My Verde's are 5mm after 30k miles but driving style probably accounts for much of that rather than tyre durability. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

MikeyB48 wrote:

Ennoch, have you any experience with the Pirelli scorpion all season SF2 tyres? Your last point re longevity has just made me wonder how many miles I can expect to get out of them.. I’d probably be looking at well over 10k per year and spending near £800 every 10-12 months on tyres is not going to fly with the other half!

Gotta say in 50 years of driving I have never changed tyres for winter, and I've driven in some pretty horrendous weather in those years. Never had a problem. Maybe I was just lucky?

Depends how you define 'problem' - every winter I get stuck behind people crawling along not having a problem - they cause me one though.

Tyres are always an emotive subject. Some people are fine with 4 odd chinese cheapos, because a tyre is just a tyre. Others will run them all the way to the 1.6mm MOT limit (or lower) - and not have a problem

Just like most people won't ever have a 'problem' if they never wear a seatbelt or deactivate their airbags. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I always used quality tyres tho', no remoulds, no part-worn. Changed @ 4mm tread depth.

I run winters Goodyear ultra grip from November to April and Michel pilot sport summers although I am trying Pirellis this summer just to see how they go so far 3k miles and ok but not as grippy in dry or wet as Michelins so will probably put them on the back up

I run winters Goodyear ultra grip from November to April and Michel pilot sport summers although I am trying Pirellis this summer just to see how they go so far 3k miles and ok but not as grippy in dry or wet as Michelins so will probably put them on the back up which only does local stuff

My wife always says I keep repeating myself

Alistair wrote:

Depends how you define 'problem' - every winter I get stuck behind people crawling along not having a problem - they cause me one though.

Tyres are always an emotive subject. Some people are fine with 4 odd chinese cheapos, because a tyre is just a tyre. Others will run them all the way to the 1.6mm MOT limit (or lower) - and not have a problem

Also worth noting its not so much the getting moving on ice its the stopping that makes winter tyres a must plus why not give yourself the best chance possible of arriving safe and well

Yeah full winter tyres are a revelation. I was in the high north of Norway for an extended period over the winter just gone and was astounded at how effective full winter tyres are.

I’ve decided to go for 4 Pirelli scorpion all season SF2’s, getting fitted this afternoon. I will get a spare set of wheels with an aggressive AT at some point in the future for off tarmac work.

Thanks again for everyone’s feedback.

Lot of good points on this thread.
What would you do in my situation?
I use my L322 for a 90mile commute and some long family trips. I always thought I’d do a bit of light off-roading but so far haven’t.
I’ve got two sets of 20” wheels. One set has knackered tyres and the other set are pretty worn.
I know the benefits of winter tyres - I’ve always had them on the family car in the past.

I’m split between getting a dedicated summer and winter set of tyres, or running AS tyres on one set and ATs on the other.

How much of a compromise are AS tyres? How much worse than a summer tyres in summer and how much worse than a winter tyre in winter?

I guess it depends on what you define as light off roading.....

Tyres are all about compromise and priorities - and that's a personal thing.

I live in a ski resort, so for me, full winters are a no brainer. However in the south of England, All seasons are probably a better bet. I read an article somewhere written by Jon who runs Tyre Reviews that said pretty much the same thing.

There really isn't a right answer......

Are you really going to swap your wheels over for a day out off roading & then swap them back again ? It's enough of a faff doing it twice a year between summers & winters - and that's with a trolley jack & battery torque wrench.

Quote:

“ Are you really going to swap your wheels over for a day out off roading & then swap them back again ? It's enough of a faff doing it twice a year between summers & winters - and that's with a trolley jack & battery torque wrench.”

A very good point!

I for one couldn’t be *rsed The standard Pirelli Scorpion Verde AS are great allround, and ultra-quiet too, but then again, I don’t do any off-roading, or live on a farm in the Scottish Highlands, so it’s horses for courses, there’s no right answer. Whatever tyres you use, driving according to the conditions is the best advice, even the best Winter tyres will not give you anywhere near dry-road levels of grip on ice & snow.  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?