Pirelli AS plus 3 vs Michelin Defenders LTX M/S

[EddieC]

I can speak to having Michelin LTX, including Defenders since 2003 on more than one Tahoe. I really regretted when I was talked into something other than Michelins and always went back. Pricey, yes, but quiet, long lasting, comfy and great in the snow without reverting to 4wd. And if you watch the timing, there will be rebates available for the Michelins.

 

[Geotrash]

I ended up with the Pirelli. As others have said the Michelin is a great tire. These are the two top tires for this truck. Spoke to snitched tire shop and they both said the Pirelli will be a little better with handling. Both will be very smooth a quite. Maybe when these wear out I’ll try the Michelin

Sweet ride! But we’ll see you in about 25k miles. That’s all I got out of a set of Pirelli Scorpions on my Land Rover. Swapped them for Michelin LTX this summer. Took it in for alignment to be sure and it was spot on.

 

[rzabel]

I have the Michelin LTX and absolutely love them! So much quieter than the last AT tires I had. They handle and tow great. I wish they had the 3 peak/snowflake designation though. Does anyone know of a comparable E rated tire that has that?

 

[Polo08816]

I have the Michelin LTX and absolutely love them! So much quieter than the last AT tires I had. They handle and tow great. I wish they had the 3 peak/snowflake designation though. Does anyone know of a comparable E rated tire that has that?

Michelin Agilis CrossClimate.

 

[gooffeyguy]

There's Michelin Defender LTX M/S and Michelin LTX M/S2

Not sure what the differences are between the two

 

[Reels]

I have the Michelin LTX and absolutely love them! So much quieter than the last AT tires I had. They handle and tow great. I wish they had the 3 peak/snowflake designation though. Does anyone know of a comparable E rated tire that has that?

Another vote here for the LTX Michelin's. Quiet and great performance dry and wet. Tread life is decent.

 

[SSpinball]

I recently got an Escalade V. It came with the standard Bridgestones.

Looking to replace it with either Pirelli scorpion AS Plus 3 or The Michelin defenders.

I care about a soft comfortable ride and having it quite. Of course performance I care about to. Not really dealing with snow

My tire guy seems like the Pirelli better then the Michelin. Looking for opinions ?

Defender is the golden standard, I put them on every vehicle, and never worry about thread wear, traction, punctions, they are the tank of tires.

 

[91RS]

Pirelli tires are trash. There is no better tire than the Defender LTX, period. The closest tire to the Defender LTX is the Continental Terrain Contact H/T, it rides great and is quiet but the Defenders have less sidewall roll and therefore handle much better. I tried the Contis when they first came out and were $75 cheaper a tire and went right back to the Defender (so I also cannot comment on the treadwear since I only put 500 miles on them).

 

[Polo08816]

Pirelli tires are trash. There is no better tire than the Defender LTX, period. The closest tire to the Defender LTX is the Continental Terrain Contact H/T, it rides great and is quiet but the Defenders have less sidewall roll and therefore handle much better. I tried the Contis when they first came out and were $75 cheaper a tire and went right back to the Defender (so I also cannot comment on the treadwear since I only put 500 miles on them).

Good to know.

 

[rbromm]

I recently got an Escalade V. It came with the standard Bridgestones.

Looking to replace it with either Pirelli scorpion AS Plus 3 or The Michelin defenders.

I care about a soft comfortable ride and having it quite. Of course performance I care about to. Not really dealing with snow

My tire guy seems like the Pirelli better then the Michelin. Looking for opinions ?

I am on my second set of Defenders. I have the 22” GMC wheels and they are smooth, quiet, and stay in balance. I got 65,000 miles out of the first set. I took the original Bridgestone tires off at 2,000 miles because they couldn’t be balanced. The Defenders solved the balance problem and made the ride much better. I am not a fan of the 22” wheels and would have preferred 20” wheels for ride quality but could not get dealer to swap when new. Happy now as long as I am running the Defenders.

 

[Seamus]

The Bridgestones that come on this truck are absolutely terrible. My wifes Mercedes came with the Pirellis and we were unimpressed and tread wear was terrible. The Michelin Defenders are fantastic in all categories. We love them and have them on 2 trucks now. Our fouth set on three trucks. The wear rating is awesome also. BUT if I had an Escalade V the look of the tire matters also. The Defenders are truck like looking tires. The Pirellis will look better may handle better, which has to be a concern for you. Unfortunalty the Defenders are not as good looking for that truck, but are a softer better ride, which gives up some handling. As they say " better to look good than to feel good"!! LOL Thats a performance truck so a bit different. Otherwise Defenders all day long!

 

[Stbentoak]

The Bridgestones that come on this truck are absolutely terrible. My wifes Mercedes came with the Pirellis and we were unimpressed and tread wear was terrible. The Michelin Defenders are fantastic in all categories. We love them and have them on 2 trucks now. Our fouth set on three trucks. The wear rating is awesome also. BUT if I had an Escalade V the look of the tire matters also. The Defenders are truck like looking tires. The Pirellis will look better may handle better, which has to be a concern for you. Unfortunalty the Defenders are not as good looking for that truck, but are a softer better ride, which gives up some handling. As they say " better to look good than to feel good"!! LOL Thats a performance truck so a bit different. Otherwise Defenders all day long!

That’s what I’ve said on many forums, including this one. Defenders and LTX’s are hard rubber, PUtruck, RV delivery, rugged commercial tires. They perform magnificently, but I would not put them on an Escalade V. Wrong look and wrong composition for that type of vehicle.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Pair a set of Hellwig sway bars with the Michelin defenders, and you will see a significant handling improvement.

 

[Delta33]

Thank you all for the input. Right now I love the Pirelli. They are much much better then the Bridgestone. I still don’t understand how those are stock on a V. Let alone any large suv. They hydroplane like crazy. I did go into this knowing I want get that many miles out of them. So I’m prepared for it. Maybe when these are out I’ll try the Michelins.

 

[shekmark]

I never buy tires based on mileage expectations. I drive about 6 miles a day to work/gym and home and a road trip two or three times a year of say 400 miles each. Maybe 8K miles a year. I will get tired of the look way before I would ever wear out a tire. For me it is about handling ( especially wet) and looks. I know that Defender is awesome and have driven a Silverado on them, but I will not likely ever buy them for my Tahoe. I think the Pirelli was a great choice for the V.

 

[Delta33]

I never buy tires based on mileage expectations. I drive about 6 miles a day to work/gym and home and a road trip two or three times a year of say 400 miles each. Maybe 8K miles a year. I will get tired of the look way before I would ever wear out a tire. For me it is about handling ( especially wet) and looks. I know that Defender is awesome and have driven a Silverado on them, but I will not likely ever buy them for my Tahoe. I think the Pirelli was a great choice for the V.

Totally agree. They are amazing so far. The handling is great. I feel like I have control of my truck again. So sad about the Bridgestones

 

[rbromm]

The one thing missing from this discussion that is highly relevant, is the wheel size. If you have larger wheels than stock or even the larger 22" wheels offered by GM, it will make a huge difference in balance and ride. Mine are 22" 285/45-22 GM wheels and the LTX tires are great, but betting the ride would be much better on the 20" wheels. I personally hate the large wheels with skinny sidewalls but mine came with them.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

The one thing missing from this discussion that is highly relevant, is the wheel size. If you have larger wheels than stock or even the larger 22" wheels offered by GM, it will make a huge difference in balance and ride. Mine are 22" 285/45-22 GM wheels and the LTX tires are great, but betting the ride would be much better on the 20" wheels. I personally hate the large wheels with skinny sidewalls but mine came with them.

I've got 305/50x20, and I agree with your thoughts.

 

[gooffeyguy]

I've got 305/50x20, and I agree with your thoughts.

How wide are your wheels, or are they the stock 8.5"

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Stock 8.5" 31mm wheels.