Pirelli Scorpion ATRs - Tyre life?

[Gypsy_Pete]

I've booked to have Pirelli Scorpion ATRs fitted to my D3 (265x65x17) tomorrow based on what I have read on this forum. Someone has just warned me that their soft rubber makes for a fast wearing tyre. My usage is 95% bitumen. Have any long term results indicate that they may wear just as quickly as the Wranglers?

[Neil P]

The tread depth is more important . Harder rubber doesn't
grip as well on bitumen . Pirelli ATR gets good UK reviews ,
and will be my next set this summer. They have 11mm ,
so 9mm useage to minimum really.

[WhiteD3]

I've done 25,000 on my R18's to date, 99% bitumen and by the looks expect to get at least 50k out of them.

That's rotating every 6 months as well.

[Gypsy_Pete]

Thanks for your prompt reply. that's what I wanted to hear. There are many rave reviews about the scorpions but mostly from offroaders or those who have only had them for a short time.

[Graeme]

I had LT245/70-16 on my D2 that after 20K didn't appear to have worn much at all, but the 255/55-19 on my D4 are showing definite signs of wear after 15K. The implementation of the pattern (19" no deep outer grooves), the carcase/tread rigidity (LT vs XL (P)) and I suspect the compound too is different between these sizes. The 265/65-17 size may be somewhere in between.

[Gypsy_Pete]

Thanks Graeme. I got over 100K out of the original equipment Michelins on my D1 so the stories I'm hearing about the D3's tyre wear are a worry. At $309 a tyre, I don't want to be throwing them out too early. Its not a decision one takes too lightly.

I was going to go 255/65/17 which is closer to the original tyre size OD but I can't find them anywhere and five dealers now have told me Pirelli has no stock and no ETA on that size. Whereas the 265/65 is a more common size and should give me a little extra ground clearance but will make the speedo read low by 1 or 2 Kms/hr.

Peter (D3 with springs)

[Gabbers]

Hi Peter,
I also have a D3 with springs & recently put on 255/65/17 ... I wanted 265/65/17 but the tyre fitter (who is also a friend) suggested that the slightly wider tyre was not recommended for a 7.0 inch wide rim ... 7.5 inch was the minimum.
(By the way I went Yoko Geolander AT/S, not Pirelli)
Not sure if this is any help.
Cheers
Ian

[Graeme]

Depending on where and how you drive, the Pirellii ATR in LT245/70-17 might be a better choice. If I go to 17" on my D4, I'm likely to run that tyre for my everyday use. The LT245/70-16 tread appeared to be as wide as the 255/55-19 and looked much more robust.

How accurate is the speedo now? My D4 is approx 4kph fast.

[Gypsy_Pete]

Thanks Grabber and Graeme. I double checked with the tyre dealer and yes, you are right, the 265s require a 7.5" rim so I cancelled the appointment. I'll see how long it will take for him to get the 255s.

I'll also check out Graemes suggestion of the LT245/70 option. My speedo seems to be spot on when checking against those highway readouts. I suspect that the LT245/70 is going to stand higher than the standard fitment 235/70 though.

Thanks to all the posters for your informed and quick responses.

[Slunnie]

I've been running Pirelli ATR's in 285/75-16 for about 2 years now amongst other tyres. I'm really not sure how long they will last, but I wouldn't sweat too much about the tyres wear and rubber softness. They were saying exactly the same thing about the Goodyear MTR when they were released, but a lot of people don't realise that the MTR and the Pirelli ATR are both silica compounds, not the normal carbon black rubber tyres where these wear comments might have been correct. I'm not easy on tyres, and my MTR's at about 90,000km are pictured below. I would expect the Pirelli ATRs to also last a lot better than what the durometer might suggest.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/463.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/464.jpg