D694s at 50,000kms

[Dion]

So my D694s have just ticked over 50,000kms on the Paj (fitted since new in 2010).

In the wet days we've had lately in Brisbane I've noticed they've lost a bit of their wet grip - Paj is understeering a lot and the ASC light blinks away to pull it back in. Whether its a combination of wearing (still reasonable tread) or age (comining up to 4.5yrs old) is hard to tell, but I think I'll be replacing them soon as I don't like tyres that are slippery in the wet.

[Bundyk]

What are you going to replace them with?

[Alex86]

Mine have just over 60 on them I think. Had a lockup the other day, which was unexpected. Wasn't overly wet but the amount of nasty that builds up on the road for 6+ months of no rain, well the first rains make it pretty damn slippery!! 2nd time I've had them lose traction on wet bitumen, first was me really trying and only just succeeding!

So, might bring the plan for those 697s forward a little earlier. Road trip to port Hedland for me probably, mate drove up there not long ago and saved $80 per tyre than compared to the local joints here in Karachi for a set of 697s on 17in rims!!

[Dion]

What are you going to replace them with?

Either 697s or maybe the MT P3s ... just not sure about wet road handling of the P3s. It's a family car 90% of the time driving on highways, the other 10% is beach work and gravel (touring), so I'm not sure if I need the P3s really. Could come down to cost, if there's a big $$$ difference then that will probably decide for me.

Thinking of going up a size from factory (am on 17s), and I've got a second spare to be fitted off as well, so will be after 6 of them.

[Bundyk]

If its any help, I have just put a second hand set of Cooper AT3's on. They are about half worn, maybe a touch more, and they replaced a set of Maxxis AT-771's. They are quieter, dry grip on road is much the same, wet grip is better and off road grip....well, I havent had them off road yet, so I cant comment. I found the Maxxis a better tyre than the D694's they replaced. All tyres are the same size

I replaced the Maxxis simply because I had a bad wheel alignment, and I didnt catch it quick enough, so they feathered pretty badly. Got the Coopers cheap too, which was a big factor.

[Dazza.]

For what it's worth, I done a ring around for new tyres on our Colorado. One of the tyre stores advised against the 697's as they appear to have a softer compound and that they've had a bit of negative feedback in relation to tyre wear. Not a major issue to me - I'd rather a safe gripper tyre over a hard as nails tyre which lasts 80,000km.

I ended up with Pirelli ATS.

[Dion]

Thanks for the feedback.

Not worried about wear - as noted, mine have only done 50k in 4.5yrs and I think the compound is starting to go off anyway so I'll probably replace them due to age than wear.

[olderperson]

Gus is still happy apparently.

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=27966

One of the local tyre places told me that they have a few D 697'scoming back for tyre rotation and balance with 100000 on them, but how they were performing in the wet I have no idea. My wrangler at/sa are very slippery when about 1/2 worn and they are not old, and only 40000 kms.
I am seriously consideriing the D697 or the new Toyo open county ATII.

[grhyso]

If i was in your position I'd steer away from the P3's. I'd be looking at the 697's or for a slightly more aggresive tyre then the maxxis 980's or the general grabber at2.

My last car came with 694s and i was unimpressed with them once worn.

[Dicko1]

Gus is still happy apparently.

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=27966

One of the local tyre places told me that they have a few D 697'scoming back for tyre rotation and balance with 100000 on them, but how they were performing in the wet I have no idea. My wrangler at/sa are very slippery when about 1/2 worn and they are not old, and only 40000 kms.
I am seriously consideriing the D697 or the new Toyo open county ATII.

100,000 KLMS ON A TYRE. Hard to believe. Especially on a 4wd and even then they were in for a rotation. Had the 697 on troop carriers and because of fast rough road work they chopped out at about 45,000. I reckon they would be bald and no grip and I,d reckon the driver was out by about 40,000 klms..

[olderperson]

100,000 KLMS ON A TYRE. Hard to believe. Especially on a 4wd and even then they were in for a rotation. Had the 697 on troop carriers and because of fast rough road work they chopped out at about 45,000. I reckon they would be bald and no grip and I,d reckon the driver was out by about 40,000 klms..

From the last post by Gus in his long term review.
"Wear after 45 Thousand is 3 tyres at 8.5mm 1 at 8mm & the spare that has 20 Thou on it at 10mm got to be happy with that!
New 12mm! so you do the Calculations "

[grhyso]

100,000 KLMS ON A TYRE. Hard to believe. Especially on a 4wd and even then they were in for a rotation. Had the 697 on troop carriers and because of fast rough road work they chopped out at about 45,000. I reckon they would be bald and no grip and I,d reckon the driver was out by about 40,000 klms..

It would all depend on the driver and where they drive. A previous rodeo i had that was a hand me down from my dad did 120,000kms on a set of 5 cooper ATR's including driving the Gunbarrel Highway, and numerous other outback tracks through WA. These were religiously rotated and balances and wheel alignment checked every 10,000kms. They had little grip towards the end of their life and probably should have been changed out at about 105,000kms but i was a lowly paid apprentice with a mortgage and the tyres were still legal.

[rotare]

My D697 have done nearly 50K and are starting to get a little slippery in the wet when compared to when they were new. Reckon I'll get 55-60K out of them before needing to replace and that's rotating 4 tyres, which isn't bad mileage IMO. I'm pretty hard on tyres because I tow a lot and drive reasonably aggressively. Overall been pretty happy with their performance but might try Toyo's AT's next time just for something different.

[TheTaipan]

I am using the most underrated tyre on the market. Yokohama A/Ts. Put them on the first tyre change after the Bridgestone H/Ts and used them ever since.

Close to 80,000 on them and still 6MM across the tread and no drama in the wet.

[Toddyh]

I had Yokos on my last vehicle. Awesome tyre but the compound is a little soft for my liking. Only got 50k out of them. The warranty is awesome. Had 2 tyres replaced for free because of that warranty. As a result I ended up with 2 new Yokos and 2 half worn ones. I swapped the half worn for Bridestones D697 just before starting a 11,000km outback trip. The D697's held up beautifully but the Yokos not so well. Only 1 puncture but they chipped and wore quite badly. I still rate them as an awesome around town A/T for those who do occasional off-roading, especially beach work but they are just too soft for the rocky stuff and gibber plains.