Best Road Tires-Michelin?

[Sarki]

Need to replace all 4 tires on recently purchased 02 SR5 Sport.
Would like to buy from Costco as I like their free rotation/balance and repair policy.
Limited to Michelin & Bridgestone.
Any thoughts or personal experiences with either. This will be my daily driver (northeast location) so use will be 100% highway with zero off-road.

 

[Outrider]

I'm not sure if the particular model I have are still made, but I am very satisfied with my Michelin LTX M/S2 tires.

I have had this set on mine for 7+ years, 57K+ miles, and they still have over 1/8" tread depth left on them.

For the first few dozen K miles, they simply would not hydroplane, at reasonable speeds. They still don't hydroplane at the speed limit +5, unless I hit a really deep puddle of water. They do quite well in the light and very occasional snow we get there in Georgia. I know you said you don't care about offroad, but I occasionally take mine in places that make me really nervous, and they do fine there, too.

When I had these installed, it was over $900 for the set. That sent a shiver up my spine. But, lesser tires would have been not much more than $100 cheaper, so I "did the math" and realized that an extra $100 or so got me quite a lot more value.

When it comes time to replace these, I hope the equivalent is still available.

 

[Thai]

Michelin Defender LTX is the best of its kind right now.

 

[Sarki]

Thanks guys.
Will probably go with the Michelin Defenders as they have some great reviews and Costco is currently offering a sweet rebate.
Looks like all 4 installed for $800 out the door plus $60 gift card if using Citi Visa card.....hard to resist.
Thanks again!

 

[BamaDrewski]

Thanks guys.
Will probably go with the Michelin Defenders as they have some great reviews and Costco is currently offering a sweet rebate.
Looks like all 4 installed for $800 out the door plus $60 gift card if using Citi Visa card.....hard to resist.
Thanks again!

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH MICHELIN FROM COSTCO! I have been running Michelins for 14+ years and have run the LTX-AT2's and other more "road only" Michelins. The Costco service is great and much less expensive than the local tire stores in my case here in Central Alabama. I actually got 80K+ off my first set of LTX AT2's and only swapped them due to dry rot cracks. I actually contacted Michelin directly about the cracks (as the tires had another 10K-12K treadlife). They informed me they have changed the formulation of the compounds and the dry rotting cracks should not be an issue.

Costco fills the tires with nitrogen and with the free rotate and balance, road hazard, etc., they are awesome. Picked up two nails after two weeks of have a full set and they replaced the entire tire for free.

If you watch Costco closely, you can get the $70 off deal (at checkout) in addition to their ONE CENT installation. Saves BIG money on great tires!

COMPARISON: Last set was Michelin MS's. The local tired store quoted $975 and then wanted another pound of cash for their "bronze, silver or gold warranty". That would have added another $250 (Bronze) to the purchase price.

GO MICHELIN and GO WITH COSTCO!!! You will never be disappointed! (Just make sure to get an alignment afterwards)

 

[PRG3K]

I bought my runner with Michelin defenders already on it. I think they were close to 10 years old and still have about 20K miles left on them. Incredible.

They're expensive as hell but they really are the best light-duty highway tire of all time.

 

[OrRunner]

One more vote for Defenders, an awesome tire and more capable off road than I expected. I actually have a set of 265/70/16 with 10k miles on them that I swapped for ko2s when I did my lift that I would let go cheap in the Portland Or area if anyone needs a set of like new tires.

 

[MaineRunna]

Definitely go with the Michelins, The can be expensive, but ride better, last longer, are quieter and balance better than any other tire.

 

[Kandor]

I recently purchased my 4Runner with new Defenders all around and they are very smooth and quiet. Glad to hear they are so well regarded.

 

[D'arce]

Definitely go with the Michelins, The can be expensive, but ride better, last longer, are quieter and balance better than any other tire.

x2

Never had the defenders but I had a set of LTX A/T 2's and they were almost as good as my studded tires on ice. Awesome tire. 8 years mounted, 65k and about a 1/4" left. I rotated in a 5th full-size spare and never had an issue.

 

[T4R2014]

I do not think there is any better all around tire for these than the Michelins. They just ride so much better. The only negative is getting over the cost.

 

[Cvilleguy2019]

Michelin Defender LTX is the best of its kind right now.

Absolutely. I’ve had three sets; each has surpassed expected mileage and added 1mpg to the vehicle range. Michelin has a great roadside assistance program as well, if you follow their documentation procedures for tire rotations.

 

[MSRP.]

Just make sure, double check, and triple check that you don't get the Costco exclusive "latitude" tires that they may also sell. Those are junk.
NEED to be the defenders.