Advice? Quiet all-season highway tyre w/ some off-road?

[philoye]

I'm a bit lost on choosing a tyre, I was wondering if you could help. I've read all the threads, but nothing quite matches up.

The situation:

• 2007 Subaru Outback, currently running 215/55 R17.
• 90% city/highway driving in an around Sydney
• Occasionally head down to the snow (like once a year).
• Do a bit of soft-roading, gravel/dirt, but don't want an A/T tyre.
• Load up the car quite a bit when camping, kayak, roof box, bike rack, full boot, three kids...
• All else being equal, would prefer quiet as opposed to excellent handling.
• I don't drive that much, so extreme tread-life isn't critical. However, I certainly do not want punctures when driving on gravel.
• Would love a bit of extra wheel protection (parallel parking on narrow streets). US outbacks come with 225/55 R17, perhaps a better choice?

The vast majority of the tyres I find here in Australia tend to be summer tires, which certainly makes sense. However, the idea is to buy a tyre for the worst anticipated conditions, right? There IS snow a few hours away...

I'm trying to understand what category of tire, I should be looking for. Highway All-Season? Passenger Touring? Passenger Performance? SUV tyre?

I realise that I can't get one tyre that does it all, but given the above, do you have any tips?

Some contenders:

• Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 (light truck / highway all-season?)
• Yokohama C-Drive (summer? touring?)
• Michelin Primacy LC (summer? touring)
• Michelin Energy MXV8 (all season?, touring)
• Kumho KU27, called the Ecsta LX Platinum in the US (all-season, touring)

 

[taza]

Yokohama Geo AT-S. Get them in a different size. Best tyre for your needs if you want to go to all terrain.
Please search next time, this has been discussed many times...
Thx

 

[philoye]

Yokohama Geo AT-S. Get them in a different size. Best tyre for your needs if you want to go to all terrain.
Please search next time, this has been discussed many times...
Thx

Given my predominant highway usage and desire for a quiet tyre, I don't see how this is the best choice. I did specifically say I wasn't looking for a A/T tyre.

And I have read every single thread in the Tyres/Tires and Wheels forum.

Cheers,
p.

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday Phil

A warm to the ORS forum, mate.

Faced with the same choice as you for Roo2 (2006 2.5L N/A Fox; 215x60 16), I went for Michelin XM2 tyres.

Reasons:

1) At Bunyip SP, the Pirelli P7 on my car when I bought it were every bit as useless as Nachaluva's Yoki AT-s ... Having said that, I can see where the Yokis would give a better result;

2) I was not prepared to compromise on on-road safety and noise; not even a little bit;

3) I do expect to get reasonable wear out of tyres (like 55-65K kms +), for a reasonable price (the Michelins both last longer and cost about 25% less than the Yoki AT-s);

4) A modern highway tyre like the XM2 will give better fuel consumption than any A/T or H/T type tyre. Better compound; better tread pattern.

5) I am prepared to rely on the excellent AWD system that our cars have to take me everywhere I want to go, without having to rely on that extra couple of percent gained from using expensive, short life specialised tyres on it.

6) I have been happy with my choice so far - about 5,000 kms down the track. The XM2s are better handling than the P7s by a noticeable amount. I could also see the P7s literally wearing out in front of me!

7) Considering the size/weight of our vehicles, they are already running wider tyres than my 1968 LC (7.50" x 16)! Those were a 100% profile, of course. Going wider will give you little except a bigger hole in your wallet; possibly void your insurance (CHECK!!); and possibly void your ADR compliance (automatically unroadworthy ... CHECK!!).

8) If you go to the snow, you should use chains. Hire or buy them.

Best of luck with your choice.

 

[philoye]

Thanks!

Looks like the Michelin Energy XM2 only go up to 16", but there is an Energy MXV8 that is available for my size. I'm assuming they are similar, but who knows with tyres. Manufacturers seems to make completely different designs that use the same names.

But, I guess your overall point is, get a passenger touring tyre for fuel economy, noise, and durability. The 4wd system will be sufficient for light offroad use.

Seems reasonable. Thanks for the advice.

 

[stilson]

Yokohama Geo AT-S. Get them in a different size. Best tyre for your needs if you want to go to all terrain.
Please search next time, this has been discussed many times...
Thx

Having a bad day? :rotfl:

I had a set of Goodyear regattas. drive very well and were quiet. Couldn't tell you how they handle in the snow but they weren't great in mud. Great everywhere else though.

Asking the advice of your local tyre store will let you know which has the greatest mark up in price.

The geolander ht squeals when it breaks traction but I think it's Brett quiet otherwise.

 

[mr turbo]

G'day philoye & to ORS.

I wish I could help you a bit more & there is some good advice given there by Ratbag :iconwink:
By the looks of it, the Energy MXV8 would probably be a good choice.

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[NachaLuva]

The Yokohama C-Drive is a brilliant highway tyre with superb grip wet or dry.
I havent tried the Yokohama Geolander HT-s but I feel it would have better onroad grip than the AT-s which I reckon is pretty good compromise. It will be a tougher tyre, more resistant to punctures than other makes. The AT-s has a factory puncture warranty, not sure bout the HT-s.

I've never been a fan of Pirellis or Michelins....IMO overpriced & not suited to our harsher roads (designed for nice smooth European roads). The Michelins seem to have improved however (RB is pretty happy with his).

 

[bobbotron]

Take a look at the yokohama Avid Envigors. They're a nice all around tire, I can vouch for them being pretty decent off road/on gravel. Terrible snow tire, but you shouldn't see any snow in your neck of the woods!

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday NL

The Yokohama C-Drive is a brilliant highway tyre with superb grip wet or dry.
I havent tried the Yokohama Geolander HT-s but I feel it would have better onroad grip than the AT-s which I reckon is pretty good compromise. It will be a tougher tyre, more resistant to punctures than other makes. The AT-s has a factory puncture warranty, not sure bout the HT-s.

A couple of members here have driven all over the rough bits on both P7s and XM1s without the any damage or punctures.

Pirellis are renowned for have weak sidewalls. Michelin lost that reputation in about 1965 ...

I've never been a fan of Pirellis or Michelins....IMO overpriced & not suited to our harsher roads (designed for nice smooth European roads). The Michelins seem to have improved however (RB is pretty happy with his).

The XM2s cost me around $165 a corner, fitted and balanced. The cheapest price for Yokohama A/T-s at the time was $225 a corner ... That's a lot more for a tyre that seems to average about 2/3-3/4 of the wear of the Michelins.

I cannot speak for the MXV8 tyres as regards handling and wear. And all the 17" tyres seem to be vastly over-priced to me :-(.

I am not looking forward to buying new rubber for RonnyRoo (17").
The Yokohama G95 (225x55 17) currently fitted to it (since new? 70,000 kms ... ) have no vices in wet, dry, braking, handling, directional stability, and are also quiet and comfortable. Dependent on price, I will probably go with them again ...

 

[NachaLuva]

Pirellis are renowned for have weak sidewalls. Michelin lost that reputation in about 1965 ...

The XM2s cost me around $165 a corner, fitted and balanced. The cheapest price for Yokohama A/T-s at the time was $225 a corner ... That's a lot more for a tyre that seems to average about 2/3-3/4 of the wear of the Michelins.

Yeah, I think Michelin are a much better tyre now. $165 a corner? Damn...you did well

 

[sjm]

I am not looking forward to buying new rubber for RonnyRoo (17").
The Yokohama G95 (225x55 17) currently fitted to it (since new? 70,000 kms ... ) have no vices in wet, dry, braking, handling, directional stability, and are also quiet and comfortable. Dependent on price, I will probably go with them again ...

There's not a lot of choice when it comes to 17's - A/T's don't come in a 55R17, and the 60R17 is over the legal limit. I've been happy with the stock G95 (225/55R17) so far, and they've covered a lot of the country. No problems at all in the Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta track, Nullarbor desert etc. The only place I've had punctures has been in the Vic high country. They've tasted snow, but only a couple of inches on gravel roads, and with chains fitted.

I'm due for a replacement soon - the stock G95s have done more than 60,000km and are quite chopped up. Still a lot of surface area left, although the edges are badly chipped and sliced but considering the places I've been, they are holding up okay. I'm torn between staying with the same, or trying the G051's. The G051s have a more aggressive tread so should be better in loose sand, something the G95s are not so good at.

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday SJ

There's not a lot of choice when it comes to 17's - A/T's don't come in a 55R17, and the 60R17 is over the legal limit. I've been happy with the stock G95 (225/55R17) so far, and they've covered a lot of the country. No problems at all in the Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta track, Nullarbor desert etc. The only place I've had punctures has been in the Vic high country. They've tasted snow, but only a couple of inches on gravel roads, and with chains fitted.

I'm due for a replacement soon - the stock G95s have done more than 60,000km and are quite chopped up. Still a lot of surface area left, although the edges are badly chipped and sliced but considering the places I've been, they are holding up okay.

Very interested to hear about your experiences with these tyres, SJ.

That also tends to suggest to me that the G95s on RonnyRoo are probably the original tyres. They are at 70,000 kms now, and probably have 10-20% life left. Almost all their mileage has been on a freeway between Greensborough and Box Hill, AFAICS.

I'm torn between staying with the same, or trying the G051's. The G051s have a more aggressive tread so should be better in loose sand, something the G95s are not so good at.

What sort of money for each?

Also bear in mind that these are for SWMBO's 2009 Fox, so will only ever go off the bitumen for about 5 minutes at a time ...

 

[sjm]

What sort of money for each?

Also bear in mind that these are for SWMBO's 2009 Fox, so will only ever go off the bitumen for about 5 minutes at a time ...

$1300+ for a set of four. I realise there are much cheaper alternatives when it comes to purely on-road or touring tyres, but my requirements are rather specific. I do bugger all city/suburban driving, mainly country highways, gravel roads and packed dirt tracks. For really slippery stuff I have chains.

For my requirements, with a 55/R17 profile, it boils down to either the G95 (top) or G051 (bottom). Inner tread on the G051 is twice as deep as the G95.

 

[NachaLuva]

$1300+ for a set of four.

OUCH!

Inner tread on the G051 is twice as deep as the G95.

With the better tread pattern & twice as deep, the G051 sounds good. Plus with the white sidewall lettering, looks good too :iconwink:

 

[guzzla]

Don't get the MXV8. It's the only one you have mentioned that I have had experience with (on our V6 Camry) and I regretted every day that I wasted my money on them.. Quiet but not much grip, especially in the wet, didn't last that well (thank God) and easy to squeal in corners.

If your really want a tyre that you will rave about try the Bridgestone Potenza RE002 Adrenalin. About $215 a corner in 215/55 17. On the 3rd set on my Forester and they will leave your rather impressed by their wet weather ability. I just can't fault them in any condition other than tough muddy offroad work - and I do little of that. And incredibly there is something wrong if you don't get more than 60,000km out of a set. This last set I'm on looks like seeing 70,000km.

And one other thing I found when pricing tyres - there is a huge jump in price going from 215/55 17 to 225/55 17. I considered it too about 2 years ago and the price went from $215 to $295. However it's the size the present Forester uses and those owners wouldn't have a choice.

 

[philoye]

Wow, thanks for the all the responses!

Lots to think on... and in many ways it boils down to whether to optimise for on-road (Michelin Energy's, Yokohama C-Drive, etc.) or (light) off-road (a so-called "highway" SUV tyre, meaning one of the various Geolandars).

Will ponder...

 

[Scooby2]

Thanks philoye for asking the question - after all the other mechanical stuff that happens around 200,000 I'll have to look at tyres too, and thanks to every1 else for very informative information. Tyres are a significant expense and (if you're lucky) something that reside on your car for a long time. I'd much rather read and do some research than put any old thing on and have to live with bad tyres for 70,000 kms!

 

[NachaLuva]

And one other thing I found when pricing tyres - there is a huge jump in price going from 215/55 17 to 225/55 17. I considered it too about 2 years ago and the price went from $215 to $295. However it's the size the present Forester uses and those owners wouldn't have a choice.

I found a big jump in price from my lil OEM size 205/70/15 to 215/70/15 as well.

Tyres are a significant expense and (if you're lucky) something that reside on your car for a long time. I'd much rather read and do some research than put any old thing on and have to live with bad tyres for 70,000 kms!

Yep...& they are the ONLY thing that keeps you on the road. Not an easy choice as we all have different needs

 

[philoye]

Just a quick note to report on what I ended doing.

I opted for the Geolandar G95 225/55 R17. Turned out to the cheapest at $140 per corner, and I think it lined up with my priorities. All-season, a bit of off-road, but also a durable, highway tyre.

Everything else I looked at was either a summer only tyre and/or much more expensive, ~$225-250 a corner.

Interestingly, the G95 (the OEM tyre that comes on the Forrester GT?) was the only one that was so cheap. The 035 and the G900 came in at $220 a tyre. From Taleb Tyres in Sydney, if anyone cares.

Thanks again for all the responses. It helped crystalise my thinking.

Cheers!