Not happy with the Michellin Lattitudes
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2003 CLK55
Not happy with the Michellin Lattitudes
Hey Luke, I have a question for you. I always used Michellin Cross Terrains on my ML430 but this past summer I needed new tires and they were discontinued. The salesman at Tirerack told me the Michellin Lattitude HPs were the replacement tires for the Cross Terrains. I liked them in the dry weather, they are just as quiet on the road and feel just as good as the Cross Terrains. But recently we've had some major snow storms up here in the northeast and I feel like these tires do not perform as well as the Cross Terrains in the snow. Is this just my imagination? 
Have other customers said the same thing? I swear I slip and slide more in the snow with these Lattitudes. Is it because I bought the "HP's". I don't even know what the difference is. I actually got stuck in the bottom of my driveway in over a foot of snow last week. I wonder if I would have gotten stuck in my Cross Terrains? Is there a better all season tire thats good in the snow than these Lattitudes? Man I really miss my Cross Terrains now.
Have other customers said the same thing? I swear I slip and slide more in the snow with these Lattitudes. Is it because I bought the "HP's". I don't even know what the difference is. I actually got stuck in the bottom of my driveway in over a foot of snow last week. I wonder if I would have gotten stuck in my Cross Terrains? Is there a better all season tire thats good in the snow than these Lattitudes? Man I really miss my Cross Terrains now.
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2003 CLK55
So I guess my question to Luke is, are the Lattitudes really Michellin's answer to the Cross Terrains? I want to stay with Michellins because I tend to be brand loyal when I like something. I guess either way I'm stuck with these tires since I just got them. Maybe I should use them in the summer and put different tires on in the winter? Sounds like a pain in the @ss.
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depends on the weather
there are several different versions of Latitude tires from Michelin
The Latitude HP is a street/sport all season tire
The Latitude is a highway all-season tire just like the Cross Terrain and is considered it's replacement
The Latitude HP is a street/sport all season tire
The Latitude is a highway all-season tire just like the Cross Terrain and is considered it's replacement
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But Luke the Latitude HP is an H-rated tire where the regular Latitude is a T rated. The Cross Terrains on my ML are also H rated. Won't braking and handling suffer with a T-rated tread? This is also why I avoided the Latitudes... still waiting to buy tires. I'm afraid the performace in snow and ice has suffered with the Latitudes (from the cross terrains) which is why I'm leaning toward the Conti CrossContacts LX.
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Sorry for the rant. I called Michelin directly and they did say the Latitude Tour HP is the direct replacement for the Cross Terrains. Unfortunately they don't hold a candle to them. I think next time I'll try those Pirelli scorpions or something. I guess I"m just pissed Michelin decided to discontinue an awesome tire. B@stards. lol
Last edited by Stiggs; Jan 4, 2010 at 05:17 PM.
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depends on the weather
let's review
Street/Sport Truck Summer
4x4 Diamaris
Latitude Diamaris
Latitude Sport
Street/Sport Truck All-Season
Latitude Tour HP
Latitude Tour HP ZP
Pilot LTX
Highway Rib Summer
XCA
XPS Rib
XRV
Highway All-Season
4x4 Synchrone
Agilis
Cross Terrain SUV
LTX A/S
LTX M/S
LTX M/S2
Latitude Tour
it's the HP part of the tire name that is the problem
Street/Sport Truck Summer
4x4 Diamaris
Latitude Diamaris
Latitude Sport
Street/Sport Truck All-Season
Latitude Tour HP
Latitude Tour HP ZP
Pilot LTX
Highway Rib Summer
XCA
XPS Rib
XRV
Highway All-Season
4x4 Synchrone
Agilis
Cross Terrain SUV
LTX A/S
LTX M/S
LTX M/S2
Latitude Tour
it's the HP part of the tire name that is the problem
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So I still am wondering if the T-rated tread on the latitude tour will perform worse than the H-rated tread of the cross terrain SUV... Granted I never take the ML north of 80-85 mph. Mainly looking for capable snow/ice performance with a quiet stable hwy ride
Edit: Comparing the Latitude HP to the normal Latitudes, they have a lower load capacity 106T vs 109H on the cross terrains (does that mean softer ride?). Also the normal Latitudes got significantly higher consumer review ratings in the snow/ice categories than the HP version. Just by looking at the tread pattern the normal latitude also has sipes in the tread blocks (like the cross terrain) while the latitude HP does not.
Edit: Comparing the Latitude HP to the normal Latitudes, they have a lower load capacity 106T vs 109H on the cross terrains (does that mean softer ride?). Also the normal Latitudes got significantly higher consumer review ratings in the snow/ice categories than the HP version. Just by looking at the tread pattern the normal latitude also has sipes in the tread blocks (like the cross terrain) while the latitude HP does not.
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Thread Starter
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But Luke......according to your list the Latitude Tour is the direct replacement for the Cross Terrain.
When I called Michelin directly they said the Latitude Tour HP is the direct replacement for the CRoss Terrain.
I'm so confused my heads spinning! lol
If they are both all season tires, then whats the difference between highway or street/sport? I'll assume speed rating? Would performance in the snow differ between the two?
When I called Michelin directly they said the Latitude Tour HP is the direct replacement for the CRoss Terrain.
I'm so confused my heads spinning! lol
If they are both all season tires, then whats the difference between highway or street/sport? I'll assume speed rating? Would performance in the snow differ between the two?
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Edit: Comparing the Latitude HP to the normal Latitudes, they have a lower load capacity 106T vs 109H on the cross terrains (does that mean softer ride?). Also the normal Latitudes got significantly higher consumer review ratings in the snow/ice categories than the HP version.
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Yeah I think you did, but you are right it is VERY confusing as the Cross Terrains have all the same specs are the Tour HP. Cross Terrain and Tour HP are both rated at 109H and have a 440 treadwear rating. Tour HP is also OEM on the W164 ML. But after looking a the tread design the Latitude Tour is much more similar looking (with sipes in the tread blocks) to the Cross Terrain SUV as Luke suggested. I think I will not go with Michelin this time and try out the Continental CrossContact LX as many ML owners on tirerack's site gave them high marks for comfort and snow performance.
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depends on the weather
I dropped the "tour" part of the name in order to reduce the amount of typing
a little over three weeks ago I fell off of a ladder putting up Christmas lights resulting a broken left wrist and a broken right hand so typing is a real chore for me for the time being
a little over three weeks ago I fell off of a ladder putting up Christmas lights resulting a broken left wrist and a broken right hand so typing is a real chore for me for the time being
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depends on the weather
sport tires are tuned for improved handling in the dry. While M&S rated their winter traction is typically sacrificed to gain the desired performance improvement
I don't think you would notice the differnece between the "T" rated tire and an "H" rated tire
I don't think you would notice the differnece between the "T" rated tire and an "H" rated tire
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2003 CLK55
I wish I wasn't so lazy and spent the extra effort finding a place that still had Cross Terrains in stock. I guess I can't really be mad at Tire Rack for selling me these tires...after all, even Michelin themselves are saying these are the replacements.
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Stiggs, I feel for u man... that really sucks. Like you I tried to find another set of Cross Terrains. Found someone selling 95% tread (like new) cross terains mounted on ML wheels for 200 bucks but I was too late, already sold . Found some new ones on ebay but suspect of the mfg date. Will likely go with the Latitude Tour (non HP) or Conti's.
PS. Luke, will call you tomorrow, got your msg about the wipers.
. Found some new ones on ebay but suspect of the mfg date. Will likely go with the Latitude Tour (non HP) or Conti's.PS. Luke, will call you tomorrow, got your msg about the wipers.
Thread Starter
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2003 CLK55
Stiggs, I feel for u man... that really sucks. Like you I tried to find another set of Cross Terrains. Found someone selling 95% tread (like new) cross terains mounted on ML wheels for 200 bucks but I was too late, already sold . Found some new ones on ebay but suspect of the mfg date. Will likely go with the Latitude Tour (non HP) or Conti's.
PS. Luke, will call you tomorrow, got your msg about the wipers.
. Found some new ones on ebay but suspect of the mfg date. Will likely go with the Latitude Tour (non HP) or Conti's.PS. Luke, will call you tomorrow, got your msg about the wipers.
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Stiggs, I think I've decided to get the Latitude Tour's for my ML. Found a 70 dollar rebate online but it is through discount tire.
Luke, any way tirerack can offer this rebate as well?
Luke, any way tirerack can offer this rebate as well?
Thread Starter
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Let me know how they are. Good luck man!
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Hey Stiggs,
Actually I'm not sure anymore ha. I spoke to discount tire because they are offering the 70 dollar rebate and they said i should get the Latitude Tour HP because it has the Load and Speed rating that Mercedes recommend. They said the Latitude Tour should not be used on the ML as it is a lower load and speed rating than OEM. They said vehicle braking will suffer but Tirerack is saying its ok. I'm so confused.
Also, spoke to michelin directly and they also said Latitude Tour HP for the ML... said OK for snow. haha
Also was looking at the Conti Cross ContactLX but Luke said they are no good and I have read several bad reviews regarding their snow performance. That leaves the Bridgestone Alenza's (which Luke recommended) but they are an older tire and also don't look to be good snow performers. Why did Michelin have to screw up such a great tire (Cross Terrains).
Actually I'm not sure anymore ha. I spoke to discount tire because they are offering the 70 dollar rebate and they said i should get the Latitude Tour HP because it has the Load and Speed rating that Mercedes recommend. They said the Latitude Tour should not be used on the ML as it is a lower load and speed rating than OEM. They said vehicle braking will suffer but Tirerack is saying its ok. I'm so confused.
Also, spoke to michelin directly and they also said Latitude Tour HP for the ML... said OK for snow. haha
Also was looking at the Conti Cross ContactLX but Luke said they are no good and I have read several bad reviews regarding their snow performance. That leaves the Bridgestone Alenza's (which Luke recommended) but they are an older tire and also don't look to be good snow performers. Why did Michelin have to screw up such a great tire (Cross Terrains).
