All Terrain Tyre Comparisons

Hi Folks - I'm new to the Big Jimny Forum so thought I should try to contribute at least something that might be of interest.

I'm on The Waiting List (or the Jimny equivalent of "Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow", as I like to think of it) for a black auto - but, of course, unless I'm picky that could turn into any colour on Suzuki UK's list!

In the meantime I've busied myself with investigating slightly more robust tyres than the Bridgestone HTs that the Jimny will likely arrive with. I was inclining towards either the Yokohama G015 or the Cooper AT3 Sport - and found the following:
www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2018-Auto-...Season-Tyre-Test.htm
and
www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2017-Drive...ad-4x4-Tyre-Test.htm

These tyre tests are probably fairly well known to Forum members because they have been around for a few months/years. The first test is compromised because it is on-road only, and it only refers to the G015 and the Grabber AT3 as comparisons for road-going all-season tyres. The second test is perhaps a bit more useful but, being a South African publication, they don't seem very interested in wet road performance, and the size of tyre used, 265/65 R17, suggests a much larger/heavier vehicle - so there may be some doubt over its relevance to the Jimny.

Then I came across the slightly weird:

This appears to be a Facebook group for Dacia Duster owners who, amongst other things, have attempted a fairly comprehsive review of AT tyres in the 215/65R16 size the Duster uses. (It is also a paean of praise for Coopers - so you might want to take that with a pinch of salt.)

A STRONG WORD OF WARNING - this must be a contender for the most boring video on the net (a still photo of three tyres with 27 minutes of monotonous voice over!). However, if you fast-forward to minute 24 of the video and freeze-frame, there is a really interesting comparison chart for both tester and user experience with a variety of ATs.

I would never have found it unless I had idly Googled "Cooper AT3 videos" - so other Forum members may not have seen it yet.

Now, I am not saying this is definitive, I am not saying Coopers are the best tyres, and I am certainly not saying that the Duster is comparable to the Jimny - although in weight and size it is a lot closer than many. I found it interesting all the same.

Hope it may be of use to someone somewhere - perhaps someone else on 'The Long Retreat'!

Hello Guy, and welcome!

I'm in the market for some new tyres too, so this is a juicy subject for me

There are a few pics of Jimny's with different tyres fitted elsewhere on the forum, but not many.... as its so new.

I like the look of the coopers too. I'll watch the video now.

Nice post, cheers,

Andy.

Welcome to the forums!

Coopers have had good feedback here - I recall reading about them when I chose mine. But I ended up with Yokohama Geolandars which are an all-season tyre and have been particularly pleased with their performance particularly in the wet.
This has been for mostly road use. I have not done enough off-road driving to make any sort of valid opinion yet.

Thanks Andy. If you come across any other useful info please let me know. I'll do the same.
I saw your post on a wish list of accessories. I'll have a think about that as well - although I'm tempted to drive the vehicle before making a final decision.
Happy times!

The problem is that the perfect tyre for.a Jimny is like trying to compare navels; everyone has one and only theirs is best. At this precise moment in time I can safely recommend bfg urban terrain. When I have enough money for new rims that may well change to Yokohama ad08r. Depends what you want to do with it.

Thanks for this. Geolandars are very definitely my other possible choice.

I am new to off-roading but need the Jimny now to access places I would previously have walked to, to fish in the Highlands.
I reckon I shall use the Jimny 90% on road and 10% off. But when I am off-road some of the tracks have an under-surface of large cracked rock from which the 'Highland Sunshine' has washed the gravel! If it's not that then it's 'black peat soup' over hidden rocks - so both need strong sidewalls.

With regard to performance on wet tarmac, I reckon the key issue is whether a particular vehicle on a particular set of tyres, stays straight when it hydroplanes. Sooner or later we all hit a large puddle and it happens - so when you experience it in your Jimny I would be really interested if it stays balanced and straight. I'm quite serious about that too. I think it's the 'make or break' issue.

Thanks again. I shall keep up with your future posts.