Nokian WRG2(3) Tread life

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PeterA

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I know that getting information about tire selection and performance is sought after on this forum so I thought I'd post about my experience with the WRG2.

Yesterday, after 35 months and 33K miles, I replaced the WRG2 with the newer WRG3. For those unfamiliar, Nokian has a DSI (Driving Safety Indicator) in the form of numbers, indicating tread depth in millimeters on the center of the tire that wear down over time. A new tire has the 8, 6 and 4. Nokian recommends replacement when the 4 is no longer visible. The 4 was still there on mine but for the first time I could tell they were just not the same. A little less grip in rain, snow and slush made me realize it was time for them to be retired.

One change with the WRG3 is they now have a snowflake next to the 4. Nokian calls this the WSI (Winter Safety Indicator) and when that wears away they say the probability of slush-planing increases.

I paid $199 per tire and $80 for balancing, cheaper than the $239 the WRG2 cost me from the same place 3 years ago.

As I pulled out of the shop yesterday with the new tires I had the same feeling when I pulled out 3 years earlier with the WRG2; the way they grip it feels like the the car and the road were one. They make an awesome tire.
 
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AJMac

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Consistently (3 sets) I've achieved 45k or more miles on my WRG3 SUV tires. I'm quite **** about replacing them way before they are due. The tech at Discount tire (yes, I use them and have had nothing but great service and price) said "you have 5k or more miles left". Best tires I have ever used on my12 RRS and now on my15 LR4.
 

Kerrie

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I'm a few months later, but how does this tire handle off road? I'll be on easy trails, but rocky Colorado trails.
 

jwest

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Off road or off pavement? Gravel roads are no big deal but the sidewalk is no different than any other tire you shouldn't be using on trails very often.

I'd never use less than an E load tire on the LR3/4 but I've had great experience wth the WRG2 on an Audi which is a fairly heavy car at about 4100 lbs.

Last year I got a super cheap close-out set for next year :) Right now I'm wearing down through summer a finished set of Pirelli Sotozero 240 winter RFT.

However, this is the Nokian i use on the LR3 in the middle of winter here:

IMG_7945.JPG


The traction and unwavering tracking is truly incredible. These are 245/75-17 on an ideal sized 7" wide wheel which increases ground pressure by about 10%. 70 mph in funky Cascade Crud type slush, deep blizzard, ice, nothing matters.
 

Kerrie

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I'll be taking it off road a few times this summer and fall. Nothing too crazy since I'll have my toddler with, but definitely rocky trails. We're in Colorado, and I'm planning a few trips to the mountains. The problem I'm having is tires! I'm keeping the stock rims till next year and want to keep them for dedicated snow tires, but I need a good tire now, unless the stock ones will hold up on some rocky trails, then I can put snow tires on this upcoming winter and not worry.
 

Lgibson

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IMO the Nokian GR is the perfect all around tire for CO and the southwest. It goes on the rocky 4WD trails around Ouray (but no black diamonds), it handles up to 18" of fluffy snow, and it's good at 100mph across the desert
 

manoftaste

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Yes very much interested here myself in finding out about the off road capability of these. Has to be better than the stock contis.
 

jwest

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I'll be taking it off road a few times this summer and fall. Nothing too crazy since I'll have my toddler with, but definitely rocky trails. We're in Colorado, and I'm planning a few trips to the mountains. The problem I'm having is tires! I'm keeping the stock rims till next year and want to keep them for dedicated snow tires, but I need a good tire now, unless the stock ones will hold up on some rocky trails, then I can put snow tires on this upcoming winter and not worry.

Well to be honest, after using BFG MT and AT for 300,000 miles, I decided to try the least aggressive tire that would work in most conditions. I landed on the Michelin M/S 2 which I've tested off road in some very good trails here with great results.

They are also fantastic highway tires though having much more wet and dry pavement traction as well as snow. Very good cornering traction, etc.

Even being E load rated they're still several lbs lighter than my usual BFG AT KO2 and rolling resistance is far better yielding noticeable fuel mpg increase.

It's funny after so many years of thinking I 'needed' an 'aggressive' tire. I've run these through so much in the last 2 years. Oh they have a very long tread wear life too.
 

jwest

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Yes very much interested here myself in finding out about the off road capability of these. Has to be better than the stock contis.

Honestly, the WRG2 while fine on the weight of a stock LR are not the best choice for one that starts to get loaded up and/or start doing anything more than well maintained gravel roads.

You'll find that a higher durability tire with an E load range is going to last longer because it's not as close to its limits as often and it's also less likely to fail 'out there'.

This is why I mention a sweet spot compromise like the Michelin unless you want to go thr next step to an even higher service level like the BFG AT KO2 or the Nokian Rotiva. These types of tires are geared towards, install, then don't think about tires again for 50,000-80,000 miles.

(I have a set of BFG I removed at 75k with 1/4" tread depth when I moved to large size.)

Unless you plan to climb sharp loose rocky trails, I'd highly recommend considering the Michelin.
 

Kerrie

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Thanks jwest! I may start another post. I got the no go from the husband on running 3 different sets of wheels!! Lol. So, I'm facing the dilemma of keeping the stocks on till winter, getting a dedicated winter tire till I can get my 18" next spring or get a good all season tire (winter rated) that also doesn't compromise too much on and off road till next spring and then run 2 sets of tires in both situations.
 

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