For my W124's, I would always buy Michelin MX4's which were a "50,000 mile tire" that consistently gave about 32,000 miles before they needed to be replaced. I know the 50k is just a number and it "depends on how you drive".

Tired of the expense I said I wasn't going to buy MX4's anymore and set out to find an alternative. A tire guy told me to get Michelin Defenders, a 90,000 mile tire. It was only a T rated tire and I need H rated but he said I could use it on my car. I didn't believe him so I called Michelin directly and they said yes that particular tire could be put on my car. I was happy thinking even if I got 70,000 miles on them that'd be great. So I bought them and the last time I took them in for rotation the guy said "this will be the last time they can be rotated". I was like....what?? I only put about 30k on them! He said they're too low on tread. By the time they're going to be toast I will only have put about 35k on them. Very disappointing. I do tire rotations about every 6k miles and have my alignment done maybe once a year and it will be off by just a tiny bit in that time.

I already talked to Michelin and when I get new ones I will get a "pro-rated discount", but.... why give me a discount? Why should I have to pay anything? A 90k tire that gives 35k and I have to pay maybe 1/2 for a new set? A replacement set should be free!

Once I'm done with the replacement Michelin's I will look for another brand. Michelin tires can't deliver what they're supposed to deliver. What tires give longer life?