Cooper Discovery ATR's

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9th July 2010, 04:57 AM
Disco4SE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme

The BFG rub at the front of the rear wheel but it can be fixed if the vehicle doesn't have rear a/c by flattening the protective flange behind the liner with a sledge hammer then slitting and plastic welding the bump in the liner. I'm still wondering if I should get the Gmax rims and fit the BFGs.

Hi Graeme,
I have had 4wd's for around 25 years and only ever had one set of BFG's. They were on an older Range Rover. I had to pull up in a hurry at a round a bout in the rain with a trailer on and they let go big time. After that I was always weary when driving in the rain.
The Discovery's on the other hand are the best I have had as far as on road handling and wear.
FYI: My tyre guy recommended (in order) the Pirelli ATR, then BFG, then Cooper ATR.
Still interested on others comments.

Regards, Craig
9th July 2010, 06:43 AM
Graeme

I'm no particular fan of BFGs but I wonder if they last too long and the compound gets too hard. I've seen several with tread buldges and one exploded but they were all quite old. I do 40K a year so they wouldn't get old on my vehicle but the only real point in their favour is their LT construction.
The Pirelli ATRs are not LT in the 18" size and I've been turned-off Coopers through personal experience but perhaps dismissing them too readily.
9th July 2010, 07:02 AM
WhiteD3

I've done 26000km on my Pirelli ATR's now and am very happy with them. Great on the road and so far, no issues off road. Not the best in mud but then they're not muddies.

On top of that, they're quiet on the road, legal and fit in the spare well.
9th July 2010, 07:25 AM
Disco4SE

Mmmmmmmmm......my decision gets harder. I am willing to try the Pirelli ATR's as they get good write ups everywhere.
Not sure how they will look (or fit) on Gordons GMAX rims, being 8.5" wide.
Like Graeme, I do 40,000Klm's a year mainly on road, so I have to consider this.
I don't think there is an AT tyre that will perform well in mud.
Thanks for advice so far. Keep it coming.
Cheers, Craig
9th July 2010, 10:23 AM
Jesse B

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

I've done 26000km on my Pirelli ATR's now and am very happy with them. Great on the road and so far, no issues off road. Not the best in mud but then they're not muddies.

On top of that, they're quiet on the road, legal and fit in the spare well.

Perhaps this is an opportunity to relate a potentially salient story re the Pirelli's - I've done 20k on my 19's thus far, and like WhiteD3 am very happy with them, both on and off road. Having said that, I have yet to do much serious bush-bashing, which may well find them out. However, on Saturday night (cold, dark & drizzling) I had a flat, which I did not discover until on the side of a long steep hill. Had to drive +/- 300 metres to get someplace flat enough to change it - drove very slowly, gritting teeth all the way.

Not surprisingly, when I took the offending tyre in to the local Pirelli place on Monday morning they told me it was stuffed - the inside of the sidewall was pretty thoroughly chewed up. This is when the fun really started - as many of you will know, the 19" Pirelli's are "sold out" right across Oz! To my great good fortune, we found 2 at a tyre shop in Perth - but they would not sell me just 1 of them! Had to buy both, making that one mighty expensive ($930) allen key - for that is what caused the flat!

I don't know if this really says anything about the "strength" or otherwise of the Pirellis - I think most tyres would have suffered in those circumstances. But I'm certainly interested to know what others think. At least now I have a spare spare sitting in the shed!
9th July 2010, 11:13 AM
DiscoWeb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duck's Guts

From a NSW legal view point (maximum 15mm larger diameter), only the Pirelli's are OK.
The 285/60/18 Coopers are 36mm larger diameter than std fitment.
The BFG's are 39mm larger diameter.
And the Micky T's & Cooper 275/65/18's are a massive 52mm larger than std fitment.

Check legality in your state.

In some previous threads there has been some discussion about the impending adoption of a national system, rather than state based. This would result in a uniformed legal allowable increase in tyre diameter (for 4wd's) of up to 50mm. I am sure someone with much greater knowledge can advise provide input.

The other consideration is the possible impact on insurance, might be handy to check with your insurer that changing tyres size is acceptable as you would not want to give anyone an excuse to void insurances due to changing tyre sizes.

Disco4SE,

Just to confuse you more, another tyre that does not appear to have been mentioned is the the Continental Cross Contact AT which comes in the the correct size in 18.

A few on the forum have them and seem to like them, check out the Continental Global website (they are not listed on the Aust. one) for some information. Being an AT they are more aggressive than the Pirelli' but from most reports appear to go well on the road as well.

Regards,

George
9th July 2010, 12:34 PM
Duck's Guts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disco4SE

Pirelli ATR 255/60/18 - $400.00 each
Just looked at a spreadsheet I keep & 4 weeks ago I got a quote for the Pirelli ATR 255/60/18 from Tempe Tyres in Sydney for $320.
Of course, it's still no good to you if there are none left in the country (as per Jesse B's post above) & they need to order them in.
9th July 2010, 01:14 PM
Jesse B

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duck's Guts

Of course, it's still no good to you if there are none left in the country (as per Jesse B's post above) & they need to order them in.

I think it might only be the 19 inchers that are in short supply - all been bought by D4 owners!! Not sure if the same applies to the 18s. But $320 seems a mighty fine price, given I just paid $465 ea for the two 19s. It would be really interesting to know what the real gain in sidewall height is, going from the 255/55 x 19s to the 255/60 x 18s - or for that matter to the 265/65 BFGs - but my maths ain't that good! I know there is the whole matter of better choice involved with the 18s (hence this thread!), but sidewall height or lack of it does seem to be one of the main issues with the 19s. But I'd better be careful here, or the wrath of RMP / site mods will come down on me for dragging up the old 19" drama again...:eek:
9th July 2010, 02:34 PM
Duck's Guts
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse B

It would be really interesting to know what the real gain in sidewall height is, going from the 255/55 x 19s to the 255/60 x 18s - or for that matter to the 265/65 BFGs
- 255/55-19 have 140mm side wall height, 763mm total wheel diameter (0mm larger than std), 2397mm circumference, 417 revolutions/km, & 0% speed difference to std fitment rims/tyres.
- 255/60-18 have 153mm side wall height, 763mm total wheel diameter(0mm larger than std), 2398mm circumference, 417 revolutions/km, & 0% speed difference to std fitment rims/tyres.
- 265/65-18 BFG's have 172mm side wall height, 802mm total wheel diameter (+39mm larger than std), 2519mm circumference, 397 revolutions/km, & 4.8% speed difference to std fitment rims/tyres.
9th July 2010, 02:58 PM
Disco4SE
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duck's Guts

255/55-19 have 140mm side wall height, 763mm total wheel diameter (0mm larger than std), 2397mm circumference, 417 revolutions/km, & 0% speed difference to std fitment rims/tyres.
255/60-18 have 153mm side wall height, 763mm total wheel diameter(0mm larger than std), 2398mm circumference, 417 revolutions/km, & 0% speed difference to std fitment rims/tyres.
265/65-18 BFG's have 172mm side wall height, 802mm total wheel diameter (+39mm larger than std), 2519mm circumference, 397 revolutions/km, & 4.8% speed difference to std fitment rims/tyres.
Thanks for the info.
I'm sure it will come in handy for others as well.
Cheers, Craig

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