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Pirelli Scorpions?

Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 09:51

Ian from Thermoguard Instruments

Hi all,

Our trusty Discovery is due for new rubber. I've been intending to fork out for a set of BFG ATs but have just seen that Bob Jane are offering Pirelli Scorpion ATs in the size I want (245/70R16) for $235 a piece. So, can anyone offer first-hand experience with these? Are they in the same class as BFGs? The BFGs in this size are LT construction, not sure about the Pirellis. Thanks.
Ian
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AnswerID: 212694   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 10:15

Truckster (Vic) replied:

We have them on the Pathfinder, and sadly they are nothing more than a road tire.

Wear great on the road, would be good on the sand due to plenty of tread on the ground, but yea, nothing like a BFG AT in anyway.
Reply 1 of 7
AnswerID: 212706   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 11:39

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

Not sure of your vehicle, but I'm guessing its a Jackaroo. You usually have to upsize to 245/75R16 to get a good strong LT tyre.
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FollowupID: 472931   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 11:41

Member - Phil G (SA) posted:

Sorry, missed the Discovery bit :-(( Yeah, I'd go 245/75R16
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FollowupID: 472947   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 13:36

Ian from Thermoguard Instruments posted:

Thanks for the advice, Phil, but BFG ATs can definitely be had in the size LT245/70R16 112/110 S. I'm hoping these will be significantly tougher than my current standard-sized passenger-construction 235/70R16 105T (Toyo OPATs). The 245/70 is 15mm taller than standard and that's as tall as I want to go.

The OPATs are always well-priced and have worn OK but we've lost too many less-than-half-worn tyres to rock fractures through the tread for them to have been good value overall.

Looks like the Scorpions don't have a lot of fans...
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FollowupID: 473022   Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 08:54

Member - Phil G (SA) posted:

Hi Ian,
Understand about the 15mm rule. Hopefully it will be a thing of the past soon, as it is ridiculous to have a fixed amount for all tyres - whether on a mini or a 4wd. It works out to only 2% on your Disco.

The 245/75 often comes with a load index of 120 (equivalent to the old 10 ply) and available in almost every brand. But people I know who have run BFG in the smaller sizes have had good runs out of them. I don't know anyone who runs Pirellis out bush.
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AnswerID: 212734   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 14:40

Trevor M (SA) replied:

Hi Ian,

I put 4 Scorpions (from Bob Jane's in fact as well) on the Patrol. In fact 2 are still on it. The other 2 had to be replaced (about 3 months apart) because they developed sidewall bubbles. I didn't do any really radical stuff with them but Pirelli wouldn't do anything saying they were due impact damage.

Needless to say I replaced them with something else and won't buy them again.

As has been said above they do seem to wear well and would probably be fine if you are staying on the bitumen.

Cheers
Trev

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AnswerID: 212742   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 15:38

TroopyTracker replied:

Ian and all,
Arn't these the tyres that all did really well in the AT tyre test in 4WD Monthly a while back???

Matt
Reply 4 of 7
FollowupID: 472956   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 16:25

Truckster (Vic) posted:

LMAO!!!!!! probably did.. people still buy that rag?
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 473023   Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 08:57

Member - Phil G (SA) posted:

Agree with Truckster.
Great test -Thats the sort of result you get when you exclude desert travel, sidewall strength, sidewall punctures, chipping and mileage.
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FollowupID: 473068   Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 16:35

TroopyTracker posted:

Fair call but,
Which mag is better?? (Apart from 4wheeling Oz), maybe I'm a sucker. Picked up the first issue by chance and been reading since.

As far as the test goes. Whos going to line up say 20 4wd's, all exactly the same with drivers who have similar driving techniqes, then drive all over oz for a year or two ;-)
I figure the best way to decide is on forums like this, which is why I've never had anything but BFG's. Also why I can't understand why anyone would even consider a Cooper "tire" for their wheelbarrow?? As far as mag tests go I thought it wasn't badly done.

Many think BFG's are a jip and love to tell me who their kuhmo etc only cost $150 and all the rest are a rip off. Only thing between you and the ground though is the rubber rapped around your wheels so why not spend afew hundred extra.

With all that said I doubt I'd consider anything other than BFG,Goodyear or maybe those new Mickey T muddies.

Matt
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 473390   Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 21:33

Member - Stan (VIC) posted:

The Pirelli Scorpions model they tested were specially shipped for test from USA. This model is not availble in Australia as yet....
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AnswerID: 212774   Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 19:01

Member - SKI er (NSW) replied:

Hi Ian,

A pleasure to pay one back after all your good work for us.

Recently had to switch from Yokahama SD05 Super Diggers - Not available at the moment in Oz.. Bruce at Tyre Power Ballina could have sold me anything but I went with his recommendation, expertise and small country town honesty.

He recommended The Pirelli Scorpions. We bought the set of 4 less than a month ago. Our Pathfinder uses 245x75 x14 but I just pulled out the bill ....we got 4 fitted and balanced for $760 including the environmental disposal of the other 4.

We are finding them good. I have read the other posts... but we are soft tourists... a van on the back until we park up and gently explore the new neighbourhood.

Regards
SKI'er
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Reply 5 of 7
AnswerID: 212832   Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 09:25

Ian from Thermoguard Instruments replied:

Thanks all for the info.
Think I'll keep looking for a good price on the BFGs. Any Taswegians out there, can you recommend somewhere for a good deal. (As the whole island is only a bit bigger than a K-Mart carpark, anywhere in the state will do - sorry, only kidding, love this place)
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Reply 6 of 7
AnswerID: 212879   Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 16:31

Gerhardp1 replied:

Hi Ian,

I have the 245/75 LT construction on the Jackaroo, as I bought them for $200 from Total Tyre Service, Oakleigh. This was cheap for the LT.
Went to Cape York with them, towing a trailer.

Tyres very good on most surfaces, except the wet sand at the bottom of Nolan's Brook where I got bogged. Mind you, an 80 series with 2 diff locks and 35's also got bogged in there as well.

No problems with the rocks, corrugations, beach driving, wet bitumen, etc. All good. Mileage appears as though they will do 80,000 easily on the Jackaroo.

$235 for the 245/70 sounds a bit too dear. I got the LTs for $200 at the LROC Wandin show, so if you're in VIC and can wait a couple of weeks, you should be able to repeat the price, but definately go for the LT.

Reply 7 of 7