Low mileage but long life tyre recommendations

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Dr Strangeglove

Well-Known Member
Posts
705
Location
Lancashire
I am looking to replace a couple of tyres and I am looking for suggestions and recommendations. The tyres I am replacing are starting to split due to age but have lots of tread left so I am looking for something that has better ageing qualities than milage.

I have heard that some tyres have great milage but go quite hard so start to lose grip - does that characteristic also lead to earlier cracking of the sidewall or between the treads?

I don't do a lot of miles per year but some journeys may be up to 350 miles round trip with a lot of that on motorway than grass or similar at the destination. With that in mind I would expect 70/30 road bias up to a 50/50 AT, but would prefer a quiet ride where possible. The current tyres are general grabber TRs in 235/85R16 and I can hear the radio when driving which will be a big plus on longer journeys.

There are lots of threads about tyre grip and milage but few about tyre age, and due to the low mileage I do a tyre that ages well will be an advantage. I want to stick with the 235/85R16 size.

Thanks in advance for your responses as I know tyre questions can be a bit tedious.

ATB

Mick
 
Tyres, along with many other rubber based products, don't last as long as they used to, with less actual rubber being used.
Winter tyres have a higher rubber content but i don't know if they are any better quality
 
Age is going to be the issue, Iirc most car tyre makers suggest 7yrs max life.
Recent legislation steer tyres on trucks now max age 10yrs.
I am sure it will eventually filter down to the lighter stuff over the years.

So maybe you need to look at it in a different light, buy popular tyres, run them for 5/6 years, remove and sell on, replacing with another new set, will get decent money for old set as still loads of tread left.
 
goonarmy said:
What sort of life in terms of years (I presume) are you after?
Click to expand...

To be honest as long as I could get. I don't just want the tyres to pass the mot I want them to retain grip. As the milage will be low I can't see tread depth being a limiting factor so I want to get tyres that are longer lasting in age rather than miles. Lots of folks say how many miles a tyre will last, but I have not seen anyone highlighting the longevity in years.

If I had them 20 years I can't see me using all the tread, though I think I would be naive to expect them to last that long!
 
Dr Strangeglove said:
To be honest as long as I could get. I don't just want the tyres to pass the mot I want them to retain grip. As the milage will be low I can't see tread depth being a limiting factor so I want to get tyres that are longer lasting in age rather than miles. Lots of folks say how many miles a tyre will last, but I have not seen anyone highlighting the longevity in years.

If I had them 20 years I can't see me using all the tread, though I think I would be naive to expect them to last that long!
Click to expand...

The michelins on my s2 are approx 20 yrs old.
 
Dr Strangeglove said:
To be honest as long as I could get. I don't just want the tyres to pass the mot I want them to retain grip. As the milage will be low I can't see tread depth being a limiting factor so I want to get tyres that are longer lasting in age rather than miles. Lots of folks say how many miles a tyre will last, but I have not seen anyone highlighting the longevity in years.

If I had them 20 years I can't see me using all the tread, though I think I would be naive to expect them to last that long!
Click to expand...
20 years is unreasonable and unnessacary. If you are concerned about the cost get some Chinese ditch finders for cheap and replace with more of the same when they crack. And cos you dont drive it much just take it easy when you do.
 
goonarmy said:
20 years is unreasonable and unnessacary.
Click to expand...
I used the 20 years as a reference to my usage and not how long I expect a tyre to last. I don't want "ditch finders", I want to know which tyres retain their properties for longer even at the expense of lower milage expectations - I don't think that is an unreasonable question to ask and I am sorry if it caused you offence. I don't have a lot of knowledge of tyre properties which is why I asked the question and to be honest I think others could also benefit from the shared knowledge of the other forum users.
 
Dr Strangeglove said:
I used the 20 years as a reference to my usage and not how long I expect a tyre to last. I don't want "ditch finders", I want to know which tyres retain their properties for longer even at the expense of lower milage expectations - I don't think that is an unreasonable question to ask and I am sorry if it caused you offence. I don't have a lot of knowledge of tyre properties which is why I asked the question and to be honest I think others could also benefit from the shared knowledge of the other forum users.
Click to expand...
No ones causing offense. Tyre shelf life is low. So buy a tyre that you can treat as a consumable at a price which makes sense for them to be disposable.
 
lynall said:
The michelins on my s2 are approx 20 yrs old.
Click to expand...
my xzl's on the series possible are getting to that as well. are old ex military tubed tyres, no cracking, and loads of tread but being zxl's not a lot of grip until you are in mud, especially n wet tarmac!
 
Dr Strangeglove said:
I am looking to replace a couple of tyres and I am looking for suggestions and recommendations. The tyres I am replacing are starting to split due to age but have lots of tread left so I am looking for something that has better ageing qualities than milage.

I have heard that some tyres have great milage but go quite hard so start to lose grip - does that characteristic also lead to earlier cracking of the sidewall or between the treads?

I don't do a lot of miles per year but some journeys may be up to 350 miles round trip with a lot of that on motorway than grass or similar at the destination. With that in mind I would expect 70/30 road bias up to a 50/50 AT, but would prefer a quiet ride where possible. The current tyres are general grabber TRs in 235/85R16 and I can hear the radio when driving which will be a big plus on longer journeys.

There are lots of threads about tyre grip and milage but few about tyre age, and due to the low mileage I do a tyre that ages well will be an advantage. I want to stick with the 235/85R16 size.

Thanks in advance for your responses as I know tyre questions can be a bit tedious.

ATB

Mick
Click to expand...
Given the use you give your Landy I think I'd suggest just cheap tyres and replace them as they perish. I always buy good tyres for my cars but if my 90 needed tyres given it does about 500miles a year and is driven quite differently I would probably just get a sort of budget tyre next time. What is the point on anything better really.
 
dag019 said:
my xzl's on the series possible are getting to that as well. are old ex military tubed tyres, no cracking, and loads of tread but being zxl's not a lot of grip until you are in mud, especially n wet tarmac!
Click to expand...

XZL on mine to.
 
Well I have ordered a couple of general grabber at3s. I noted winter tyres are for below 7 Deg c and above 20c performance and breaking are lost and it is likely to get more use in the summer months.

Fitted price is £143 each. Found them through 4site 4x4 tyres.
 
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