Michelin LTX M/S 2 - Initial Thoughts (Now LTX Defender)

Defender is the exact same tire with a tweak to the rubber compound to improve winter traction as I recall. Thus a slightly lower tread life warranty.

 

Specs indicated 70k tread wear, but you're probably onto something.

Did find a few places that had some left, but not sure I want them touching my truck. Gonna start calling around tomorrow.

 

I replaced the Dunlops at 20k replaced them with the M/S 2, imop the Dunlops were just about the worst tire I have ever driven on, & there have been a few!! In fact I find fault with Toyota for even putting them on their product, should I purchase another vehicle I will insist the tires be replaced with a decent tire. At 20k my Dunlops looked like new, however in rain or snow they were downright dangerous!! they shouldn't be sold!! jmop

 

They're nearly the same Tire. Don't sweat it one bit. After three sets of MS2's, I'm now on Defenders and I can't tell one bit of difference.

 

Yes, I ended up with the Defender too. They are pretty much the same tire as the previous model. I run the Defender passenger car tires on my wife's Sienna mini van and on my Corolla. They really are good all season tires and the extra miles and safety you get out of them justify the up front cost in my opinion.
I got mine at our local Sam's Club. It saved me a couple hundred dollars over several places I checked. I think all four of mine were about $790 out the door, 265/70-16's.

 

Much less than my quote. Dealer quoted about 1100 and that didn't include alignment, even had a 100 discount. I'm like WTF? I'll soip around, but I checked at Wal-Mart Web site and about 900, but mount and balance hadn't been added.

 

Costco does $70 off a set of 4 tires about every 3 months or so. I wouldn't think you should have to pay more than $900 anywhere, mounted and balanced. But that sounds about right full retail. Clubs like sams or Costco will do about $100 better. Minus another $70 with their special. I think mine were about $730 at Costco. Considering they'll run 90k+ compared to some other tires, it's actually a pretty good deal for those that are budget minded.

 

Got mine at Costco too. The current $70 off deal expires 1/29. The savings more than pays for the membership and their package includes balancing along with rotation and nitrogen fill.

 

i was about $890 with alignment around 11/16. I never get tires without an alignment, even if i dont feel pulling. More often than not its out

 

Yes, I always get an alignment with new tires. I had my truck aligned a couple of months earlier after I installed my lift.
Sam's had the $70 off instant coupon when I bought mine. Ask if the deal is still running. I got that discount even after the deal was over last year on my Corolla.

 

I got the Michelin Defenders a few weeks ago and I love these tires. I was torn between these and the BFG TKO2 and I am very pleased with the Defenders. They are very quite, smooth and I am getting a little bit better gas mileage. I got these from Costco as well for $862 after taxes which included the $70 discount they were offering. That is a great deal that included nitrogen in the tires and a lifetime rotate and balance. I ended up getting a lifetime alignment from Tires Plus because I know I will need to do some work that will knock out the alignment and since I have a small lift I want to know how often the alignment goes out of tolerance.

 

My 2017 Limited came with the m/s2. If you want a nice riding highway tire, these are for you. If you want/need a more aggressive, all terrain, snow rated tire, these are not. I prefer the later and will be swapping for the more aggressive, snow rated tire. Just my $.02!!!

 

try going to the big box stores like Costco, BJs wholesale, they have a clone called Michelin X radial lt2 its exactly the same as the Defender/ms2 but made specific for these stores you can save another $40 on the sale and still use the Michelin rebates on them ,plus they have lifetime flat repair and balancing.

 

Thanks, I think what's killing me on the price is the dealer added 22 per tire for the road hazard, but didn't itemize that out.

I'll just keep looking around

 

Maybe I over paid a little at $1050 (tires $199 each, mount/bal 20.00 each and about $90 for road hazard), but my tires were shot and needed replacement and we're supposed to have some crappy weather coming in. To risk an accident waiting for a coupon seemed foolish. Also, the shop that I used is just a couple blocks away, so getting the included 5k rotation done will be convenient there. And just like the Jiffy Lube horror stories, I felt more comfortable using a professional tire place rather than some Big Box/Mart type place.

 

You could ask what kind of repair they offer for the road hazard. I would't pay that if it's for a plug. The shop I used charges 12% of the tire cost (used to be a $20.00 flat fee) to get road hazard cost, but I've used it and I know they remove the tire and patch it from the inside (which is a better repair) and remount/rebalance. With a 70K mile tread wear warranty, that could pay for itself easily.

 

Went to Discount Tire today to have my 5 year old Michelin LTX M/S2's balanced as I was experiencing some shimmy at 70 mph. The guy notices the faint cracking on the sidewalls and ask if I have any concern about the integrity of the tire. I said not really they have been great tires but I just can't wear them out - 56k miles in 5 years. He said they call it 'ozone cracking' and that he can give me the prorated credit on them if I want to replace. That wasn't what I had in mind but I said if the credit was significant enough I would consider it. He punches in all the numbers and says we can give you $276 credit on new tires. I said, "Sold". I drove out with a new set of 4 of the newer version Defender M/S (no 2) for $480. I may not need another set of tires in my lifetime. I really like these tires for my style of mostly highway driving. I have always felt good about dealing with Discount Tire.

 

I have Cooper Discos on the truck right now but we put Defenders on the girlfriend's CX-5. She got punctures in all 4 of the shitty OEM Yokohamas in the first 5K she had the car - probably because she takes that thing just about anywhere the Tacoma will go

After flat #4 and my coaxing her toward an LT tire she put the Defenders on. The Michelins are fantastic. Night.And.Day.Difference.

 

I had a nearly identical experience with my first set of MS2's. I was blown away by how much they offered me for 5 year old cracked tires. And on my last set, I sold them on Craigslist for $350 with 45k miles on the tires. There was more than half of the "new useable tread depth" left. I replaced them with Defenders. At this rate, I'll do the same thing with this current set. I look at it like this-- for about $200 more per set (selling and replacing at 45k miles), I can always be riding on almost-new tires. That's not much money over 3-4 years.

 

I just got these last week and OOOMMMMGGGG! The ride is much better, super quite ride and smoother too. Previous tires were General Grabber AT2 with 40k miles. Sold my old tires to Discount tire and they also had a $70 mail-in rebate. I will be taking a 1500 miles in three weeks, i cannot wait!