This is garage related...

[58Yeoman]

Are Bridgestone tires any good? Anyone have stories. My Ranger needs tires, and I was going to wait for Michelin's to go on rebate/sale at Costco later this month, but these are a bit cheaper with an extra 10k mile warranty over Michelin. I'm looking at the top tire, with 80k warranty.

http://tires2.costco.com/SearchBySi...SearchID=0ed6e707-6258-43a6-aa1b-29d785f3392c

 

[matt_i]

Complete generalization: Just like any set of products, tires are built to price points. You go higher in the price point tree you should theoretically get better performance, wear, etc. There will be subtle differences between competitors but I feel like price is the greatest comparison tool when trying to compare tires.

I have a set of Bridgestone Load Range E tires on my gooseneck trailer which I put on in desperation on the road after multiple flats and they have done a really nice job in my estimation.

That said, if I have a choice and time to wait it out, I will always buy Michelins. But that's completely my personal bias.

 

[jives]

Have no experience with Bridgestone, but I can tell you this about Michelin. They had a recall two years ago and sent me the recall notice, even though I bought my E350 van with Michelins used. Sent in the recall notice form with some explanations and receipts, namely that we had already replaced the tires due to premature wear (~40K miles). After they received my response they CALLED me for further explanation. After that they PAID me cash for the tires we had already bought, less the labor charge.

Moral of the story? I'd wait to put on Michelins.

 

[Colin Len]

I've had a few sets of Bridgestones over the years and personally I really like them - my experience is only for smaller sports/compact cars though. Generally I'm shopping for the stickiest tires available so am not usually focused too much on brand. But if I had to say I had a favorite brand it'd be Bridgestone.

 

[CNGsaves]

Back in the day, I had Ford Explorer with the problem-child Firestone ATX with tread separation/blowout problems (which I never incurred on mine). Firestone put 5 brand new Goodyear Wranglers on for free, which drove terrible on Explorer as it wandered all over the place.

Firestone put nice set of Bridgestones on for free to replace the Goodyears and they drove great and lasted long time . . . which is lot to say for Explorer with pidgeon-toed front end that eats tires.

Of course Michelin LTX tire would be better (and expensive), but you'll be fine with Bridgestones for little Ranger pickup. Key to long-tire life anyway is frequent rotation at 5K mile intervals, and keep it aligned.

Tires really depend on driving style, and number of miles expected to be driven. If you only drive few miles and tires will rot away in 8 to 10 years from setting, then buy affordable tires. If you drive 50K miles a year and company pays your mileage, then get the Michelins.

 

[MackMan]

At one time I had bridgestone/firestone on everything we own... In general I would not hesitate to buy them again.

Actually I still have bridgestone or firestone on 3/4 of our cars.

 

[bwringer]

Tires are more about the shop than the brand.

More to the point, Costco's service is stellar. And the tires they sell are all excellent choices; they don't sell cheap ****** tires.

 

[RossABQ]

Someone posted on here a while ago, a tire tech or purchasing agent for a shop. His claim was that Michelin uses a superior type of rubber that costs more, but is worth it in the long run.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I L O V E Michelin ! Been running them for about 50 years, most of the time on multiple vehicles. Never a problem.

 

[rlitman]

Bridgestone has made some of the best (and worst) tires I've had.

 

[ddawg16]

As a general rule, they are a good tire,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgestone

 

[AnthonyJ124]

I had a set of Bridgestone Duelers and they were great on a 4runner, good wet dry and in snow.

I've had two cars with michelins and both sets were replaced before the end of the tread life. One set were LTX on a bronco and picked up nails like they were magnets (could have been my fault), the other set were pilot sports on a 2010 Jetta, and at 14 months after date of manufacture and 8k miles, all 4 tires showed significant cracking in and along the edge of the tread. Michelin offered me 10% of replacement cost when I called... Needless to say I went with Coopers on those two vehicles, and put cooper AT3s on my last truck. I'll keep buying coopers, but to get back on topic- Bridgestones are nice, but pricey. Everyone's mileage may vary.

Found a pic of the pilots.