Pick Which Tire?

[Sawdusted]

Guys, I think I have narrowed down the choices to 2 tires I like to mount onto my Nissan Pathfinder. Cost is also a limiting factor but I will pony up the extra cash if I have to.

Tire 1 is be the Michelin LTX M/S2, a well regarded tire for SUVs, but more expensive
Tire 2 is the Firestone Destination LE2, less expensive.

Moving south to Tx in 2 months, so I won't see a lot of snow action like my cars have seen here in the mid-west.

I usually drive 5-6K miles a year. Low miles, and the reason I am replacing tires is usually more dry rot than worn rubber.

If I am going to replace this next set due to age and not wear, which would you recommend? I have always heard good things about the Mich LTX. Since cost is also a factor here (gotta change all 5 tires), hoping to hear experiences from people who have the destination LE2.


Thanks,
Julian

 

[The_Jeff]

This is a tough choice. The antioxidants they put into rubber are expensive and I sort of expect Michelin would spend more on better ones and they'd go longer before cracking.

 

[cchase]

The LTX is a better tire for sure. But, if it costs a significant amount more than the Destination LE2 in your application, I'd probably lean towards the Firestone.

 

[glock19]

LTX MS/2 all the way. It was an incredible tire on my 4Runner and it's the top rated SUV tire on TireRack.

EDIT: I also had a really good experience with General Grabber AW.

 

[tommygunn]

The Michelin tires are much better. I don't like Firestone.

Also, Michelin is having a $70 rebate

 

[spasm3]

I did'nt like the destinations in wet weather. Michelin is the tire between the two. Also consider the General Grabber HTS.

 

[Errtt]

I went from the Michelin LTX to the General Grabber HTS on my previous SUV and had absolutely no regrets.

 

[fdcg27]

Cost independent, the Michelin.
The Destination LE is a pretty low line tire, and it is much less expensive.
No real comparison between the two.
You do get what you pay for.

 

[Audios]

You always get what you pay for. A customer got upset today because I mentioned his tires should probably be replaced soon due to dry rotting. The DOT was stamped 3710, so they were less than 3 years old. Cheaper fuzions. I would definitely go with Michelins because of your low yearly mileage, they will hold up better long term, and are an overall better tire.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I had a set of the first Generation LE on my truck, had to replace them at about 42K, they were just too loud and the ride quality had become rough. The tread wore down a lot faster than I expected too, but they still had a few 32nds left when I replaced them. I had the tire store take the best one out of the bunch and mount it on my spare. I replaced the Firestones with BFG Long Trail Tours (P235/75R15) and for what it may be worth to OP, they are doing very well. They are quiet and smooth, have great traction wet or dry and so far are wearing very well. I have about 18K on them now and should get at least 50K out of them. The BFG's also balanced easily when new and still balance out great now, it does not take any crazy amount of weight or odd weight placements to get the right balance.

The first set of new tires I put on my truck were first generation LTX M/S. They did well too but were very expensive at about $150.00 per tire. I ran those for about 60K until they developed a thumping noise problem. That was when I bought the LE's.

The LE2 is supposed to have a softer rubber compound and provide a better quality ride. If it were me I would buy from a tire store that offers some kind of ride quality guarantee. For me, the BFG's have been the best value for the price. I paid $480.00 out the door at Tire Kingdom, after getting their best price and using a coupon I got off their website for $40.00 off a set of 4 new tires. That was over two years ago, prices are probably different now.

 

[Sawdusted]

The destination LE2 is also one of the top rated tires on tirerack and it also has a $50 rebate now.

Arrghhh!!! Decisions decisions!

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Sawdusted
The destination LE2 is also one of the top rated tires on tirerack and it also has a $50 rebate now.

Arrghhh!!! Decisions decisions!

There is nothing wrong with the Firestones.

But the top rated SUV/Light Truck tire is the LTX, and it is our only choice here. They can run 70k miles on a 4.5 ton service van!

They seem to last nearly forever on a Silverado...

 

[Scum_Frog]

Give BF Goodrich tires a look at. They are made by Michline.

From what I can gather you are looking at Hwy tires
I have the Long Trail TA Tours on the Nitro for the past three seasons and I've been very happy with them.

 

[threeputtpar]

I second the suggestion for BFG tires on a full-size SUV. The Mountaineer had BFG Rugged Trail T/A on from the factory and they were great all-around SUV tires. Decent price too, somewhere in the middle of the pack. They lasted 67.5k miles, far longer than I expeceted them to and they showed minimal dry rot cracking at 5+ years old. The car was parked outside the whole time they were on the vehicle.

I replaced them with a Yoko ATS tire and it performed worse in every catagory for me. Lesson learned.

What tires are you replacing, and what size are we talking about?

 

[NHHEMI]

I think some people here need to recheck the Tirerack ratings. #1 All Season light truck/suv tire is the Firestone Destination LE2. Michelin LTX M+S2 is the #2 rated tire.

Now, the LE2 is a newer tire and does not have the same number of review miles so you have to take that into account( and I do ). BUT the LE2 has actually been #1 at Tirerack for a while now. Some of you Michelin fans are stuck in the past and living off past glory.

OP - I have the LE2's and they are EXCELLENT tires. I would buy them again in a heart beat. I previously ran the original LE's and think the new LE2's are better in all aspects except maybe snow. I think the original LE may have been a little better. Not a lot but a little. Could just be due to a different vehicle though? Definitely perform well in the snow however and I have no complaints in that area.

No knock on the Michelins. They make very good tires. Just not so much better that they are worth $50-$75+ a tire more. Not to me anyway. The LE2 has a very good ride, performs very well in the rain, does very well in the snow( not an issue I know you said ), are quiet, and so far these are wearing like iron just as the original LE's always did for me.

With 6,000+ miles now on these tires there is almost NO measurable wear based on the mfg's advertised starting tread depth and what they measure out at right now( just checked 2 days ago ). Only about a 64'th of wear so far. Obviously they will start to wear and it will show but so far they are wearing very well. I will easily see 60K+ from them just as the originals were capable of in my experience.

To me it is a no brainer because not only are they much cheaper vs the Michelins but they are also an excellent tire. You are not taking a major step down to save money. You are getting a real #1 performer for far less than the other brand.

 

[GenSan]

My friend just shell out for the LTX M/S2's and sleep well at night. You'll be happier in the long run.

I have the LTX M/S2's in 265/70/16 and they are 3 years old. Tread depth brand new was 12/32's " and they are now down to 9/32's ". Here's the kicker, they have nearly 65,000 miles on them.

For comparison, the previous tire on same SUV were Goodyear Fortera Tripletreds. Treadlife was horrendous even w/ religious tire rotations every 5-7,000 miles. Within 1 year they wore down to the wear bars(2/32's "); I kid you not. Alignment was done by Toyota to factory spec the same day I purchased those Goodyears and I never bothered to have alignment adjusted after the Michelin's were mounted so alignment was not a factor in the Goodyear's ABYSMAL treadlife.

 

[Sawdusted]

NHHEMI,
Thank you for thee detailed reply. Glad to know that you have good experience with the Destination LE2s. Yes I was wary about the lower number of reviews on the LE2s (only 50) vs LTX M+S2 (about 500 IIRC). But due to final cost being $200 lower for the LE2s, I think I will take the chance and go with it.

Worse comes to worst, if I don't like the tire, I can change them for something else.

I know I will sleep better with the LTX M+S2, but I am relocating cross country for a new job and expenses are tight now. I need to save where I can. The tires are fairly dry-rotten and I need to get them changed before I leave.

Thank you for the replies guys.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Sawdusted
NHHEMI,
Thank you for thee detailed reply. Glad to know that you have good experience with the Destination LE2s. Yes I was wary about the lower number of reviews on the LE2s (only 50) vs LTX M+S2 (about 500 IIRC). But due to final cost being $200 lower for the LE2s, I think I will take the chance and go with it.

Worse comes to worst, if I don't like the tire, I can change them for something else.

I know I will sleep better with the LTX M+S2, but I am relocating cross country for a new job and expenses are tight now. I need to save where I can. The tires are fairly dry-rotten and I need to get them changed before I leave.

Thank you for the replies guys.


You will sleep just fine with the LE2's. It is a great tire. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: GenSan
My friend just shell out for the LTX M/S2's and sleep well at night. You'll be happier in the long run.

I have the LTX M/S2's in 265/70/16 and they are 3 years old. Tread depth brand new was 12/32's " and they are now down to 9/32's ". Here's the kicker, they have nearly 65,000 miles on them.

For comparison, the previous tire on same SUV were Goodyear Fortera Tripletreds. Treadlife was horrendous even w/ religious tire rotations every 5-7,000 miles. Within 1 year they wore down to the wear bars(2/32's "); I kid you not. Alignment was done by Toyota to factory spec the same day I purchased those Goodyears and I never bothered to have alignment adjusted after the Michelin's were mounted so alignment was not a factor in the Goodyear's ABYSMAL treadlife.


Come on dude 3/32 of wear in 65,000 miles. No offense but that is very hard to swallow. I know the tires are good and last really well but that is just something I find unbelievable.

 

[GenSan]

Yeah and I'm not the only owner with such wear just do your research.CLICK (Actually don't waste your time clicking the link I'll quote the post for you: "The LTX M/S is the best mileage tire built in the light truck sizes. If the weather permits you to wear them down to the last 2/32nds with proper maintenance you can see over a 100,000 miles. I have seen many sets do so including a full size Tahoe that put on 115,000.") He's another liar just like me; impossible for him to reach such mileage.


You must think that all owners of the Michelin LTX MS/MS2 line of tires all are lying about their tires reaching 100,000 miles with 6/32's " left of tread.

Do a search to satisfy your ignorance nhhemi or better yet how about you walk the walk yourself and purchase a set then post how terrible your treadwear was w/ a set of Michelin LTX MS/MS2's.

There's opinion, fact, and just plain ignorance. I'm a facts guy and I despise the latter.