I am looking at replacing the tire's on my wifes car with Michelin Defenders? Any experience, advice or opinions on these tires?
Michelin Defender
- Thread starter Oldswagon
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JHZR2
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Looks like many are made in Mexico.
Mexico with a Michelin price? Ill go elsewhere.
First world Michelins are hard to beat, IMO, but for third world stuff, Ill vote with my wallet.
Mexico with a Michelin price? Ill go elsewhere.
First world Michelins are hard to beat, IMO, but for third world stuff, Ill vote with my wallet.
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The Defenders we bought for the wife's Corolla are good but weren't cheap. They seem to do well in bad-ish weather but I can't give you an opinion on handling feel or whatnot since I rarely drive it. I got them mainly because they were highly rated everywhere I read and they should last a long time, something the previous Falkens certainly did not!
I had a persistent vibration in my van over 55 mph...multiple trips to dealers, tire places, etc.(much $$$) only to finally find out that 3 of the 4 Michelin Defenders were "out-of-round". After a refund from Michelin, I put on a set of Bridgestone Serenity Plus tires...problem solved (the Bridgestones are wearing great and did well in the snow this winter...the Michelins were a little quieter).
Originally Posted By: oilmaven
I had a persistent vibration in my van over 55 mph...multiple trips to dealers, tire places, etc.(much $$$) only to finally find out that 3 of the 4 Michelin Defenders were "out-of-round". After a refund from Michelin, I put on a set of Bridgestone Serenity Plus tires...problem solved (the Bridgestones are wearing great and did well in the snow this winter...the Michelins were a little quieter).
Where were your made????
I had a persistent vibration in my van over 55 mph...multiple trips to dealers, tire places, etc.(much $$$) only to finally find out that 3 of the 4 Michelin Defenders were "out-of-round". After a refund from Michelin, I put on a set of Bridgestone Serenity Plus tires...problem solved (the Bridgestones are wearing great and did well in the snow this winter...the Michelins were a little quieter).
Where were your made????
^^ I am surprised made it past the balance and install phase of the tire shop ^^
Mine (Costco XT's) are just fine. Wear is not measurable yet, handling about the same as the 2 sets of Cooper CS4's I had previously. Road noise was unbelievably quiet in comparison. All the tires we well balanced and vibration free.
Mine (Costco XT's) are just fine. Wear is not measurable yet, handling about the same as the 2 sets of Cooper CS4's I had previously. Road noise was unbelievably quiet in comparison. All the tires we well balanced and vibration free.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Looks like many are made in Mexico.
Mexico with a Michelin price? Ill go elsewhere.
First world Michelins are hard to beat, IMO, but for third world stuff, Ill vote with my wallet.
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Are the tires made in Mexico the same quality ?
If so, then buy them.
For less money I buy Yokohama tires that always perform great.
Am I getting a SUBSTANTIAL discount given the lower cost of labor, fewer regulations to follow, no retirement to pay for workers, etc? (Rhetorical question)
Im not getting into that argument here, but it is something for the OP to consider.
I personally boycott stuff like that as much as I practically can. He or you may not.
If it is mainly automated, labor cost is a non issue... and the product should be consistent regardless of where it is made.
But again, is a SUBSTANTIAL discount being given? Compared to the price of other tires in the size I was looking for (195/70R-14) the answer is NO.
Looks like many are made in Mexico.
Mexico with a Michelin price? Ill go elsewhere.
First world Michelins are hard to beat, IMO, but for third world stuff, Ill vote with my wallet.
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Are the tires made in Mexico the same quality ?
If so, then buy them.
For less money I buy Yokohama tires that always perform great.
Am I getting a SUBSTANTIAL discount given the lower cost of labor, fewer regulations to follow, no retirement to pay for workers, etc? (Rhetorical question)
Im not getting into that argument here, but it is something for the OP to consider.
I personally boycott stuff like that as much as I practically can. He or you may not.
If it is mainly automated, labor cost is a non issue... and the product should be consistent regardless of where it is made.
But again, is a SUBSTANTIAL discount being given? Compared to the price of other tires in the size I was looking for (195/70R-14) the answer is NO.
Only 6 of the 39 Defender sizes are made in Mexico. This point is moot depending on the tire size in question here.
Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
I am looking at replacing the tire's on my wifes car with Michelin Defenders? Any experience, advice or opinions on these tires?
you dont list a driving style.. a type of car.
what size tire it is..
kinda hard to make a blanket recommendation..
as for any opinions.. there is 2-3 threads about these in this sub-forum within the last month.
including one about 5 topics down currently
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2900021
I am looking at replacing the tire's on my wifes car with Michelin Defenders? Any experience, advice or opinions on these tires?
you dont list a driving style.. a type of car.
what size tire it is..
kinda hard to make a blanket recommendation..
as for any opinions.. there is 2-3 threads about these in this sub-forum within the last month.
including one about 5 topics down currently
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2900021
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- Dec 7, 2008
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Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Only 6 of the 39 Defender sizes are made in Mexico.
Now I gotta go look at where mine were made. lol
Only 6 of the 39 Defender sizes are made in Mexico.
Now I gotta go look at where mine were made. lol
According to Tire Rack, which uses information supplied from the tire manufacturer, the following sizes in the Defender are manufactured in Mexico:
175/70R13
175/65R14
175/70R14
185/70R14
195/70R14
205/70R14
The other 33 sizes are manfuactured in either Canada or the United States. The few sizes manufactured in Mexico are smaller sizes that are probably lower production sizes, and the move was likely done to consolidate efforts on those smaller and less popular sizes.
For most customers, their Defenders will have been made in either Canada or the United States.
175/70R13
175/65R14
175/70R14
185/70R14
195/70R14
205/70R14
The other 33 sizes are manfuactured in either Canada or the United States. The few sizes manufactured in Mexico are smaller sizes that are probably lower production sizes, and the move was likely done to consolidate efforts on those smaller and less popular sizes.
For most customers, their Defenders will have been made in either Canada or the United States.
Originally Posted By: Rand
you dont list a driving style.. a type of car.
what size tire it is..
kinda hard to make a blanket recommendation..
as for any opinions.. there is 2-3 threads about these in this sub-forum within the last month.
The tire size is 195/65-15 on a 2010 Prius. Driving style is rural roads and highway, generally non-agressive. Lots of long distance miles.
I am not really interested in other tires at the moment. The defenders are on sale now (which is why I am interested) and they have a reputation for lasting long (high on the importance list). I just wanted to see what other's thought before I made the purchase. If they aren't any good, I will hold off until something else goes on sale. It isn't critical that they be replaced right now.
you dont list a driving style.. a type of car.
what size tire it is..
kinda hard to make a blanket recommendation..
as for any opinions.. there is 2-3 threads about these in this sub-forum within the last month.
The tire size is 195/65-15 on a 2010 Prius. Driving style is rural roads and highway, generally non-agressive. Lots of long distance miles.
I am not really interested in other tires at the moment. The defenders are on sale now (which is why I am interested) and they have a reputation for lasting long (high on the importance list). I just wanted to see what other's thought before I made the purchase. If they aren't any good, I will hold off until something else goes on sale. It isn't critical that they be replaced right now.
The tire has been critically acclaimed; I wouldn't hesitate for a minute. In this size, they're manufactured in Canada.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Originally Posted By: Rand
you dont list a driving style.. a type of car.
what size tire it is..
kinda hard to make a blanket recommendation..
as for any opinions.. there is 2-3 threads about these in this sub-forum within the last month.
The tire size is 195/65-15 on a 2010 Prius. Driving style is rural roads and highway, generally non-agressive. Lots of long distance miles.
I am not really interested in other tires at the moment. The defenders are on sale now (which is why I am interested) and they have a reputation for lasting long (high on the importance list). I just wanted to see what other's thought before I made the purchase. If they aren't any good, I will hold off until something else goes on sale. It isn't critical that they be replaced right now.
Why not look at the energy saver? As I recall, the Critic had some good reviews of a variety of tires on his prius. He may have different desired characteristics from a set of tires, compared to you, but his insight is a good read.
Originally Posted By: Rand
you dont list a driving style.. a type of car.
what size tire it is..
kinda hard to make a blanket recommendation..
as for any opinions.. there is 2-3 threads about these in this sub-forum within the last month.
The tire size is 195/65-15 on a 2010 Prius. Driving style is rural roads and highway, generally non-agressive. Lots of long distance miles.
I am not really interested in other tires at the moment. The defenders are on sale now (which is why I am interested) and they have a reputation for lasting long (high on the importance list). I just wanted to see what other's thought before I made the purchase. If they aren't any good, I will hold off until something else goes on sale. It isn't critical that they be replaced right now.
Why not look at the energy saver? As I recall, the Critic had some good reviews of a variety of tires on his prius. He may have different desired characteristics from a set of tires, compared to you, but his insight is a good read.
Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Originally Posted By: Rand
...
The tire size is 195/65-15 on a 2010 Prius. Driving style is rural roads and highway, generally non-agressive. Lots of long distance miles.
I am not really interested in other tires at the moment. The defenders are on sale now (which is why I am interested) and they have a reputation for lasting long (high on the importance list). I just wanted to see what other's thought before I made the purchase. If they aren't any good, I will hold off until something else goes on sale. It isn't critical that they be replaced right now.
Same size as I have, mostly the same driving parameters except I drive a little more aggressive at times. I bought these based on the overwhelming reviews in the positive.
Originally Posted By: Rand
...
The tire size is 195/65-15 on a 2010 Prius. Driving style is rural roads and highway, generally non-agressive. Lots of long distance miles.
I am not really interested in other tires at the moment. The defenders are on sale now (which is why I am interested) and they have a reputation for lasting long (high on the importance list). I just wanted to see what other's thought before I made the purchase. If they aren't any good, I will hold off until something else goes on sale. It isn't critical that they be replaced right now.
Same size as I have, mostly the same driving parameters except I drive a little more aggressive at times. I bought these based on the overwhelming reviews in the positive.
Yes. The Energy Saver A/S has a tread wear rating of 480, with a 65,000 mile warranty. The Defender has a tread wear rating of 820, with a 90,000 mile warranty. You can choose where you want to spend and save money.
I looked at the A/S Energy Saver, but the price is significantly higher (like I said, Defenders are on sale). I know the Defenders are supposed to be worse than OEM tires, but this car still gets great mileage even with winters. I would hope the Defenders would be better than winter tires. Further, the fact that they are rated significantly higher for mileage wear important.
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