What are the best tyres to put on an XC90? - Page 5

JimmyB · Sep 4th, 2010, 09:24

Hi Roy,

That bit initially did concern me about it being more of a summer tyre, but the reports all say how good the tyre is in the wet and dry which is where 98% of the usuage will be. If it snows I only really have to drive up to the local shops on a main A road and managed this with the contis, so based on the feedback the grabbers should be better.

Re the sipes though, on this web page it mentions "Shallow Slots", are these the same as SIPES. Although I have learnt a lot about tyres in the last few weeks I am not sure about this?

http://www.generaltire.net/generator...master_en.html

cheers
JimmyB

Beavis · Sep 4th, 2010, 15:30

19" General Grabber UHPs fitted in 255/50 size.

Done through Event-Tyres who fit at home 532 fully fitted in about 45-50 minutes.

Just back from test drive at various speeds motorway and town.

They are a lot quieter than my Pirelli P-Zero's on there, which in turn were noiser than the Continental's i had on before. No rumbling or vibrations which was a bit of a concern with the tread pattern.

Loads of grip - 8.5mm across most points.

So far, so good. Really chuffed with them. Only time will tell how they perform in the wet/cold/ice/snow, but i managed ok with the Pirelli's earlier in the year in the heavy snow (although they weren't great).

RoyMacDonald · Sep 5th, 2010, 11:58

Not sure what "shallow slots" are, but they don't sound like sipes.

If you're getting a smaller set of wheels, why not get 17" rims and fit these...http://www.tyrespec.co.uk/products/I...erer%20ATR.jpg

JimmyB · Sep 9th, 2010, 07:24

Got the Grabbers on now. Very impressed. I got to test them in dry and wet conditions, in fact torrential rain at one stage. The grip was very good, the comfort good and tyre noise, what noise... Also had the laser alignment done and obviously this will bias the handling experience I had - given how bad the alignment was prior to changing, but all in all very happy at the moment. Also the tyre looks good, it suits the xc90 very nicely esp alongside the running boards.

Harry at MTML in Tonbridge was excellent. Great advice, great service so thanks to JimG for the recommendation.

Beavis · Sep 9th, 2010, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyB

Got the Grabbers on now. Very impressed. Also the tyre looks good, it suits the xc90 very nicely esp alongside the running boards.

i thought they look great and perform great too in the dry and the wet. i had a moment the night before they were fitted, worried about noise, but as you said "what noise", i've found them a lot quieter than the pirelli pzeros which i had on there before.

overall, i would certainly recommend them. just need to see how they perform in the winter, but not too worried as i managed with the pirellis last year, and i can't believe they would be worse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyB

Also had the laser alignment done and obviously this will bias the handling experience I had - given how bad the alignment was prior to changing, but all in all very happy at the moment.

do you mind me asking how much you paid for a 4 week alignment? i am sure mine could do with it, as i found the rear tyres were wearing slightly more on the inside than the outside.

JimmyB · Sep 10th, 2010, 07:11

Hi Stu74

I paid £67 pre vat, so £78 in all. I think Volvo dealers quoted with £90 odd quid and not sure that included aligning any wheels, but I could be wrong. It is worth doing as the guy who did mine (he had a Hunter II laser alignment) said that pretty much every Volvo he has done had the same imbalance, as if they come out of the factory that way!

and re the Winter I agree hopefully the snow is not too bad but that will be the conclusive test on these Grabbers....

Jesters3 · Sep 10th, 2010, 15:12

Just to ask a Q.

I have to replace the 2 x front tyres on the ol' XC90. Currently have the Pirelli Scorpion Zero's on all 4. The rears have a a lot of tread left on them.

My Q is what to replace the fronts with? Is it best to go to the Pirellis again or can I go for a Nokian/Vredestien instead?

Beavis · Sep 11th, 2010, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyB

Got the Grabbers on now.

Hi JimmyB, have you noticed anything with economy yet? just been running mine for 1 week, have yet to fill up, but it appears the tyres may have made her a bit thirstier.

noticed that the pressures were only 35psi, so upped them to 39/40 tonight. will refill in a couple of days and see what the full tank mileage is.

JimmyB · Sep 12th, 2010, 09:34

Hi StuT4

Mine has been no worse, and I have always used the eco setting. If anything I think mine has improved slightly which could be down to having the wheels rebalanced also. I have not done any motorway runs yet so only tested this on the shorter runs.

I am still impressed by the Grabbers, and the rim protection is also very good compared with the contis.

Jesters3 · Sep 13th, 2010, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesters3

Just to ask a Q.

I have to replace the 2 x front tyres on the ol' XC90. Currently have the Pirelli Scorpion Zero's on all 4. The rears have a a lot of tread left on them.

My Q is what to replace the fronts with? Is it best to go to the Pirellis again or can I go for a Nokian/Vredestien instead?

What do you guys think?

Sep 5th, 2010, 11:58	#43
RoyMacDonald VOC Member Last Online: Feb 1st, 2023 11:27 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rye, East Sussex View Photos By: RoyMacDonald	Not sure what "shallow slots" are, but they don't sound like sipes. If you're getting a smaller set of wheels, why not get 17" rims and fit these...http://www.tyrespec.co.uk/products/I...erer%20ATR.jpg __________________ 1984 245 SE 1986 345 SE Auto 1991 940 TD Auto 2003 XC90 D5 SE AWD Geartronic2002 V70 D5 SE Auto 2014 V40 D2 SE Tiptronic Cross Country 2017 V40 D2 Cross Country Geartronic Pro 2015 XC60 D5 Polestar SE Lux Nav AWD Geartronic

Sep 4th, 2010, 09:24	#41
JimmyB Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2017 20:59 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent	Hi Roy, That bit initially did concern me about it being more of a summer tyre, but the reports all say how good the tyre is in the wet and dry which is where 98% of the usuage will be. If it snows I only really have to drive up to the local shops on a main A road and managed this with the contis, so based on the feedback the grabbers should be better. Re the sipes though, on this web page it mentions "Shallow Slots", are these the same as SIPES. Although I have learnt a lot about tyres in the last few weeks I am not sure about this? http://www.generaltire.net/generator...master_en.html cheers JimmyB

Sep 4th, 2010, 15:30	#42
Beavis Premier Member Last Online: Jun 19th, 2023 08:14 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wiltshire	19" General Grabber UHPs fitted in 255/50 size. Done through Event-Tyres who fit at home 532 fully fitted in about 45-50 minutes. Just back from test drive at various speeds motorway and town. They are a lot quieter than my Pirelli P-Zero's on there, which in turn were noiser than the Continental's i had on before. No rumbling or vibrations which was a bit of a concern with the tread pattern. Loads of grip - 8.5mm across most points. So far, so good. Really chuffed with them. Only time will tell how they perform in the wet/cold/ice/snow, but i managed ok with the Pirelli's earlier in the year in the heavy snow (although they weren't great).

Sep 9th, 2010, 07:24	#44
JimmyB Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2017 20:59 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent	Got the Grabbers on now. Very impressed. I got to test them in dry and wet conditions, in fact torrential rain at one stage. The grip was very good, the comfort good and tyre noise, what noise... Also had the laser alignment done and obviously this will bias the handling experience I had - given how bad the alignment was prior to changing, but all in all very happy at the moment. Also the tyre looks good, it suits the xc90 very nicely esp alongside the running boards. Harry at MTML in Tonbridge was excellent. Great advice, great service so thanks to JimG for the recommendation.

Sep 10th, 2010, 07:11	#46
JimmyB Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2017 20:59 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent	Hi Stu74 I paid £67 pre vat, so £78 in all. I think Volvo dealers quoted with £90 odd quid and not sure that included aligning any wheels, but I could be wrong. It is worth doing as the guy who did mine (he had a Hunter II laser alignment) said that pretty much every Volvo he has done had the same imbalance, as if they come out of the factory that way! and re the Winter I agree hopefully the snow is not too bad but that will be the conclusive test on these Grabbers....

Sep 10th, 2010, 15:12	#47
Jesters3 New Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2020 12:18 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: The Shires	Just to ask a Q. I have to replace the 2 x front tyres on the ol' XC90. Currently have the Pirelli Scorpion Zero's on all 4. The rears have a a lot of tread left on them. My Q is what to replace the fronts with? Is it best to go to the Pirellis again or can I go for a Nokian/Vredestien instead?

Sep 12th, 2010, 09:34	#49
JimmyB Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2017 20:59 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent	Hi StuT4 Mine has been no worse, and I have always used the eco setting. If anything I think mine has improved slightly which could be down to having the wheels rebalanced also. I have not done any motorway runs yet so only tested this on the shorter runs. I am still impressed by the Grabbers, and the rim protection is also very good compared with the contis.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)