Now have about about 700mi on the new Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S after a trip to Silverton and back.
I'm sure there are better winter tires -- no doubt. But these made it over Red Mountain Pass when it was dumping an inch+ an hour during Wed night. And then over snowpacked roads to/from Silverton Mountain each morning. And over a snowy Monarch pass both ways. Solid, predictable traction. Not studs, but very good.
Plus had very little hit to MPG if any, no noticeable increase in road noise. Certainly a stiffer ride but I expected that going from a touring tire with a load index/range of 102 SL to a AT tire with 108XL.
I’ve been gone from this thread for a long time. Good to hear on the Cooper, that AT3 is such a boring looking tire and they are good at everything.
Falken AT3W are finally being retired on the Sequoia. 4 years, 72K miles 6/32-8/32 of tread still remaining, used in every conceivable condition. Just excellent. But time and rubber compound advances wait for no man and Yokohama Geolander MT G003 mount up tomorrow. Have these on my son’s 4Runner and have been impressed - quiet, smooth, and winter reviews are good. These are the same size - 285/75/17 - as the Falkens, unmounted tires always look huge and they have new tread. The Big Tree is at 334K miles and finally gets a set of proper tires.
And then last but not least, my 17 yo son has a new to us 2001 4Runner that had brand new 35” Maxxis Razor MTs when we bought it. Took it out in the storm we just had after the roads were packed and plowed with some icy spots. Very nice control, had to drive stupid to get them to brake traction anywhere. It was cold, about 8°, and it’s never all that slick at those temps, but first impressions are very good. And given the price point in that tire, they should be.
This means the only AT remaining in the stable are the Goodyear Ultraterrains on the 2004 4Runner. That tire is showing very little wear at 20K and traction has been outstanding across the board. Quiet, smooth and fuel efficient. Probably the best all around hybrid tire on the market still, but fairly limited sizes. I’d have put them on the Sequoia, but wanted to keep the 34” size so no go. Plus those Geolanders are gong to be awesome.
Oh wait, one more option that is getting a ton of love in the market and has great winter reviews: the impossibly inexpensive Patagonia Milestar MT. Sticky and they won’t last all that long, but people love them. This one works at Discount Tire in his free time and can attest.
Yep - MTs are the new ATs.