It's just about time to replace the 225/70R16 tires on my RX300. (It has General Grabber HTS's on there now but they wore out too fast, my gas mileage dropped with them, just not happy...) Does anyone have experience with the Michelin LTX M/S2's? I drive 550 miles of highway every week and switch over to snow tires before the heavy snow comes. I'm looking for something quiet, decent gas mileage / low rolling resistance, and great wet/dry traction. I found a good deal on these locally... What do you folks think??
Michelin LTX M/S 2 = Good Choice?
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JHZR2
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I've heard nothing but good about these.
That said, seems to me they are more of a truck tire while you have a car based vehicle with a suspension biased for light duty stuff. I wonder if a good car tire like the primacy mxm4 would be a better fit???
That said, seems to me they are more of a truck tire while you have a car based vehicle with a suspension biased for light duty stuff. I wonder if a good car tire like the primacy mxm4 would be a better fit???
Other than price, you will find very little criticism of this tire. They wear extremely well, are quiet, and have excellent dry/wet/snow traction.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I've heard nothing but good about these.
That said, seems to me they are more of a truck tire while you have a car based vehicle with a suspension biased for light duty stuff. I wonder if a good car tire like the primacy mxm4 would be a better fit???
Spot on reply. The MS/2 however will have about the best bad weather performance of any tire you can get; IF snow traction is a primary concern, the MS/2 will be excellent but they won't have the handling of a more passenger oriented tire.
If you're using dedicated snow tires, I think a more passenger car oriented tire might be a batter choice.
I've heard nothing but good about these.
That said, seems to me they are more of a truck tire while you have a car based vehicle with a suspension biased for light duty stuff. I wonder if a good car tire like the primacy mxm4 would be a better fit???
Spot on reply. The MS/2 however will have about the best bad weather performance of any tire you can get; IF snow traction is a primary concern, the MS/2 will be excellent but they won't have the handling of a more passenger oriented tire.
If you're using dedicated snow tires, I think a more passenger car oriented tire might be a batter choice.
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Up here in NY, the bad weather sometimes sneaks up on us. Since I have to drive a long distance everday to and from work, I want something that will handle driving through the heavy downpours, icy roads, light snow. I switch over to actual snow tires before the heavy snow comes but that may not always happen and sometime the snow tires come off a little too early. It's too bad no one came up with a way to try tires out for a week to see how the ride and handle. You folks have a god point about my RX being car-based. They sound like what I'm looking for except for the possible ride quiality. I wish that I knew how rough of ride I'd be getting with these...
These or the Michelin Latitude Tours. Both are excellent tires. Neither of my SUVs takes tires that come in the M/S2's wide range of sizes, unfortunately. I would use them if they did. I have Latitude Tours on the Honda and Cross Terrains on the Acura. When the Acura needs tires next, it'll get the Latitude Tours as well.
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I bought a set of these for my FX4 and I think they are great tires. I have about 20K on them now and do not regret buying them (well, maybe a little on the cost, but I think they will last 70K miles fairly easily).
They ride smoothly, a little "whiny" on my truck, but handle great in the snow and the pouring rain. I have not had them in mud very much, but they are great on the beach in the sand.
Definitely a much better tire than they Pirelli's that were the OEM tires; I think that you would be happy with them. You can always check Tirerack for reviews and see how they fared against other tires.
They ride smoothly, a little "whiny" on my truck, but handle great in the snow and the pouring rain. I have not had them in mud very much, but they are great on the beach in the sand.
Definitely a much better tire than they Pirelli's that were the OEM tires; I think that you would be happy with them. You can always check Tirerack for reviews and see how they fared against other tires.
I have them on our (similar to your RX) Highlander. They are smooth and great in the snow. If you plan to continue to use snow tires I might get the Lattitudes instead since they should handle better and probably be a bit more quiet with lower rolling resistance. If you don't care about the handling (and I really don't) they are great tires.
My fuel mileage didn't really change from the OEM Bridgestone tires to these, these are quieter and the traction is night and day better.
My fuel mileage didn't really change from the OEM Bridgestone tires to these, these are quieter and the traction is night and day better.
I went from BFG All Terrains to the LTX M/S'2 on my 02 Silverado and love them. Great traction in the rain and nice an quiet on the road. The ride is smoother as well. Best bang for the buck if you ask me.
^^^Wait till you see how long they last!
Truly a cheap tire... per mile!
Truly a cheap tire... per mile!
I introduced the LTX M/S 2s to friends of mine w/ '07 Honda Pilot. They were never happy with their other tire choices(OE or others). They both claim that these are the best tiers they have ever owned on this Pilot. Completely changed the charactor of the Pilot. They claim..."Feels like the SUV has a new suspension in it!"
If we were ready for new tires on my wifes '01 RX-300, I would deffinately consider the LTX M/S 2. Not many bad reviews. ATMOF, the good reviews are GREAT!
If we were ready for new tires on my wifes '01 RX-300, I would deffinately consider the LTX M/S 2. Not many bad reviews. ATMOF, the good reviews are GREAT!
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Frankly, I think the LTX M/S (and now M/S2) tires are one of Michelin's best lines of tires ever, in terms of market success, customer satisfaction, and total cost of ownership. In general, Michelin makes some excellent tires, but few others in their portfolio stand head-and-shoulders above the competition like the LTX M/S line has.
It almost makes me want to trade the 17" wheels on our Acura for some 16s from a Pilot just so I can run the M/S2 tires. Almost.
It almost makes me want to trade the 17" wheels on our Acura for some 16s from a Pilot just so I can run the M/S2 tires. Almost.
If the price isn't a factor for you they are a very good tire. To me the Michelin LTX M+S series tires are just too expensive as in my personal experience the Firestone Destination LE tires match or beat the performance and mileage all for a LOT less money( $50-$75 a tire less in sizes I use ).
I have not personally run the LTX M+S 2's but I ran the original LTX M+S tires and find the LE's to be equal to or better than them in all aspects. Most people seem to say the M+S 2 is pretty much the same as the original with just a little different tread( i.e. same approx wear and performance overall )so I feel comfortable comparing them even not using them.
IMO the Firestone Destination LE is a much better value than the LTX M+S tires due to cost. I saw equal wear between them but I do not discredit others who say the LTX tires wear better. Maybe for them they do. For me they did not and I actually prefer the winter handling of the LE's to the LTX M+S's( originals anyway ).
At least check them out before buying( they have a $70 rebate right now on 4 ). Firestone recently came out with an LE2 with a whole new tread pattern. No idea on them as they are too new. The original LE's are a great tire however in my experience and are my go to tire now( when available in size needed )for light trucks, suv's, and cuv's.
You won't go wrong with the Michelin's either. You will just pay a lot more money for them vs the LE's.
I have not personally run the LTX M+S 2's but I ran the original LTX M+S tires and find the LE's to be equal to or better than them in all aspects. Most people seem to say the M+S 2 is pretty much the same as the original with just a little different tread( i.e. same approx wear and performance overall )so I feel comfortable comparing them even not using them.
IMO the Firestone Destination LE is a much better value than the LTX M+S tires due to cost. I saw equal wear between them but I do not discredit others who say the LTX tires wear better. Maybe for them they do. For me they did not and I actually prefer the winter handling of the LE's to the LTX M+S's( originals anyway ).
At least check them out before buying( they have a $70 rebate right now on 4 ). Firestone recently came out with an LE2 with a whole new tread pattern. No idea on them as they are too new. The original LE's are a great tire however in my experience and are my go to tire now( when available in size needed )for light trucks, suv's, and cuv's.
You won't go wrong with the Michelin's either. You will just pay a lot more money for them vs the LE's.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Completely changed the charactor of the Pilot. They claim..."Feels like the SUV has a new suspension in it!"
This is exactly what my drivers say when their vans get a new set. "Did you put new shocks or front end parts on, Boss?"
Completely changed the charactor of the Pilot. They claim..."Feels like the SUV has a new suspension in it!"
This is exactly what my drivers say when their vans get a new set. "Did you put new shocks or front end parts on, Boss?"
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Most people seem to say the M+S 2 is pretty much the same as the original with just a little different tread( i.e. same approx wear and performance overall )so I feel comfortable comparing them even not using them.
If people say that, they don't know much about the product. The two tires are very different internally, and about the only thing similar on them IS the tweaked tread pattern.
The original LTX M/S is mostly rated either 500/A/B or 440/A/B depending on the size. None of the LTX M/S has Michelin's Green X certification either. In comparison, the new LTX M/S2 are rated 720/A/A. This is a huge increase in expected tread life, and importantly (for some), an A rating for temperature. This is pretty much unheard of for light truck tires (especially ones with a T speed rating). This adds a safety factor for highway use not found in other light truck tires. An A rating for temperature is one reason many people like to use H-rated tires or above. The M/S2 brings that additional safety net to a T-rated light truck tire. Again, unheard of in this market segment.
The new M/S2 is demonstrably a better product than the original M/S, as good as those already were. Anyone who claims that they're essentially the same tire clearly doesn't know the product.
Most people seem to say the M+S 2 is pretty much the same as the original with just a little different tread( i.e. same approx wear and performance overall )so I feel comfortable comparing them even not using them.
If people say that, they don't know much about the product. The two tires are very different internally, and about the only thing similar on them IS the tweaked tread pattern.
The original LTX M/S is mostly rated either 500/A/B or 440/A/B depending on the size. None of the LTX M/S has Michelin's Green X certification either. In comparison, the new LTX M/S2 are rated 720/A/A. This is a huge increase in expected tread life, and importantly (for some), an A rating for temperature. This is pretty much unheard of for light truck tires (especially ones with a T speed rating). This adds a safety factor for highway use not found in other light truck tires. An A rating for temperature is one reason many people like to use H-rated tires or above. The M/S2 brings that additional safety net to a T-rated light truck tire. Again, unheard of in this market segment.
The new M/S2 is demonstrably a better product than the original M/S, as good as those already were. Anyone who claims that they're essentially the same tire clearly doesn't know the product.
I agree. LTX M/S2 is much better than LTX M/S in every category but price, M/S2 is about $10-20 more per tire which is very cheap consider the tread life of 720 vs 420.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
If people say that, they don't know much about the product. The two tires are very different internally, and about the only thing similar on them IS the tweaked tread pattern.
The original LTX M/S is mostly rated either 500/A/B or 440/A/B depending on the size. None of the LTX M/S has Michelin's Green X certification either. In comparison, the new LTX M/S2 are rated 720/A/A. This is a huge increase in expected tread life, and importantly (for some), an A rating for temperature. This is pretty much unheard of for light truck tires (especially ones with a T speed rating). This adds a safety factor for highway use not found in other light truck tires. An A rating for temperature is one reason many people like to use H-rated tires or above. The M/S2 brings that additional safety net to a T-rated light truck tire. Again, unheard of in this market segment.
The new M/S2 is demonstrably a better product than the original M/S, as good as those already were. Anyone who claims that they're essentially the same tire clearly doesn't know the product.
Bravo. Everyone who bashes them has not used them! Try a set and THEN tell us how you feel.
If people say that, they don't know much about the product. The two tires are very different internally, and about the only thing similar on them IS the tweaked tread pattern.
The original LTX M/S is mostly rated either 500/A/B or 440/A/B depending on the size. None of the LTX M/S has Michelin's Green X certification either. In comparison, the new LTX M/S2 are rated 720/A/A. This is a huge increase in expected tread life, and importantly (for some), an A rating for temperature. This is pretty much unheard of for light truck tires (especially ones with a T speed rating). This adds a safety factor for highway use not found in other light truck tires. An A rating for temperature is one reason many people like to use H-rated tires or above. The M/S2 brings that additional safety net to a T-rated light truck tire. Again, unheard of in this market segment.
The new M/S2 is demonstrably a better product than the original M/S, as good as those already were. Anyone who claims that they're essentially the same tire clearly doesn't know the product.
Bravo. Everyone who bashes them has not used them! Try a set and THEN tell us how you feel.
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