Michelin Defender vs. Firestone Destination LE2 or other?

Gryph · Apr 10, 2015

Trying to decide which all seasons to go to next, I've had Michelin LX4 on there and liked em fine. I have dedicated winter tires for the snowy stuff, 90% on road slab mostly with 10% cottage/fire roads. My 2009 Rav V6 Limited 4x4 already has 215,000kms on it so miles accumulate but who nows how long she'll last.

Here's a list from my local tire shop, any thoughts?

"Hey Craig,
Honestly no greater value than the Michelin Defender. Especially with its 140,000 treadlife and $70 mail in rebate

225-65-17
Fuzion Touring 102T $400.00
Firestone FR710 100T $500.00
Nexen Roadian HT 100H $510.00
General Altimax RT43 102T $510.00
Firestone Destination LE2 102H $530.00
BF Goodrich Advantage TA 102T $550.00
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 100T $580.00
Hankook H727 Optimo 100T $610.00
Michelin Defender 102T $630.00
Cooper CS5 Grand Touring 102T $640.00
Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport AS 102T $650.00
Falken ZE950 AS 102H $650.00
Yokohama Avid Ascend 102H $670.00
Yokohama Avid Envigor 102H $690.00
BFG Long Trail T/A Tour 100T $700.00
Pirelli Scorpion Verde AS Plus 102H $700.00
Toyo Versado CUV 102H $710.00
Continental CrossContact LX20 ECO+ 102T $720.00
Michelin Energy Saver AS 100T $750.00
Michelin Latitude Tour 100T $760.00
Yokohama Geolander G91AA 100H $860.00

Mail In Rebates:
Michelin - $70
Bridgestone - $70
Firestone - $70
Cooper - $50
BF Goodrich - $50
Continental - $65
Pirelli - $60 - $100 (depending on model)
General - $35
Dunlop - $40
Hankook - $50 - $80 (depending on model)
Goodyear - $60 - $80
Toyo - $70
Yokohama - $50 - $80 (depending on model)"

nouse4aname · Apr 10, 2015

We've got the LE2s on. Quiet, good traction even through our exceptionally cold/snowy winter this past season. Has very good reviews on tirerack and the price was very competitive.

vanib · Apr 10, 2015

I just got General Altimax RT43 102H

Too early to provide long term review but they are quiet enough and they are little bit cushiony. It might be because of the thread depth and softer than OEM Yokohama Geolander G91 compound. This should be better for winter traction too, although I already have dedicated winter tires.

I am running the tires at 34 psi. Maybe 36 psi would make for a firmer ride but I am ok with what I have.

ronbo1313 · Apr 10, 2015

Have the Firestone LE2 for about 1 1/2 year. Bought for price and many positive reviews.Quiet, good wet/dry traction. I too have a set of snow tires. Noticed that my mpg went down but I'm not sure if the tires caused the problem.:shrug:

Ravsport08 · Apr 10, 2015

Have heard good things about the Firestone LE2. Honestly probably going to purchase that as my next set of tires. And, as mentioned, check out tirerack reviews, they're quite especially given the price.

WJBertrand · Apr 10, 2015

Very pleased with the Michelin Defenders on our '11 base. Firestone's had a sketchy past with quality. Maybe they're past that now, but I'm not yet ready to bet my money on them.

ramzey28 · Apr 11, 2015

+1 le2's. On second set......

Gryph · Apr 13, 2015

Thanks for the input guys,

Going to go with the Destination LE2s based on all the good reviews and price. If my Rav had less miles, or I didn't have a dedicated winter set I might do the Michelins for the tread life but these will likely outlast my ownership anyway and the OCD side of me likes that these are made for light trucks/crossovers and have the H speed rating even though logically I know neither matters for my usage.

Gryph · Apr 20, 2015

Well I got these put on this past Wednesday and initially had a great experience/price - car came out with the shiny new tires and I inspect them and see that they put 102T instead of 102H on there. Shop swapped them out for me and said they usually put the lower rated on (I had asked for H in my email correspondence and mentioned it at the counter when I arrived too) so no harm no foul other than some extra wait time.

So far so good with the tires, very quiet and handle quite well, very happy with the purchase price (will end up being $550 Canadian installed with tax after the rebate).

Detailed the Rav today too, not bad for 225,000kms but I think my water pump needs replacing next (noisy).

Beaumont67 · Jan 1, 2016

Gryph said:
Well I got these put on this past Wednesday and initially had a great experience/price - car came out with the shiny new tires and I inspect them and see that they put 102T instead of 102H on there. Shop swapped them out for me and said they usually put the lower rated on (I had asked for H in my email correspondence and mentioned it at the counter when I arrived too) so no harm no foul other than some extra wait time.

So far so good with the tires, very quiet and handle quite well, very happy with the purchase price (will end up being $550 Canadian installed with tax after the rebate).

Detailed the Rav today too, not bad for 225,000kms but I think my water pump needs replacing next (noisy).

I bought Firestone Le2, 6 months ago - very happy with them / for 2008 RAV4 Limited.
- however, I paid $713 tax in, in London, ON.

Where did you get your Le2's so cheap?
And please explain difference between 102T & 102H...Thks.
- our SUV came with Michelin winter tires / so Firestone, good for 3 season driving

kkanji1 · Apr 22, 2015

DEFENDERS!! Just put them on my 09 rav in December. I live in Chicago and drove through the snow without any problems! Also received a 70$ rebate from Michelin

ravenuer · Apr 22, 2015

kkanji1 said:
DEFENDERS!! Just put them on my 09 rav in December. I live in Chicago and drove through the snow without any problems! Also received a 70$ rebate from Michelin

I like mine too, but I've been a Michelin Man for many years!

Gato26 · Jan 1, 2016

I just replaced my Toyo Open Country H/T tires with Defenders. The Toyos were about 65% used up. The Defenders are much quieter, and the ride is now more like a sedan than a truck.

Douglas007 · Jan 2, 2016

I can only comment on the Defenders, which I had on my Civic. I was really pleased with them to begin with and felt the extra money for the 90K tread life was a good deal. However, even with rotations every 5K, they only lasted to 50K. America's Tire did the right thing and took back under warranty. I drive mainly highway miles in dry conditions. Good luck on your purchase.

Dr. Dyno · Jan 2, 2016

I have Defenders with about 5K on them on my Accord and have to say they grip very well in the wet too.
The other day I was driving across the Gold Start bridge on I-95 in CT when from a left hand entrance ramp a pickup apparently didn't see me and turned into my lane. I was going past him at the time so I didn't notice his move until he was maybe a foot from my door. :egad: To avoid him I cut to the right so quick and hard I must have gone 45 degrees across two lanes of the wet bridge - at 65mph! Fortunately no one was there and the road is about seven lanes wide at that point. The car definitely slid but the tires held as I got it headed straight again. Sure glad I had good tires with good tread otherwise I'd either got hit or spun out - neither good on a busy bridge! Closest one I've had in many years!

ravenuer · Jan 3, 2016

Must. Change. Underwear.>

road_rascal · Jun 17, 2016

My Rav is going to need new tires before winter sets in this year. Debating on the Generals or Firestones. I'll see what my local shop can do for prices.

MarionEvans · Jun 17, 2016

Continential TrueContacts i think they are T rated. LRR and test as good or better on tirerack.com
I put them on last summer (235/65r17) and they ride nice but haven't had them in the snow. (AZ and all).
little cheaper than the defenders.

Michelin Defender vs. Firestone Destination LE2 or other?

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