Following a few threads on here I thought I would give an update for those that are interested.

Having changed to Vred Wintracs 12 months ago at £117 each !!!!!, I have now been running these tyres all year round. The vehicle is used off road as a shoot hack, high speed motorway journeys and towing very heavy trailers. I was quoted £210 for Pirelli Scorpions so took the cheaper option for a better tyre.

Many of my friends said that running winter tyres all year round was a false economy and I would only get 10k miles out of them as they were of a soft compound!

I have just passed 12k miles in 12 months, the tread wear is exactly on 7mm, they were 9mm when new. On this basis I therefore expect to get 36k miles out of them if I junk them at 3mm. In my experience tyre wear is fast in the first 2mm, slows in the second 2mm and then increases again. If I run them to 1.6mm then 40k might be just possible.

As a comparison I got around 25k out of Goodyears and Pirellis to 3 mm.

The tyre wear has been even across the width with no shoulder wear - I try to avoid chucking her round corners.

The grip with the Vreds is as good as the others on Tarmac, and the grip as expected on snow and ice is absolutely fantastic. Having run GY, Michelin, Pirelli, BFG's, Avon and Vreds I would always buy Wintracs for snow work - I have got a set of new GoodYear ATR's on another Range Rover and they were hopeless in the snow.

For mud, track and field work the Vreds are significantly better than the Goodyear or Pirelli standard fit tyres.

Might just be tempted by a set of General AT's next time though??? always seaking something new

Hi,
I am due front tyres soon and was going to fit standard Pirellis but based on your post and a few article elsewhere I am now thinking Vreds - thanks for the post!
Kind regards,
Ed '96 Volkswagen Polo 1.4CL - SOLD
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'08 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE

I had fitted the wintracs 4 years ago and still going ok if done over 30k with them

i also run them dailly under the R-class merc

Handy to know!

Just out if interest, where did you get them for £117? The cheapest I can see is over £150. Maybe the Japanse earthquake has had an effect on tyre prices too!  2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black

Tyremen,

they are now £130.80 ex VAT (£157 inc VAT), I bought mine 12 months ago for £117 excl VAT

inflation, fuel costs and the economy has taken it toll!

Hi Vogue,

just looking at getting some Vreds, what tyre size did you go for as I am thinking of getting a 255 50 R19 as my snow chains will still fit, if I go for the 255 55 option I will need to change the chains does anyone know if this type of tyre would affect the RR as the normal pirellis are 255/55's

Just looking at trying to save some cash  Mutt
FFRR Black TDV8 Vogue MY08

I fitted the std RR size of 255/55/19's, the smaller 50 profile are for RR Sports.

If you fit the 255/50's your speedo will read under, your ground clearance will be less, and your ride will be slightly harsher, plus imho they will look daft on a FFRR - probably not what you wanted to hear! I doubt you will need chains though with these tyres, why not just sell them and buy a new set if they are really necessary.

P.S. and the same Vreds are still going strong loads of tread left and still pulling ok even off road with a twin axle Ivor Williams DP120 behind her - used on shoot days, and for moo moo's!

Hi Vogue,

Thanks for the heads up ref tyre size, as for the snow chains I have never fitted them to my 4x4 the are brand new, but I must carry them as it is possible that the police make you stop & put them on before allowing you to carry on up the mountain, so it's not worth the risk.

Although they will continue not to be used  Mutt
FFRR Black TDV8 Vogue MY08

How would the police know they weren't quite right? Leave them in the boot with the labels off , if the winter tyres are sufficient for your needs.

!

OK Maybe I was not clear in France & Switzerland in General, it has been known for the police to pull cars & 4x4's over or direct into layby that is for snowchains to be added here after heavy snow fall & not let you continue on your upward journey until chains are added irrespective on whether you have winter tyres on or not they will just sit an the road & direct you in

I hope that clears this up for anyone who is not aware of this in the alps, so snowcahins are a must just in case  Mutt
FFRR Black TDV8 Vogue MY08

You would also have to consider your spare tyre which will no doubt be either a 255/50/20 or a 255/55/19 and if you have gone and fitted 255/50/19's then have a puncture you will be stranded as you cannot use the spare ...Go with Vogue's advice fit tyres that match your car (not the 50/19's) and sell the chains you have just now for a new set that fits you car correctly

Motorists have it too easy in the UK

Vogue have you noticed any difference in fuel economy? 04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

none whatsoever, neither up nor down, have previously been running Goodyear's and Pirelli Scorpions