At 10K mi., I replaced the (horrible) stock Dunlops on my '08 Sport with Michelin Hydroedge. At the time, they weren't available in the GD3 stock size 195/55/15, so I got them in 195/60/15 size instead. Never had any issues related to oversize other than speedo slightly off.

75K mi later - at 85K now - and time to replace them. They have worn incredibly well and got regular rotations, but got progressively louder and boomier the last few months, and only a little tread left.

Well, now there are a lot more tires available in 195/55/15 - but only one official Michelin choice here in the states, the Pilot Exalto. Didn't want the Exalto for a variety of reasons, so after looking at a lot of different tires, I settled on the Michelin Defender (direct descendant of the Harmony & Hydroedge) in 195/60/15 rather than a different manufacturer in 195/55. So like with the Hydroedges, going out of recommended sizing to get the tire I want.

These are hard tires as opposed to grippy. The Defenders carry a 90K treadwear warranty, UTQG 820 / A / B.

For now, they're nice but changing to any new tire from a well worn tire would be. I'll post back a few more miles in.

BTW, at my local farm supply store, price was $110 ea. on sale. OTD $528, and there's a $70 rebate until June 16th on any set of 4 Michelins. Rebate is in the form of a debit/gift card.

 

the way the reviews on tire rack are going, I'm likely to put on the Firestone Precision Touring tires when my Kumho Ecsta Platinums run low. The Kumhos are already very noisy at 2 years old. If they don't handle well in the snow this upcoming winter, they will be gone by next winter.

 

In my opinon, instead of 195/60's, you should get 185/60's. They're still a bit larger than stock, but pretty close (stock 195/55 overall diameter is ~23.4" vs ~23.7" for 185/60. 195/60 is 24.2). 195/60's will work fine, but for me, 185/60's make more sense, because not only are they close to the stock size, but they're a pound lighter (for Mich Defender) per tire.

 

Wish I could have, but the chain didn't have 185/60 Defenders. I think I got the last of their 195/60's from a five-store region.

 

Month later update: Very nice in the rain, just like my old HydroEdge. There is a little bit of road noise in a higher frequency range, almost like a hissing sound. Handling and road comfort are very good.

Funny thing, though...I submitted my papers for the $70 Michelin rebate same day I got them. Had a website where I could check on the status of my rebate. Then a couple days ago, got an email saying my $50 (!) BF Goodrich (!) rebate would be mailed to me in four to six weeks. Immediately went to the website and let them know it was a $70 Michelin rebate, not a $50 BF Goodrich one - apparently the folks I'm dealing with are at a fulfillment house. Got a response back next day saying oops, please disregard the first email and my $70 rebate should be coming.

 

I've been checking back to this thread periodically to see any other members' experiences with the Defenders on the Fit. I have a long history with Michelins and trust them. My Hydroedges on a 2002 Jetta TDI Wagon lasted 107,000 miles and still performed well with minimal tread depth! I also noticed members mentioning the Avid Ascend from Yokohama. About a year and a half ago I replaced the original Dunlops with Yokohama Avid Ascend 185 55 16. I have a wholesale coffee company and bought the Fit as a "Quick Response Repair Vehicle" because it has all the room I need for tools parts and machines, but this means I put between 45,000 and 50,000 miles per year on the car. The Yokohamas seemed to be the ticket with their 80,000 mile warranty, nice ride and good handling in wet and dry. Unfortunately, at 50% tread depth the performance dropped off dramatically on these. In fact, they are almost dangerous in the wet. Hydroplane resistance is still OK, but surface grip is gone! SO, after seeing bargainguy successfully mount the Defenders on 15 inch wheels, I went for it.


Tire Rack has a close out on the Elbrus 15x6.5 wheels- $69. The Michelines were $114 and TPMS were $132. Free mounting and balancing, $88 shipping. Total shipped cost was $952.83. Because of procrastination, I missed the $70 Rebate, but the change was worth it. I also got an offer from PayPal for 6 months same as cash.
The Elbrus wheels are cheap, but look good and come with center caps, wheel centering rings, new chrome lugnuts and a nice socket extension tool to keep from scratching the paint while mounting. I know what to expect wear wise with the Michelines based on my past experience, so I am happy with that alone. But, The Fit now feels rock solid and stable in the wet and dry. It has the European road feel to it- something I never felt with the Dunlops or Yokohamas. It feels stuck to the road but still light and nimble. I know what bargainguy is saying about the highway high pitched sound from the tread pattern, but overall the background noise from these is gone. So much quieter than the 55 series tires. Surprisingly, turn in response is quicker, so my driving style through the twisty Cemetery Curves on rt 22 in Easton PA needs to be adjusted, haha. Truly worth the cost. I will try to sell the Stock wheels on Craigslist -wheels,tires and tpms if anyone is interested. Very Happy!

 

That wheel looks good on the Fit and at 69.00 you cant beat the price.Is that a 185 or 195/60 tire?

I like the look of 15's on a GE

 

I thought it looks pretty good too. There are only 2 choices for 15 inch in the closeout section, the other wheel is a grey wheel. These are the 195 60 15. I guess I left that part out!

 

I see the offset is +38 and wonder if I would rub with my Swift springs.
I would like to keep the OD the same or close to my stock 2012 sport tires

24.2 but I think the +38 et might give me a little problem.
Thanks for the info and pics