review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Dunlop Sport BluResponse

Positive

Community sentiment toward the Dunlop Sport BluResponse is consistently positive, with users praising its grip in both dry and wet conditions, longevity, and quiet ride. It is frequently regarded as a well-rounded and reasonably priced tire with attractive specifications, though some users note limited availability in certain regions like the US.

forums.mbclub.co.uk ·2 upvotes ·2018-04-05

“Consider Dunlop Sport Blu Response, I am on my second set with the MB and find them to be excellent with high grip in the dry or wet, quiet and have lasted longer than other premium brands.”
Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Low tyre noise#Tread longevity#Reasonable pricing#Low rolling resistance#Market availability

Based on 6 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Primacy 4+

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Dunlop Sport BluResponse B · Michelin Primacy 4+
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available2866
Rim diameters14″ – 17″16″ – 21″
Sizes in common1414

Which one should you actually buy?

Dunlop Sport BluResponse

Michelin Primacy 4+

Winner: Michelin Primacy 4+ — better treadwear, noise and wet. Pick the Dunlop Sport BluResponse if efficiency and comfort matter most to you.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 85 vs 55 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 73 vs 60 on noise.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Dunlop Sport BluResponse scores 87 vs 78 on efficiency.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Dunlop Sport BluResponse scores 75 vs 71 on comfort.

Tire A · Dunlop Sport BluResponse
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Tire B · Michelin Primacy 4+
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Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+?

Which is better in the wet, Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 79 vs 76 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+?

Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 78 on the dry score, within 3 points.

Which is quieter, Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 73 vs 60 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+?

Dunlop Sport BluResponse, 75 vs 71 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 85 vs 55 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Sport BluResponse or Primacy 4+?

Dunlop Sport BluResponse, 87 vs 78 on our efficiency score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology