How long did the XPC Michelins last?

[Dougal]

Are there any here who had a P38 new enough to know how the, original fitment, Michelin XPC4x4 tyres lasted?

I got one pair on a set of wheels about 5 years ago. The Hankooks on on the other end wore out, I swapped them with BFG A/T's 2 years back and the Michelins still look like the day I got them.

[Slunnie]

These the XPC 4x4's? On Discovery's with 235s some people were getting over 100,000km but that depends on a lot of things.

[scarry]

What Slunnie said,i got 90k's out of them on two different D2's.

Got noisy as they wore,new BFG A/T were much quieter than old worn XPC's.

A bit soft as well,punctured through the tread easily.Good in sand.

[Dougal]

Yes, same type as the discos but mine are 255/65R16.

They are excellent in snow too. I hate to think how old they are, pre-date the current tyre dating conventions.

[harlie]

I got 106000 (235/70) on the D2, next set was Michelin Latitude Tour HP (245/70) which went for 98000, much quieter than the originals. Now on 2nd set of Latitude Tour HP.

Since I had such good run with them on the D2 I fitted them to the L322 in 265/60R18. Wow what a difference size and I assume independent suspension makes. Not sure if the 18s are softer but they will be struggling to make it to 50k. However they are a very nice tyre and 3 of them need on weights at all for balance. They mentioned at my last wheel align that this is common.

[TheTree]

Hi


Tyre life is directly related to how hard the compound is. Michelin has traditionally used a harder compound hence longer life.

The downside is less grip on bitumen than a softer tyre.

I am liking the Maxxis bravos I have on mine but I have no idea how far they have travelled

Steve

[Hoges]

When I bought the vehicle about 7 yrs ago, it had 103k on the clock. The Michelins had 4mm of tread left. Took the tyre fitters forever to remove them from the rims...was almost like the beads were glued on so am assuming that they were original fitment.

[Dougal]

When I bought the vehicle about 7 yrs ago, it had 103k on the clock. The Michelins had 4mm of tread left. Took the tyre fitters forever to remove them from the rims...was almost like the beads were glued on so am assuming that they were original fitment.

Mine are down to around 4mm centres and 6mm shoulders. But looks like they'll need binned in the next few years due to age. I really hate throwing out stuff that isn't worn out.

Do you know what pressure these were run at on a P38?
I keep finding 28psi front and 38psi rear. Yet the front axle weight is higher than the rear: Land Rover Workshop Manuals > Range Rover P38 > 04 - GENERAL SPECIFICATION DATA > INFORMATION > VEHICLE WEIGHTS AND PAYLOAD (http://workshop-manuals.com/landrover/p38/04_general_specification_data/information/vehicle_weights_and_payload/)

[TheTree]

HI

They sure are the factory tyre pressures, there was a discussion abut this a while ago.

Seems the general consensus is that they should be used

Steve

[Keithy P38]

Each to their own regarding tyre pressures. There's talk about factory pressures aiding viscous coupling pre-load (and hence road holding and handling as drive will be marginally more to the front).

If its wear that you're worried about, the 28psi in the front will kill the shoulders very quickly.

I run 39psi in the rear and 37psi in the fronts on mine. Even wear across the board.

Cheers
Keithy

[TheTree]

Hi

Wear patterns are the key, if the crown is wearing faster then you are overinflated, if it is the shoulders you are underinflated.

Mine seem to have a nice even wear pattern at the factory pressures, but if you go to a non standard size you may need to run different pressures.

Steve

[Dougal]

I'm wondering if the 28psi front is to make the front tyres help out the radius arm front suspension.
Easy way to take out the square cornered bumps that radius arms do suck at.