Firestone Vs Michelins

[Kennyg]

Replacement of my 6 Michelins -LT 225/75/R16 on ford E450 26' frame is $1400! Alternate quote for eqivalent Firestone is $400 less! So, has anyone done the replacement switch? Tire guy says Michelin is overkill for my unit and Firestone will be just as good. Tire guy does nothing but sell tires into truck industry so he is knowledgable.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[golfknut]

We replaced the original Michelins with Firestone TransForce two years ago and in my opinion the ride and handling is the same. Both sets of tires hold/held air pressure very well.

In our situation I suspect, as with the Michelins, the TransForce tires will age-out before the tread life is used up.

Very happy with them so far.

[klutchdust]

klutchdust wrote:
"Replacement of my 6 Michelins -LT 225/75/R16 on ford E450 26' frame is $1400! Alternate quote for equivalent Firestone is $400 less! "

The key word here is equivalent. The tires are not equivalent only the size that the poster needed. With a 400 dollar difference something is not equivalent.

I got a quote from tires.com and took that quote to America's tire, they gladly matched it.

[klutchdust]

"Replacement of my 6 Michelins -LT 225/75/R16 on ford E450 26' frame is $1400! Alternate quote for equivalent Firestone is $400 less! "

The key word here is equivalent. The tires are not equivalent only the size that the poster needed. With a 400 dollar difference something is not equivalent.

[Matt_Colie]

Listen to Mumkin, then go join FMCA....
You will $$ave big on Michelin.

[mumkin]

If you are a member of FMCA, they have an agreement with Michelin. I saved about $350 on new tires for my Libero. But they send you to particular companies. I was very happy that they sent me to a place just a couple miles from where I stored the RV... a Pomps Truck Tire service place in Minnesota.

[tpi]

I'm going to continue to use Michelin on my class C. I've always regarded them as a cut above-better production tolerances, rounder, less runout, need less balance weights. First rate as far as sudden failures. Don't want tire problems on motorhome most inconvenient or worse. At one time putting Michelin tires on a vehicle was almost a revelation.

I think now there is less of an edge. Other brands no longer make me want to get them off the car ASAP. My Frontier came with Yokohamas which were fine on that. My '15 Accord came with Goodyear-totally impressed butter smooth and quiet at 80-90 MPH, nice sharp handling, no negatives I can find. Would consider them again.

[rvten]

Michelin was on the E450 when we bought it new.
Switched to Firestone TransForce. Save some $$. Ride just as good. Handle well also.

[robertbenita]

I would go with Michelins! Enough said...

[CapriRacer]

tommykelly wrote:
So...lets talk about Firestone....

Well, there's a lot wrong with this post - and I truncated it to avoid repeating faulty information.

First, you will still see Firestone tires on Fords. While the controversy soured relations between the 2 companies, it didn't quite get to the point where they both severed the relationship.

Second, Bridgestone bought Firestone more than 10 years BEFORE the controversy involving Ford.

Third, the problem in the 1970's was with the Firestone 500 - which was replaced with the 721 - BUT - they didn't really fix the problem until after the 721 was introduced.

And lastly, Firestone's response to both these controversies should be a lesson in how NOT to handle things. They handled these about as be as could possibly be done.

[pnichols]

Or ....... as Clint Eastwood would say as he walked into a Michelin dealer: "Make my day!" :B

[tommykelly]

So...lets talk about Firestone....Way back Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford..yes..that Henry Ford and Harvey were camping buddies...when the Model T and Harvey were getting on with the tire business...they agreed to do business for almost 100 years...

then fast forward to the Ford Explorer and Firestone tire problem..a number of people were killed due to blowouts...each one pointed to the other as the problem...
in the end..that is why you don't see Firestone tires on fords anymore...then Bridgestone bought out the troubled Firestone..the question did they get rid of the Firestone decision makers.

Now..in 1977...I bought a new '77 TransAm bandit edition with Firestone 721 tires..they developed bubbles in the treads....the government at that time ordered Firestone to recall the said tires.I went to the Firestone dealer..stayed all day..finally got them replaced..treated like crap....I promised them I will never do business with them anymore..

Michelin being French..well I don't like their politics but their tires are a different story..yes their is a recall but they have been honoring their recall..so until I get treated like firestone from the 70's I will continue to pay for the Michelins....
Yes, I do hold a grudge..especially when you sell me maypops!! and then treat me like a crook when I want the dangerous tires replaced.

Now..As Clint Eastwood would say..."Do you feel lucky?"

[Gonzo42]

Many, many moons ago Firestone was making and selling "Firestone Steel Belt Radial" tires. Consumer Reports was testing these and similar products from several other companies, with several different tests and also at the Indianapolis Raceway (just not at high speed).

At the conclusion of the testing they reported they could not rate the Firstone tires at all because they couldn't keep them on the cars. They self-destructed.

Then the Department of Transportation got in and told Firestone to stop making those tires. Well, they sorta/kinda did. They took the Firestone name off, but continued selling the tires to other companies under house brands.

Just because of that one little thing, I have never since bought a Firestone tire. YMMV

[wlstroud]

I had Michelin LTX M/S2 on my truck. When they wore out, I replaced them with Firestone TransForce HT upon a recommendation by someone who commercially uses them. As long as I'm on good pavement, they are great. However, they have no traction when off pavement such as on wet grass. I think there is a TransForce MT which may have better traction. Once the Firestones wear out, I going back to Michelins LTX series.

[btpunky]

I had firestone now going back to michelins have 4 out of 6 replaced much better ride 31ft class c hauling jeep products