Do you get what you pay for in Tires

[keg97]

This is all great information. Especially the comparison of the tread depth of 8/32. If the Defender LTX's are 4/32" deeper in tread, that would definitely suggest longer life. So let me ask you all this simple question. Why, in your opinions are the Michelin Defender LTX's your go to tire? My wife tells me I overthink and over analyze decisions like this, but I like to make the best decision as possible. My commute is short, I live in the mountains, but don't have to deal with a lot of snow, though the roads can be damaged due to the snow removal equipment. I am looking at a $300 difference between Firestone and Michelins (12/32") and $260 between the General Grabber (12/32") and Michelins (12/32"). Maybe the higher UTQG rating of the Michelins justifies the +$300 as I would in theory get longer life. Ok, I am over analyzing.

Thanks everyone for your continued comments.

I realize $ is $ and every dollar saved is worthwhile and can be spent elsewhere. General is well known and a respected mid-tier tire vendor. But they are mid-tier.

But this sticks with me....what is the only thing connecting you to the road? The 4 tires. Don't cheap out.

You see how many of us are adamant about Michelins. There is a reason for that. I'm coming from the stock Bridgestones and the upgrade was noticeable and dramatic....well beyond the "just getting a new set of tires on" better. I push my Escalade and these tires hold the road very nicely. No issues in major rainstorms. They do well in the deep sand at our beach house. So good that I often don't even shift into 4WD. Rather, I just air down and roll away. We don't get much snow so I can't speak to that.

Don't overanalyze this.

 

[MoonTruck]

Older thread but digging into tire info and just wanted to say thanks for letting us know that the Michelin X is the same as the Defender. Costco currently has $150 off Michelin 01/2023 and I almost ordered the Defenders. I will order the X’s now if they are the same, they are about $30 less per tire.

 

[StephenPT]

I’ll also add that Michelin is a company that stands behind their tires.

We bought a ‘22 Yukon XL SLE w/ Duramax. It was one of those rigs that got built and sat outside the plant waiting on parts. Likely it stayed in the same place and was subjected to Texas heat all summer long.

All that said after 1,000 miles I knew I had flat spots in the tires and they weren’t going to correct themselves. I took our rig to a local independent shop where my friend works. They road force tested the tires and they were all beyond correctable.

My friend got on the phone with Michelin and within about 5min he had a claim number and they said they would pay for new tires, mounting and balancing. On top of that they upgraded me from the stock Primacy LTX to the Defender LTX at no charge.

Michelin could’ve easily said this was a GM problem and they would need to pay for the warranty on it. I was expecting that to be the case, but my friend said it was worth a call and he was right.

We’re now happily gliding down the highway on SMOOTH Michelin Defenders and will never buy a different tire as long as we own this rig.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

I barely got 20K on my stock Michelin energy savers - no bueno. I'm also a big fan of the Defenders, but I have been rolling Conti Terrain Contact HTs for last 20K, and I may actually prefer them. Very close to defender, but not as square shouldered. They are just as quiet if not a little bit smoother. Great traction wet - including ice. Probably will replace them with same unless I do the AT version for looks. Have 70K treadwear too on P rated...

Just looked up on Tirerack ratings - almost dead tie with the Defenders...

 

[91RS]

I agree the TerrainContact HT is a good tire but the Defender LTX handles better, otherwise they are very comparable.

 

[Stbentoak]

I barely got 20K on my stock Michelin energy savers - no bueno. I'm also a big fan of the Defenders, but I have been rolling Conti Terrain Contact HTs for last 20K, and I may actually prefer them. Very close to defender, but not as square shouldered. They are just as quiet if not a little bit smoother. Great traction wet - including ice. Probably will replace them with same unless I do the AT version for looks. Have 70K treadwear too on P rated...

Just looked up on Tirerack ratings - almost dead tie with the Defenders...

If there is any negative with the Defenders is that they look a little like RV Delivery PU high mileage tires, not upscale SUV tires. Thay being said, they are overall still the best choice if you don't want to look for tires again for a long time. On most tires, treadwear ratings are overrated, and if you try to claim against it you will get a mere pittance of reimbursement.

 

[pa31p]

Never had a car long enough to buy tires, well except the wife’s car. bought a set of Nankang SP9 Tires for it, got about 37000 miles out of them 3/years. were $99 each on amazon.
245/60/20” I’d say good value but probably not the best tire out there.

OEM MB is continental and had not much luck with those, one developed bubble on the sidewall/ready to blow.
(Around Medora ND, holiday trip)

The stock LX20 Tire on the 2023 Yukon is nice ride but the profile picks up a lot of rocks, spits those out when you enter the highway. handles good.

All tires mentioned in the thread all well tested/reviewed by members. can’t go wrong with those.

 

[San Diego Tahoe]

Older thread but digging into tire info and just wanted to say thanks for letting us know that the Michelin X is the same as the Defender. Costco currently has $150 off Michelin 01/2023 and I almost ordered the Defenders. I will order the X’s now if they are the same, they are about $30 less per tire.

FYI @MoonTruck, Costco pretty much alternates between $150 off Michelin and then $150 Goodyear. But as timing would have it, I needed new Michelins during the period when only the Goodyears were being promoted. So I just asked the tire shop if I could get the $150 off Michelin deal instead, and they said sure.

 

[Mgrantham1683]

I’m getting a set of Yokohama parada spec x this Friday. Discount tire, $890 out the door. I know Michelins are nicer but I’ll try these for the savings, I’ll post a review if nobody has had these before.

 

[MoonTruck]

FYI @MoonTruck, Costco pretty much alternates between $150 off Michelin and then $150 Goodyear. But as timing would have it, I needed new Michelins during the period when only the Goodyears were being promoted. So I just asked the tire shop if I could get the $150 off Michelin deal instead, and they said sure.

Interesting, so they can give you the deal out of the date range, interesting. Last month it was Bridgestone.

 

[San Diego Tahoe]

Interesting, so they can give you the deal out of the date range, interesting. Last month it was Bridgestone.

Sorry, I wrote "Goodyear", but I meant what you said - Bridgestone. But yeah, they had the latitude to immediately adjust/apply the promo towards my desired brand. Not surprising given the establishment.

 

[Sparksalot]

They look good too, should have gone white letters out though! I'm used to the awesomest looking tire ever made, the KO2s! LOL

that’s why both of mine have em.

 

[Vint91]

I bought some very aggressive all-terrain tires that has a 60,000 mile warranty, and 1 year later with regular tire rotations, 50,000 later I’m sitting at 9/32 with plenty of tread to go. So I think the numbers include a lot of variables to how long they last.

 

[91RS]

I’m getting a set of Yokohama parada spec x this Friday. Discount tire, $890 out the door. I know Michelins are nicer but I’ll try these for the savings, I’ll post a review if nobody has had these before.

They're ok. Traction is good but they ride TERRIBLE. I replaced them with Toyo Proxes ST II and the traction was TERRIBLE but rode good. I switched to the Defenders after and have never bought anything else. Just spend the extra $300, it is WELL worth it.

 

[THarber]

I over thought this as well but in the end went with Michilin Defenders LTX. I would say the Continentals were a real close 2nd. I run those on the wofe and kids BMW's.

I am extremely happy with the new Michilins. The ride is so much better than the terrble IronMan's that were on it.

 

[TrucksNStuff]

Older thread but digging into tire info and just wanted to say thanks for letting us know that the Michelin X is the same as the Defender. Costco currently has $150 off Michelin 01/2023 and I almost ordered the Defenders. I will order the X’s now if they are the same, they are about $30 less per tire.

Did the tire center confirm they are the same thing? On the Costco website the tires have different speed ratings and UTQG.

 

[San Diego Tahoe]

Did the tire center confirm they are the same thing? On the Costco website the tires have different speed ratings and UTQG.

Supposedly, Michelin did confirm. Check this post (#10) out:

Difference in Michelin tires?

Our local Costco has the Michelin X LT A/S tires on sale. 275 / 55R20's $150 off a set. What is the difference between the Defender LTX M/S and the above. I have looked at the Michelin site and it may be that the X LT A/S tires are the same as the Defenders, just marketed thru Costco. That...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[K2 Kaiju]

After 3 days of driving on solid ice, I will again say the conti hfs are amazing for a mild tread tire. Best bang for the buck and super sipey. On the worst day, I was the only one in my dept to make it in...

 

[NT Automotive]

Coming off 37 inch maxxis trepadors on my bronco, the set of continental cross contour 111T just put on are pretty good for our 2wd 2019 SLE. Quiet and nice grip in all seasons. Mpg good. Lets see how many miles they can take up to 5yrs. The set that came with it when I bought last week were from 2018. A little chewed up and hard but lasted 4yrs/25K in extreme desert climate outdoors 24/7. No high heat blowouts. When time to replace might go with Mich LTX or KO3 if feeling edgy but liking these continentals so far

 

[NT Automotive]

Coming off 37 inch maxxis trepadors on my bronco, the set of continental cross contour 111T just put on are pretty good for our 2wd 2019 SLE. Quiet and nice grip in all seasons. Mpg good. Lets see how many miles they can take up to 5yrs. The set that came with it when I bought last week were from 2018. A little chewed up and hard but lasted 4yrs/25K in extreme desert climate outdoors 24/7. No high heat blowouts. When time to replace might go with Mich LTX or KO3 if feeling edgy but liking these continentals thus far