Recommended tyres for Scout?

[GroundHog]

Our tyres are getting a little on the low side on our Scout (about 3mm all round) and so I was wondering what we should replace them with? I'm wondering about getting some mud and snow tyres what with winter coming and the sort of winters we've had recently, but wondered if they had a reduced lifespan compared with normal tyres? Its expensive enough to replace all 4 tyres on this car without having to do it again in 10000 miles time! Any suggestions/recommendations from anyone? Not looking to spend too much, if possible, but going on the last time we bought 4 new tyres I seem to remember only premium makes made this weird tyre size anyway so its going to be pretty expensive either way.

Thanks a lot.

[Stuart_J]

We stayed with the std fit, were pretty good in the snow last year as long as you done expect miraculous grip. The only time we struggled was when others in front of us got stuck. we got pretty good wear out of them & they were quiet enough on long journets

There are several threads on winter tyres for the Scout so worth doing a search. Just be careful to get some good ones, there are a few that arent as good, also check out there performance in the wet etc. I was offered some last year & on research found they were made in China (started worying) & then looking further has a horrendous report for traction in the wet

[Niall]

I had to do a four wheel re-shoe recently after the summers all wore out at the same time (thanks in part to the garage "cycling" the tyres onto opposite axles when the winters came off)The fronts had slightly more tread than the rears but within two months they were all nearing the minimum.

I got a full set of Barum Bravuris 2s for £321 from Tyre Shopper. There was additional discount for all four at once (hence the big saving).

Very pleased with them so far after two months, despite being billed as a "value" choice. Getting the best economy (nearing a trip average of 50 rather than 45) I've ever had (unless it takes 85,000 miles to fully loosen a PD?), a wee bit more road noise to be fair, the same great Scout grip and no noticeable concerns under heavy braking. Seem to to be lasting well too.

Still when you normally expect over £100 a corner I'm not complaining!

Barum are a Czech Brand owned by Continental. Czech Rubber on a Czech Car - nice!

For winters though I'd get some 16" wheels and get tyres for £80-£100 each rather than £120+ for the 17s. (The difference in price would pay a for a 2nd hand set of alloys/steels in cycle 1 of the tyres, pure saving in cycle 2).

Niall

[scottishscout]

I'm running Nokien enNtyres on mine. Very happy with all round performance and seem a good choice for a Scottish Summer. Will put winter tyres back on if the snows come like last year!

[silver1011]

I've just replaced all four of my factory fit Dunlop Sport SP 01's - 225/50 R17.

All four wore evenly without having to rotate, they did 25,000 miles and I took them right down to the wear bars.

They were great in the winter (half worn) and nice and quiet in the summer.

As I was happy with their performance and durability I replaced like-for-like.

From www.lovetyres.com they were a few quid over £500 delivered.

I then got my Skoda dealer to fit them for free when they replaced all four delaminating alloys under warranty.

[GroundHog]

Thanks guys. I wasn't going to bother with winter tyres as such, more the M+S tyres that work all year round and see how we get on. However thanks for the Dunlop and Barum tips - I'll have to look in to them. I think I've got Pirelli's on there at the moment and to be fair they have lasted a good 20,000 and all worn pretty evenly, but there was some loss of traction last winter, and these are pretty loud, so if there is a better/quieter option then I'm certainly interested.

[silver1011]

A few other members have had the Pirelli's fitted from the factory, they seem to chop and change between Dunlop and Pirelli, perhaps supply issues?

Anyway, let us know how you get on!

[Stuart_J]

A few other members have had the Pirelli's fitted from the factory, they seem to chop and change between Dunlop and Pirelli, perhaps supply issues?

Anyway, let us know how you get on!

More likely to be which manufacturer is offering the best deal at the time

[London Les]

I've been very happy with the Dunlop SP01's as summer tyres and they were pretty good in winter too. They only really gave up on a local steep hill with compacted snow and ice, and Ii needed to dig out.

Have a look @ http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/182514-what-a-scout-will-not-do/page__st__20__p__2193170__hl__scout+ice__fromsearch__1#entry2193170

This winter I've gone for Dunlop WinterSport 4D using the standard 225/50R17 size - they are a new tyre but the previous 3D version did well in the AutoExpress winter tyre test.

There are very few all season options in the UK - I looked at Nokian Entyre, Pirelli P6 all-season, Goodyear Vector and Dunlop SP01 AS, but none floated my boat and I went for specialist winter tyres.

[scouter2]

GoodYear Vector 4 Seasons, Have done around 38,000 miles on them and they will be due for a change in the next few weeks (~ 3mm still well above legal minimum). Did about 33,000 on the Dunlops before that.

Great tyres in snow, rain & dry. Will probably buy the same again or go for Nokian for a change.

[silver1011]

Did about 33,000 on the Dunlops before that.

25% more than me :(

How did you manage that!? The Scout is the wife's car and she's pretty sedate behind the wheel.

However we did buy it with 8,000 miles on it, perhaps they were hard miles

[Jeeves]

Thanks guys. I wasn't going to bother with winter tyres as such, more the M+S tyres that work all year round and see how we get on.

I fitted some 245/45 Goodyear Wrangler AT/R on some 18" wheels last winter as only two of the four winter tyres I ordered turned up. They were great, although I've since refitted the 17" wheels to use up those OE tyres in time for the coming winter when I propose to fit some 225/55 R 17 CWTs.

There are several hybrid patterns (including less expensive brands)available in this 17" size (it is the original size for the first generation Audi allroad where Goodyear Wrangler F1 and Pirelli P6 allroad were developed for homologation).

The Wrangler AT/R is not available in 17" and is the offroad option for current allroad. I've been so impressed with them I bought 3 sets at £100 per tyre to use on my Scout and my allroad, leaving a spare axle pair for each.

Clearance for either size will be tight, but I've not had any issues over several thousand miles. I don't go out of my way to hit compressions on full lock at speed though.

On ice I would still advise Cold Weather Tyres as the increase in confidence they give at low temperatures is unparalleled.

[finbarsko]

I had the Dunlops which lasted ok.

I now have the Uniroyal Rainsport 2's which seem grippier and at present are lasting ok too.

They did great last winter but I'm getting a set of winters on 16" rims so I can really see

what the Scout can do.

I'll happily put another set of UR2's on though.