BFGoodrich Advantage vs Michelin Primacy 4: We know from our previous coverage of the touring segment, Michelin’s Primacy 4 is one of the top notch touring tires out there in the market. For this 1 v 1 comparison, we would like to call out a product from the highly popular light truck brand called BFGoodrich. This brand is well known by its all popular all terrain tire the T/A KO which is on every single premium 4×4 you can find. In 2019, BFGoodrich even sold more tires than Michelin in the light truck segment in US replacement market.
BFGoodrich Advantage was launched in 2020 and it was designated to replaced an aging product of BFGoodrich G-Grip which was launched back in 2009. Its main marketing features are more consistent handling response, and boasts a shorter braking distance and a longer tread life. Let’s see whether this holds up in our press test.
A kind note to BFGoorich, they are actually owned by Michelin after the take over in 1990. This shows how well established the brand was in America before other manufactures join in the market. This comparison would essentially be an internal comparison of 2 companies being owned by the same owner. Would be interesting to know how well they do consolidate as Michelin and BFGoodrich would had access to each other’s data.
Table of Contents
BFGoodrich Advantage vs Michelin Primacy 4
Results below were taken from the 2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test results. 12 tires were tested in Goodyear’s test track in Mireval, France. The graph below shows the comparison between BFGoodrich Advantage vs Michelin Primacy 4 based on the relevant performance category. The Primacy 4 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for subjective comfort evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if the tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%. The natural scaling does not really make sense in evaluation whereby the max number is 10. The tire size of interest is 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for by Volkswagen Golf (2018) and the Toyota Corolla Altis (2018). You can check out our latest tire size table for more information.
Wet
In a surprise results, the BFGoodrich Advantage managed to beat the Primacy 4 in wet braking coming up shorter by 0.9m compared to the Michelin. While in wet handling there are rank subjectively equal, the lap times do differ by close to 1 seconds. The Primacy 4 even though having a weaker objective wet braking results still managed to stir its way around the track at a much higher paced compared to the Advantage. In aquaplaning, Primacy 4 once again show how well it performs by being 2.3% better than BFGoodrich Advantage. Primacy 4 clogged a slip speed of 82.3 KM/H compared to the 80.9 KM/H of BFGoodrich Advantage.
BFGoodrich Advantage:
- +2.3% in wet braking
- –1.3% in wet handling (lap time)
- 0% in subjective wet handling
- -2.3% in aquaplaning
Dry
When it comes to dry, we see that Primacy 4 managed to sneak ahead in both objective measurement of dry braking & dry handling lap time. But what really stand out was the superior subjective dry handling performance of Primacy 4 being 8% better than BFGoodrich Advantage. Primacy 4 score a 8.6/10 while BFGoodrich Advantage scored a mere 7/10. A good point to note was that the BFGoodrich Advantage was ranked last in subjective dry handling which really shows its major disadvantage.
BFGoodrich Advantage:
- -0.6% in dry braking
- -0.5% in dry handling (lap time)
- -8% in subjective dry handling
Noise & Comfort
In the NVH (Noise vibration hardness) criteria’s, BFGoodrich Advantage really shines by topping the charts on both the interior noise and subjective comfort. BFGoodrich Advantage was 0.4dB quieter interiorly while have a 10/10 score when it comes to subjective comfort. Rest assured, with this test results we can effectively confirmed that noise and comfort is the main strength of BFGoodrich Advantage.
BFGoodrich Advantage:
- +0.7% in internal noise
- +1% in comfort
Rolling Resistance
As the importance of climate change and CO2 emission starts to be relevant for consumers, rolling resistance starts to play a bigger factor when it comes to making a decision what tires to purchase. BFGoodrich Advantage has a defecit of 3.1% against Primacy 4, but all in all both tires still ranked inside the top 4 in the test.
BFGoodrich Advantage:
- -3.1% in rolling resistance
Price
Being the undisputed technology leader, Michelin naturally commands one of the highest priced tire in the market. Primacy 4 cost 13% more compared to BFGoodrich Advantage. Even though both of them are from the same company, it sounds like a bargain to get the same technology advantage while not paying a premium price for BFGoodrich tire 🙂
Tire size: 225/45R17
Primacy 4: : €66.75
BFGoodrich Advantage:: €59
Difference: -13% more cheaper for BFGoodrich Advantage.
Summary
Both tires provide different strengths when it comes to true technical performances. Primacy 4 offers good subjective dry handling, aquaplaning & also rolling resistance. While BFGoodrich Advantage clearly was top in comfort & noise and also wet braking. Overall depending your main requirements both tires could be the tires that you are looking for.