I've bought a freelander facelift (first one after years of series and defenders) and am hugely impressed. Should have got one years ago. It's shod with six year old Insa Dakar tyres which I love for their grip but which are too perished for safety. And on tarmac they are noisy to the point of discomfort. I am thinking of getting a new set, on the basis that newer rubber won't drum on tarmac so hard. But if new Dakars are just as loud, I'm not sure I could stick it. Has anyone renewed a set of dakars recently? If so, how was the noise? I'm currently running 215/65/16s.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
Why use tyres that are supposed to be on a tractor? Get a decent AT and drive in relative silence. 
I reckon you can't beat Yokohama Geolanders AT 015 for the money. https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/yokohama/geolandar-a-t-g015/215-65-r16-98h-564839
I reckon you can't beat Yokohama Geolanders AT 015 for the money. https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/yokohama/geolandar-a-t-g015/215-65-r16-98h-564839
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
I bought insa dakars years ago for my series, I loved them because they are the old bfg mud pattern, and I remember my dad having them on a rangie when I was small.
However I swapped them for some xzl's .....but that's another story.
I recently went to buy some new rubber for my 90 and had in mind some new dakars, however upon inquiry, I ended up getting cooper stt pro's instead for something like a fiver extra per corner, as they will last longer than remoulds, especially if not used every day, and they are even more aggressive and better off road.
I would say that she I had the dakars new they were loud as hell and when I breifly had them on a 2 door rangie, all you could hear was horrible tyre rumble!
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
Er, not if you want to grip in the wet?
The Yokohama I linked in post 2 are far superior to anything Cooper Tyres make, especially if a mix of road and off road are being driven.
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
Er, not if you want to grip in the wet?
I would suggest that if the OP is looking at tyres like the dakar he would want a similar performing tyre in the rough stuff. An all terrain wont come near what a mud based tread will do in the rough.
Skinny Mike
Well-Known Member
Big chunky tyres are ok if your planning on doing mainly off roading or work on a farm.
On a Freelander that spends most of its time on the road, it'll drive you crackers.
I've heard good things about the Cooper's, one of my mates has them on a 90 and he's well happy and they do them in the relevant size for Freelanders.
But if you are mainly on tarmac, the AT's are a better bet for that and mild off road. Or Michelin cross contact if you want to cover all conditions.
But if you can put up with the BUUUUUZZZZzzzzz go with the chunky choice.
Mike
On a Freelander that spends most of its time on the road, it'll drive you crackers.
I've heard good things about the Cooper's, one of my mates has them on a 90 and he's well happy and they do them in the relevant size for Freelanders.
But if you are mainly on tarmac, the AT's are a better bet for that and mild off road. Or Michelin cross contact if you want to cover all conditions.
But if you can put up with the BUUUUUZZZZzzzzz go with the chunky choice.
Mike
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
The Freelander is a monoquoc body vehicle with thin steel and mediocre sound proofing. It doesn't insulate the driver from tyre noise in the same way a separate chassis 4X4 does. Unless the OP is planning on mud plugging? Then mud tyres aren't the best choice for all round use. He's already said Dakars are painfully noisy. So he's going to think that STTs are the same. I quite like the STTs myself, but not on a Freelander. There are tyres that perform equally well off road, without the lack of refinement on the road. This is why my first choice is the Yokohama Geolanders AT 012 or 015. These have grip in mud and snow, but refinement and wet grip on tarmac. There's a reason they cost more than the Cooper STT. They grip better and last well too.
I do use the freelander in heavy mud situations so the Dakars are great for that. But I also use it on the road, maybe 60% of the time. Grip wise on wet tarmac I've found rhe Dakars to be fine - I don't drive it like I stole it - and I have had xzls on defenders before which didn't seem so loud. But all these viewpoints are really interesting. And I think the Dakars look fantastic on the car, too... will post a pic shortly.
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
Lol I know what a freelander is, that's not the point. Its what the OP ws asking.
Also, there ain't no way a freelander is les soundproofed or has increased cabin noise over a series or fender, so that side of the argument doesn't stack up.
Fair enough, the OP has said he does 60% of use on road, but so do I. I HAVE to have a tyre such as the stt pro, or dakar type tyre because when I DO go off road ie. With trailer and chipper across wet fields and woodlands etc etc all terrains wont cut it. I know because I've had them, do its not always about % of use. You can drive a mud tyre on the road accordingly, but you cant increase offroad performance of an all terrain when you need to.
