New Defender Tyres and Wheel Well Recommendations

[mac]

Thanks to everyone that responded to my Snorkel and tow bar thread for my fender on order.

Two new questions. How are the General tyres on the new fender? I like Coopers, but I assume the dealer won't give me any real trade in value if I try to put on Coopers.

How are people addressing the noise issue with rocks hitting the inside of the wheel well while traveling on a dirt road? Using rubberised paint or felt?

Thanks,

Mac

[Scallops]

G'day again mac - others might disagree but I find the Grabbers pretty good. We've driven our new Defender up some reasonably steep inclines - a few times in the wet - and they handled it admirably.

For general (no pun intended) driving they are also impressive - I've heard accounts of folk getting 90 - 100k out of them.

I'd say it has to be fairly aggressive conditions (or very wet) before you'll struggle with the GG's - but if you can cut a deal on some other tyres I guess purchase time is the right moment to do it.

Regarding stone noise - it worried me a little at first - not sure if it was fitting front mudflaps or just getting used to it - but we don't really notice it any more. If you try to stick anything under your wheel arches it will just fall out eventually - and the rubber paint stuff is ineffective. Don't sweat it, mate - the Puma's growl will be all you'll hear! :D

[JohnR]

I agree with Scolops about the GG's but in saying that I am going to get myself some Rock/mud tyres at some stage something like the Goodyear MTR. I will keep the GG's for Road and sand as they are a good tyre.

Re the stone noise, on my last Defender (a 02 model) I went to Clarke Rubber and purchased some matching rubber as ther rear floor liner and simply Bear gripped it to the guard, not only did it stop the noise but it also made for a softer grippier surface for anything I threw in the back. BUT I did make the mistake and purchased rubber, it stinks!!! Make sure you ask for a synthetic equivelant, no smell! I am still to get around to doing it to this one.

Cheers,

JohnR

[andrew e]

dont touch the coopers. They are a very hard tyre, which is easily damaged when driving over rocks. Their warrenty isn't worth the paper its written on, you must get allignments every 10K and you recieve a discount on your next set of coopers then they wear out before their time. BS.

As for paint, Look up POR-15 on google. its not cheap - about 70 a litre, but its all the go with the hot rodders and classic car restorers at the moment. I was told you could line a gravel truck with it and it still wouldn't chip.


Andy

[Blknight.aus]

The GG's dont cut it on loose gravel Especially if you have a trailer trying to tell the ass end what to do.

[solmanic]

I'm so tight I only ever think about replacing tyres once they've worn out. I am yet to replace a set of Defender tyres since the Grabbers on all three I've had just kept on going - right up until I traded-up.