JAB

Need to put new tires on my 2003 RX. Have always bought Michelin - have always gotten about 60K miles on a set on my 99 RX. However, the on-line reviews of this version are frequently unkind - noise, poor traction, limited treadwear. Any experience?

2002RX300

I just had these installed from Discount Tire with a $70 rebate I just received as well.

The Michelin Premiere LTX is the replacement (latest generation) for the Michelin LTX M/S2 (which aren't even made for the OEM size anymore).
I had the Michelin LTX M/S2 previously and only got 40,000 with them, but since Discount Tire had all the records of my rotations I got a big discount for the tread warranty which was supposed to be 70,000.
The Michelin LTX M/S2 were great tires so I decided to get these replacements (40,000 miles on the LTX M/S2 probably due to driving habits and local road conditions).
These tires are the most sipped tires I have ever seen (good for traction).
Since these are relatively new tires there aren't a lot of reviews on them, but so far they seem like great tires, 1500miles on them. (no noise, soft ride, great in snow, good traction, corner handling is fair but car doesn't handle well in corners anyway)

Like you, I read all the reviews. I bought my last Michelin LTX M/S2's because they were rated the best in consumers for all season tires on trucks and suv's. Many of the current highly rated tires don't even come in our P225/70R16 101S tire.

JAB

Thanks. Yeah, I noticed the paucity of tires in our size. Wonder why?

Lexmus

The Michelin Premiere line of tires is made with a different process that is supposed to have a slower wear rate. However, the starting tread depth is shallower than standard tires and Michelin apparently did this because of the slower wear rate. The LTX has 8.5/32" depth as-new. The Premeire A/S is 8/32" as-new. I bought the Premeire A/S for my ES350 not knowing this. The wear rate for the A/S is ok so far, about 1.1/32" per 10,000 miles, but the overall result is a tread depth that is shallower for the life of the tire. Living in South Florida with major rainfall events, I am very sensitive to tread depth and hydroplaning and I would not buy them again.

cwatx

I have the Premier LTXes on my 2000 RX300, and I like them. I only have ~600 miles on them so far so I can't address the tread wear, but they are quiet & seem to have good traction.

Costco had a $70 coupon and another $60 off for Executive members at the time (which they are currently running again). Discount Tire price matched Costco.
I prefer using DT since Costco doesn't take appointments for rotations, etc.

The Premier LTX replaced a set of Michelin LTX M/S SL

thomas1

Have you considered the Michelin LTX Defender? Just put them on my RX400h, so far love them. Rated well by Consumers, and I also have them on my Ford F150.

Lexmus

I should have noted in my earlier post, typical starting tread depths are 11/32" to 12/32". Thus the Michelin Premier tires are 3/32" - 3.5/32" shallower in starting tire depth compared to regular tires. For example the Michelin LTX Defender has a starting tread depth of 12/32" compared to 8.5/32" for the Premier LTX.

thomas1

Lexmus, that is correct, the Defender has a very deep tread. So far a great tire. The previous Bridgestone Ecopia 422 was a fantastic handling tire, but the wear wasn't what I anticipated.