Citroen XM Forum

See that Michelin have recently launched a new tyre, the CrossClimate.
Plenty of info on their site, and tests and reviews elsewhere, too.

The tyre appears to have almost all the qualities of the Energy Saver Plus, but with most of the capability of a good winter tyre too. It's being aimed at the UK market in particular.

Amazingly, it's already available in 205/65 R 15 96V. Haven't checked all the other XM sizes.
Looks interesting.

White Exec wrote: The tyre appears to have almost all the qualities of the Energy Saver Plus, but with most of the capability of a good winter tyre too. It's being aimed at the UK market in particular.

Because Winter tyres are the latest must have accessory in the UK. We have become a nation of idiots that believe and follow every piece of marketing hype found on the internet and social media.

Apparently now, if you drive on regular tyres at temperatures below 5c you will definitely spin off the road killing hundreds as your car erupts into a huge fireball.

So true.

They will sell well, then!

TBH, I wasn't thinking of your average bit of wet tarmac, or even Matt's marathon school run. My first thought was Scotland (it often is) and anyone who has to deal with grot conditions or muddy tracks, or seasonally mixed locations like Granada or S.E.France. Seemed like a good way of avoiding annoying wheel/tyre changes.

Not everyone enjoys the amazingly good snowy grip of an XM on good standard tyres!

You don't have to believe the hype and sales crack to know that decentnwinters are better in the crap weather we have here. I have them fitted to the front of my xm, and fitrednto all four wheels of two other cars.
Their cold wet braking distance is what has me sold on them.

And yes I know what I'm talking about thru experience as i usually end up on woodhead or snake pass pulling ejits in kraut tat out of the ditches and gutters when the white stuff hits...

^ Annecdotal evidence.

When you were a twinkle in your parents eyes, some of us were driving round the country in heavy snow without getting stuck. Both my XM were exceptional in the snow and standard tyres with reasonable tread have never failed me. Even my old E Class, which most people can't drive in snow at all, was no problem.

Winter tyres come with deeper tread when new which is the main reason they work better. Lots of people don't like the sqirmy feeling you get due to the more open tread blocks. Given that tyres heat up pretty quickly in use, I'm not convinced that cold weather as any significant bearing on tyre grip.

We all have our opinions and yes you may be able to get away with good standard/summer tyres in the cold weather but they aren't designed for that. There are reasons some countries in Europe have mandated cutover dates for winter tyres to go on vehicles.

To be fair as well there are a lot of ejits who go driving in conditions they have no clue how to deal with safely. It's ok by me as I pull them out and their silliness hits them where it hurts the most!

I know nothing about thread type, brands, rubber quality etc. but looking for a set of new tyres for my XM. Do You Guys think that will be a wise purchase for wet British weather ?

If you need replacements, you won't go wrong with Michelin Energy Saver Plus. The car was designed to run on this type of tyre. The Energy's grip well, wet and dry, and are quiet and have a good life. Inflated to the right pressure (in handbook and on the car) the ride comfort is excellent.

From reviews, the new CrossClimate above scores as well or better, with the exception of grip in the dry, where it is marginally less good. It's probably more expensive than the Energy too, but I haven't checked.

As said, tyre choice - like engine oil - is a very personal choice, and everyone has their favourite. These is a bit of agreement, though, about the Energy's.

Fit new Michelin regular tyres, they won't let you down. You don't need Cross CLimate for the UK.