[jeffs3232]

hey guys, i was looking at the firestone LE's
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Destination+LE

just wondering if anybody had these on their MO

i was also looking at BF Goodrich's

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...el=Long+Trail+T/A+Tour&partnum=365TR8LTTAT&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

just wondering if anybody had these on their MO and how they liked them

I just got the Destination LE's put on today. They had a smoking deal at my local tire shop. I got four new tires, mounted, balanced, alignment, and lifetime road hazard for $590 bucks! I like them better than the stock Goodyear's.

Are there better tires out there, yes. Are there better tires out there for this price, no.

The initial drive was good. I noticed very very slight low hum, but that is because these are less of a passenger tire like the Goodyears and are more like a true truck suv tire without being an AT typr tire.

My dad also has them on his 2003 Trailblazer. He has gotten 55,000 miles on them and the are not down to the tread bars yet. He thinks he can get an easy 60-70k out of them, but will probably replace at 60k because they are not performing as good in the winter weather. He was very satisfied with them which convinced me to try them out. Firestone has a 30day return.

It was either these or another set that cost almost $800.

 

[Pilgrim]

Glad they're working for you. Personally, I'm cheap about tires and seldom spend $100 a corner for them, but when you get into 18-inch tires, it's almost impossible not to end up higher, esp with mounting and balancing.

I have a local Goodyear store where I have a solid relationship - I have ordered tires in lines they don't carry from Tirerack.com and they've installed them from me. They're smart enough to realize that someone is going to make a few $ and create goodwill by installing them for me.

Tirerack has the Destination LEs for $120 each, plus shipping - and then of course you have to find a shop to mount & balance them. They must be popular because only one of their five warehouses has them in stock, and selecting that one would add another $100 in shipping! Add mounting and balancing to that, I'd say that for $590 you did just fine!

 

[jeffs3232]

Glad they're working for you. Personally, I'm cheap about tires and seldom spend $100 a corner for them, but when you get into 18-inch tires, it's almost impossible not to end up higher, esp with mounting and balancing.

I have a local Goodyear store where I have a solid relationship - I have ordered tires in lines they don't carry from Tirerack.com and they've installed them from me. They're smart enough to realize that someone is going to make a few $ and create goodwill by installing them for me.

Tirerack has the Destination LEs for $120 each, plus shipping - and then of course you have to find a shop to mount & balance them. They must be popular because only one of their five warehouses has them in stock, and selecting that one would add another $100 in shipping! Add mounting and balancing to that, I'd say that for $590 you did just fine!

I think I did too, b/c for the $590 got lifetime road hazard, which includes any damage to the tire whether self inflicted (off roading) or hitting a curb, nail, etc. It also includes lifetime balancing and rotation. I also bought a 3-year tire alignment package for $119.00 and that included a free oil change.

They told me any time I come in for the 5,000 mile rotation they would hook it up to check the alignment, and if it needed it they would adjust at no charge for three years/36,000 miles.

The Tires Plus in my area of town has always treated me well and have bought my last 3 sets of tires from them for my cars.

 

[Warhammer]

I just installed a set of Cooper CS4's on my MO last friday. My original Goodyear Eagle's lasted 61K miles. Not bad for OEM.

The new Cooper's are supposed to last 80K miles. We'll see how they do.

So far they're nice and quiet when compared to the Eagles. They seem to handle the same in dry and wet conditions. My only question now is ice and snow.

 

[jeffs3232]

I think I did too, b/c for the $590 got lifetime road hazard, which includes any damage to the tire whether self inflicted (off roading) or hitting a curb, nail, etc. It also includes lifetime balancing and rotation. I also bought a 3-year tire alignment package for $119.00 and that included a free oil change.

They told me any time I come in for the 5,000 mile rotation they would hook it up to check the alignment, and if it needed it they would adjust at no charge for three years/36,000 miles.

The Tires Plus in my area of town has always treated me well and have bought my last 3 sets of tires from them for my cars.

I would like to rescind my initial assessment. I am taking advantage of Firestone's 30 day money back policy. After 3 weeks and about 1,200 miles, I found the tires to have this annoying echo'ing noise that transmits into the cabin on smooth roads. Tires are balanced, so it must be the truck inspired tread. To be honest they were louder and rougher riding than my 04 MO's Goodyear Eagle LS that have about 25,000 miles on them

I had my tire dealer order a set of the Bridgstone H/L Alenza's. They are about $200 more for the set. Hopefully they are better. Anyone else use the Alenza's?

I personally am biased towards Firestone and Bridgestone b/c they are a client of our company. I know there are other great brands out there, but keeping a steady paycheck is also important

 

[shelland]

I had my tire dealer order a set of the Bridgstone H/L Alenza's. They are about $200 more for the set. Hopefully they are better. Anyone else use the Alenza's?

Good luck getting them - my Firestone dealer ordered Alenza's for me over 3 weeks ago, and I still haven't heard anything. When he called to check on them initially, they didn't even have them in the warehouse - they had to wait for the warehouse to get them from the factory.

I had a coupon from Firestone to get tires for cost + $1, and he said he would still honor the coupon. That took them down from $187 to $150 each. I see that Sears sells them for over $220 each. I could have gotten the LE's for $106/each, and your experience makes me feel better that I decided to go with the Alenza's (if I ever get them).

If I don't get them in the next couple weeks, I may go across the street and get the CS4's or KR21's at Sears.

 

[jeffs3232]

Good luck getting them - my Firestone dealer ordered Alenza's for me over 3 weeks ago, and I still haven't heard anything. When he called to check on them initially, they didn't even have them in the warehouse - they had to wait for the warehouse to get them from the factory.

I had a coupon from Firestone to get tires for cost + $1, and he said he would still honor the coupon. That took them down from $187 to $150 each. I see that Sears sells them for over $220 each. I could have gotten the LE's for $106/each, and your experience makes me feel better that I decided to go with the Alenza's (if I ever get them).

If I don't get them in the next couple weeks, I may go across the street and get the CS4's or KR21's at Sears.

My guy was able to locate them at one of their warehouses about 250 miles away. He is (hopefully) having them shipped down to his store later this week. I'll let everyone know if there is a $200 difference between the Alenza's and LE's. I don't want people to think the LE is a bad tire, but I am extremely picky and anal about my cars. Also, the LE is a great tire - maybe for a Jeep, Trailblazer, Explorer, Titan, etc. I think they are more of a highway truck tire than what I would consider the function of a MO. IMHO, the MO is more passenger sedan (albeit built on Altima design) than truck.

 

[shelland]

I'll let everyone know if there is a $200 difference between the Alenza's and LE's. I don't want people to think the LE is a bad tire, but I am extremely picky and anal about my cars. Also, the LE is a great tire - maybe for a Jeep, Trailblazer, Explorer, Titan, etc. I think they are more of a highway truck tire than what I would consider the function of a MO. IMHO, the MO is more passenger sedan (albeit built on Altima design) than truck.

I'll look forward to your opinion, if you post back before I'm able to get mine.

I also didn't want to lose the sporty look of the MO by getting a tire that was more 'truck-like' in appearance.

 

[jeffs3232]

I also didn't want to lose the sporty look of the MO by getting a tire that was more 'truck-like' in appearance.

For sure. I had my tire dealer turn them so the white wall was on the inside of the wheel. Even with the black outline on the outside, I agree with your assessment that the MO loses it's slick appeal that turned me on to the car in the first place.

I was originally quoted $209/tire for the stock Eagle LS's, but I only thought they were just mediocre (better than the Firestone LE's). I am paying $188/tire for the Alenza's where I was able to get the LE's for about $135/tire

 

[shelland]

This thread helped me with some good karma or something - Firestone just called and my tires have arrived! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get there before Saturday to get them. But at least I know the wait is over!

 

[jeffs3232]

This thread helped me with some good karma or something - Firestone just called and my tires have arrived! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get there before Saturday to get them. But at least I know the wait is over!

Good stuff. I'll be curious to see your opinion of them as well.

 

[jeffs3232]

I'll look forward to your opinion, if you post back before I'm able to get mine.

I also didn't want to lose the sporty look of the MO by getting a tire that was more 'truck-like' in appearance.

Well everyone...I have good news to report. The Bridgestone HL Alenza's are worth every penny they cost! The MO feels so much more connected to the road than the Destination LE's and are SO much smoother and quieter riding. Not to mention they have killer looks. The Alenza's use this technology called "ever-black" which means they have that wet look all the time. It's really neat looking.

The LE's cost me $590 out the door with lifetime alignment, balancing, and road hazard. The Alenza's cost about $220 more with all the bells and whistles I had with the LE's. I noticed an immediate difference in snow handling as well. We got another inch of snow here in KY and the tires are ar superior to the LE's in traction, etc. I guess the statement is true that with tires, you get what you pay for.

So even though they were $820 for the set, it is worth it given they feel to be a safer tire for my wife to cart around on.

 

[shelland]

Well everyone...I have good news to report. The Bridgestone HL Alenza's are worth every penny they cost!

Great news! My MO is sitting at the shop as we speak after a month of waiting for them to come in.

 

[Pilgrim]

I'm glad you folks are happy with them - but at more than $200 a tire, I'll pass. Just a bit rich for my blood.

 

[shelland]

I'm glad you folks are happy with them - but at more than $200 a tire, I'll pass. Just a bit rich for my blood.

I paid $150 (before installation). (actually, will be paying since I haven't picked it up and paid yet )

I would have paid $10/tire more for the CS4's and only $10/tire less for the KR21.

 

[jeffs3232]

I'm glad you folks are happy with them - but at more than $200 a tire, I'll pass. Just a bit rich for my blood.

I agree...different strokes for different folks. They are too rich for my blood to, but was worried what they would sound like after 30,000 miles if they were already a little noisy.

 

[Pilgrim]

Maybe I didn't understand:

"The LE's cost me $590 out the door with lifetime alignment, balancing, and road hazard. The Alenza's cost about $220 more with all the bells and whistles I had with the LE's."

$590 + $220 = $810.

$810 / 4 = $202.50 each

So the add-ons cost $52.50 per tire? That's 35% of the tire cost. Perhaps worth it....perhaps not.

 

[shelland]

Maybe I didn't understand:

"The LE's cost me $590 out the door with lifetime alignment, balancing, and road hazard. The Alenza's cost about $220 more with all the bells and whistles I had with the LE's."

$590 + $220 = $810.

$810 / 4 = $202.50 each

So the add-ons cost $52.50 per tire? That's 35% of the tire cost. Perhaps worth it....perhaps not.

I can't speak for Jeff's costs - those are his numbers.

I'm not sure of the add-on costs for mine since I haven't picked it up yet. I know installation with lifetime rotation/balance is in the $15-20/tire neighborhood, and then warranty on top of that (not sure how much).

The price differences I quoted with the CS4 and KR21 are from Firestone and Sears respectively - Alenza from Fireston and the others from Sears, plus Sears carries the Alenza for over $220/each. I'm not sure how much the 'additional' charges differ, but considering they're about 100 yards apart I would assume they'd be very similar.

The 'quoted' price is definitely never the final price with tires...

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxgnotti211]

The Goodyear Fortera TripleTreds have done nothing but impress me with the amount of traction they provide. I live around Philadelphia and never lost traction in the past two snowstorms that dumped anywhere from one to two feet of snow on the ground. I only got stuck trying to turn out of an unplowed parking lot with 20 inches on the ground, but I don't even dedicated snow tires would have helped. Overall I'm very impressed with the TripleTred and the MO's AWD, and have been through some pretty bad snowstorms to prove so.

Here's a picture of my car after the first storm, and keep in mind that I brushed the snow off multiple times the day before:

 

[jeffs3232]

Maybe I didn't understand:

"The LE's cost me $590 out the door with lifetime alignment, balancing, and road hazard. The Alenza's cost about $220 more with all the bells and whistles I had with the LE's."

$590 + $220 = $810.

$810 / 4 = $202.50 each

So the add-ons cost $52.50 per tire? That's 35% of the tire cost. Perhaps worth it....perhaps not.

The tires were $185/each and then another $19.99/each for road hazard, warranty, lifetime services, etc. Those costs are inclusive of taxes, so it came out to about $820. I could have declined the warranty and would have saved $80 bucks, but an alignment and rotation/balancing would cost at least $100 each time you do it, so now I can whenever I want for a one-time fee of $80 for the life of the tires. I can get them checked every 10k if I want to. So, it's worth it to me with all the potholes in KY.