Replacement tires - Michelin Defender LTX MS2 vs. Bridgestone Prestige ?

[FatDog]

I am due to change out my Scorpion 275/55R21's and I see two options other than the Pirelli's. (1) Michelin Defender LTX MS2 and (2) Bridgestone Prestige. Any comments or thoughts on one vs the other? Both are considerably cheaper than the Pirellis but I can't find any reviews for the Bridgestone.

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[VandalSibs]

Bridgestone's site shows that the Prestige line doesn't have anything in the right size for Rivian 21" tires. However, Hankook is making a tire with the right specs in their ion HT line.

 

[FatDog]

Thanks. I didn't check the Bridgestone site, I got that information off Tire Rack.

 

[Eric9610]

I have the Defenders on my R1T and Ill get over 50k miles on a set. Probably closer to 60K. I rotate them every 5k miles and they are amazing. Currently have 25k miles on them.

 

[SoCal72]

HI, Just got mine on about 3 weeks now. I've read different thoughts on range hit. It is a heavier tire so I would guess some loss of range would be present but I don't have specific numbers for you. I am charging my vehicle more often than I did with the pirellis but it's convenient and still cheaper than gas. They look really good, seem quiet on city and highway driving. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[LivingInKaos]

I just purchased the Hankook iON HT for the 21's. They arrived today.

 

[Eeyore]

I have the defenders on 22" wheels. I'm not super impressed with them. They are OK, but I actually liked the OEM Pirelli's better. I would have gotten them again, but I'm cheap and they are expensive.

If I had 21" wheels, I'd get the Hankook over the Pirelli tires.

 

[Budman]

I have the defenders on 22" wheels. I'm not super impressed with them. They are OK, but I actually liked the OEM Pirelli's better. I would have gotten them again, but I'm cheap and they are expensive.

If I had 21" wheels, I'd get the Hankook over the Pirelli tires.

I find your Defender comments interesting. I’ve seen a lot of posts here about them, generally positive posts. But when I look at the rankings on discount tire they perform worse than the OEM in all measures but cost. I’ve been happy with the OEM all season tires getting 35,000 miles out of them. Never seemed compelling enough to make the switch. I’ll be watching for reviews on the Hankook ion HT though.

 

[Blu2Grn]

I just got 22" Nokian NOK ONE HT following a post in this forum. America's Tire price matched including the 40% discount linked in the post. With just a few miles I don't have much to report but they seem fine, were less than a third the cost of the Pirelli's, and have a 70K mileage warranty.

 

[shamoo]

I have the defenders on 22" wheels. I'm not super impressed with them. They are OK, but I actually liked the OEM Pirelli's better. I would have gotten them again, but I'm cheap and they are expensive.

I find your Defender comments interesting. I’ve seen a lot of posts here about them, generally positive posts.

Just to throw in my two cents. The Pirellis are a better tire, but they are expensive. They are more performance oriented, tougher sidewall, etc. But that means they wear faster and might be a little rougher ride.

I switched to the Michelin Defenders too and they are quieter, softer, and cheaper. But do they perform better? Certainly not. They dig in hard on turns and they break traction under aggressive driving. But they are soft, quiet, and comfortable.

I don't mind because I can swap out to 20" off road wheels/tires and I have a "fun car" for performance driving. That means I'd rather have a soft/comfy/quiet tire for my daily driving and family.

Like many products, there's always a compromise somewhere. Comfort, noise, performance, life. You can't have it all.

 

[SactownD]

I have the defenders. In my anecdotal opinion they are quieter, ride better and have about the same range as the Pirelli's. About 10k miles on them so far. Got 41k out of the Pirelli's.

 

[Eeyore]

I switched to the Michelin Defenders too and they are quieter, softer, and cheaper. But do they perform better? Certainly not. They dig in hard on turns and they break traction under aggressive driving. But they are soft, quiet, and comfortable.

For the most part, I agree with your opinion about the driving characteristics, except I find the defenders have a kind of drone to them on the freeway. It's barely noticeable, but I can tell it's there. They are a little more compliant ride and my daughter said the ride was more comfortable.

I don't mind because I can swap out to 20" off road wheels/tires and I have a "fun car" for performance driving. That means I'd rather have a soft/comfy/quiet tire for my daily driving and family.

What tires do you have on your 20" wheels?

Like many products, there's always a compromise somewhere. Comfort, noise, performance, life. You can't have it all.

This, 100%.

 

[Eeyore]

I have the defenders. In my anecdotal opinion they are quieter, ride better and have about the same range as the Pirelli's. About 10k miles on them so far. Got 41k out of the Pirelli's.

Agreed, but they don't quite measure up to the spirited performance ability of the Pirelli's. I also think the Pirelli's were just a bit quiter.

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