Trying to save money on car tyres

[allantheboss]

I have a 2006 Hyundai Terracan. The tyres as standard are 255/65R/16 (but I've read that 255/70/16 also fit). It costs over £550 for a new set, and tyres of this size are always going to have off-road sorta tread on it. I don't go off-road, and would prefer road tyres which will last longer on the tarmac.

http://www.pembrokeshire4x4.net/images/stock/416a.jpg

So, is there some way I can change my wheels to a bigger size and imitate the Range Rover's big wheels + road tyres thing? Will tyres be cheaper if I do this? What popular tyre sizes should I try and get wheels for so that I can buy cheap, long-lasting road tyres instead of thick, tall off-road tyres?

Are any of these an option?:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Wheel-Rims-/28648/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=terracan&_sop=15

(I know that I have to account for the price of new wheels, but I will keep this car forever so I'm sure the cost will be neutralised)

[SIII]

Have a look at general grabber AT2 tyres, mine's lasted 60,000 miles on my Discovery. All terrains with deep tread.

[svrich]

You should be able to get road bias tyres in those sizes. Our Diacovery ran similar sizes and there were lots of options. Do you have a decent tyre suppliers near by? A large one, or dedicated 4x4 one, should carry a good selection or recomend road bias ones.

[stuR]

This may be useless as i have no idea if they will be in a size big enough for you but i had kuhmo tyres on my car, korean middle of the road. Not crappy like the really budget ones but seems to be just as good as the michelin and conti that once were on the front. May be worth a look, i get mine from bracknell tyres.

[markc123]

If you spent £500 ish on a full set of 18" wheels then you would have access to more road biased rubber - in 255 55 18. About £700 for a full set of nice grippy tyres in those sizes.

Probably not the best option, might be better to stick with the off road biased stuff in the factory fit, should be able to get a full set of rubber for less than £500.

Or for ultimate bling, http://www.alloywheels.com/search.asp?strSize=20%22&strSort=Low&pos=1&Make=Hyundai&Model=Terracan these people will do you a full set of 20" wheels with budget rubber for £1k.

[Sid Squid]

Hankook or Falken - perfectly good box tyres, don't cost premium money. You'll probably be able to find them for about £70-90 a corner.

[Davies]

Another vote for General Grabber AT2 here. I got them fitting to my 4x4 last summer and they are stonking in terms of wear, and they aren't too noisy on the motorway.

I got mine through BlackCircles and it looks like you can get your size, fitted, for £114 per corner:

http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/general/all-terrain-2/255/65/R16/T/109/f?returnurl=%2forder%2ftyres%3f%26width%3d255%26pr ofile%3d65%26rim%3d16%26speed%3dAny%26minpricerang e%3d0%26maxpricerange%3d0%26displayall%3d999&tyre=11170920

I used London and Surrey Cars in Kingston to fit them (you can choose the garage when you go through the checkout on BlackCircles) and they were really good:

http://www.londonandsurreycars.co.uk/

[fizzwheel]

We had General Grabbers on our 4 x 4 as well. Cant really fault them as on road tyres, but were good off road to. IIRC they were around £90 each from the local tyre place.

IMHO Range Rover syle big rims with a small side wall depth, wont be cheaper than what you are running now. They'll be more expensive.

Also with the Grabbers, you wont compromise to much the off road performance should you want to take it off road. Also IIRC they were rated as a Snow tyre as well so again you are not compromising the 4 x 4 ability of your vehicle.

[allantheboss]

Haha! I have those General Grabber tyres on my car already! It's just that the tread is so wide and deep, I though the tyres are bound to wear down quickly!

Okay, I'll stick with them. Thanks guys, you've saved me a lot of hassle and money! +10 internet points for you.

[Luckypants]

Have a look at general grabber AT2 tyres

Another vote for General Grabber AT2 here.

We had General Grabbers on our 4 x 4 as well. Cant really fault them as on road tyres, but were good off road to. IIRC they were around £90 each from the local tyre place.

I have Grabber AT2 as well on the x-trail. I had original Grabber ATs on my Isuzu Troopers as well and know the brand to be excellent for wear. Make sure you purchase them in an LT (light truck) rating as these come with 17mm of tread instead of 12mm of tread in the P (car type) sizes.

Just another note, the AT2 was discontinued in November 2011 as it does not meet the EU noise and fuel economy requirements. The AT2 has been confusingly replaced with the General Grabber AT. :confused: Any AT2 you see for sale currently is old stock and will be slowly phased out. The new tyre looks quite nice
http://tyresdirectuk.co.uk//images/16847_1_l.jpg

My friend with these fitted to his Freelander reports they went well in the recent snow.

HTH