Best New Tires?

I'm getting a new set of tires for my Explorer soon. I've been looking at Michelin LTX M/S 108S @~$120 a tire.

The lowest I've been quoted for a 4 tire set installed is $532 at my local Sam's club here in Dallas, TX.

I received a set of HT Goodyear Wranglers in the Firestone swap. They are good highway tires but make our Sport much bumpier than our liking on the side streets. If he doesn't drive much down the road then stick with a set of AT tires. They will give a bit more cushion.

Goodyear tires are horrible in wet weather and even worse when it comes to off road. I switched from GY to BF G's All terrain TA's after not being able to climb a shale covered slope. Once I had the BFG;s put on the same slope was like a an easy trail!

Searcher 1

Of all the tires I've tried on my Explorer, the Michelin ATX are the best for ride quality and durability.

Expensive but worth it!!!

That would be my recommendation. I had over 100K miles on them when I got rid of the vehicle, and it is still running on them now with plenty of tread ( gave truck to a buddy ). I highly recommend an alignment, and true & balance all 4 wheels to reduce wear and decrease rolling resistance.

BF Goodrich All Terain, Ive had dick cepeck, goodyear, firestone,and michelins on my 93. I run 31 X 10 1/2 tires and the all terain T/a's are by far the better wearing and better handling tires ive had, they last me

3 yrs so far and I put 20,000 a yr. on my SUV.

I can readily recommend the Michelin LTX series. They might even last the next 100K!

=Vic= Bear Gap, PA

The Michelin Cross Terrain SUV tires I wrestled from my local Ford dealer in the last replacement program are absolutely the best set of tires I've ever had on my 91 EB. The noise reduction alone is nothing short of amazing---almost as quiet as a passenger car now. Traction is also much improved. I've climbed snow covered unplowed logging roads in the Sierras without chains.

I had the BFG AT/TA's and thought they performed poorly under most adverse conditions(ice, snow, mud) compared to the Firestones that came on the Explorer. Besides 2 of them began seperating after about 20K miles.

I now have Michelin LTX m/s tires(on 2 Explorers) and I like them a lot better. The BFG's LOOK impressive, but that's about it.

Here's another vote for Michelin LTX M/S. Better(IMO)than the original Firestones, Better(IMO)than second set of tires (Dunlop Radial Rovers).

Good traction, long wear, smooth and quiet (no more 1st generation Explorer shakes!)

Has anyone tried those Continental tires at Walmarts? 80,000 mile rating and priced pretty low. Mark McCoy McCoy's Market Bumpus Mills, Tennessee

It probably helped that you pushed the 4X4 button too.

It probably helped that you pushed that 4X4 button too.

4X4 button, I forgot all about that, having these BFG At's my 4X4 unit doesn't get that much use anymore. searcher1

Same here. After 80,000 kms and three Alberta winters with the LTX M/S they look like I'll get two more years out of them. Great in rain and snow.

Has anyone had both the M/S and the A/T to compare?

I had 2 sets of Firestone Wilderness AT's, a horrible set of Dunlop Radial Rovers, and finally installed Michelin LTX tires. I had a set of LTX AT equivalents (the Sears XCX/APT is identical) followed by the current set of LTX M/S. The AT version was a bit noisier and I like the M/S version better. I do go off road in mud and up steep, rutted, and rocky trails to service radio repeaters or haul trees from fields as well as dealing with the snows in rural areas. I expected the AT version to be better for traction, but I frankly haven't seen a real difference. I'd suggest the M/S version. They come in a P- or LT- (passenger car or light truck version) which have differences to be aware of, but the tread design is consistent.

=Vic= Bear Gap, PA

I agree with you. I've had the Cross Terrains for a year now on my 99 XLT and they are great. Very quiet and superb handling. I don't know how they compare to the LTX M/S but I don't think you can go wrong with either tire.

I haven't had both styles (LTX and ATX), but my ATX tires were quiet in my judgement. I didn't notice any road noise at all at any speed. I have about 42,000 highway miles on them now, and ought to get another 30 or

40,000 from them. Very good wear.