Tyre Advice.....?

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Sturdaa

Member
Posts
29
Hi Folks,

I’m looking for some advice prior to putting 4 new tyres on my Defender. It currently has General Grabber AT2s fitted, and while they’re not at the legal limit, they’re fairly well worn, and showing some signs of surface cracks. The tyres were fitted before I bought it, so don’t know what the performance was like from new, but I haven’t been impressed by their wet weather abilities.

My use is mostly on road, but with occasional dirt track usage. I’m looking at BF Goodrich T/A KO2 or Cooper Discoverer ST MAXX, both in 235/85/16. Does any have any real world experience of both, and could make a recommendation?
 
Do you need something as aggressive and possibly noisy as the ST Maxx? I found them difficult to source locally so went for Kunho Road Venture MT51’s, don’t appear to be any worse on the road than the road tyres that were on it, you do however get some more road noise. For me it’s worth the trade off, for you something less agressive may make more sense. Cooper do the AT3 if it’s a brand you like, no experience of them or anything else though!
 
AdamD1 said:
Do you need something as aggressive and possibly noisy as the ST Maxx? I found them difficult to source locally so went for Kunho Road Venture MT51’s, don’t appear to be any worse on the road than the road tyres that were on it, you do however get some more road noise. For me it’s worth the trade off, for you something less agressive may make more sense. Cooper do the AT3 if it’s a brand you like, no experience of them or anything else though!
Click to expand...

I’d settled on the voice of one of the above because I’d seen mention and recommendations for both, but willing to look further. I can get the BFGs supplied and fitted locally, the Coopers I’d have to buy and take to a fitter. Not a huge difference in price either.
 
The ST Maxx was what I wanted, they do seem to be very highly rated. The kumhos were cheaper, easy to get and seem to made to with a similar purpose so that’s really the only reason I gave them a go. If you’re mostly on the road with the odd dirt track you could make the car a nicer place to be with some AT’s, depends on what your priorities are, I’ve only had the road tyres and the MT51’s so I can’t help with any comparisons.
 
Sturdaa said:
Hi Folks,

I’m looking for some advice prior to putting 4 new tyres on my Defender. It currently has General Grabber AT2s fitted, and while they’re not at the legal limit, they’re fairly well worn, and showing some signs of surface cracks. The tyres were fitted before I bought it, so don’t know what the performance was like from new, but I haven’t been impressed by their wet weather abilities.

My use is mostly on road, but with occasional dirt track usage. I’m looking at BF Goodrich T/A KO2 or Cooper Discoverer ST MAXX, both in 235/85/16. Does any have any real world experience of both, and could make a recommendation?
Click to expand...
Given the age and condition of your GG AT2's you can't really be harsh judging them. Any tyre of that age/condition is not going to perform well in the wet. The compound will have hardened and lost much of it's original qualities. My old BFG's went like that. Having said that, I don't think the older model BFG AT's were that good in the wet from new. Lasted for donkeys years though :rolleyes:
When I was in your position, nearly two years ago, I opted to stay with BFG's and got the new AT KO2's. It was difficult to split the popular tyres by the reviews, but there was mention of the new BFG's being better than old ones in the wet. So I went for it. I don't regret it, they are giving me a great ride on the road, feel solid on bends, performed well during the beast from the east and do the job for the level of laning that I do. Mine are 265/75/16
 
Al2O3 said:
Given the age and condition of your GG AT2's you can't really be harsh judging them. Any tyre of that age/condition is not going to perform well in the wet. The compound will have hardened and lost much of it's original qualities. My old BFG's went like that. Having said that, I don't think the older model BFG AT's were that good in the wet from new. Lasted for donkeys years though :rolleyes:
When I was in your position, nearly two years ago, I opted to stay with BFG's and got the new AT KO2's. It was difficult to split the popular tyres by the reviews, but there was mention of the new BFG's being better than old ones in the wet. So I went for it. I don't regret it, they are giving me a great ride on the road, feel solid on bends, performed well during the beast from the east and do the job for the level of laning that I do. Mine are 265/75/16
Click to expand...
You’re talking a lot of sense, the BFGs seem to be the sensible choice.
 
Another vote for the BFG's from me - I've just fitted 245/70R16 to my D1 - they replaced some M*chelin round black things which were cr@p in the wet, the snow, but good on the motorway :rolleyes: ..... The BFG's use a bit more fuel on the M-way, but It's worth it for the extra grip when necessary .... cos when you need it, you need it:)

SWMBO's D1 has Goodyear Wrangler HP in the same size, and they are very good too, just not quite as good in the snow.
 
I deliberated for ages before going for 235/85/16 BFG AT on my Wolf rims. Very pleased with them so far. Seem ok on the few occasions I have been in proper mud and surprisingly good on the motorway. Not much experience of the alternatives, though.
 
Bf had 2 sets on the 110 and could not complain at all. I have grabbers on the amarok but I think the bf are better. Just a smoother ride. Wanted to try the coopers but simply couldn’t get hold of them.
 
running Cooper Discoverer ST MAXX in 235/85/16 on my Defender for the past 4 years, no issues, mainly road used but were brilliant in the recent snow
Will stick with them when need to replace
 
Nother vote for BFG from me. Now on my second set of AT's, although they are the old style so cannot comment on the new version. But as long as they are as good as the old ones then I will fit another set when my current ones wear out. Got 100k out of the first set and still had 4mm of tread when I sold them. Good on the road in the dry, predictable on the road in the wet, and as long as you drive your land rover like a land rover no problems with loss of grip. Good enough off road unless you are in sticky mud, good in the snow, and good in the dessert sand. Cannot fault them.
Before them I had a set of Kumho KL71 which were good off road, but were a soft compound so wore quickly in road use. But at the time were a lot cheaper than lots of other mud tyres.
 
BFGs fitted yesterday, and initial signs are good. More grip on wet roads, and less banging and crashing over potholes.
 
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