Scout or Yeti?

[IBN]

Ah yes. Tyres in 225/50R17 size are pretty much available from every manufacturer here in Oz, however if you want an M+S type tyre such as a Yokohama Geolander for example, you might be out of luck. The M+S designation is pretty much a compromise tyre, but if you find yourself on a snowy road, every bit of extra traction is appreciated.

[brad]

Tirerack list about 60 All-Season type tyres in 225/50x17. Viable & generally cheaper alternative than the limited choice in Australia.

[IBN]

Yep. That's what I ended up doing - initial impression on the Continental Extreme Contact DWS quite favorable.

[Inego]

Ah yes. Tyres in 225/50R17 size are pretty much available from every manufacturer here in Oz, however if you want an M+S type tyre such as a Yokohama Geolander for example, you might be out of luck. The M+S designation is pretty much a compromise tyre, but if you find yourself on a snowy road, every bit of extra traction is appreciated.

But do you really want to compromise for the 99.9% of the time you're not on M+S - it was a relief to bin the geolanders on my old Outback and, if I'd bought the new Outback rather than the Scout (which I almost did) I was driving straight to a tire place after I picked it up to replace them.

Never tried the replacement c-drives on snow, but they were fine on gravel and even OK on the beach, and 200% better than the geolanders on the road.

[brad]

Wife has an Outback with Geolanders at the moment.

I must say, it's been a long time since I've driven on a tyre with such low wet weather grip levels. Wet corners that I'd comfortably do 100kmh with the Octy/Primacy combo turn into an 80kmh four wheel drift in the Outback. Exceedingly controllable because of the progressive loss of grip & low speed but it makes you wonder how many people get caught out.

[Michelle]

I'm not really a tyre officiando, did some internet research and ended up getting Goodyear Eagle F1GSD3 for $240ea (fit and bal) for the Astra. I must say, they do the job extreamly well. I don't know sizes etc but if they will fit the Skoda I would have them again.

[brad]

They aren't made anymore. Replace is F1A now up to version 2.

The problem with the GSD3 was they were made in Europe & Thailand & the Thai ones were not very good.

I try & steer away from directional tyres like the GSD3. Too limited in the how you can rotate them.

[IBN]

I guess tyres will always be a compromise. Price, wear, performance, intended use, whatever. At the end of the day, I bought the Scout to give me more versatility (I was actually considering a standard Octavia wagon with 4x4 at that time). It will never be an off-roader, but it gives me a bit more security - after destroying a sump on my old Bora while driving a run of the mill country dirt road, I was always wary of what could happen.
The original Dunlops on the Scout were excellent - in wet and dry conditions I could not fault them (maybe a bit noisy), but on dirt or gravel the new tyres make the car noticeably more sure footed. On bitumen, there is certainly not the same performance, but it is early days yet and they are certainly better than original Michelins that I got with my MK4 GTI and Bora. Mud and snow will require more investigation
The Geolanders I used just as an example to illustrate what is available in other sizes.

[Inego]

It will never be an off-roader, but it gives me a bit more security - after destroying a sump on my old Bora while driving a run of the mill country dirt road, I was always wary of what could happen.

I did that twice in my MkIV - hence the Outback and now Scout (which, of course, has the same ground clearance as a Territory).

But the Geolanders are awful, and just not worth the compromise! Maybe if running in mud and snow for 40-50% of running, but otherwise they just grip badly and wear badly.

[scoutau]

Michelle, the dealer test drive Yeti was coming off the transport truck at 08:00 this morning as I went past the dealerships service area to dro[ daughter at school. They have to PD and register it yet so probably not available to TD until early next week. Just thought I'd let you know.I'd still go with the scout, but as I already own one I'm prejudiced Except for the more ground clearance, 4wd lock button and less boot space in the yeti body it is the same as the Scout.