Member Since: 26 Jan 2010
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 23
New General Grabber A/T's in Australia
Hello all. I have previously asked advice re replacement tyres for D3. I see that previous posts were moved to the general 'worldwide' sections of the forums. I am now aware of what tyres D3/4 owners in the UK are using for 'green lanes' and other off road pursuits around their rolling countryside.
What I would really like to know is what people are putting on for predominantly Aust conditions such as the Flinders Rangers (rocks) and beach/sand work (including decent on road highway manners). Are these 'new' General Grabber A/T's (which appear to get rave reviews in the UK) available in Aust yet? From the dealers I have spoken to, they were not aware that the AT2's had been replaced.
Would love to hear what some local Aussie LR owners are using.
Many thanks.
BB.MY09 TDV6 SE
09 Golf GTI
09 Husaberg 570
24th Jan 2011 11:03 am
oldsalt
Member Since: 15 Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 179
Hi Blue Berger,
I'm using the "old" AT2s and have no complaints...been to the Flinders Ranges recently - no side cuts and they are fine on the highway - haven't tried 'em out on sand yet so can't comment on that use. Seem pretty good in the wet too....
Click image to enlarge
cheers
25th Jan 2011 6:08 am
Blue Berger
Member Since: 26 Jan 2010
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 23
Thanks for taking the time to reply oldsalt, I appreciate the info. I had a look at the GG AT2's, and according to numerous threads here and info from dealers they are going to be replaced by the all 'new' GG A/T!
So far I have had Coopers A/T and Pirelli ATR recommended. Still trying to find out more about these new GG's.
Thanks again.
BB.MY09 TDV6 SE
09 Golf GTI
09 Husaberg 570
25th Jan 2011 8:01 am
disco4x4au
Member Since: 19 Jan 2006
Location: Perth
Posts: 409
The new GG AT was supposed to have a release date in Oz of "around March 2011" - that's what I was told by the distributor in Nov. Don't know if that's the current timetable, but they'll still be selling the AT2 alongside for a while. They overlap in available sizes.
Cheers,
Gordonex - 2006 D3 TDV6 SE, silver, with lots of stuff - R.I.P.
ex - 2009 D3 TDV6 SE, silver, had lots of stuff too!
Now - 2010 RRS 3.0 TDV6, rimini red, 18" rims + Cooper LTZ, rear eLocker, Spider tuning box, GOE protection plates and rock sliders, GOE 3way shortened rods.
And between now and the end of March... if your tyres are out of tread, you might want to think about buying tyres from a major USA chain which can send them directly to your home - for about 1/3 to 1/2 of the Australian price - in about 5 days!
And Jerry Normal and other retail "giants" complain about goods bought over the net. S*rew them all... they gouge us for all their worth and complain that we're not faithful to their "service"!
26th Jan 2011 8:00 am
Blue Berger
Member Since: 26 Jan 2010
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 23
OK, thanks for all the feedback......
For what it's worth, apparently Australia will not be getting the 'new' General Grabber AT, going to be sticking with the AT2's as they are 'harder/tougher' for Australian conditions. ( info from dealer today- yep, might be a sales pitch to clear stock of AT2's)
So I now have to choose between the AT2's, Cooper ATR's or the Continental CrossContact A/T's. As previously mentioned, need them for 80% highway use, then some rocks/sand, and a bit of mud and snow.
Anyone got some recent experience with any of these tyres? I know that "what tyres" have been done to death, but any advice/tips on these tyres would be greatly appreciated.MY09 TDV6 SE
09 Golf GTI
09 Husaberg 570
31st Jan 2011 9:04 am
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
Blue Berger, I use Continental Cross Contact UHP's. My off road is nearly always sand and I've been happy with them on and off road.
<soap>
Got mine from the local tyre power guy, who also attends the local school functions, and therefore puts some of the money I gave him back into the community. By all means pound a big retailer like Gerry Harvey because like the overseas tyre sellers they won't give your local community anything. Your local tyre guy might be a bit pricey, butnscratch a bit deeper and you might find you're also buying more than tyres....</soap>2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
31st Jan 2011 12:07 pm
raadar
Member Since: 14 Dec 2010
Location: sunshinecoastQ
Posts: 28
BB
the rim size you are using will be relevant. 17's or 18's?
On my D4 with 19" rims I am on to my second set of Pirelli ATR's as my general highway/some offroad (vic high country etc) use and obviously am very happy with this tyre, being on the second set.
I have a second set of 18" rims recently fitted with 285/60/18 Cooper LTZ's and, aside from a very minor chassis rub on full lock, these give a much better prospect for offroad ventures, especially for D4/RRS with big brake specs. Cooper rate them as 70/30 on/off road and I can report that they are surprisingly quiet for this type of tread, especially compared to my previous Goodyear MTR's on 19" rims (now for sale), although not as quiet as the ATR's.
If you are using 17" rims your choices will be wider.
hope this helps....................cheers, frankmy10D4se3Ltdv6 current
my08RRStdv8 sold
my07RRStdv8 sold
1st Feb 2011 12:25 am
GWW
Member Since: 28 Sep 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 7
Blue Berger wrote:
OK, thanks for all the feedback......
So I now have to choose between the AT2's, Cooper ATR's or the Continental CrossContact A/T's. As previously mentioned, need them for 80% highway use, then some rocks/sand, and a bit of mud and snow.
Blue Berger,
I use the Continental Cross Contact A/T and have had them on for bet part of 10 months. Mostly used on road and done some off road with them as well. i choose them because they were the smae size as OEM, had a pretty aggressive tread for an AT and seemed to have been given a reasonable wrap from those who have used them.
My thought so far;
Reasonably quite for an AT, no noticeable increase in noise over OEM road tyres;
I have experienced no problems with grip and cornering;
Off road they have performed well, not a lot of mud use, mostly rocky loose trails;
Have put a slight cut in one side wall and as such my only concern relates to the toughness of the sidewalls but this was on a pretty rocky section of track;
Like most 18in tyres in this size availability is a bit of a worry but just by 5 -6 or so you always have a back up;
Overall I have been pleased with the Cross Contact A/T and would consider putting them on again.
hope this helps,
GeorgeRegards,
George
2008 TDV6 SE with e-diff and alpine roof
1st Feb 2011 1:26 am
Blue Berger
Member Since: 26 Jan 2010
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 23
Thanks George and Frank. Sorry, should have mentioned that they are 18" rims
Other than decent/safe performance on the black stuff, I would like reasonable performance in places like the Flinders Ranges (lots of rocks and sharp shale type tracks) and beach work around Robe/Pt Lincoln/Coffin Bay, so the pressures will be dropped. Side wall strength will be important consideration.
Having said that, I have been to these places with the OEM Wranglers, and while they are not going to be outstanding off road, they never failed in those type of areas.
At this stage, I'm leaning towards the CrossContact A/T as the feedback seems mostly positive, and not much mention of increased fuel consumption that many claim is associated with the GG AT2's. Doesn't sound like there are too many negatives with either tyre. The Pirelli ATR also gets good wraps.
Dan, I agree with sentiments about buying local! Apart from supporting local business argument, not keen on buying important items like tyres overseas, then asking the local guys to put them on thanks!
I do wonder though why prices of US tyres don't appear to have dropped over the last couple of years when you look at the performance of the Oz $. Maybe the majority of the 'US' tyres are now being manufactured in Europe!
BB.MY09 TDV6 SE
09 Golf GTI
09 Husaberg 570
1st Feb 2011 8:09 am
WayneD
Member Since: 11 Sep 2007
Location: Sydney Darwin ,Singapore, USA, UK and now country NSW
Posts: 531
I had Cooper ATR's on my D3 from new and did a combination of on and offroad. I also had Cooper STT's which did some rough offroading and both sets are now shot and the vehicle has 50,000k on the clock. Lots of chipping and a blowout on one STT. The AT tryes are not light truck although never had a problem with punctures except from tech screws on the highway around inner west Sydney
Due to lack of availability I am now getting Mickey Thompson AT tyres fitted in Darwin and will mortgage the house to pay for them. Lucky the tax rate up here (Singapore) is 15% Take the road less traveled. Dual battery system.ORS drawers,LR cargo Barrier.ARB Bull bar,side protection bars,Mickey Thompson ATR's 17" rims, Rear wheel carrier, radiator guard TPMS Mitchell Bros Tow Hitch LR RAI Steel Rims , GME UHF, Off Road GPS, Llams (yet to be fitted)
1st Feb 2011 3:08 pm
ozd4
Member Since: 11 Nov 2009
Location: Queensland
Posts: 92
QUOTE. The Pirelli ATR also gets good wraps.
Dan, I agree with sentiments about buying local! Apart from supporting local business argument, not keen on buying important items like tyres overseas, then asking the local guys to put them on thanks!
I do wonder though why prices of US tyres don't appear to have dropped over the last couple of years when you look at the performance of the Oz $. Maybe the majority of the 'US' tyres are now being manufactured in Europe!
Hi
I have had Pirelli ATRs on now for 30k, and cannot fault them, done Gibb River Rd with them with out a problem.
I got mine from Tire Rack USA, and saved $135 per tyre x 5, local guy was $10 fit and balance per wheel, thats $625 less than Bob Jane quote, thats a good donation to the school if you want to go that way.
Pirelli ATRs are made in Romania.
Cheers Ken
Last edited by ozd4 on 4th Feb 2011 9:20 am. Edited 1 time in total
2nd Feb 2011 12:46 am
Blue Berger
Member Since: 26 Jan 2010
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 23
Thanks Ken,
I thought about buying tyres from US but had some ordinary experiences with some off road bike gear last year, that ended up costing me a lot more than what was to be saved.
I'm still looking at the Pirelli ATR's. Will probably end up buying locally. Thanks for the feedback.MY09 TDV6 SE
09 Golf GTI
09 Husaberg 570
I spoke to Conti's Aust Marketing Manager in Jan 11 and they are yet to decide if the new GG AT will be imported. It was going to be tabled...
He would let me know the decision.
I'm hanging out to see if and when as they are one of 2 options for a D4 with 3.0lt.
Chris2011 Discovery 4 (MY12) SDV6 HSE with General Grabber AT's, Traxide Aux Battery system, custom rear drawers and Autosafe half height cargo barrier
Gone - 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
ARB Bull Bar, Warn 9.5XP Winch, IPF D/Lights, Cooper STT's, LR Raised Air Intake, Traxide aux battery system, custom drawers and half height Autosafe cargo barrier, Mitchell Bros 4x4 tow hitch
7th Feb 2011 8:59 am
Chimpy
Member Since: 27 Oct 2010
Location: Nelson Bay
Posts: 10
about to order another set of yokohama Geolandar A/TS, this time from the States. Brilliant on and off road. I drive hard on the back stuff with low noise and great grip, never had a problem on sand (I live next to Stockton Beach) and never missed a beat in the forests. Getting about 55-60k per set. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I can save about $800 by bying online and have found sizes to fit D3's that some manufacturers don't stock here ie. BFGThou shalt not let moochers into thine hut
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
S*rew them all... they gouge us for all their worth and complain that we're not faithful to their "service"!
Lucky the tax rate up here (Singapore) is 15% 
