5.50 R 16 Michelin X Tyres – where is a cost effective place to buy globally?

[Glen Smytheman]

Hi all and greetings from New Zealand,

I have owned AC Ace Bristol chassis BE1175 for more than 18 years and was recently lucky enough to acquire AC Aceca Bristol Chassis BE655 which has had full restoration except with about 5 items to tick off before I can get the Aceca warranted for use on NZ roads for the first time in many years.  I drove it the first time yesterday and it's a completely different driving experience to the Ace.

The Ace is on 5.50 R 16 Michelin X Tyres which have been in the car about 15 years (I bought new wheels from MWS in the UK and the Michelin X tyres came fitted with these wheels) and the Aceca is on Dunlop Racing Tyres which need replacing also.  To add to the mix we also have a Bristol Type 401 which is also currently on 5.50 R 16 Michelin X Tyres which I am guessing are more than 20 years old.

In short, I am after between 10 and 15  5.50 R 16 Michelin X Tyres (oh the joys of multiple car ownership!).  As you can imagine being located at the bottom of the globe there are a couple of people that may be able to supply these tyres here but prices per tyre are eye watering – especially when you multiply them by 15!

UK prices seem to start at about GBP215 + VAT per tyre and I have also seen prices of Euros 215 per tyre quoted in France.  Looking at the Michelin X tyres that we have, these have been made in both Serbia and Italy over the years. 

So any information on reliable sources purchase 5.50 R 16 Michelin X new Tyres at a sensible price globally would be greatly appreciated.  Either respond to this message or email me as follows glen@wbb.co.nz

As an update the most economic that I have found so far are Euros 186 excluding tax on this site - has anyone bought off this site before - its link is off the main Michelin Tyres site.
https://www.allopneus.com/produit/pneu-auto/michelin/collection/x/5-50r16-84-h/0000604793

Many thanks, Glen Smytheman

[B.P.Bird]

Glenn,
Seems members are having good experiences with Blockley. They are Cross Plies so they feel like Dunlop Racing and the steering is much lighter than with the Xs
Barrie

[parker]

I bought 5 x Michelin X 5.50 x16  for my Ace some years ago delivered to my front door in Vancouver BC.

Excellent service and the exact tire as originally spaced of the Ace.

[parker]

I neglected to say from whom I purchased my Michelin X tires which was Longstone Tyres. longstonetyres.co.uk.

[Glen Smytheman]

Thanks Barrie and Parker for coming back.  Longstone were very good at coming back and I have a quote from them.  I have noted that these tyres are approximately 25% cheaper out of Michelin dealers in Paris and as I need quite a few and they have to come some distance its worth me spending some time to find out what might work best.  Its interesting that the Michelin X tyres on one of our cars are made in Italy and the other cars they are made in Serbia...I will keep you posted.  Many thanks, Glen 

[maeter1@me.com]

Second the service from Longstone, they sometimes run specials on Michelin tires with free or heavily discounted shipping as well as discounts for sets. And done forget your 5% discount from them, as a club member.

[Glen Smytheman]

Hi all,

As an update I have had two sets of new Michelin X tyres arrive in NZ this morning and after quite a bit of research got them through Stuckey Tyres in Melbourne who were super to deal with and the tyres arrived in 4 days across "The Ditch" (the Tasman Sea). https://www.stuckey.com.au/    A big thanks to Geoff Dowdle in Australia for the referral.