Wheels/Tyres: - Which Nokian tyres for all-year use in UK?

ascender · Apr 7th, 2010, 17:39

Sorry for another tyres topic, but I've been looking for some info on the forum and not getting anywhere fast, similarly Google isn't proving to be much help.

I've read good things on here about Nokian, they seem to be a good balance between safety, comfort, grip and wear. However, I can't seem to find out what the consensus is on the current model to go for.

I've not upgraded the alloys on our XC90 so they're stock 17s meaning I need 235*65*17. The only Nokian I've found so far in this size is the Z SUV, but I've not seen any mention of that one on the forum.

My XC90 came with Michelin Diamaris which have been OK, but I felt they didn't give as much grip in the snow as I'd have liked.

Any advice?

Thanks.

ascender · Apr 8th, 2010, 09:09

Looks like the following Nokian tyres are available. The first two are regarded as "summer" tyres by the supplier, while the rest are seen as "winter". I've read reports on here though from people using the original WRs as all-round tyres in the UK, so I'm thinking they might be a better option for someone living in Scotland who uses the car offroad.

Any opinions or experiences with them?

HT SUV
235/65 R17 108H XL

Nokian Z SUV
235/65 R17 108V XL

Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility
235/65 R17 104V

Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility
235/65 R17 104H

Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility
235/65 R17 108V XL

Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility
235/65 R17 108H XL

AB-UK · Apr 8th, 2010, 09:29

If you can find the Nokian WR tyres, then I would say go for them.
I have a set which look and feel good after 18 months. They started with 11mm of tread and still have 7mm on them.
The WRG2s only have 8mm of tread to begin with, which is the norm.

The WRs are marked M&S, which doesn't stand for the well known retailer of womens underthingies, but for Mud & Snow. Correspondence from Nokian said that these tyres were considered to be for year-round use. I have experienced no problems with them at all.

ascender · Apr 8th, 2010, 09:39

Thanks AB. I'm assuming the difference between summer and winter on their website is more aimed towards the Scandinavian market perhaps.

Looks like the WRs aren't available now, so its the G2 that's looking like the best option. Its the WR I was looking for initially, but the more digging I do, the G2 seems to get a good write-up as well.

Stupid question, can't believe I"m asking it, but what's the difference between 104V and 108V XL?

tem · Apr 8th, 2010, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascender

Thanks AB. I'm assuming the difference between summer and winter on their website is more aimed towards the Scandinavian market perhaps.

Looks like the WRs aren't available now, so its the G2 that's looking like the best option. Its the WR I was looking for initially, but the more digging I do, the G2 seems to get a good write-up as well.

Stupid question, can't believe I"m asking it, but what's the difference between 104V and 108V XL?

Load ratings. The higher the number, the better.

Unfortunately, the WR's have been replaced with the G2's.
I managed, just over 68000 miles, with a set of WR's, fitted to an XC90.

Have a set on my XC60 and once they are done, then it will have to be the G2's.

tem.

ascender · Apr 8th, 2010, 10:28

Thanks Tem. I'm guessing the standard 104s will be fine for me as we're not planning on towing with it now. The 108XL is the same price actually, so will go with those.

Thanks to this forum again, I've learned a lot over the last few days!

ITServe · Apr 8th, 2010, 15:10

Wow - 68000 miles on one set?! That is amazing!

BrianWM · Apr 19th, 2010, 10:31

Hi ascender,

You pm'd me and I tried to reply but failed - something about not having enough posts to allow me to pm someone. Anyway, if I post my reply here, maybe my experience this last winter might be useful to others.

I did get a set of WRG2's just before the winter, they were WR G2 Sport Utility 235/60 R18 107V XL . Actually it turned mild just as I got them & I thought since I had, it'd be a mild winter. No so as it turned out. They are night and day compared to the std fit Contis when the snow appears; well worth it. They don't ride differently to the Contis either; the XC90 isn't a sports car so I'm probably not that demanding. Maybe they're not as good as an extreme winter tyre but for a tyre to leave on all year I'm very satisfied.

I got them from mytyres and had them fitted at the local Volvo dealer.

As you observed, the US web site says all season, the Euro site says winter. I think this is to allow them to qualify for use as a winter tyre in those parts of Europe that make the use of winter tyres manitory. If they labelled them "all season", I guess they wouldn't qualify.

If they're all season in the US they must be likewise here. It actually says "All Season Plus" on the tyre sidewall.

Hope that's helpful.

ascender · Apr 19th, 2010, 15:22

Thanks for the detailed post Brian. I've now received a set for the worn out rears and will get them fitted this week. Very impressed with the tread on them, will see how they get on. I did the same, ordered from MyTyres and they were here in a few days.

graym · Apr 24th, 2010, 00:04

There are a pair of these on ebay at the moment.
235 60 18 107V Nokian WR Sport Utility M&S New (#160421409397).
Realise it not the 17"s mentioned above, but these are common to a lot of XC90s.
I have four on my Xc90 and they are brilliant.

Apr 8th, 2010, 10:28	#6
ascender Member Last Online: May 6th, 2013 10:22 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland	Thanks Tem. I'm guessing the standard 104s will be fine for me as we're not planning on towing with it now. The 108XL is the same price actually, so will go with those. Thanks to this forum again, I've learned a lot over the last few days! Last edited by ascender; Apr 8th, 2010 at 10:51.

Apr 7th, 2010, 17:39	#1
ascender Member Last Online: May 6th, 2013 10:22 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland	Which Nokian tyres for all-year use in UK? Sorry for another tyres topic, but I've been looking for some info on the forum and not getting anywhere fast, similarly Google isn't proving to be much help. I've read good things on here about Nokian, they seem to be a good balance between safety, comfort, grip and wear. However, I can't seem to find out what the consensus is on the current model to go for. I've not upgraded the alloys on our XC90 so they're stock 17s meaning I need 2356517. The only Nokian I've found so far in this size is the Z SUV, but I've not seen any mention of that one on the forum. My XC90 came with Michelin Diamaris which have been OK, but I felt they didn't give as much grip in the snow as I'd have liked. Any advice? Thanks.

Apr 8th, 2010, 09:09	#2
ascender Member Last Online: May 6th, 2013 10:22 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland	Looks like the following Nokian tyres are available. The first two are regarded as "summer" tyres by the supplier, while the rest are seen as "winter". I've read reports on here though from people using the original WRs as all-round tyres in the UK, so I'm thinking they might be a better option for someone living in Scotland who uses the car offroad. Any opinions or experiences with them? HT SUV 235/65 R17 108H XL Nokian Z SUV 235/65 R17 108V XL Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility 235/65 R17 104V Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility 235/65 R17 104H Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility 235/65 R17 108V XL Nokian WR G2 Sport Utility 235/65 R17 108H XL

Apr 8th, 2010, 09:29	#3
AB-UK Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:21 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottingham	If you can find the Nokian WR tyres, then I would say go for them. I have a set which look and feel good after 18 months. They started with 11mm of tread and still have 7mm on them. The WRG2s only have 8mm of tread to begin with, which is the norm. The WRs are marked M&S, which doesn't stand for the well known retailer of womens underthingies, but for Mud & Snow. Correspondence from Nokian said that these tyres were considered to be for year-round use. I have experienced no problems with them at all.

Apr 8th, 2010, 09:39	#4
ascender Member Last Online: May 6th, 2013 10:22 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland	Thanks AB. I'm assuming the difference between summer and winter on their website is more aimed towards the Scandinavian market perhaps. Looks like the WRs aren't available now, so its the G2 that's looking like the best option. Its the WR I was looking for initially, but the more digging I do, the G2 seems to get a good write-up as well. Stupid question, can't believe I"m asking it, but what's the difference between 104V and 108V XL?

Apr 8th, 2010, 15:10	#7
ITServe XC90 Exec in Grey Pearl Last Online: Aug 26th, 2014 21:46 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Norwich	Wow - 68000 miles on one set?! That is amazing!

Apr 19th, 2010, 10:31	#8
BrianWM New Member Last Online: Sep 27th, 2012 16:59 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Midlands	Hi ascender, You pm'd me and I tried to reply but failed - something about not having enough posts to allow me to pm someone. Anyway, if I post my reply here, maybe my experience this last winter might be useful to others. I did get a set of WRG2's just before the winter, they were WR G2 Sport Utility 235/60 R18 107V XL . Actually it turned mild just as I got them & I thought since I had, it'd be a mild winter. No so as it turned out. They are night and day compared to the std fit Contis when the snow appears; well worth it. They don't ride differently to the Contis either; the XC90 isn't a sports car so I'm probably not that demanding. Maybe they're not as good as an extreme winter tyre but for a tyre to leave on all year I'm very satisfied. I got them from mytyres and had them fitted at the local Volvo dealer. As you observed, the US web site says all season, the Euro site says winter. I think this is to allow them to qualify for use as a winter tyre in those parts of Europe that make the use of winter tyres manitory. If they labelled them "all season", I guess they wouldn't qualify. If they're all season in the US they must be likewise here. It actually says "All Season Plus" on the tyre sidewall. Hope that's helpful.

Apr 19th, 2010, 15:22	#9
ascender Member Last Online: May 6th, 2013 10:22 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland	Thanks for the detailed post Brian. I've now received a set for the worn out rears and will get them fitted this week. Very impressed with the tread on them, will see how they get on. I did the same, ordered from MyTyres and they were here in a few days.

Apr 24th, 2010, 00:04	#10
graym Junior Member Last Online: Jun 13th, 2017 06:34 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London	There are a pair of these on ebay at the moment. 235 60 18 107V Nokian WR Sport Utility M&S New (#160421409397). Realise it not the 17"s mentioned above, but these are common to a lot of XC90s. I have four on my Xc90 and they are brilliant.

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