Member Since: 02 May 2009
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 59
Questions - General Grabber AT2s
Hi
I'm due a new set of tyres on my manual D3 (06 plate) soon. At the moment it's fitted with Pirelli Scorpions 255/60 R18 112 V.
I've done a lot of searching and reading on the site and it looks as though the General Grabber AT2 tyres seem to get some extremely good reports. It seems that these tyres are a good 'all rounder', however, I have a few questions that are bothering me.
Firstly, almost all my mileage is on roads (97%), quite a lot on the motorway. So, my question is: Is the road noise improved, the same, or worse than the Pirelli's?
Secondly, i've read a few reports that suggest the vehicle's MPG is significantly (badly) affected with these tyres, others say that MPG is improved. Don't know what to believe now. Can anyone offer their real world experiences? At the moment i'm getting an average 27 to 28 mpg.
I've also read that the AT2's seem to last longer than the Pirelli's. Again, i'd appreciate any real world experience.
Finally, does fitting tyres other than the dealer fitted ones affect the cars insurance?, should I let the insurance company know if I change to a different brand?
Many thanks. I'm not a particularly mechanically or technically minded person, i'm just a reasonably normal guy who loves his Discovery. All I want is to get some decent tyres that will last a while, hold the road well and not be too noisy... Oh, and give me a decent MPG .
Thanks in advance.
Jem
Last edited by Jem on 7th Oct 2010 11:46 am. Edited 1 time in total
7th Oct 2010 11:40 am
DaveC
Member Since: 29 Sep 2009
Location: Wirral
Posts: 1034
for mainly road use you probably don't need/want and AT2XC90 T8 R Design Pro
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7th Oct 2010 11:45 am
dgarside
Member Since: 17 Jan 2010
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 734
Hi Jem,
I'm sure you'll get loads of response to this, some pointing you at the search function
I've just had a full set of AT2's fitted yesterday, and I used to have exactly the same tyres as you (Disco Auto 58 plate). My findings so far, and I've not done any motorway runs e.t.c. and have similar experience to you with Pirelli's.
Slight increase in road noise, but something I very quickly got used to, and haven't really noticed. I haven't been on the motorway yet, but have been on fast A roads. I'm told, not proof as yet, that with a few miles on them this increase in road noise may go away or get better.
I've filled up yesterday as well, so by early next week should have a good idea of local MPG, although I don't think I'll have chance to get a good motorway run in. I usually got between 28 and 32 quite easily on these kinds of runs. My expectation I must say is that I might drop a little on MPG with these. I'm definitely not expecting increases, not with that tread pattern/rolling resistance.
They look great and give the Discovery a more meaty look which I prefer to the Zero's.
The consensus from everyone I've spoken to is that they should last at least twice as long as the Zero's, and was one of the main reasons for my purchase, on top of the improved off road/snow performance.... the little I do of it.
I might beable to give you a better report Mon/Tues next week.
Darren.
7th Oct 2010 11:49 am
dgarside
Member Since: 17 Jan 2010
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 734
Good point, if the AT's were currently available in 18" wheels I would have gone for them for sure. I'm told they aren't expected to be available until later in the year.... The Pirelli ATR's were stupid priced at the moment (very short supply), which sort of pushed me down the AT2 route.
Darren.
7th Oct 2010 11:52 am
Jem
Member Since: 02 May 2009
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 59
Thanks guys.
My car goes in for MOT next week and i'm fully expecting them to say it needs new tyres. They're not at the minimum marks, but quite close. I've now read the thread on the new ATs and they sound very promising. What I don't want to have to do is make a hasty decision when i'm put on the spot.
I have used the search and done a lot of reading. However, there is soooo much information and the specific questions i'm asking don't seem to have been fully addressed. Hope no one minds me asking.
I do about 12 km of track roads everyday, so I went for the AT2 for durability. Had them on the Defender also. They look fantastic. Road noise is acceptable. Careful with road handling in the wet. Consumption + 10% or thereabout but they should last at least twice more. Again, you cannot beat the looks of a D3 with AT2.The older I get, the better I was.
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto (BAS remap) after Defender TD4 110 Crew Cab and 1964 SIIA 88.
7th Oct 2010 12:41 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
Same as 007 above, excellent grip in the snow and mud (though I suspect all the traction control goodies help a lot here too,) road noise was increased slightly but not obtrusive by any means, they last a lot longer than the Pirelli's but at the expense of some grip.
Stands to reason really - the Pirelli's are grippy mainly because they're soft, so they wear more quickly.
I didn't really notice any difference in the fuel consumption.Clive
7th Oct 2010 12:58 pm
ZacSmith
Member Since: 26 Aug 2010
Location: Dover
Posts: 709
I have just replaced 5 worn Wranglers with 18" AT2s. No noticeable increase in road noise but my motorway MPG dropped from 29 to 24 mpg (indicated) overnight. Is that because I have increased the diameter by maybe 20mm? Don't know.
Just put my "winter" AT2's on, from my summer Scorpion zeros'
Would agree with all the above, much prefer the AT2's, also find that as their sidewall is stiffer, there is noticeably less bodyroll so the ride is better.
Slightly more noise, but barely noticeable, SWMBO can't tell the difference, haven't noticed mpg difference, but could be the way I drive.
AT's will be a good middle ground I think if I can ever wear the AT2's out only using them 5 months of the year
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7th Oct 2010 1:18 pm
mapleleaf 123
Member Since: 17 Jun 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 93
Jem, just replaced all my tires with AT2s, very slight increase in noise but nothing to worry about and my fuel mileage isn't good anyway.
As for insurance I looked in the manual which states speed rating H [AT2s] or V [Scorpions] AT tires are within specification, phoned my insurance broker who really wasn't bothered as long as they meet LR spec which they clearly do, love 'em.Why buy a car when you can buy a Land Rover.....because I'm worth it.
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7th Oct 2010 8:23 pm
dick dastardly
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: wiggleigh bottom
Posts: 1112
P scorpion zeros wear quickly but P ATRs dont, grip better than AT2s in wet and are just as useful off roadThere's one wheel on my wagon, but i'm still rollin' along, it's the cherokee, they're after me, but I'm singing a happy song
I vote for ATR's too - very good price if you know where to look - lot cheaper than the zero's and I expect them to last a lot longer too.
Grip in the wet is ok - well, more than ok, but you can get them to slide, especially when the roads are wet following a long dry spell - but no worse than anything else I had on various cars over the years.Mark.
2006, D3 SE Auto - gone but not forgotten.
2014 BMW 530d M Sport Tourer.
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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7th Oct 2010 8:51 pm
Jem
Member Since: 02 May 2009
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 59
Thanks guys for all your replies. Sorry for the delay in saying thanks but haven't visited the forum much recently due to illness.
I'm pretty much settled on the Pirelli ATR's and should get them fitted in a couple of weeks.
Thanks again
Jem
2nd Nov 2010 12:57 pm
Hoaroak
Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Devon
Posts: 12
New Grabber AT2
Well, I'm really bemused now. Got a couple of quotes on Grabber AT2s (18"). Now general tires are advertising a new tread pattern which they call Grabber AT. It looks remarkably close to the Pirelli ATR. Query to 4site 4X4 produced the answer that the AT2 was only ever a temporary tyre to cover the gap whilst the new tyre was developed. Any commnts or experience of the new Grabber AT yet?
2nd Nov 2010 7:57 pm
Hedgehog
Member Since: 26 Mar 2010
Location: Frankonia
Posts: 100
Hi
yes it is true that General has a new All Terrain Tire which is called AT. I have read a test in an Offroad magazine recently where it says that it should be availiable in all common sizes including 255/55R19 and other typical SUV sizes also in 20". 8) The test says that the road noice has improved a lot over the AT2 and is even in a Range Rover which has nearly no noise at all not audible. Off road traction is as good as the AT2, the puncture resistance is better. Wet surface handling is also improved thanks to a different tread pattern. I have the AT2s on my Discovery since two years now and I am impressed of the all around performance of this tyre. As soon as they are worn out, which will need maybe a few more years I will them replace with the new AT!
Cheers
HedgehogHedgehog
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I will them replace with the new AT!
