Hi guys from a quick search there doesn't seem to be many threads about tyre choices.

I'm currently running a set of yoko winter tyres which are pretty good and not that noisy. And I have a brand new vredstein as a spare. However. 2 of them are getting quite low tread wise now so I'm putting cash aside for a full set for summer.

I don't need anything for hardcore off roading as I only drive down the odd green lane here and there. My uncle used to have loads of 4x4s when they were new and said town and country tyres were the best he used, I have looked but these are now discontinued.

What tyres do you 4x4 guys use and what suppliers/websites do you use? I've been looking around but can't find any decent all terrains,

Thanks in advance. Alex

I've got Michelin M+S 145R14 all round. They're winter tyres, so they're not much good in the Summer (they use a different rubber compound)

I normally get my tyres from Micheldever Tyres (AKA Protyre) as they have always managed to get the most obscure tyres for me in a couple of days and significantly cheaper than anywhere else I can find.

Be careful of using different sized tyres front and back if you're going to use 4X4 much, it can cause 'axle wind-up' as the different diameters try to go different distances at each end of your car and punish your gearbox.

im running 165/65/13 uniroyal rain tyres on weller 8 spoke rims here they grip really good, dont cost that much run quite silent and are pretty good in the wet.


im not sure if they do more narrow ones though..

As a road, light off-road and winter tyres i've been using Marshal M+S 145/70 IIRC, no need to worry about getting them used in summer as British Summer ( max 2 week in may over 20*C) won't do any harm to M+S rubber compound.

Worth to keep in mind - M+S tyres are not the same as winter tyres with mountain and snow flake symbol. Winter or M+S with tread dept below 4mm if no good.



I can't find any on Google so they might be no longer available or something.

If you want to get proper panda tyres, go for them ones PIRELLI W160 @ £62,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TYRES-WIN...27916?pt=UK_Cars_Tyres_RL&hash=item58ab50e6ac


If your after heavy off-road tyres, Malatesta Trac are the most popular in UK ( or Ziarelli )
http://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/shop/product-info.php?prodname=155/80R13-Malatesta-Trac&id=32425

you don't need winter tyres...

Yeah I heard about diff wind up, I was going to get a full set for summer, those malatesta's look decent ish, what are they like for road noise and handling capabilities? I know a panda is hardly renowned for it's drifting capabilities but with chunky tyres like that I can see myself sideways a lot.

I'd like a tracked panda. Could be a fairly pricey conversion mind.

Can you fit the Malatesta Trac 155/80 13 to a non lifted 4x4 without having fuel filler issues? Or is it best to stick to 145/80?

The 145 width tyres still caught on my filler neck pipe slightly, I had to get spacers to avoid this. The rear track of the Panda 4x4 is wider to start with, so in order to prevent adverse handling characteristics I spaced both the front and rear equally.

I have the Ziarelli tyres but they are esentially the same as the others' stated. There is alot of road noise from the tyres and as you'd expect a considerable gain in fuel consumption. Handling is massively compromised due mainly to harder compound rubber and tyre roll.

AndyPanda4x4 said:

The 145 width tyres still caught on my filler neck pipe slightly, I had to get spacers to avoid this. The rear track of the Panda 4x4 is wider to start with, so in order to prevent adverse handling characteristics I spaced both the front and rear equally.

I have the Ziarelli tyres but they are esentially the same as the others' stated. There is alot of road noise from the tyres and as you'd expect a considerable gain in fuel consumption. Handling is massively compromised due mainly to harder compound rubber and tyre roll.

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Cheers Andy, my yellow 4x4 has 155/80 Michelins fitted to the back and it doesn't seemed to have caused any issues, but I guess the more agressive tread pattern on the Trac tyres actually makes them bigger/wider than a road biased tyre of the same size. Will probably stick to 145s to play it safe, don't want to have to find another fuel filler pipe. Best get the welding done first anyway!

panda1408 said:

Cheers Andy, my yellow 4x4 has 155/80 Michelins fitted to the back and it doesn't seemed to have caused any issues, but I guess the more agressive tread pattern on the Trac tyres actually makes them bigger/wider than a road biased tyre of the same size. Will probably stick to 145s to play it safe, don't want to have to find another fuel filler pipe. Best get the welding done first anyway!

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I put it mainly down to cornering. As it's essentially a "floating" axel on the leaf springs, the movement in cornering and especially on the rough stuff means that the wheels move side-to-side within the wheel arches. This causes the catching. My advice, get the 145s with spacers, grind off the rear of the tyre tred on the filler neck wheel (ie. The lips of the tread that stick out) and wrap the filler neck pipe in some sort of protective cover (I used some tin and bent it to shape). It's extreme but it'll save a world of hassle - you know the score Freddy.

It's taken some abuse now and still holds good and hasn't warn through

4WDPandamonium said:

It's taken some abuse now and still holds good and hasn't warn through

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Are the tyres 145s with spacers?

Yep

I'm no longer skint as my hours have increased at work. I've rang up my nearest big tyre supplier asking for something m+s.

They rang me back earlier with a few options. It was a choice of 3 different budget tyres that I've never heard of and they were £48 inc vat and fitted and balanced,

Or vredestein m+s tyres at £53 fitted and balanced. So I ordered a full set, seems daft buying naff tyres for the sake of a few quid.

Wanted some of those malatesta's but they were out of stock and don't want to risk my filler pipe, cars handling and they look like they are gonna be really noisy

Just noticed that the Pirelli Winter 160 SNOWCONTROL are available back on for bargain price of 200euros ( £153 as for today) with free delivery.


http://www.ebay.de/itm/4x-Winter-Ty...d90e952&pid=100033&rk=4&rkt=8&sd=381168644865


Available in 155/70 and 155/80 no 145/80 thou.


I wonder how they would work as road wheels for 4x4.

Can anyone recommend a good source for the fuel filler pipe assembly for a '91 4x4 ? New or good second hand. I have discovered a pin hole leak in mine and I suspect new from FIAT is going to be pricey, if available .

From what has been discussed 155/70 13 sounds the best compromise for mixed road/off road. Does anyone have any more experience of running 165/70 13 with regards clearance and gearing issues ?

Thanks

pan127 said:

Can anyone recommend a good source for the fuel filler pipe assembly for a '91 4x4 ? New or good second hand. I have discovered a pin hole leak in mine and I suspect new from FIAT is going to be pricey, if available .

From what has been discussed 155/70 13 sounds the best compromise for mixed road/off road. Does anyone have any more experience of running 165/70 13 with regards clearance and gearing issues ?

Thanks

Click to expand...

1. There is NO known source for new 4x4 fuel filler pipes, if it is pinhole get it fixed, where about is that hole? Is it caused by tyre rubbing already?


Let me know if it will get chewed more, I can fix it for you, steel guards are still available.
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-classic/429939-panda-4x4-fuel-filler-neck-pipe-repair.html


If you will find person willing to part with his spare pipe you're looking £100 upwards. Keep an eye on ebay but be aware of panda killer and his scam activities.




Which tyres are you looking for? Road type or off-road (Trac/ Fedima)?

.
Well, there are a lot of tyres.

In UK you have a lot of MUD, so you could choose the best tyres for off-roading.



In this picture you see the most famous tyres in Italy (except the "ordinary" track )

Starting from left toward right :

1) Cross : good tyres for mud & other kinds of "soft surfaces", but few persons use them

2) Ziarelli Extreme Forest : the perfect tyres for mud, the same tyres as Land Rover Defender or Suzuki Samurai. You need a lift to use these tyres.
Use them ONLY in mud. As you can see the diameter is the biggest between all R13 tyres. This means an additional lift to your car.

3) Maxi Cervinia : very famous model. A lot of persons use these tyres because you can use them in "light" off road and also in the snow. Perfect for the winter season.

Note : In Italy a lot of tyres have "fake" sizes written on the side, this happens because the rules are very strict regarding the size.
Many times the wheel is declared to be 145/80/R13 but the actual size is 155/80/R13. Better to ask.

Regarding the Track model, they are still the most used tyres in off-roading, because good in all situations : soft surfaces (mud/fresh snow) & hard surfaces (stones,rocks, hard tracks). You could use the Track even with a minimum lift and small spacers.


On-Road tyres :
In Italy a lot of persons still use the "old model" Pirelli Winter 160 (145/80/R13) because when the tyres are new, the compound is good even against the snow.

Hi Mirko,

I like the look of those TRGomme posted by Andrea on FB recently.




The Maxi Cervinia look good! Simmilar to my Fedimas but as far as I can tell they are rated 50%Road/ 50%Offroad were my Fedimas are 20% Road? 80 Offroad and the front ones are at 60-65% thread dept already.

.
Yes Jacob, the tyre in the picture is called "Trepador".
It is a "new tyre", few days ago they created this model.
It is half way between track and extreme forest.


The Extreme Forest is 100 % Off Road, but only for mud.
This means : AVOID hard tracks (rocks & similars).


I never made off-road in UK, but I imagine you have a lot of mud, probably you could use the extreme forest.

I wait the first "feedbacks" regarding the Trepador.
After some months of testing we will know a sure answer.


Another thing :
I strongly recommend a good engine swap with Punto 60 or 75 engine, before using Trepador or Extreme Forest.

If you use the track you can easily use the standard engine.

Engine swap tutorial :
http://www.panda4x4.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=14987&p=738147#p738147