Buying Tires Today... I Need Opinions!

[415runner562]

I'm going to America's Tire today after work to buy a set of tires. I drive 70% Highway/20% City Streets and 10% Snow/Off-Road. I'm buying 4 for now, and when it is time to do a tire rotation, I will purchase a 5th to do a 5-tire rotation.

My options are: P265/70/17 Michelin LTX M/S2
P265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler

I have P265/65/17 Michelin Cross Terrains right now, and they did last long (79k). They have been able to handle corners well, up to 10-15 mph over the recommended speed depending on how hard the turn is. They are phenomenal in the rain. I have been able to drive it at 80mph with ease, possibly more. I did not do any tire rotations until somewhere around 60k.

I have not heard anything bad about the LTX M/S2's at all, and America's Tire has a $70 rebate on a set of 4. They said that they can match Tirerack.com's price for me, which is $189.00 right now.

After reading several reviews (good/bad), I'm excited, yet worried about the Nitto Terra Grapplers. Some people have been able to use them up to 60k, which I believe with a 5 tire rotation, I should be able to make it last that long with my usage and driving habits. Does anyone here know a reputable website that I can use to match the price with? Tirerack.com does not offer Nitto tires.

I'm leaning towards the NTG's because they are cheaper up front, look way more aggressive, and provide me the ability to go off-road if I choose to.

I'm leaning towards the LTX M/S2's because they last longer and have awesome traction in the rain.

 

[Trevloc]

if you are 70% highway, i wouldnt get the nittos. i would get what you currently have for they work, and have lasted a while.

i currently do have the nittos. and they are quite awesome. i do fishtail in rain sometimes. (mostly on purpose) but its easy to do. but for that much highway i would say dont get the nittos. i would stick to what you already have.

 

[Gatafly]

I would definitely get the M/S 2's. I have run M/S two times now and the first set lasted 125k miles. I have tried other brands on my trucks in the past and nothing has been better than Michelin as an over all tire. They are phenomenal in rain and snow and do better on ice than my other ones also.

 

[chaz]

mostly highway , get the michelins.

 

[S p a r k y]

Michelins are by far gonna be the best road tire for you. As far as the TG's everyone loves them for the most part, but they are not a cruiser highway tire.

if your looking for a more aggressive tire than the MS-2 but looking for the same reliabilty etc. Why not go ahead and look at the Michelin LTX A/T-2, last along time, more aggressive etc

 

[MICA4R]

Costco.com - Shop for Tires

 

[scottm]

I've run the Michelins and Blizzaks on my wife's Land Cruisers for mostly road, had good luck with them. I ran siped Cooper Discoverer S/T on my Land Cruiser as a construction work truck, great tires on the road and for hauling a trailer through sand, dirt, mud, snow.

I just put a set of Nokian WRG2 SUV tires on my wife's Land Cruiser, so far I'm impressed with the quiet smooth ride and grip in dry and wet. These are expensive, but they're supposed to do great in snow, so I don't need to buy dedicated Winter tires.

I don't yet need tires for my 4R, the Nokians would be the best tire for my mostly road use, but I may get something more knobbly just because I like knobbly tires. I liked the Coopers, and siping them made them capable in the Winter.

 

[Nashvillerunner]

I have the Nittos and they are an awesome tire! If you are mostly highway then I would go with the Michelins. They have a little better on road manners then the Nittos. The Nittos are still quiet for an A/T tire and handle great in rain.

 

[ur7x]

70% highway? buy the quite tire...

70% highway=100% Michelin

Oh and pay the extra and get the right sized tire for your truck.

 

[MikeInNH]

I use to use nothing but Michelins up til about 10 years ago...Starting with their XCH4's to the LT M&S and the Cross Terrains.

I think Michelins have priced them way out of range...

I've been running Coopers for years now...Their discovery series are EXCELLENT tires for about 40% LESS then the Michelins....I've run the HT and ATR and now have the CTS. The CTS are equivalent to the Michelins Cross Terrain...but sell for a LOT less. I expect to get about 60k miles...so maybe less miles then the Michelins..but it still works out to be a LOT LESS per mile. Handling on Dry is excellent...Rain is the best tire I've ever had...And very good in snow...

 

[415runner562]

ur7x, my truck is lifted a little bit. I wanted to fill the wheel wells in.

what are the pros/cons of 265/70/17?

 

[Gatafly]

I dont know where yoi get your tires, but around me the Coopers are only $10-15 les s and do not last near as long.

[QUOTE=MikeInNH;836820]I use to use nothing but Michelins up til about 10 years ago...Starting with their XCH4's to the LT M&S and the Cross Terrains.

I think Michelins have priced them way out of range...

I've been running Coopers for years now...Their discovery series are EXCELLENT tires for about 40% LESS then the Michelins....I've run the HT and ATR and now have the CTS. The CTS are equivalent to the Michelins Cross Terrain...but sell for a LOT less. I expect to get about 60k miles...so maybe less miles then the Michelins..but it still works out to be a LOT LESS per mile. Handling on Dry is excellent...Rain is the best tire I've ever had...And very good in snow...[/QUOTE]

 

[ur7x]

ur7x, my truck is lifted a little bit. I wanted to fill the wheel wells in.

what are the pros/cons of 265/70/17?

On a lifted truck, sure use the taller tires...

I found on my stock truck the taller tires took away from the truck. And the speedo being out was the least of the issues.

It was a pain getting in and out, I didn't like the feeling and the A/T tires were noisy crap.

On my stock truck I prefer the 65 series tires.. if your truck is already lifted then sure the extra inch the 70's get you are probably going to add more than they take away.

 

[415runner562]

ahh, i see what you're saying. it seems like everyone here who has lifted their 4runners have upsized their tires with no issues other than the speedometer being off and the mpg's going down (or up?).

 

[ur7x]

ahh, i see what you're saying. it seems like everyone here who has lifted their 4runners have upsized their tires with no issues other than the speedometer being off and the mpg's going down (or up?).

The knobby A/T tires cost me a FULL mpg in the city and 3 or 4 on the highway. Happy to see them go.

 

[Dawg4Runner]

ahh, i see what you're saying. it seems like everyone here who has lifted their 4runners have upsized their tires with no issues other than the speedometer being off and the mpg's going down (or up?).

You mean:
-Speedometer being off
-More tire noise
-Less torque to the ground (unless you re-gear)
-Rubbing issues to address

...and the biggest one of all...

-MPG going down

All of my mods combined has cost me around 6 maybe 7 MPG. Just the tires alone, around 3. But my rig isn't a daily driver, it's a weekend toy used for hauling the dog around and off-roading. I have a 45 MPG hybrid for daily driving. That being said, with your 90+% on the road, go with the Michelins. They seem to fit your needs the best. Michelins make one of the best street tires on the market IMO. I have a Civic Hybrid, a Prius and a Viper. They all wear Michelin.

 

[415runner562]

I ended up purchasing the Michelin LTX M/S2 P265/70/17's. So far, I can tell that they grip the pavement really well! Huge difference in comparison to worn out Michelin Cross Terrains, but that is expected.

I did notice that my RPM's at different speeds have changed.

Should I unplug the negative so that the computer will relearn everything?

I'm going to get a much-needed alignment next. I have been waiting to do this ever since I swapped my springs and shocks.

When these tires go out, hopefully by then I get paid much more to get into off-roading A/T's are next!

Thanks again for everyone's opinions!

 

[MikeInNH]

I dont know where yoi get your tires, but around me the Coopers are only $10-15 les s and do not last near as long.

[QUOTE=MikeInNH;836820]I use to use nothing but Michelins up til about 10 years ago...Starting with their XCH4's to the LT M&S and the Cross Terrains.

I think Michelins have priced them way out of range...

I've been running Coopers for years now...Their discovery series are EXCELLENT tires for about 40% LESS then the Michelins....I've run the HT and ATR and now have the CTS. The CTS are equivalent to the Michelins Cross Terrain...but sell for a LOT less. I expect to get about 60k miles...so maybe less miles then the Michelins..but it still works out to be a LOT LESS per mile. Handling on Dry is excellent...Rain is the best tire I've ever had...And very good in snow...

[/QUOTE]


The coopers run me about $125/tire...the Michelins at the same place run me $190/tire

 

[bluecollarjock]

Happy to see folks being sensible. Although not a 4Runner owner (yet), the only thing I have ever driven in my life is 4x4s. I started with K5s, went on the pickups, and a few Jeep TJs, with one Jeep WJ. Other then the WJ most everything was lifted and used for snow driving, wheeling, hunting,etc.

I cant believe the amount of mud tires in SoCal.....especially on 2wds.....all for looks I guess, as Ive been wheeling here and no mud unless you seek it out at Azusa....which then I wouldnt want to beat on a truck there unless it was a beater and not DD or $$ at all, and Id want a huge lift and serious mud tires....

Otherwise, mud tires ride like crap, are worse in snow, rain, loud as snot, and wear out it seems twice as fast...not to mention can make your front end wobble or vibrate more when they start wearing. Ive used ATs in some serious east coast mud, and although mudders would do better, the ATs make it fine for most wheeling and drive a ton better on the road, last longer, and I think some folks have even done comparisons with MT vs AT and come up with 2-3 mpg differences easy.

Food for thought for maybe some of the younger or newer 4x4 crowd. Unless you live somewhere mud is king in your trail areas, ATs are way more sensible. Or maybe Im just getting old. I actually just sold KM2s off my Rubicon and bought FC-IIs to replace them. With lockers and FC-IIs Ill go most places I need to go here in SoCa, and feel alot better on the highway and be able to hear my radio. Although I did put KM2s on a Silverado I bought for my dad, they drive better on a truck but as they are wearing they are getting louder and more feedback in the wheel. I should have put ATs on for him.

If I get a 4Runner, which might be soon looking at an 04 this weekend, Ill keep whatever street treads are on there, and maybe when they wear out jump to a BFG old school AT or check out what the options are at that point for a milder AT as it will be a commuter SUV with some at best mild trail rides and snow at Big Bear and other mountain areas in SoCa.

 

[RickC]

I ended up purchasing the Michelin LTX M/S2 P265/70/17's. So far, I can tell that they grip the pavement really well! Huge difference in comparison to worn out Michelin Cross Terrains, but that is expected.

I did notice that my RPM's at different speeds have changed.

Should I unplug the negative so that the computer will relearn everything?

I'm going to get a much-needed alignment next. I have been waiting to do this ever since I swapped my springs and shocks.

When these tires go out, hopefully by then I get paid much more to get into off-roading A/T's are next!

Thanks again for everyone's opinions!

Isn't the factory size 265/65/17? That would account for the difference in RPM and speed. That bigger tire size is around 3% difference, I believe.
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