OK the first snows of winter have been forecast for high ground in Scotland already (not where there are any roads I hasten to add, but that doesn't mean a Range Rover cannot get there! )

I want to clear out at least one set of wheels and tyres from my overstocked tyre store and wonder which is a better winter tyre a specifically designed/ developed Ice and Snow tyre or a Goodyear Wrangler MTR as I have both in the garage - both are 19" and while both were bought for my RRS they will also fit the L322. Problem for me is that the Goodyear MTR can possibly be used as both an offroad tyre AND a winter tyre whereas the Pirelli Ice and Snow Tyre is specifically an on-road winter tyre. The drawback of the MTR as a winter tyre is on-road noise generated by the chunkier tread, extra vibration and the fact that I don't intend to use the FFRR anywhere near where the MTR will be useful. 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Well I have just "upgraded" from 20" Pirellis (Road) to 18" General Grabber AT2s for the winter/softer ride. Can't say I noticed much in the way of increased road noise (the diesel sees to that!), wheel wobble at 60mph has gone, on road grip doesn't feel any different wet or dry, and I like the retro look (had these wheels on my P38 )

With all the snow in the south last winter, I had no trouble going anywhere with the Pirellis on (driving through 2/3 ft snow drifts to rescue/bring into work fellow workers) so if we get it again I expect the same and more from the Grabbers... .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
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Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

What has been the effect of such a drastic size change been on your speedo/ odo or have you managed to work a change that doesn't have any effect on rolling circumference? 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Vredestein Wintrac 255/55/19 as the name says its a winter / track tyre and the speed rating is fine, I keep them on all year round, good wear rates, theres a huge write up on the D3 forum - runs to about 12 pages - The MTR's speed rating is compromised...

Tim

If you do not go with the MTR's will you be selling them ?

Nigel... Just how many sets of wheels and tyres do you need

Thinking of a winter set myself now tho  TDV8 HST Sport **Current**

4.4 V8 Autobiography and 22" wheels **Gone**

Glad you posted this as I'm looking to replace mine for this winter too - on 18" rims.

I had a short list of Pirelli, Hankook and Kumho, but now that you've mentioned Vredstein I'll look at them too

Dave 1993 YZF 750 SP

Only after the tyres, as I have a few wheels now (4 x 18" Disco2 / 9 x 19" & 2 20" FFRR wheels in the garage)

MTR's are terrible wither tires. Unless, possibly - and only possibly - you are in very deep, very powdery snow. On all other surfaces especially plowed or packed snow even AT's or street tires make better snow tires. The large , chunky blocks in an MT tire find no grip whatsoever. What makes winter tires good are sipes and the rubber formulation designed to keep the tire pliable at very low temperatures.

With all my RR's I've found that it makes most sense to go with all-season tires year round - although I do make a point of checking tests for winter performance when choosing a tire. For very heavy snow on very steep alpine roads I have chains (though I've rarely used them). And then I have my off-road tires. I generally stick with AT's simply because we drive long stretches of hwy between off-roading and MT's are just too loud/uncomfortable/poor performing. I've considered summer/winter/off-road tires but even with floor jacks and air tools it's just too much work to be switching tires every couple weeks (as I have to switch between track and street tires on my Porsche too. + the wifes car...)

You see, Tim, we Americans know quite a bit about cars - including tires and oils. And we also know that generalizations are for the birds.  
RRC 2Dr, RRC 4Dr,
P38, and 2 L322s
(wife thinks I'm nuts - prob right, too)

Tim in Scotland wrote:

What has been the effect of such a drastic size change been on your speedo/ odo or have you managed to work a change that doesn't have any effect on rolling circumference?

The car started life on 18" wheels at 255/60 so I should be back where it started, however, (wait to be flamed) my understanding is that the 20" with lower profiles, 255/50 give the same overall circumference. A quick check with the tape measure seems to bear this thinking out. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

255/60/18
255/55/19
255/50/20

all have the same rolling radius and are original oem fitment for the L322

RRS has lower aspect ratios at 55, 50 and 45 for 18", 19" and 20" i.e. smaller diameter

I used to run with MTR on my Defender and in the wet on Tarmac they do produce comedy levels of understear and generally felt like you we on ice all the time, best avoided unless you actualy live in the mud most of the time. 2008 MY Supercharged
Rimini Red / Jet
four zone climate
remote park heater
and no ugly kid windows.
magnus satis quod turpis satis

How do Wintracs compare to the Scorpion Zero out of the mud and snow?

very very slightly more noisier - but definitely not much in it - pleasing growl when you gun it. Off road one hell of a difference, the treads don't clog up so readily.

As for handling no difference - still chuck her around tight bends no problems at all - wet or dry. Would buy again! and according to D3 forum expected wear rates are 35k ish miles - Zero's and Good Year I struggle to get 25 out of them. Plus they are very reasonablly priced. Running 7 RR's at the moment so have got good comparisons.

Interesting, thanks. After ~15k, the originals Scorpions don't have a great deal of life in them.

7 RRs? One for each day?