Here's the good and bad one year later:

Good: Style,comfort and everthing still fits in place. Turns heads and people often ask what type of vehicle it is. Surprised it's a Hyundai. Generally a pleasure to drive (especially after strut replacement) and peformance is as expected.

Bad: Residual value is really poor. Did not expect this... I was going to purchase another Hyundai (Veracruz) for 2nd car but went with Mitsubishi instead. Hyundai Marketing seems to missing the calling on brand equity. Don't see any viable strategy to support the Azera and Genesis as real competetion for the other luxury brands. Hyundai will continue to be "low end" for some time...

Oil filter canister leaks with aftermarket filters was a drag, even bought the filter wrench and torqued to spec.... Oil everywhere... Can only use Hyundai filters. More than double the price of aftermarket. Frustration for DIY'ers.

Tire wear and road noise with original equipment is frustrasting. Replacing under warranty with less than 15K. Even with proper inflation, rotation, balancing... Seems like Firestone of the 90's...

Would I do it again - obviously no - However, I will keep the vehicle and treat it right as I've done with all my vehicles. When trade-in time comes I'll take my beating and be reminded of a lesson learned.

Are you replacing both o-rings each time you change the oil? I use the after market filters every time and have never had a leak. The purolator filters I get at the parts store come with the o-rings.

:)

Something is wrong.

Oil canister leaks? How can whatever filter cartridge inside have anything to do with it leaking?
I buy filters from Pep Boys. Their own line, the Proline, is exactly the same as the Purolator brand for half the price. Both filters are made in India and have the same numbers stamped on the cartridge.
Even the two O rings are the same. The only difference is the box and the price.
You must not be tightening the top down enough. I had the same problem
until I really cinched down on it. Forget that torque of only 18 ft/lbs.

You haven't been 5K miles yet on your replacement shocks or else you would
be complaining about them also just as you did with the originals.
The replacements installed under the TSB are no good either, and everyone else that has had
the TSB done is complaining about how these replacements are not holding up either.

Tires? Many are not satisfied with the Michelins, and when mine finally wear out, I will go to
another brand that is rated better and sells for less. The Michelins are not the best
and replacements from Michelin are way out of line pricewise.
Find better tires on the TireRack site for half the cost of the Michelins which are now listed at $215.

As far as trading it in, why would you be doing that? Keep it 'til it is ready for the bone yard.
That's the way to save money. :whistling:

Enjoy your fine car. :amen:

:)

This post has been edited by snaglepus: Aug 4 2008, 10:04 AM

While the depreciation is and will be poor for a few years yet, that is/was to be expected with a new model from a formerly-known-as buy it cheap and throw it away manufacturer. Hyundai still sells inexpensively, but the overall quality has greatly improved since about 1992, enough for me to have taken a chance with Hyundai and with my new 2006 Limited, after having owned only TWO CARS since 1977, both Honda Accords, with nearly 600,000 miles driven on the pair!

Obviously, I keep a car "forever" and the expected rapid depreciation was not a factor when I bought, and to date, with nearly 30,000 miles on my Azera, I'm an exceedingly happy camper, although I agree that these Michelins have more road noise than I'd like, and I've liked Michelins for decades, had 'em on both Hondas and on two Karman-Ghias, because they last "forever" ... :grin:

There is definatley something wrong since I've used both the Fram and Purolator brands and replaced the supplied o-rings each time. Same result each time. I've also cranked down on the cap to a point I was worried about damage. I'm guessing there my a tolerance issue somewhere in the system.

The tires are another issue. One of the reasons I bought the car was for the ride quality. I cannot tolerate the noise that should not be there in the 1st place. If other people want to ride on them till bald go for it. For me, I will challenge the warranty.

Lastly, I drive my vehicles for 4-5 years and because of my anal approach to more than regular maintenance I have always done well at trade-in time.

Thanks for you responses.

All you have to do is hand tighten the cover. Make sure you lubricate the "O" ring.
The "O" ring does the sealing. When the cover seats on the canister that's all you're gonna get no matter how much you torque down on it.

Energy MXV4 Plus Price Per Tire: $149.86

Tire Size: Side Wall: Service Description: Mileage Warranty: UTQG: Rating:
P235/55R17 BSW 98H N/A 400AA

http://discounttires.com/list.php?tiresize...F17&getlist=yes

Update on the tire warranty:

Called the dealer just to hear thier input into the situation. Received comments that they are aware of other complaints about tire noise and cupping on the Azera's (an interesting observation - I was passed to 2 different service managers as I expalned my situation specifically at he part of increased road noise...).Also, made comments about factory alignment issues. Said I'd need to bring in the vehicle for the alignment check but had to work with a Michelin dealer on the tire warranty.

Went to a local Michelin dealer (same place who has done my rotation and balancing) and exlplaned the situation. He also commented on seeing an increase in Azera's coming in with tire/alignment issues (This outfit also has 4 other shops in the region). Dealer contacted Michelin on the warranty and will be receiving new tires at 75% discount in next 5-7 days. Also elected to have them do the alignment after tire installation verses the dealer saving me a seperate trip and wait time.

Sounds like a story may be unfolding...

:)

That particular tire is not the same tire that comes standard on our Azeras. :excl:

Note the 98H. The "H" rating is for tires that are good for only a sustained speed of 130 mph.

Some shops such as Costco will not mount any tire that has a lower load or
speed rating than what was originally specified by the manufacurer.

We know that doing so would be okay because most of
us would not go that fast let alone exceed 130 mph.

Personally, I have become sort of anti Michelin due to the problems many are having
with the original tires supplied on the Azeras and the fact that as I stated earlier,
the original Michelin tire replacements are now listed for $215.

:amen:

:)

This post has been edited by snaglepus: Aug 6 2008, 04:03 PM

Snag,
Saw your post on the other forum and thought there was good news. Were you referring to my efforts or is there something else?
I live in the heart of the Michellin tire world (SC) and not impressed with the company. Prefer Bridgestones as they rode well and performed well on the Toyotas I had.

Buying tires from Tire rack is much cheaper than anywhere else. Make sure you check the date on the tire to see when they were manufactured. Lots of wholsale places sell tires that have been on the shelf for quite a few years. If you dont know how to check the date on the tire, there are 4 numbers in a box on your tire that specify the week and year the tire was made, ex. 2405, means the 24th week of 2005. With the rimless wheels and tire sensors, take it to a quality garage or tire dealer for installation.

My azzie is in need of two new tires also. they have cupped bad in the back. Getting two for 164 at my car dealer where i bought the car. Michelin will only give me 35 % but the dealer did much better for me.

Hopefully with the two new tires on the loud road noise will be gone.

Anyone having problems with the rotors?? I think mine have to be cut. Is this a warranty issue or is this sometimg i have to pay for??

Thanks and have a great day

Hmmmm. I bought one..exact. MXV4

EDIT.... OOP's... wrong site :whistling:

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/t27123-oem-tires.htm

This post has been edited by Brazzel: Aug 12 2008, 03:54 PM

:)

I say again:

A Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus is not the same tire that came originally on my Azera.

My original Michelins are Energy Energy MXV4 S8, size 235/55VR17,

Serv Disc. 98 V UTOG 440

The Tirerack lists these tires today at $215.

Now if you want to go with the original tires, you must pay, and I will not nor can I
afford to pay over $900 for a set of those overpriced doughnuts for my Azera
when there are other and better tires available for less dinero! :thumbsup:

As an example, the Kumho Solus KH 16 which not only is rated higher than
the Michelin, but lists for only $123, a savings of $92 each or $368 a set. :whistling:

Should you want to save even more money and an H rated tire is good enough,
consider the General Altimax HP tire which is priced at only $102.
It has the highest ratings of all the Consumer Survey Results for Grand Touring All-Season tires.
The General Altimax is rated equally with the Michelin Primacy MXV4, but with
the Michelin being priced at $154 each, it is $52 more than the General.

Now I really see no real need to necessarily have V rated tires, but should I have the
V rated tires and some clown wants to see how fast his BMW is, I won't have to
'back off' when I reach 130 mph as I would if I had only H rated tires.

My point is this, buy the tire that gives you what you want and need but don't pay more
simply because of the name Michelin on the sidewall, especially when it is not rated
nearly as high as many other brands which are rated higher and cost less.

:amen:

This post has been edited by snaglepus: Aug 12 2008, 05:10 PM

And I say again.... well they are on mine....they are the OEM tire & they are V rated....and I did buy that SAME tire for the price I listed. Maybe you need pictures....soooo here ~~>

On the Azera ~> I put the four new ones from the insurance company on my Toyota.
The Azera is out in the rain :grin:

This post has been edited by Brazzel: Aug 12 2008, 06:50 PM

:57:

This post has been edited by Brazzel: Aug 12 2008, 07:20 PM

:)

And I say again Again

These tires you have listed above are not the tires you had on your Azera originally.
Note the differences between the factory V rated tires and the cheaper H rated tire.

You've not checked your source lately or you would have surely noticed the big increase in prices.

Energy MXV4 Plus V rated Price Per Tire: $196.95

Energy MXV4 S8 V rated Price Per Tire: $228.95

These tires are a little less at the Tirerack. Still too much dinero IMHO.

Weren't you cursing those factory Michelin tires a while back?
Perhaps your picture from that time will refresh your memory? :innocent:

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?ac...pe=post&id=9094

At the time you took that picture, you really hated your factory Michelins as I recall?
Perhaps if you'd had an Azera with the TPMS system, you would have know in time
that this tire was low and you might not have lost control and gone into the trees? :whistling:

As I said then, any tire will come apart if it is run low on air; Not Michelins fault.

:amen:

This post has been edited by snaglepus: Aug 12 2008, 11:42 PM