I've been running the Michelin Defenders 215/65/15 on my Syncro tin top
since they came out. I had the Aqua Treads prior. Occasionally heavily
loaded on multi day trips, etc.. Also live in the NYC/NJ metro area where
70mph+ freeway speeds and frequents lane changes are a given.  Noise is
quiet and side to side is great. No complaints. Stick like glue in heavy
rains. I don't know about snow driving because my niggling rust issues have
me afraid of road salt. I don't believe cost parameters are an appropriate
way to buy tires, which are probable the single most important piece of
safety equipment on our vans-brakes and wipers notwithstanding. If I lived
in a more relaxed area, performance wise, I'd probably have stayed with more
modest tires on my old 14" alloys.

Paul