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Here’s something else I did today.

After the big desert trip through July, I wanted to put the original wheels back on the Landy with tyres that actually had some tread. The original wheels are 18″ x 8″ wide, and the choice of tyres to fit is a little limited compared to other sizes. Originals are 255/55R18 Goodyear Wrangler HPs, which have been reasonably good on both the blacktop and Fraser Island but at $430 a corner seemed overpriced.

After a bit of research I settled on Cooper Zeon XSTs. Rang Mark Prosser from Bridgestone Tyre Centre at Noosaville yesterday afternoon and they were in for fitment this morning.

Why Coopers? I’ve had good experiences with them. On the old Landy (Will drives this now) I fitted Cooper Discoverer ATR’s to the front. They were much, much better than the original Michelins. Quieter, softer ride, and worked really well in the wet (although I don’t drive hard so take that with a grain of salt). Then, on the desert trip, I fitted Cooper ST’s all round on Range Rover (P38) 16″ x 8″ rims (255/70R16). They worked brilliantly, although the Plenty Highway destroyed one.

So in all, Cooper equals goodness in my experience. I know that’s not everyone’s experience with them - check the forums - but I haven’t had problems.

The Zeons are so quiet compared to the ST’s. Of course I’d be pretty pissed if they weren’t given the difference in tread pattern and intended use, but after 9,000 kilometres on the ST’s it’s sorta noticeable. They are much sharper in they way they tackle Noosa’s 1,001 roundabouts and they give a firmer ride, even better than the Goodyears.

The Zeons are rated for 100% road and sand. Don;t see this as a problem, as most of our offroad driving is Fraser Island or Noosa North Shore. If we ever hit the dirt west of the ranges, I’ll just throw the second set of wheels on. The ST’s have lots of life left.

Price? The Zeons were $378 fitted, a good saving over the Goodyears.  One potential downside is they are unidirectional, so having a spare can be problematic. I stuck with the original Goodyear spare (which has never been used), and hope never to use it.