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Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus or Michelin Defender LTX M/S

42K views 31 replies 14 participants last post by  BradWK2 
#1 ·
I can't decide between these two tires and was hoping to get some input from the community. I live in Southern CA and 90% of my driving is on the highway.

Buy the cheaper one?
 
#7 ·
#27 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just installed the Michelin Defender LTX M/S last night (265x60xR18). Still early to tell. Don't seem any noisier then the stock latitudes tour that came with it.
Update: Well had the tires on now for a little over a month. They handle great on dry pavement. I haven't really had an opportunity to hit heavy rain/wet roads yet (it went from rain everyday to nada). I did have a little shutter in the steering wheel between 65-75 mph; I took them back and got them re-balanced and shutter has gone away! Looking forward to get some more miles on these tires!
 
#4 ·
I've been considering the Alenza and the Pirelli Scorpion Verde Plus for replacements later this summer. The cost is about the same and I'm most likely going to opt for the Pirelli. 99% of my driving is highway, too.
 
#6 ·
I live in Southern CA and 90% of my driving is on the highway.
Greetings,

Do you venture out ofSouthern Ca during the winter? If you do, look into the Michelin Primer LTX. It is more money, however for an all season all weather tire on the highway. It is far better than the Defender.

Best for now.:)
 
#20 ·
The more I look at the reviews the more the more I like the premier LTX for my 15 altitude that or the toyo Celsius cuv. This jeep is strictly on the road and for snow. I want something quiet and decent in the snow. The defenders look like a good tire but wouldn't be going off-road. Picking the right tire is a PITA. Lol


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#22 ·
I just had the Michelin Premier LTX, 255-55-20, installed for $790.00 plus I'll get another $70 rebate card back for a total of $720.00. Pretty great deal. After a short ride these are very smooth and quiet and seem to handle the bumps a little better since I have a larger sidewall now. I'll update with more miles.
 
#25 ·
For what its worth:

I have had the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus 265/50 R20 on for about a month now (1500 miles or so). They have been great for me, much improved over the Forteras. I have been on a few trips, up to Virginia Beach and down to Destin FL, no issues to report.
 
#29 ·
Silver', I replaced the Forteras at 6/32 because I had a 3000 mile family vacation coming up and felt that was the right way to go. The Nittos just got replaced at 4/32...they were getting noticeably less sticky during wet driving.
 
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#30 · (Edited)
I typically replace mine out of feel then by a specified "x"/32. I use to push my tires to just about bald trying to get every mile I could out of them (back in my penny pinching college days), but after a couple of flats/blow outs within a couple of weeks which causes other complications/costs (no need to go into that story), I now swap mine out sooner. Once they start getting down to a few 32 nds (and I feel performance has gone to crap) I tend to start looking for tire deals. If it's coming up on winter or got some long road trips planned, I might do that swap sooner then later. As I have learned, yes tires can be expensive, but they are a lot cheaper then collisions/auto repairs that might have been avoided with a good set of tires. Or being stranded in the boonies with a flat or two sucks. I grew up in central WY where you might have a hundred miles until you see the closest tire shop (which doesn't run on a 7 days a week schedule).

I figure in the end, I am going to have to fork out the cash for new tires anyways. Not running mine as long (to 2/32nds) gives me a bit more peace of mind.
 
#31 ·
I typically replace mine out of feel then by a specified "x"/32. I use to push my tires to just about bald trying to get every mile I could out of them (back in my penny pinching college days), but after a couple of flats/blow outs within a couple of weeks which causes other complications/costs (no need to go into that story), I now swap mine out sooner. Once they start getting down to a few 32 nds (and I feel performance has gone to crap) I tend to start looking for tire deals. If it's coming up on winter or got some long road trips planned, I might do that swap sooner then later. As I have learned, yes tires can be expensive, but they are a lot cheaper then collisions/auto repairs that might have been avoided with a good set of tires. Or being stranded in the boonies with a flat or two sucks. I grew up in central WY though, and where you might have a hundred miles until you see the closes tire shop (which doesn't run on a 7 days a week schedule).

I figure in the end, I am going to have to fork out the cash for new tires anyways. Not running mine as long (to 2/32nds) gives me a bit more peace of mind.

Excellent post!!



You can spend all sorts of money on shocks, springs, sway bars, custom alignments, etc, etc. But in the end, the ONLY thing keeping you in touch with the earth, therefore, ultimately controlling your vehicle's handling AND your personal safety, is your tires.
 
#32 ·
I had the Michelin Defender LTX MS 265/50R20 installed a few days ago on my 2014 Summit. Excellent tire, these are the tires the Jeep should have come with from the factory. Smooth, quiet, corners decent, a very nice on road tire which will also be ok for some mild off road and some winter weather so you can use your Jeep as a Jeep. though its not an AT tire it does have a semi chunky tread for an all season. Defender has a deep 12/32 tread, Premier LTX is also a nice highly rated tire I looked at but one thing I didn't like was it only had an 8.5/32 tread at brand new, kinda thin, so not sure how those will last and its more of an on road only cruiser but supposed to be great in wet weather.

The tires that came off were Michelin latitude tour HP which I liked the tires but only got 26k out of them down to 4/32. They were rated to last 55k. collecting on that 55k warranty is not the easiest thing. It became a fiasco and I dropped it, I can see the tire manufacturer intentionally makes it difficult so people do drop it. I have collected on those things years ago and it was never the hoops to jump through like now.

also with these 20s I think it is best to just pay the extra $100 up front for a good road force balance and not screw around with it. these defenders were smooth at 75 mph first time out the door. this is the only time I can remember with this vehicle that I did not have to go back multiple times with balancing issues. The $100 is a small price to pay with keeping sanity with these 20s
 
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