I currently have Pirelli Scorpion STR tires (265/70-16 112H) on my Pajero. This is my second set, and they have been relatively good to me.
Because of local weather conditions, I refuse to roll on tires that are over 3 years old from the build date and will be replacing my current set before the start of summer. It's a while away, but with tires I like planning and budgeting in advance. Whilst I don't skimp on anything with any of my cars, where suspension, brakes and tires are concerned, I try to buy the best products I can afford.
As it stands, I've got two choices this year:
Pirelli Scorpion STR
Treadwear: 520
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Load Rating: 112
Speed Rating: H
COO: Romainia or Brazil
EU Tire Labelling Specifications:
Fuel Economy/Rolling Resistance: F
Braking under Wet Conditions: C
External Noise Level: 71 dB
Michelin Latitude Cross
Treadwear: 320
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Load Rating: 112
Speed Rating: H
COO: Poland
EU Tire Labelling Specifications:
Fuel Economy/Rolling Resistance: C
Braking under Wet Conditions: C
External Noise Level: 71 dB
The negative side of the Pirellis is that they harden over time, and some of the tread is ever so slightly torn. If you look at the tread pattern, the ribs on the side tend to tear from underneath and with a little effort, you can slightly lift about 5 mm or so off the base of the rubber. Put another couple of thousand miles on it, and the rib that was partially torn off the base of the rubber is no longer there. It also has the tendency to develop minor cracks in the tread.
Michelin tires in general tend to get a lot of good reviews, which is why I'm halfhearted about trying the Latitude Cross. What gets me though is the treadwear rating and pattern, but based on European standards, the Michelin has less rolling resistance than the Pirelli! Given the tread patterns, I would have thought the Pirelli would have better roll resistance than the Michelin.
This brings me to my question - the Michelin has a treadwear rating of 320 and the Pirelli 520. Given that the Michelin shines in the area of roll resistance, what sort of an affect would that have on tread life?
Because of local weather conditions, I refuse to roll on tires that are over 3 years old from the build date and will be replacing my current set before the start of summer. It's a while away, but with tires I like planning and budgeting in advance. Whilst I don't skimp on anything with any of my cars, where suspension, brakes and tires are concerned, I try to buy the best products I can afford.
As it stands, I've got two choices this year:
Pirelli Scorpion STR
Treadwear: 520
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Load Rating: 112
Speed Rating: H
COO: Romainia or Brazil
EU Tire Labelling Specifications:
Fuel Economy/Rolling Resistance: F
Braking under Wet Conditions: C
External Noise Level: 71 dB
Michelin Latitude Cross
Treadwear: 320
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Load Rating: 112
Speed Rating: H
COO: Poland
EU Tire Labelling Specifications:
Fuel Economy/Rolling Resistance: C
Braking under Wet Conditions: C
External Noise Level: 71 dB
The negative side of the Pirellis is that they harden over time, and some of the tread is ever so slightly torn. If you look at the tread pattern, the ribs on the side tend to tear from underneath and with a little effort, you can slightly lift about 5 mm or so off the base of the rubber. Put another couple of thousand miles on it, and the rib that was partially torn off the base of the rubber is no longer there. It also has the tendency to develop minor cracks in the tread.
Michelin tires in general tend to get a lot of good reviews, which is why I'm halfhearted about trying the Latitude Cross. What gets me though is the treadwear rating and pattern, but based on European standards, the Michelin has less rolling resistance than the Pirelli! Given the tread patterns, I would have thought the Pirelli would have better roll resistance than the Michelin.
This brings me to my question - the Michelin has a treadwear rating of 320 and the Pirelli 520. Given that the Michelin shines in the area of roll resistance, what sort of an affect would that have on tread life?