Tyres

Black · 31 May 2011, 07:40

Just replacing all 4 tyres on the XC90, having read Nashers comments on the General Grabbers looking at a set.

Got prices on the AT and the UHP - the car spends 99% of time on road, with the remainder pulling the boat out of farm (grass storage) to slipway.

Any thoughts on whether the AT is to aggressive for my needs and will the UHP give me better traction than the current Conti Contacts?

BogMonster · 31 May 2011, 08:34

UHPs are OK but there really is no drawback to AT2s and I imagine the same applies to the new AT. I have AT2s again on my new Ranger (having had 2 sets on the old one) and I prefer them to a road tyre. The ATs will be better on wet grass.

Kernow Buoy · 31 May 2011, 08:49

found this comparison chart

Consumer Survey Results By Category

Simon B · 31 May 2011, 11:21

The Kumho KL61 looks good, I'm going to be replacing my tyre set on my Land Rover 110. As a lot of my tows are on the motorway I'm looking for a quiet tyre the michelins and cepek's seemed good too on noise.

Ian M · 31 May 2011, 12:20

Very happy with my General Grabber UHP's, but I almost never go off road. They are fitted to an Audi Allroad. Good grip, quiet and wear rate looks OK so far.

jwalker · 31 May 2011, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black

.... Any thoughts on whether the AT is to aggressive for my needs and will the UHP give me better traction than the current Conti Contacts?

Yes, if the Volvo is used as a normal road car stick with proper road tyres. The Contis are good but if you need a little better winter and course ground grip you could consider Goodyear All Weather. I've run 3 sets of UHPs in succession and they are very good but the All Weathers are right on their heels for road use and much better in the snow. Leave the ATs for the mudpluggers. Cheap tyres will give you poorer performance especially in the wet. AT's will reduce your braking distance markedly in an emergency braking, the blocks distort and squirm and there is considerably less rubber on the road at the contact patch.

Nasher · 31 May 2011, 20:38

The ATs are different to the AT2s, and not really that aggressive in pattern, certainly not out and out mud pluggers.

Remember that in 19inch size I didn't have much choice in what to go for.

I'm glad I did though. Now they are well and truly scrubbed in they appear to have much better wet road grip than the Pirelli Scorpions that they replaced, are NOT noisy at all, and are wearing really well.

On wet grass, mud and gravel they are in a completely different league to the scorpions. There's a couple of green lanes around here that flood quite badly after heavy rain, and get very muddy from off roaders and farm traffic, and the combination of the D3 and the ATs always surprises me.

I am completely convinced that finally there is a decent All Terrain Tyre that performs well in all but serious Off Road conditions, yet gives good road manners without the noise and bad handling you expect from an AT tyre on the road.

Oh, they were great in the snow and ice, and I think they look cool too

Nasher.

BogMonster · 31 May 2011, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

AT's will reduce your braking distance markedly in an emergency braking, the blocks distort and squirm and there is considerably less rubber on the road at the contact patch.

I assume you mean increase? Actually my experience is the opposite on 4x4s - the AT2s grip bloody well in a pucker moment on the same roads where ordinary road tyres don't seem to be anything special.

Black · 31 May 2011, 20:58

Well, the local garage made the decision for me in the end, there aren't any UHP's available this week, which left the AT or a cracking deal on set of Conti 4x4's. I thought the AT might be a bit much for a car which if I'm honest never goes properly off road, not counting once a month in the farm paddock, a thought which jwalker echoed in his post.

I really need the tyres fitted tomorrow (as only day other half not using the car) so went for the Conti option at £115 fitted per corner.

Nasher - those tyres look great on the Disco.

Thanks for all the feedback

jwalker · 31 May 2011, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

I assume you mean increase? ...

Oh yeh, well spotted Mr Monster... I agree with Nasher about the Pirelli Scorpions, god awful wet grip.

Nasher · 31 May 2011, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black

Nasher - those tyres look great on the Disco.

They do look the part

Nasher

BogMonster · 31 May 2011, 23:12

I still prefer the AT2s though...

Black · 20 June 2011, 15:35

I ended up with a tyre just called 'Continental 4x4'.

Vast improvement over the original fitment Conti (they were a different tread) and even better great price of £125 per tyre.

The are quieter on the road and better on the grass when reversing the boat too.

Thanks for all the input