Replaced Ecopia's with Michelin Defenders

[Stanton]

Title says it all: I finally got rid of those (crummy) stock tires and replaced them with a good LRR tire with a 90k mile warranty. I wasn't going to make it through my next inspection (or 20k miles), so I "pulled the trigger" while Michelin still had a rebate going. These are expensive tires, but I expect to get MUCH better value out of them than another set of Ecopia's.

[KJD]

Title says it all: I finally got rid of those (crummy) stock tires and replaced them with a good LRR tire with a 90k mile warranty. I wasn't going to make it through my next inspection (or 20k miles), so I "pulled the trigger" while Michelin still had a rebate going. These are expensive tires, but I expect to get MUCH better value out of them than another set of Ecopia's.

With the Michelin Defenders can you see any difference in the miles/KWH numbers ?

[Stanton]

With the Michelin Defenders can you see any difference in the miles/KWH numbers ?

After a few days of driving, the answer is definitely yes: I'm seeing 10+% WORSE range out of the Defenders (low 4's vs. high 4's). While I expected some (at least temporary) drop in range since the Ecopia's were so worn, I didn't expect this much; at least I can track things in CarWings. The fact is I'm trading some m/kWh for longevity: there was no way I was going to buy another set of tires to only last 20k miles. While I don't expect the Defenders to out-last their warranty, at least you get some credit towards the next set.

I would be interested to hear other's experience with these tires. I have also read they do much better with higher temps AND age--both of which I'll be experiencing in the months to come.

[hill]

IIRC, the Defenders replaced the Hydroedges, which had the same 90k mile warranty. We had over 95k on our Hydroedges, and you'd be hard pressed to think they had even 35% wear so far. Wear is in large part attributable to driving style. Fast take offs - quick braking - hard turns all add up. We have over 26k on the (crappy) Ecopias and theyre probably 50% worn out. That's attributable to my "old granny" driving style ... and why we're getting 5 miles per kWh @ the wall. Both are benefits of ultra light driving style.

But back to your Defenders. Yes, your kW per mile WILL drop during your break-in period. Report back when you have over 5,000 miles and you'll likely be much more happy with your kW per mile results. Oh and do NOT rely on car wings to figure ANYTHING. It's a joke . . . but no need to go there as tons of threads have already covered that.
.

[thankyouOB]

With the Michelin Defenders can you see any difference in the miles/KWH numbers ?

After a few days of driving, the answer is definitely yes: I'm seeing 10+% WORSE range out of the Defenders (low 4's vs. high 4's). While I expected some (at least temporary) drop in range since the Ecopia's were so worn, I didn't expect this much; at least I can track things in CarWings. The fact is I'm trading some m/kWh for longevity: there was no way I was going to buy another set of tires to only last 20k miles. While I don't expect the Defenders to out-last their warranty, at least you get some credit towards the next set.

I would be interested to hear other's experience with these tires. I have also read they do much better with higher temps AND age--both of which I'll be experiencing in the months to come.

ditto drop in mileage with michelin mxv4s.
and I have had them since October.
break in, shmake in

[TomT]

Interesting. This would make me think that the Defenders are less efficient than the Michelin MXV4s. When I installed them, my efficiency dropped by about 3-4 percent. Now, it is about the same (at 23,000 miles usage) as what it was just before I removed the Ecrapias (at 10,000 miles usage)...

After a few days of driving, the answer is definitely yes: I'm seeing 10+% WORSE range out of the Defenders (low 4's vs. high 4's). While I expected some (at least temporary) drop in range since the Ecopia's were so worn, I didn't expect this much; at least I can track things in CarWings.

[Herm]

ditto drop in mileage with michelin mxv4s.
and I have had them since October.
break in, shmake in

How many miles do you have on them by now?.. perhaps those long life tires will need a longer break-in

[GerryAZ]

I have about 2500 miles on MXM4's and still have between 5 and 10 percent loss of range (too many variables to give more definitive numbers at this point) from the 50% worn Ecopias. On the plus side, the stiffer sidewalls on the Michelins improve the stability in cross winds and make the over-boosted power steering less noticeable.

Gerry

[EVDRIVER]

Interesting. This would make me think that the Defenders are less efficient than the Michelin MXV4s. When I installed them, my efficiency dropped by about 3-4 percent. Now, it is about the same (at 23,000 miles usage) as what it was just before I removed the Ecrapias (at 10,000 miles usage)...

After a few days of driving, the answer is definitely yes: I'm seeing 10+% WORSE range out of the Defenders (low 4's vs. high 4's). While I expected some (at least temporary) drop in range since the Ecopia's were so worn, I didn't expect this much; at least I can track things in CarWings.

Tom, I have them and there is a significant efficiency hit. Say what you will, they are better tires in many regards but the 0-60 suffers and so does the efficiency in a big way. My range dropped big time. Im sure if you wear enough off they will drop a few pounds:)

[mrdcmills]

How are people toasting tires so fast? At 8000 miles I rotated mine front to rear. The fronts were about .17 to .175 inch at the outside and a little over .19 in the middle. The rears were about .245-.255. Looks like way more than 20,000 mile lifespan to me.