Tires for XC 70 2004 -- Michelin Premier or Defender?

Post by **E Showell** » 12 Sep 2019, 07:03

I am on a road trip. Need new tires. Michelin Defenders are cheaper than Michelin Premier and rated for longer tread life. Assuming those are my choices, which would you go with? $20 difference per tire.

Defenders rated at 80 k miles, Premier at 60k. I put 20k miles plus on the car, and it is AWD so I have to replace all. Down to cord on interior of front passenger side.

General Altimax is also a cheaper option.

Post by **kranz** » 12 Sep 2019, 08:13

I'm a big fan of Michelin tires but have mostly experience with the Primacy tire.

I now have a low mileage set of Defenders (205/55R16) on my 98 V70 and I like them very much. They are quite stable in cornering, dare I say a bit sporty. They are quiet at 70 mph highway speeds. My only complaint (more an observation than a complaint) is that they are a bit noisy under heavy braking.

I don't have experience with the Premier but with the issues with AWD and tread wear you might consider the tire with longer tread wear.

Post by **- Pete -** » 12 Sep 2019, 08:28

I can't speak for the Premier's, but I have 41,583 on a set of Defenders on an XC that are still going & not down to the wear bars. They have honestly been the most impressive tires I've had on that vehicle yet to date, & it's gone through a LOT of tires.

On our 06 XC I did just install a set of Pirelli P4 FourSeasons (or something like that) which are rated for 90k miles. Of course you'll never get even close to the rated mileage, but that's a pretty high rating. They seem good so far and at $100 (a week or so ago) a tire aren't breaking the bank. I would have gone with Defenders again but the P's temptation was too strong with their 10k more warranty & $26 less/tire. Too early to say as they've only been on a couple hundred miles.

Premiers - tread grade 620, tread depth 9/32’s, mileage warranty 60k, $154/tire

Defenders - tread grade 820, tread depth 10/32’s, mileage warranty 80k $126/tire

Pirelli P4’s - tread grade 760, tread depth 12/32’s, mileage warranty 90k, $100/tire

All have a traction grade of “A”.

Continental Control Contact Tour A/S Plus is what I've run the most of. They are also excellent but I've gotten more miles out of the Defenders than anything else.

Tires I would NOT run:

Arizonian ANYTHING
Dunlop Signature 2

Post by **E Showell** » 12 Sep 2019, 16:26

Went with the Premiers for the extra grip. Some pretty hilly, twisty roads near me.