PRadd wrote:

I'm with Bob here - brakes & tyres are not something to be skimped on IMHO

 Jules

I'm now replacing my two front tyres like for like, Bridgestone Weather Control A005,
obviously an all weather tyre so a softer compound, mileage is in the region 22,000 (fronts)
rear I would estimate would last for another 10k+
I will be have the new one fitted to the rear,
My reason for running all weather for the 12 months is balance of tyre trade off,
one of the best for traction in rain, very good corner handling on dry roads and low noise.
As an Advanced driver I'm expected to show "progress" and use the dynamic side of the auto box
where conditions allow.
Regarding the Nokia Weatherproof, (yup mine cracked) I do feel there is a similarity to the Bridgestone's
although I believe the Bridgestone's to be quieter.
I hope this is of interest to someone who is considering a tyre change. DAVE.
I.A.M. F1rst Driver.
Gone 2003 Discovery TD5 Auto,
Gone 1986 Defender 90 Station Wagon
Gone 1984 Range Rover 3.5 Vogue Manual.
Gone 1970 Series 11A/3 SWB 3.5 V8 Hybrid
Gone 1964 Series 11A LWB Van
Gone 1966 Series 11A SWB Van
Gone 1964 Series 11A LWB Station Wagon,

im interested who wants you to show progress in your freelander?

Me too,as a retired police advanced driver nobody expects me to show progress,those days are gone and I certainly wouldn’t want to do so in a Freelander,I just keep up with the traffic flow.

As an owner of a 1970 edition of Road Craft I no longer make progress  Regards

David

Lovely i6 has now gone, but not me......

Please let me know if anything in my post offends you, as I may wish to offend you again......

Progress?????
Happy if the bloody traffic is even moving

i nearly failed my driving test once for"failing to make progress"but that was on a double decker psv test,it was london country buses,the examiner was a trainer authorised by dvla,and they were so short of drivers he warned me to make progress

My 2 cents about chinese tyres. Since I come from a country with relatively lower prosperity and level of income compared to other European states, many people are actually buying and using chinese tyres. Due to this reason, our national television has done quite a bit of research in order to investigate if these tyres are any good. So in short :

You can't put all chinese tyres in one basket. Basically there are 2 type of manufacturers - ones who produce cheap knock-off tyres with unknown standards and quality, and other type of manufacturers are the ones who heavily invest in their own research and development, test the tyres in proper European conditions etc.

There are basically 5 top tyre manufacturers in China (apart from smaller brands)-
Zcrubber (Goodride/Westlake tyre brands) - 10th largest tyre manufacturer in world, nr 1 in china, heabily investing in R&D
Sailun (Sailun tyre brand) - 17th largest tyre manufacturer in world
Triangle (Triangle tyre brand)
LingLong (Greenmax tyre brand) - 14th largest tyre manufacturer in world
Hengfenf (Sunfull, Hi-fly, Mirage, Onyx, etc)

I also have to say that some Chinese tyre brands (Sailun, Goodride, Triangle, Westlake) have managed to be included as stock tyres for brand new cars (Skoda, LandRover, Mazda, Volvo, Ford, VW, Nissan, etc.) In many options car manufacturers are choosing to equip only their spare tyres with chinese brands, but it is still a sign of recognition. Sailun tyres currently already have 3 TUV sertificates (german).

As for practical side, the research concluded that during first 2 years of tyre use, there are no significant difference between ''good'' chinese brands and proper western brands. There is a theory that chinese brand tyres might ''age'' faster.

I have previously driven Michelins, Kormorans, Nokians, and currently I have a Nereus (not-so-good-china) winter tyres on my freel2 and good-ride winter tyres on freel1. While Nereus tyres seem to have a little bit more of a vibration, overall I can't say many bad words about chinese tyres.

ive got no problem with saluin tyres cant fault them ,but i need new tyres now and they are out of stock everywhere i look.so ive just bought 4 good wheels with 6mm pirelli scoprpion verdi tyres.for £378 including postage.im very happy.

sid wrote:

i nearly failed my driving test once for"failing to make progress"but that was on a double decker psv test,it was london country buses,the examiner was a trainer authorised by dvla,and they were so short of drivers he warned me to make progress

A tyre called 'Triangle' just doesn't seem right, circle maybe....😄 Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

no snow here yet,so still running sailun tyres,with 3 mm,still grip well ,no cracking!