What are the best tyres to put on an XC90?

[JimG]

I seem to remember when I compared the fuel saving of an A rated tyre against the worst for fuel economy, it worked out that I would save £80 over the whole life of the tyre. So I'm not sure how valuable the new labelling system is. I do know that some good tyres were lost due to new EU legislation because they were deemed too noisy!

#positiveoutlookbrexiter 👍

[JimG]

I also believe that the same tyre might behave differently depending on which vehicle it's being used on. That's why threads like this are good because we all have almost the same vehicle. It's interesting to get different views based on people's needs, whether a tyre is needed for regular snowy conditions or for off road ability, etc.

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by Volvoxc90d5

are three tyres with a C wet rating not all the same?

I'm afraid not, there is a banding between classification of between 10 -> 20 feet approx (3 and 6 metres.) So from that the XC90 on the same wet rating tyres will be classed the same, but that is well over a car length of a leeway ..... it is an absolute value, and so shall take no input from road surface, or gradation etc, so its all a bit woolly and is really only suitable as a guide with no guarantee of performance vs a competitors tyre,and its clearly defined as such on the EU web site ... it states that .......

"The label is NOT a quality label covering all aspects related to the overall performance of a tyre. It cannot replace quality testing by specialised laboratories or information provided by manufacturers and others (e.g. motoring associations), which may use a wider range of criteria for characterising the tyres."

So how much use is it ....as a general indication of comparative measure .... its a pictorial reference, as to fact in a comparative analysis.... its a useless pretty picture, nothing more.

All my own pov, and opinion, agree or disagree as you will!

[tasr12]

Hello all,

New to this site as hopefully agreeing a sale on a '59 Active today. It is currently on Continental 4x4 Contacts but the rears need changing. I have been looking at Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons as a replacement - any thoughts?

Will it matter putting a different pair on the rear until I need to change the front. Not sure what the diff setup is on the XC90s yet?

Equally is there a tyre the experts would recommend over and above those two?

Thanks in advance.

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by tasr12

Hello all,

New to this site as hopefully agreeing a sale on a '59 Active today. It is currently on Continental 4x4 Contacts but the rears need changing. I have been looking at Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons as a replacement - any thoughts?

Will it matter putting a different pair on the rear until I need to change the front. Not sure what the diff setup is on the XC90s yet?

Equally is there a tyre the experts would recommend over and above those two?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome, your in the correct thread, have a read, your questions should have mostly been answered already, but remember tyres are a very personal choice.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by tasr12

Hello all,

New to this site as hopefully agreeing a sale on a '59 Active today. It is currently on Continental 4x4 Contacts but the rears need changing. I have been looking at Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons as a replacement - any thoughts?

Will it matter putting a different pair on the rear until I need to change the front. Not sure what the diff setup is on the XC90s yet?

Equally is there a tyre the experts would recommend over and above those two?

Thanks in advance.

No doesn't matter front and rear as long as the tyres are the same in pairs on each axel.

I'd fit Nokian WR 3's as Volvo recommend them and they are better than most and wear well. Plenty of others you could use though. The Conti's had a reputation for wearing very fast back in the day when the XC90 was introduced (13,000 miles) maybe they have improved them though?

Roy

[tasr12]

Thanks to both replies. I searched but hadn't seen the Pirellis mentioned anywhere. I will look at those latest ones as I haven't heard of them before. Thanks for confirming my thoughts on only having to stick to pairs.

We should be picking it up in 2 weeks after a couple of niggles have been resolved, hopefully I haven't missed anything major but I'm sure I will be back for more advice!

Cheers.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by tasr12

Thanks to both replies. I searched but hadn't seen the Pirellis mentioned anywhere. I will look at those latest ones as I haven't heard of them before. Thanks for confirming my thoughts on only having to stick to pairs.

We should be picking it up in 2 weeks after a couple of niggles have been resolved, hopefully I haven't missed anything major but I'm sure I will be back for more advice!

Cheers.

Volvo have fitted the XC90 with Conti's, Pirelli, and Michelin at various times. Probably depends on the deal they get.

Roy

[tasr12]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

No doesn't matter front and rear as long as the tyres are the same in pairs on each axel.

I'd fit Nokian WR 3's as Volvo recommend them and they are better than most and wear well. Plenty of others you could use though. The Conti's had a reputation for wearing very fast back in the day when the XC90 was introduced (13,000 miles) maybe they have improved them though?

Roy

Nokian's are just a winter tyre - any all season recommendations? I'm guessing tyres have moved on since this thread started. It may just have to be the Pirellis! 2 weeks until we get the vehicle to 2 weeks to decide!

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by tasr12

Nokian's are just a winter tyre - any all season recommendations? I'm guessing tyres have moved on since this thread started. It may just have to be the Pirellis! 2 weeks until we get the vehicle to 2 weeks to decide!

Nokian Allweather are just that. I use winters all year round myself and have done since 2007.

I'm using Michelin Alpin 2 at the moment.

Roy