Are Michelin Tires Worth It ?

Just wondering if Michelin Tires are worth the extra $$ - What's your opinion ? I've got to buy tires shortly and want some input - Any experiences, opinions, replies and or links appreciated. I posted it in the Tacoma Forums - should I delete it in the 4 cylinder forum - if so I don't know how. Thanks.

 

They’re not bad tires but I think they over charge. Are you looking for street tires or all terrains?

 

a cost effective alternative

 

It seems like all tires are about the same now. Not as good as 10 yrs. ago.

 

I debated between michelin defenders and firestone destination le3s. I ended up with the firestones. No idea how they compare to michelin, but I like them more than the bf goodrich tires that I had on before. I couldn't justify the extra $150 or so, especially because my truck seems to eat tires. I got about 30k out of my first 2 sets, got it aligned with this set and there was hardly any adjustment.

 

dont know why Ur truck eats tyres
there IS a compound Index of tyre compound/type that is an Incicator of tyre wear
NOT a Guarantee You WILL get that Exact mileage
tho a comparison of the different WEAR compounds..........

iv had the LTX Michelin Defenders go 80K

most people dont keep 1 vehicle that long.................i buy with the committment 10years min
so another set no big deal

they are an EXCELLENT hiway/asphalt commuter typetyre
Nothing to look at .......no raised white letters
NOT impressive
probably crappy off road

 

I've had two sets of Michelin Defenders and prior to that 1 set of Michelin LTXs. They lasted forever.. well near 75,000 - 90,000 miles on my light weight 4 bangers. They worked very well when aired down out in Moab and the San Juans of CO.

Last fall I did 1200 miles off road in CO and UT aired down to 15 lbs and no issues what so ever. Did Tin Cup, Blackbear Pass, Imogene and White Rim Canyon Trail plus at least 6 other passes to name a few.

Look at the sidewalls and you will know I was in the rocks not just dirt mountain roads. I broke the top rear mount off on one shock going up Tin Cup and accidently taking the SxS route.






Pumped them up after the off-road stuff and drove home 1200 miles at 75-80 mph.


I liked them so much I just purchased my 4th set for my new 2021 in 265/75-16. They are a good all-a-rounder... off-road, rain, snow, pavement pounding, ride good, light weight, quiet and have minimal rolling resistance for fuel economy. Paired with my ultralight FN Konig Countersteers the combo is 4 lbs less in weight than each factory 2021 TRD 16" wheel/tire.




This might add some insight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoi89LOvk_s

 

I've only bought one new set of Michelins and they were very good tires. Good grip, long life, quiet ride. These were on a passenger car. Still, I would recommend Michelins.

 

Michelin makes great long lasting tires. But I dont think a tacoma is really heavy enough for this to be such a big deal. I have a 2002 Ford Excursion that weighs 9800lbs and If you dont buy michelins, you have to buy tires once a year, If you do, they will last 4-5 years. For that application, the added cost is relative. You pay twice as much to last 4 times as long.

I dont think the tires would disappoint you, but there's probably better stuff out there you could over pay for

 

Buy them, with a 70k mileage warranty for Defenders, the per mile cost is the same as cheaper tires. I have tried 5 brands on my 4runner and Tacoma and nothing comes close the the Michelins.

 

They make some of the best tires in the world. The LTX defender, MS, and AT look unremarkable but provide traction way beyond their looks. If you use your truck like most people use trucks, nothing comes close. They're not mud tires, sand paddles or rock crawling tires.

My problem with them is they last too long. Seriously. Once they get up to 70k miles and still have 1/8 of an inch to the wear bars and with all that heat cycling the rubber gets pretty hard.

 

Over the last 28 years I've only owned 3 vehicles before buying another Toyota Truck.

1. Brand New 1989 Ford Ranger 4X2 LB. Sold it after 2.5 years to buy a Toyota Truck. Ranger had stock Firestone's I think.
2. Brand new 1992 Toyota V6 5spd extra cab 4X4. Owned it for 14 years. Sold it in 2006 because we couldn't fit a child seat in the back of the extra cab.
3. Bought a 3 year old lease return 2003 Nissan Pathfinder "Chilkoot Edition" in 2006 to replace the Toyota Truck. Traded it in on the new 2020 Toyota TRD Sport.

I have only ran Michelin M&S tires on the Toyota & Pathfinder (6 or 7 sets If I remember correctly) over the past 28 years. Most sets were purchased from Costco, the last set was from a Tire Shop and they were the Defender LTX M/S.

They have been an awesome tire for daily driving to & from work and long road trips. Great in all weather conditions too. I really did not do much serious off roading over the years other than logging roads and country gravel roads. I simply kept buying Michelin's because they were reliable, long lasting and never really let me down. Well worth the money ($900.00 - $1,100.00CDN for a set of 4) IMHO.

Now I have a 2 month old 2020 TRD 4X4 Sport with the Firestone Destination LE2's. Don't know much about them other than they have been good on city and highway driving so far. However, the problem is they look lame as I think most Tacoma owners would agree and Firestone's reputation for deadly tires stick in my head. So I find myself longing for more aggressive looking tires. But then I think about what I will really use my truck for and I gravitate back to the boring, practical and reliable old Michelin's once the OEM Firestones wear out.

 

This was my experience with them over 28 years as well.

 

Proof Michelin Defenders are good tires. Impressive post.

 

Michelins. 100% worth it. No doubt in my mind. I’ve tried lots of tires on personal and work (fleet) trucks. Hands down best performing all around tire.

look around. I got a set of Michelin Agilis CrossClimate cheaper online than I could get a set of kumhos at the local tire shops.

 

If there was a 200 dollar mod you could do to your truck to make it quieter, smoother on highway, make tires last longer, make the truck corner much better and stop faster on wet and dry surfaces, do you think you’d do that mod?

 

I've made that same choice and have yet to be disappointed..

BTW, check the Agilis load rating.. I believe you will find those tires are load range E which is different than the Defenders.

Also, here is my 2000 std cab out in the mountains near Silverton, Colorado with the Michelin LTX tires circa 2004




I had 198,000 on my 2000 Taco Std cab before Toyota bought it back due to Frame rail rust. My 2006 Std cab had 235,000 when I traded it in for my 2021. Michelin tires on both of those standard cabs. One set of LTX and another set of Defenders on the 2000 and two sets of Defenders on the 2006. Burned up the factory rubber before installing the Michelins. Discount tire adjusted my LTXs on my 2000 due to inability to balance them out (had about 70K on them) and gave me 50% credit towards a new set of Defenders.



That silver dot is my 06..

 

thanks man, but the Agilis are for my f350 with a 3500 lb slide-in camper.