Which tire?

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

I have been given a choice of either Bridgestones D689 or Dunlop's TG35 as an option to replace the tires on my 2001 VX 5-Door. I do not like either choice because of the cost and the fact that I will probably have to replace these donuts in a year's time any way because of the crazy heat here in Dubai, UAE, which apparently cuts a tire's life by half, if one can be so lucky!

Would Cooper, Hankook, Marshall, or other brands for that matter have any alternatives? I mostly drive this car on asphalt, and any offroading is mainly for the sand dunes?

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Bridgestone D694 (REVO)

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

These options are not available here I am afraid: I have basically four options for this tire locally:

1- Dunlop Grandtrek TG35 265-60-16 (OEM)
2- Bridgestone D689 265-70-16
3- Pirelli Scorpion STR 275-70-16
4- Toyo - Open Country 265-70-16
5- Michelin LTX (Big money, not really an option)

All but the Michelin are within 10-15% of each other in terms of price. I just want something that is long wearing and can stand this stupendous heat! I need the tire for mainly on-road and the occasional but very soft sand dunes!

Thanks.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Out of that lot i would go the Pirelli str.

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

Thanks for all of your responses, I also found the Falken SZ04 in the same size. I had installed them on my old 2000 RAV4, not bad at all, mixed reviews over the internet.

Does the protection rib in the Dunlops make any difference in the sand? I doubt it, I believe the structure of the tire would be more important with the ribs providing support if used on rocky area to protect against punctures.

Cheers.

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

Does any one have any experience with the Cooper DIscoverer model? It is mainly a highway tire, will it work in the soft sands of Arabia?

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

Well, I went ahead and purchased the Yokohama Geolander G039, tread is not aggressive and they ride very quitely. Some people in the local forms then started talking about the Temperature rating of the tire, mine are B rated, so I hope they won't explode during a long trip during the crazy summer heat.

Have not tried these tires in the sand yet, the tires do come standard on most Mitsu Pajeros that are sold here.

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Temperature rating of the tire, mine are B rated, so I hope they won't explode during a long trip during the crazy summer heat.

Just curious Baz about the temp rating, what does a 'B' rating mean as opposed to to a 'A' or a 'C'?

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

From what I have read and feedback from other forums, I guess it has something to do with the ability of a tire to withstand heat for extended periods of time. An "A" temp rating is best for handling heat, it goes downhill from there on.... No research was available on what is an acceptable operating temperature for each category, it appears that it is a closely guarded secret!

[spender Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spender]

When I lived in Abu Dhabi it was the trusty Desert Dueller for me.

We did high speed driving (and you know what that means in the UAE) between Abu Dhabi and Dubai regularly and then serious sand driving in the empty quarter down to the Saudi border.

Never had a puncture or problem in over 2 years.

I was driving a 4.2 litre SWB patrol - the best car for the sand IMO given the power of the engine but half the body weight.