Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Primacy 3 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 2 + 23 road tests and 196 + 13,422 owner reviews. How we score

Primacy 4 is ahead, 81–70

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Michelin Primacy 3
Tire AMichelin

Primacy 3

Summer

± 6

Tests 73 · 2 tests Owners 66 · 196 reviews

Best test result: #3 of 20 in 2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (wear)

“I have just put a new set of Michelin Primacy 3 T0 Acoustics on and they have been faultless. Lots of grip, very quiet etc. They were also good last year in the snow and were from blackcircles for about £240 a tyre.”

Michelin Primacy 4
Tire BMichelin

Primacy 4

Summer

± 4

Tests 84 · 23 tests Owners 77 · 13,422 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (wet braking)

“Well my answer is none of the above. You choose, they are all a lottery imo. I just bought some Michelin Primacy 4 for mine today. Size 215/55 R18”

Category by category

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

  1. 72

    Dry

    Primacy 4 +10
    82
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 3Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 21 tests7486
    Reviews found online7075

    Primacy 3: 60% × 74.3 + 40% × 69.5 = 72

    Primacy 4: 60% × 85.9 + 40% × 75.4 = 82

  2. 72

    Wet

    Primacy 4 +11
    83
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 3Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 22 tests7285
    Reviews found online7280

    Primacy 3: 60% × 71.9 + 40% × 71.8 = 72

    Primacy 4: 60% × 85.5 + 40% × 79.5 = 83

  3. 68

    Comfort

    Primacy 4 +8
    76
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 3Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 5 tests≈ 68 (est.)75
    Reviews found online6776

    Primacy 3: 40% × 68.4 (est.) + 60% × 67.3 = 68

    Primacy 4: 40% × 75.4 + 60% × 75.8 = 76

    No road tests of comfort for Primacy 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  4. –

    Noise

    No comparison
    71
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 3Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 15 tests–74
    Reviews found online–≈ 66 (est.)

    Primacy 4: 60% × 73.6 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 71

    No owner ratings of noise for Primacy 4. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  5. 67

    Treadwear

    Primacy 4 +14
    81
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 3Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 3 tests7385
    Reviews found online5775

    Primacy 3: 60% × 73.1 + 40% × 57.1 = 67

    Primacy 4: 60% × 84.8 + 40% × 75.4 = 81

  6. 68

    Handling (owners)

    Primacy 4 +7
    75
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 3Primacy 4
    Reviews found online6875
  7. –

    Efficiency

    No comparison
    93
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 3Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 15 tests–93
Scores at a glance
Michelin Primacy 3 vs Michelin Primacy 4: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Primacy 3Michelin Primacy 4
Relative Score 70 81
Dry 72 82
Wet 72 83
Comfort 68 76
Noise – 71
Treadwear 67 81
Handling (owners) 68 75
Efficiency – 93

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
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Recomputed
Headline score
± 6

Primacy 3

± 4

Primacy 4

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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.

DisciplineCategoryPrimacy 3Primacy 4ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 100% #3/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test 99% #3/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #5/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test 99% #5/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 95% #5/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test 96% #2/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #6/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test 98% #4/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 83% #3/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 87% #2/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #1/16 2018 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 #4/6 2025 Wybór Kierowców Summer Tire Test R16 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Primacy 3

Pros

  • Exceptional ride comfort and low noise levels
  • Strong dry grip and confident handling
  • Smooth, refined high-speed stability and cruising capability

Cons

  • Higher than average purchase price
  • Faster-than-expected tread wear reported by many users
  • Mixed feedback on wet weather performance, with some noting a lack of grip in standing water or snow
All owner themes in the Primacy 3 review

Tire B Primacy 4

Pros

  • Exceptional tread life and long-lasting durability
  • Low road noise and a very quiet, comfortable ride
  • Reliable and consistent wet and dry grip

Cons

  • Vague, numb, or floaty steering feel with soft sidewalls under hard cornering
  • High price point compared to competitors
  • Occasional reports of increased road noise or harsher ride as the tread wears down
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

Michelin Primacy 3

Mixed

Community members generally view the Michelin Primacy 3 as a quiet, smooth, and capable grand touring tire, with several users highlighting the run-flat (ZP) version as superior in comfort to competing run-flats. However, some drivers report fast tread wear, a harsh ride compared to standard non-run-flat alternatives, and note that the model is older and increasingly replaced by newer generations like the Primacy 4.

bobistheoilguy.com ·2022-10-13

“Is your tire size 235/55-18? You might like the Michelin Primacy 3 which is actually a good price for an 18" Michelin. They are summer tires, but that's OK if you have separate winter tires. The Goodyear Assurance Maxlife sounds like something that will last a long time. The Cooper Enduramax is good if you drive over potholes and curbs because it's supposed to be tougher”

f30.bimmerpost.com

“The Primacy3 ZP were installed today. Of course, they need a break-in period, but from some highway and city traffic, I'm already sold that these are the best replacement run-flat tires for our 18" size. The car now glides where it previously "sandpapered" its way down the road with the original harsh and noisy Pirellis. Bumps feel far more isolated. The reviews for DriveGuard have been mediocre, not great. These are far better to my senses. The 225/50-18 size is hard to find. Tire Rack carries the Primacy3 ZP, but not in that size. Another tire store in my area confused them with the non-runflat which Michelin has named the same...just Primacy3. Then, realized they couldn't get the ZP version. Very odd wholesale distribution pattern. Discount Tire was able to order them. First day, but very, very pleased. EDIT: My wife even noticed and she never notices anything about cars. She said the car felt smoother to her as a passenger!”

mbworld.org

“Continental DWS06 Plus non-runflats, going on my car next week. Have had OEM Michelin Primacy 3's and they are like driving on bricks. I also ordered an OEM donut spare and jack kit for the trunk. Jack kit goes in lower compartment, spare kept under the horizontal floor net (Coupe).”

Top themes
#Run-flat ride quality#Tread wear and longevity#Touring comfort and low noise#Model obsolescence and replacements#OE fitment and regional availability#Price and size compatibility

Based on 23 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Primacy 4

Positive

The Michelin Primacy 4 is generally praised for its comfortable ride, low road noise, and strong braking and safety in both dry and wet conditions. While many users report excellent tread longevity across tens of thousands of kilometers, some note faster wear on heavier electric vehicles or rough surfaces. It is viewed as a premium touring tire that is unsuitable for winter conditions, prompting some drivers to weigh its high price against newer models like the Primacy 5 or cheaper alternatives.

r/ItalyMotori ·1 upvote ·2026-03-26

“Gomme alternative a Primacy 4 Buongiorno, ho una Peugeot 208 del 2020 con delle Michelin Primacy 4 205/45 R 17 88 V, le ho da 4 anni, circa 20000km all’anno tranne quest’anno che non le ho sostituite con le invernali e che quindi dovrei portarle ad usura completa con il prossimo “giro” delle gomme per altri 20000km. In totale arriverò a quasi 100000km, quindi super ammortizzate e le consiglierei sempre anche per la tenuta. Visto che entro fine estate pensavo di sostituirle tutte e quattro, vorrei capire se ci fossero delle alternative un più economiche ma altrettanto valide (un cambio gomme al momento mi costa circa €650-700). Read more”

vwvortex.com ·2026-09-12

“I might try to have a look at one today. There are two Uniroyal shops near me. Whether they have one in stock to look at though...? The trouble is they look really nice online but I'd like to see them in the flesh first. The old tyres (above photo) that were on these wheels were that nice square edged profile that I like, much the same as the Michelin Pilot Sports. These are going on my sons Golf EV so I'm also trying to consider if they are A rated for fuel, the best wet grip I can find and the lowest decibel level. The best choice I can find is the Michelin Primacy 4 which are A, A and 68. But on Black Circles it says they were designed for BMW. I'm sure they fit any wheel but do those properties still hold? I've always bought Pilots but B, B and 72, and its this 72 that really bugs me, is whats making me invest so much time into getting the right tyre for Toms EV. I'm getting a Tesla this Tuesday which does in fact come with the Pilots so they must be good on EV's anyway. Who knew buying tyres was so complicated.”

r/carIndia ·7 upvotes ·2026-03-26

“Michelin Primacy 4 or Conti UC6 - Virtus GT Hey, i recently got a Virtus GT with stock Apollo alnac 4g tyres - looking to upgrade them. As per ChatGPT my options are Michelin Primacy 4 and Continental UC6 - budget is not really a problem. Overall i want good grip, handling, comfort and low cabin noise. Not going for Pilot Sport 4, because don't want to compromise on comfort for performance when i am not going to push my car too much, hence PS4 is a no no. But read it somewhere that with Primacy 4, there is a noticeable difference in mileage not sure if it means going up or down. Need recommendations on what i should get! Thanks in advance”

Top themes
#ride comfort and low noise#tread life and durability#wet and dry grip#EV tire compatibility#Primacy 4 vs Primacy 5#poor winter and snow performance#premium pricing and alternatives

Based on 43 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Primacy 3 B · Michelin Primacy 4
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available4257
Rim diameters15″ – 20″15″ – 20″
UTQG240 A A340 A A
Sizes in common2929

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Primacy 3

Michelin Primacy 4

Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 — better treadwear, wet and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 81 vs 67 on treadwear.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 83 vs 72 on wet.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 82 vs 72 on dry.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 76 vs 68 on comfort.

Tire A · Michelin Primacy 3
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 4

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Primacy 3 or Primacy 4?

Which is better in the wet, Primacy 3 or Primacy 4?

Michelin Primacy 4, 83 vs 72 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Primacy 3 or Primacy 4?

Michelin Primacy 4, 82 vs 72 on our dry score.

Which is more comfortable, Primacy 3 or Primacy 4?

Michelin Primacy 4, 76 vs 68 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Primacy 3 or Primacy 4?

Michelin Primacy 4, 81 vs 67 on our treadwear 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