Thread: 18" Tyres for D2

Originally Posted by Ged

I have had 2 sets of Michelin HPs since new. Each set lasted around 60,000-70,000K. Recently had to grapple with the issue of "what next". I looked at fitting ATs to the 18". First question to ask is what will you use the tyres for? ATs are good for everything, the best at nothing. Wear faster than HPs. Use more fuel. Less grip in mud than MTs. But best all rounder. MTs wear faster (softer compound) than ATs and are not the best in sand, and terrible to drive in the wet on tarmac as the decreased tyre surface in contact with the road owing to bigger spaces between the tread decreases friction. Also, I'm assuming that given you are in QLD that sand driving is in the mix. MTs are not helpful in sand - dig yourself in. ATs are better. When it comes to ATs for the 18" I drilled it down to 3 options. There may be more but this is what I can up with. Option 1: General Grabber ATs came out as best value for money. 255/60 r18 perform well. They are 1" (25mm) greater in diameter than OME so they are legal (in Vic) but give you that bit of extra lift and increased sidewall. They retail for approx $270 per corner and last about 40,000km according to the user reports in AULRO. Option 2 was Cooper AT3s 265/60 r18. Slightly larger than General Grabbers but still legal in VIC. A lot more expensive at $380 per corner. I know that others will say they come with a 60,000 clicks guarantee but if you read the fine print thats not true - kilometre guarantee does not apply if used offroad. Option 3 was BFG AT 265/65/19. Most expensive at $510 per corner but have the best reports from users in a whole host of forums. They certainly give you the increased sidewall and height. The problem is though that the increased diameter of 66mm on the OME tires makes them illegal in VIC. You may not get picked up by the feds but your insurance may be affected. Hopefully this is of help to you. Its certainly a complex area and never a simple answer that everyone agrees on. Just do your homework and you'll come the best answer for you. :-)

Thanks for the info. I thought the Grabbers were the best option of me, but my local tyre dealer wants ~$470 each, that's why I was looking for other options. Where were you getting prices?

Originally Posted by funkyfedaykin

That's good to hear! If you had the option of the Nitto's (in the OP) would you have still gone for the expensive grabbers?

Not one of the tyre shops I visitied offered Nittos, so no real choice..Hammond 4wd were the only ones that were able to offer a "legal" AT alternative...

Originally Posted by funkyfedaykin

Thanks for the info. I thought the Grabbers were the best option of me, but my local tyre dealer wants ~$470 each, that's why I was looking for other options. Where were you getting prices?

Tyrepower in Frankston. $470 sounds like a full blown rip off.

I've got Pirellis ATRs for mine. Great tyre on and off the blacktop.

Originally Posted by Ged

Tyrepower in Frankston. $470 sounds like a full blown rip off.

I misremembered, it was actually $380, at tyrepower.