New tyres

The Michelin XPC's (205/80R16) on my Disco 300TDi did 90.000 kms (about
60.000 miles) and must be replaced to get me through Dutch MOT. I think
I read all the reviews on the web, but still am a bit puzzled as to
which tyre to choose. I drive mainly on tarmac, so wet and dry traction
is important, but because I often wander off into wintery Alps and
Ardennes I'd like to have reasonable traction on snow. I think I've
narrowed the choice down to Michelin 4x4 Synchrone and BF Goodrich Long
Trail A/T (as many reviewers seem to complain about the premature wear
of Pirelli Scorpions). Any comments on these tyres? Or alternatives?

Regards,
Richard

On or around 20 Oct 2005 02:36:38 -0700, "Richard" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>The Michelin XPC's (205/80R16) on my Disco 300TDi did 90.000 kms (about
>60.000 miles) and must be replaced to get me through Dutch MOT. I think
>I read all the reviews on the web, but still am a bit puzzled as to
>which tyre to choose. I drive mainly on tarmac, so wet and dry traction
>is important, but because I often wander off into wintery Alps and
>Ardennes I'd like to have reasonable traction on snow. I think I've
>narrowed the choice down to Michelin 4x4 Synchrone and BF Goodrich Long
>Trail A/T (as many reviewers seem to complain about the premature wear
>of Pirelli Scorpions). Any comments on these tyres? Or alternatives?

Pirellis are soft compound and wear fast IME, but grip very well on tarmac,
the ST in particular.

I also had Avon Ranger AT on the disco but not for long enough to comment on
the wear. Grip was good and price ditto.

90KKm is fecking good mileage. The synchrones on our 300 TDi didn't do
anything like that much. BFG are noted for lengevity, though.

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right
is to be none the less free than you were before."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180), from Meditations, VIII.16

>>I also had Avon Ranger AT on the disco but not for long enough to commenton
the wear. Grip was good and price ditto.

90KKm is fecking good mileage. The synchrones on our 300 TDi didn't do
anything like that much. BFG are noted for lengevity, though.<<

So BFG is known for its longevity? Hmm, if the Long Trail and the
Synchrone seem pretty much alike as far as specs and price are
concerned, I think they lóók better - I know, totally irrational - on
an all terrain vehicle. Yesterday evening I spotted a Disco 2 with
Synchrones (are they oem?) and I pulled over to take a closer look.
They don't lóók like tyres that belong under a car that supposedly
boldly goes where no car has gone before.

As far as google goes, Avon is hard to come by in Holland. Cooper is
another story.

I think I'll have another look at the BFG's

Thanks,
Richard

On or around 21 Oct 2005 01:33:24 -0700, "Richard" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>
>As far as google goes, Avon is hard to come by in Holland. Cooper is
>another story.
>
>I think I'll have another look at the BFG's

expensive but good, by most people's accounts.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to
a great lie than to a small one" Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
from Mein Kampf, Ch 10

so Austin Shackles was, like...
> On or around 21 Oct 2005 01:33:24 -0700, "Richard"
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>>
>> As far as google goes, Avon is hard to come by in Holland. Cooper is
>> another story.
>>
>> I think I'll have another look at the BFG's
>
> expensive but good, by most people's accounts.

Had a set of Trac-Edges and now on second set of ATs. Good performance on
and off the tarmac, excellent mileage. Expensive? Well, I've heard of some
4x4 tyres lasting less than 30K, whereas 60K is common for BFGs. Per mile,
they are probably as good value as anything else.

--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)

On or around Fri, 21 Oct 2005 21:51:57 +0100, "Richard Brookman"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>so Austin Shackles was, like...
>>
>> expensive but good, by most people's accounts.
>
>Had a set of Trac-Edges and now on second set of ATs. Good performance on
>and off the tarmac, excellent mileage. Expensive? Well, I've heard of some
>4x4 tyres lasting less than 30K, whereas 60K is common for BFGs. Per mile,
>they are probably as good value as anything else.

initial outlay is a bit frightening though. Also the cost of damaging one
beyond repair early in its life is high.

Mind you, I've never had tyres last as long as some people say they do.
Maybe the roads round here are extra-abrasive, or maybe I drive harder than
some people. But the Michelin Synchrones on mother's disco (who doesn't
drive hard) didn't last all that long either.

Pirelli scorpion ATs on the 110 lasted about 15K I think. Pirelli ST on the
disco did a bit better but still sub-20K. The BFG ATs which came with my
disco and are currently on the TDi one aren't doing too badly, seeing as
they were part-worn when I had it; probably they'll do maybe 40K altogether.
They've suffered a bit due to crappy disco rims that don't seal, leading to
them being run underinflated.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine... War is hell"
Gen. Sherman (1820-1891) Attr. words in Address at Michigan Military
Academy, 19 June 1879.

so Austin Shackles was, like...
> >
> Pirelli scorpion ATs on the 110 lasted about 15K I think. Pirelli ST
> on the disco did a bit better but still sub-20K.

Hmmmm. Trac-Edges on the 90 (used daily, lots of serious off-road, RTV
trials etc). ATs on the 4.6RR (mainly road with some milder rough stuff).
Both did about 30K in my ownership, with about half the tread depth left.
Realistically, and bearing in mind that the off-road performance would
deteriorate thereafter, that suggests about 50K before they needed replacing
in MoT terms, earlier if you needed the traction in the dirt. They would
have to be two to three times the price of the Pirellis to be uneconomic,
long-term.

I agree with your point about early replacement due to damage, although the
BFG side-walls seem fairly tough.


--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)