Michelin Defender LTX MS2 Buyers Remorse Based on Looks Only

[rong]

So I guess you never even looked at their return policy?

Dump a tire that objectively outperforms in every use case you will likely have for something that looks cool. Yeah, makes sense I guess lol

not dumping it. I came to my senses

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[Samson16]

Yes, they are ugly like an Airstream tire, but they will go 80,000 miles and be pretty to your wallet and peace of mind. Suggest you hit up Hobby Lobby for a glue gun and some bedazzler stuff ...

Pass the bedazzler

 

[rong]

Pass the bedazzler

LOL!

 

[spiritrider1]

I personally like the look of my Conti Terrain Contact H/T's. I initially got the A/T's which admittedly looked a little better but was unsure of the mileage. My mpg's took an immediate hit by 2-3mpg. I had DT swap them for the H/T's because I felt confident they would not be as bad given their similar looks of the Michelin XTX's. Well, they were not as bad but still 1-2mpg less than the OEM Hankooks.
After coming to my senses, I realized i hit the trifecta of the start of colder winter weather, winter blend fuel, and fresh sticky rubber. All reduce milaege. After about 1500 miles my mpg's were right back to normal and that's even after installing a set of Eibach coilovers to level up the front. I detected no loss of mileage with the small lift.
The Conti's perform spectacularly. Supreme grip in the wet most of all. And overall a better wearing and feeling tire to the OEM Hankooks. Also quiet and smooth. Maybe a touch more difficult to get balanced right. But that could be the installer not taking their time. I always ask them to match up the balance dots with the valve stem. Seems to help.

 

[Aonarch]

I really wish people didn't pick tires based on looks, it robs us of performance.

 

[rong]

After getting overt the emotional part of it I have come to my senses. There was a reason I settled on the defenders in the first place. They are quiet and do ride great.

After getting my truck leveled last week I wanted something more aggressive looking to go with it. I realized I would be compromising performance for looks.

@CptBligh it's all good. Was venting yesterday

 

[rong]

While I still think it's boring with the Michelin tires it isn't horrible. Glad I had it leveled 2.5 last week. Looks much better

 

[RocketPack12]

I'd recommend taking a look at the Continental Terraincontact A/T. They have great on-road driving characteristics and look more stylish than a highway tire. IMO you're not giving up much comfort or performance while getting something that helps the trucks looks a little more.

 

[spiritrider1]

I'd recommend taking a look at the Continental Terraincontact A/T. They have great on-road driving characteristics and look more stylish than a highway tire. IMO you're not giving up much comfort or performance while getting something that helps the trucks looks a little more.

Here's a good look at the Conti A/T. That's what I really wanted initially. They did look really good. Then I got scared & went with the H/T's instead. Love them too but next time I'll stick with the A/T's and give them a fair chance. Apart from having just 10k less mile warranty, I found them to be just as smooth, quiet, and grippy as the H/T's. I had them on for just under 1k miles. I'd bet if I had held out a little longer, they would have settled in and the mpg's would have gone back up. Just like the H/T's did. Live & learn...
Edit - this was BEFORE the Eibach 2.0 coilover installation. The previous pictures above were AFTER.

 

[Henfield]

If its look alone that you don't like, you didn't need to mount them or drive them to discover that.

Hope that makes sense.... (even if you don't like it)

 

[RocketPack12]

Here's a good look at the Conti A/T. That's what I really wanted initially. They did look really good. Then I got scared & went with the H/T's instead. Love them too but next time I'll stick with the A/T's and give them a fair chance. Apart from having just 10k less mile warranty, I found them to be just as smooth, quiet, and grippy as the H/T's. I had them on for just under 1k miles. I'd bet if I had held out a little longer, they would have settled in and the mpg's would have gone back up. Just like the H/T's did. Live & learn...
Edit - this was BEFORE the Eibach 2.0 coilover installation. The previous pictures above were AFTER.

Looks sharp! I’m about to put the A/Ts on my new (used 2022) truck. My last truck had some of them on at one point and I wish I never went away from them. Do you happen to have any more photos of the A/Ts? It’s a good gauge for how mine would look since it’s similar color and trim and such.

 

[rong]

If its look alone that you don't like, you didn't need to mount them or drive them to discover that.

Hope that makes sense.... (even if you don't like it)

I am aware of that. Saw pics of other rigs with these. Was different when I saw them on mine

 

[rong]

Here's a good look at the Conti A/T. That's what I really wanted initially. They did look really good. Then I got scared & went with the H/T's instead. Love them too but next time I'll stick with the A/T's and give them a fair chance. Apart from having just 10k less mile warranty, I found them to be just as smooth, quiet, and grippy as the H/T's. I had them on for just under 1k miles. I'd bet if I had held out a little longer, they would have settled in and the mpg's would have gone back up. Just like the H/T's did. Live & learn...
Edit - this was BEFORE the Eibach 2.0 coilover installation. The previous pictures above were AFTER.

Those are nice looking.

 

[spiritrider1]

Looks sharp! I’m about to put the A/Ts on my new (used 2022) truck. My last truck had some of them on at one point and I wish I never went away from them. Do you happen to have any more photos of the A/Ts? It’s a good gauge for how mine would look since it’s similar color and trim and such.

Those are the A/T's. The pictures I posted earlier in this thread were the H/T's that I switched to after 1K miles. I lost mpg's and got concerned. But it was just a combination of weather, winter blend fuel, and new sticky tires. The H/T's did the same but not as bad and after 1500miles my mileage was back to normal.

Again, the H/T's I currently have:

And the A/T's i swapped from:

Either way, the Conti's are really great tires.

 

[Azstroke]

Dump a tire that objectively outperforms in every use case you will likely have for something that looks cool. Yeah, makes sense I guess lol

It is better to look good than to feel good - Fernando

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