Topic: Nothing Rides like a Michelin.

[ktm525]

Michelin gave up on the Ridgeline and quit offering their excellent Defender LTX M/S in the Ridgeline's size. Otherwise it would have got it's third set... After hunting around I settled on a few choices.

Bridgestone Dueller LX (unavailable)
Continental Contact HT (back ordered)
Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT

Ended up with the Goodyears. They absorb hits ok and they do have kevlar in them (Goodyear and Nokian use this) so they should be "tougher" on unimproved forest roads. Unfortunately they don't quite match the Michelins for refinement. Good, but not great.

[ktm525]

tread

[2JDM]

Looks good.

I'm a Michelin slappy myself. Their rubber tends to stay softer as they get older, and don't discolor quickly in my experience.

[HeliDriver]

I put a set of Michelins on the Yukon this spring. Had two sets of Bridgestone Duravis M700 before that, and was all set to buy a third, but the price had become ridiculous, even at Costco. Think they were close to $500/tire.

Costco had their house-labeled Michelins for around $350 IIRC, so I went with those: Michelin X-LT A/S2.  Basically the same as the Defender LTX, AFAIK.

Anyway, I’m super happy with them. I was happy with the Bridgestones too, but these definitely ride better and they handle just as well. Gave up some of the off-road look (Bridgestones were All Terrain,) but that’s ok. Given the tiny bit of gravel driving I do, highway all seasons make the most sense.

Put about 5k km on them already, towing the trailer down to Utah and back.

[ktm525]

Those look good.

[tortoise]

I'll be going through this myself.  The Highlander's Michelin Premier LTX are down to 2/32-3/32's so they need to be replaced.  Excellent tire, smooth, handle great, quiet until the last season or so.  But, they wear crazy fast.  I put a max of 30k km, bought them used, but essentially brand new.

The HL has an oddball size, 225/70/R16 so there's not a ton of options.  Most anything decent (Generals, Coopers, Etc) run about $200 per tire.  I saw that Quattro Tires has the Kumho HP71 at a discounted price, with an instant 10% rebate, and then an online rebate of $80.  This brings the cost down to $121/tire, after taxes.  They also had the Kumho HT51's for a similar price, they look like an LTX clone, but lots of comments about road noise.

The reviews are generally positive, with the biggest criticism being the tire wear.  Since I'll likely be selling the HL sooner than later, and it only sees 6k/yr max on the summer tires, it's not an issue.  My last set of Kumho's were very hard to balance, and I never really liked them.  Here's hoping this roll of the dice works out ok.

[Woodrow]

I'll be going through this myself.  The Highlander's Michelin Premier LTX are down to 2/32-3/32's so they need to be replaced.  Excellent tire, smooth, handle great, quiet until the last season or so.  But, they wear crazy fast.  I put a max of 30k km, bought them used, but essentially brand new.

The HL has an oddball size, 225/70/R16 so there's not a ton of options.  Most anything decent (Generals, Coopers, Etc) run about $200 per tire.  I saw that Quattro Tires has the Kumho HP71 at a discounted price, with an instant 10% rebate, and then an online rebate of $80.  This brings the cost down to $121/tire, after taxes.  They also had the Kumho HT51's for a similar price, they look like an LTX clone, but lots of comments about road noise.

The reviews are generally positive, with the biggest criticism being the tire wear.  Since I'll likely be selling the HL sooner than later, and it only sees 6k/yr max on the summer tires, it's not an issue.  My last set of Kumho's were very hard to balance, and I never really liked them.  Here's hoping this roll of the dice works out ok.

CONTINENTAL CROSS CONTACT LX25?

[tortoise]

Can't find them in my size.

[Woodrow]

Can't find them in my size.

Yeah.

In any event I think you made a good decision with the eventual sale looming.

[ktm525]

Should be OK for your situation. With regards to the Michelin you have to get the LTX Defender to get good tread life. The ride a little stiffer than the Premier but last much longer. I had some Michelin Premiers on the LR4 and they melted away fast.

[tortoise]

No Defender LTX in my size.

[ktm525]

No Defender LTX in my size.

Welcome to the club lol.

On a highlander doing usual duty I wouldn't hesitate with the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3. I put them on the XC60 and they seem decent.

[tortoise]

No dice in my size.... See what I'm up against?

I have Pirelli P7's on the Golf, very happy with them.

[bridgecity]

What if you did a 235/65 or 235/60?

[tortoise]

Looked into it, apparently the rear suspension is really tight and while it might not rub, it's really really close.

[2JDM]

I'll be going through this myself.  The Highlander's Michelin Premier LTX are down to 2/32-3/32's so they need to be replaced.  Excellent tire, smooth, handle great, quiet until the last season or so.  But, they wear crazy fast.  I put a max of 30k km, bought them used, but essentially brand new.

The HL has an oddball size, 225/70/R16 so there's not a ton of options.  Most anything decent (Generals, Coopers, Etc) run about $200 per tire.  I saw that Quattro Tires has the Kumho HP71 at a discounted price, with an instant 10% rebate, and then an online rebate of $80.  This brings the cost down to $121/tire, after taxes.  They also had the Kumho HT51's for a similar price, they look like an LTX clone, but lots of comments about road noise.

The reviews are generally positive, with the biggest criticism being the tire wear.  Since I'll likely be selling the HL sooner than later, and it only sees 6k/yr max on the summer tires, it's not an issue.  My last set of Kumho's were very hard to balance, and I never really liked them.  Here's hoping this roll of the dice works out ok.

For $121 each, tax in, is an amazing price for a non-Chinese tire. It should be fine for an old girl like the Highlander that doesn't get much miles.

[rrocket]

Looked into it, apparently the rear suspension is really tight and while it might not rub, it's really really close.

235/70 is the answer. Opens up a bigger selection. A tiny bit more sidewall for ride quality. 2.1 percent diameter difference...well within reason.

And the Michelin are in stock and ready to ship..though pricey at $283 ea

https://www.quattrotires.com/tires/michelin-francais-defender-ltx-ms/2150

[tortoise]

No day I'd pay that much.

In retrospect, I think you're right about the 235's.  The forums say it's tight, but workable.

[rrocket]

No day I'd pay that much.

In retrospect, I think you're right about the 235's.  The forums say it's tight, but workable.

Yep.

At the least you'll have a bigger selection if you don't want the top dog Michelins.

[tortoise]

Surprisingly, most tires in that size are more expensive.

I just have a hard time dropping over a grand on tires for a 17 year old Highlander.