New Boots for the D3

**DiscoWeb** · 20th July 2010, 01:29 PM

Well after procrastinating for a long time I was finally forced to make a decision about tires as my rears were getting badly worn.

So on Friday I bit the bullet and had a set of Continental Cross Contact AT's put on the D3.

I ended up with the AT's because;

1. They were the same size (255/60 18) as the originals fitted;
2. The Pirelli Scorpion was not available for 6 -8 weeks;
3. The AT's are a reasonably aggressive for an AT tyre which is what I wanted;
4. I think they look good.

On Friday afternoon i packed the car, grabbed the kids, kissed the wife and headed drove down the South Coast for a weekend of camping, walking and had planned some 4wding. Unfortunately did not get any real 4wding in but covered over 600 km of which about 80 km was on dirt.

So my impressions thus far are;

On Road
I did not noticed any real difference between the AT's and the UHP's previously fitted. Straight line tracking is good and cornering was fine. I did a couple of hard braking test and did notice a bit of squirming from the blocks but not enough to be of concern. Noise wise, under normal conditions (windows up and radio on low) absolutely no noise intruding, I had to open the windows and turn off the radio to hear the slight increase in noise.

On Dirt
The road was a bit rutted and cut up and after about 3 or 4 km I stopped to check if I had a flat. The tyres felt a bit floaty, like the tread block would "walk" its way into the ruts rather than track across them. This was a bit off putting at first but after I worked out what I thought was going on and drove on for a bit I stopped noticing it. Otherwise they gripped will on wet corners and soft and gravel edges so all in all pretty good.

Overall pretty happy and as per the photos attached I do like the way they look.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

George

**DiscoSaffa** · 20th July 2010, 01:47 PM

Hi George

Was looking forward to your feedback. I am intrigued by two things, the floating on dirt that you mention. I never gave it much thought but the tyres do seem to do that, that said, they are not very different in that respect to the stock rubber that was fitted to mine.

Also I notice from your pictures that you have not been plagued with the darned pick up of stones that mine have. If I was to take pictures from any of the angles that you have taken your from, there would be a handful of stones in each of my tyres. The size of these stones vary from pebbles lodged between the main tread blocks to small sharp little blighters trapped in the slots in the edge blocks.

What pressures did you/are you running yours at? And does anyone else have any experience, ideas or suggestions on how to deal with the stone issue?

As a parting shot, I never mentioned in any of my posts regarding these tyres, but I agree with George, the tyres do look very good on the D3!

Look forward to a report on some real 4x4ing!

DS

**DiscoWeb** · 20th July 2010, 01:58 PM

DS,

I put the squirming down to a pretty soft compound and the fact the blocks are widely spaced and quite deep, but as I said once I got use to it, it was no issue.

I was waiting for the stones to start pinging away but did not seem to pick any up, but in saying that the roads were mostly clay based and not overly graveled or full of stones.

Pressures I am not sure as I have not checked them yet but will do so tonight and advise.

I think they make the D3 look a little more "fit for purpose" and hope they perform when I get them dirty.

George

**Scouse** · 20th July 2010, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoWeb

I think they make the D3 look a little more "fit for purpose" and hope they perform when I get them dirty.

Goody goody, Lake Lyell take 2 here we come !!

**DiscoWeb** · 20th July 2010, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse

Goody goody, Lake Lyell take 2 here we come !!

My thoughts exactly

!!

**Scouse** · 20th July 2010, 06:29 PM

I'd better take my road tyres off next time - I can't have a D3 showing me up

.

**DiscoSaffa** · 21st July 2010, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by DiscoWeb

I think they make the D3 look a little more "fit for purpose"

I like that term.....

They do, ever so subtly, alter the look of the vehicle, for the better..... and definately fit for purpose!

**DiscoWeb** · 21st July 2010, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Scouse

I'd better take my road tyres off next time - I can't have a D3 showing me up

.

Scouse,

Even with your "road tyres" on you and that Rangie will probably go further than me in the D3

George

**Graeme** · 22nd July 2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoWeb

I think they make the D3 look a little more "fit for purpose" and hope they perform when I get them dirty.

They might not pick-up the mud that my Pirelli ATRs do.

**tunnelthug** · 23rd July 2010, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoWeb

1. They were the same size (255/60 18) as the originals fitted;
2. The Pirelli Scorpion was not available for 6 -8 weeks;
3. The AT's are a reasonably aggressive for an AT tyre which is what I wanted;
4. I think they look good.

Looks like a good choice, Discoweb -

How much of the hard-earned did you have to part with, if you don't mind me asking?

Cheers,

NM

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