michelin LTX M/S2

jackhart ..... well written piece ... not an "in you face" post slamming folks ... thanks for your insight.

 

YES...well said jackhart! I'm in the same boat as you (mortgage, kids, etc...) anyway, I am due for replacement tires but can't afford them at the moment, so I'm stuck with my crappy dunlops with just under 50% tread on them.....we just had our first good dumping of snow here last week and I was very surprised to how well the tires gripped and handled....I guess mine aren't so crappy after all, and the thing about driving in the snow, you just have to take it easy. I even drove in 2wd in some flat snow packed streets without any incidents.

 

And on that money comment, if you're looking for an excellent Michelin tire, the AT2 is cheaper. They are excellent in all conditions (except haven't had them on ice like some of you guys get back east): dry, wet, plowed road snow, unplowed fresh snow, unplowed packed snow (sig pic from one of our snow wheeling trips). And they too are super quiet on the highway. I've got 31K miles on them now. They'll last just as long and likely longer than the BFG TA KO that I had before these. I just put the M/S on our highlander (M/S 2 doesn't come in that size) based on previous reviews for both highlanders and Tacos.

 

jackhart,

There are few here that do not ask themselves if a major expense such as tires is best spent on a brand name. Tires are especially a trade off in characteristics. You made a decision on how best a given tire fit all of your needs and made a choice. No one can fault or praise your choice, for it was your choice. Please come back from time to time and give us updates and views of the Hankooks.

 

it's been about a year since i put the michelins on. you will notice a significant difference between the grip on the michelins and the stock tires. i'm still really liking the michelins.

 

I probably don't know what I'm missing, but my Dunlops have done well for me through almost three winters. I've got about 30,000 miles on them and they get me where I need to go without any wheel-spinning drama. Maybe in my old age I just have a lighter foot on the gas pedal than some. I like these threads though, because sooner or later I'll have to replace them.

 

After months of trying to decide and wanting the best tire for the money I decided on the MS/2's. I took my truck to Koons Tysons Toyota last night and had them installed; or so I thought. It was raining and dark when I picked up the truck so I didn't check the tires until this morning. What I ended up with was a set of AT/2's. I just got off the phone with the dealership and they are refunding me a nice chunk of change bringing my total to $538 installed. I think I'll live with the AT/2's for that price. Best I can tell: I'll be loosing some ride comfort and mileage but still getting an exceptional tire. Much better than the stock BFG's for-sure.

 

I've owned a boatload of trucks over the years and have tried many different brands of tires too. IMHO, the Michelin LTX M/S2 tires are simply the BEST tires for use on snowy/icy roads and dry or wet pavement. It's the sipes that provide all that extra traction people have refered to. Smooth, quiet & great handling on pavement.

However, the LTX M/S2s are not that great off-road. While they're generally acceptable in dry conditions, they're not good at all in mud or wet conditions where they may load up with mud & dirt. They also lose traction at speed (40+ mph) on a dirt/gravel road.

So while I have the Michelins on our GX470 for snowy days, I have BFG All-Terrains on the Taco for off-roading. I'm sure there are better off-road tires, but these came on the truck and are new. I may try something else when these get worn.

It really depends on what conditions you drive your truck in, and what you expect of your tires.

 

In 15 years of driving, and many many cars and trucks, I've never loved a set of tires like I love my MS2's

They are so quiet and full of grip in the rain as well.

I agree in mud they do tend to let go but I'm on the road / snow / rain much more frequently than mud.

 

I plan to replace my stock tires with them M/S2 when stock ones run out. I run some AT/winter tires for winter, m/s2 is good on snow, but having driven them at work, not quite as good as many winter tires, for a highway/all around though they do damn well.
My Camry has Michelins even, not going to bother with snow tires on it though.
To be honest I have drove the stock AT2 (think I got the name right) on ice and snow... no problems, yes they eventually slid, but never felt bad considering a stock tire.
I went to Tirerack for info on tire ratings, I liked its overall rating in category, but glad to get some first hand info.

 

After plenty of research and riding with some buddies MS2s will be my next DD tire for sure. that way I can finally get a second set of MTs for the fun stuff and not have to worry about the rain/snow/ice

 

Thanks for the reviews. The MS2s will be my next tires for sure. I was considering AT's, but I want tires that will perform best on the street.

 

Great. This thread has me thinking about ms2 now and I had my mind made up to go with destination at. I am picking up new tacoma trd or tonight and want to swap tires right away. Trading my 2011 4 runner which has ms2's with 45k on them. They have been fantastic tires. I am getting 20-22 mpg with that truck and that's w 265 70 17. Tires have alot to do with that. Ugh...choices.
Deanno

 

Old thread, I know. If you're still around- are you still running those hankooks? Can you Share your thoughts after a few years on them? I'm about due. Will probably go mich again, but would like to hear about the hankooks.