[Gerrit Loubser]

Muds are super noisy on Gen3s, perhaps because of the way that sound is conducted via the monocoque bodyshell. Once upon a time I bought a set of Cooper STTs for the Paj, but I just couldn't stand the howl and sold them again after something like 200km or evenless. The Paj now runs on Yokohama Geolandar A/Ts that work very well for the vast majority of the its missions .

On the Patrol the BFG M/T KM2s are great. They are not too noisy and really are the perfect "all terrain" tyre as far as I am concerned, but not for the Gen 3 Paj...

I used to have Goodyear MTRs on my old Gen 2 and there was also no issue with excessive noise there, but the Gen 2 also uses body-on-frame construction, of course.

[Wessel]

Thanks guys,

Gerrit, I remember reading about your experience with the STT's in a earlier thread. If that noisy, it would also bother me. I wonder if a specific tyre and vehicle could "resonate" causing even louder sound or is it just the Gen 3 chassis setup conducting sound ?. If resonance plays a role, would a different suspension eg. OME make a difference in frequency ?

Benn,

Thanks for your input. I also have a 2001 manual. I have a few more questions if you don't mind.

What is your application for the vehicle (ratio tar vs gravel / off road) ?
How is handling on wet and dry tar ?
Does the noise bother you, or have you become used to it?
Would you choose muds again or do you regret your decision ?

[Wessel]

Thanks guys,

Gerrit, I remember reading about your experience with the STT's in a earlier thread. If that noisy, it would also bother me. I wonder if a specific tyre and vehicle could "resonate" causing even louder sound or is it just the Gen 3 chassis setup conducting sound ?. If resonance plays a role, would a different suspension eg. OME make a difference in frequency ?

Benn,

Thanks for your input. I also have a 2001 manual. I have a few more questions if you don't mind.

What is your application for the vehicle (ratio tar vs gravel / off road) ?
How is handling on wet and dry tar ?
Does the noise bother you, or have you become used to it?
Would you choose muds again or do you regret your decision ?

[Bennvdm]

What is your application for the vehicle (ratio tar vs gravel / off road) ? 70% gravel & offroad & 30 tar. Mostly drive my old citigolf in town & pajero once a week
How is handling on wet and dry tar ? With my driving style, could not note much difference, but am more careful in the wet. Think stopping distance on wet increased a bit, but not so much to cause concern.
Does the noise bother you, or have you become used to it? Is more noisy than I expected. Noisiest at 80-120km, but gets a bit quiter around 125, so usually lock speed control on 125. Bit of a hassle to locate noises whilst driving. My mechanic changed rims with another pajero to make sure wheel bearing issue resolved as could not distinguish noise I was complaining about with the muds. Recommend that you find someone with it fitted and hear for yourself, does not necessarily have to be a pajero. Road noise on prado and patrol with muds of friends +- the same
Would you choose muds again or do you regret your decision ?[/quote] would go muds again, but road noise noticeable on tar. Bit worried about heavy chipping as km stack up, but with around 20k km, no noticeable missing chunks

[Bennvdm]

If you go for a drive, take your wife or most frequent travel companion with. The noise is fine for me and my wife, but my dad complains a lot when driving with. Some people probably more easily irritated by it than others

[Wessel]

Hmmmm, I think is is 2xx/75/16. I also have an OME suspension lift. I will have to double check the size but I know its 16s not 17s.

Will check and get back to you on that.

[/quote]

Hi MThompson,

Will you please confirm yoru tyre size on the BFG KM2, I'm seriously considering them, and do so more each time I look at your pics

I've done a lot of reading, viewing and thinking. Never considered the BFG KM2, mainly due to price, but also though tread pattern was to rough. However, I struggle to read anything bad about them (apart from the general differences between between AT's and MT's. Apparently road holding on the better side for a mud terrain, possibly better performance in sand than BFG AT (don't see the same complains about debeading at low pressures as with BFG AT.)

All in all, a very confusing topic. Many angles and many good tyres out there.

Decided to go big and get muds. I'm willing to take the consequences.

So before I take the plunge, one last chance for input from you guys, these are my best quotes currently on 265/75/16 (Includes balancing, valves and fitting and VAT. Excl. alignment)

BFG KM2 - R3143 (still veeeerrry expensive in my mind )
Cooper STT - R2400 (Yep, I believe HiQ / Tyremart brought them back)
Hankook Dynapro MT - R2475
Maxxis Bighorn 762 +- R2300
Maxxis Bighorn 764 +- R2400.

Always liked the look of the Coopers, but Gerhard's experience is a concern. The possibility of the tread pattern causing resonance with the Gen 3 bothers me. I'm willing to bear the noise of a MT, but not what he experienced.

MThompson and others with KM2, please comment on whether you're noise is coming "from outside the cabin" eg. windows or "through the undercarriage/ cabin".

Maxxis sounds good, 3 ply sidewalls - but concerned about availability should I need to replace a tyre. Same concern with the Coopers - although it sounds like they're here to stay.

Any input, especially your experience will be appreciated. Hoping to make a final decision soon.

[MThompson]

Hi Wessel

I do have 265/75/16 MT. Sorry for not posting it sooner, forgot about this thread for a while.

Road noise is ok up until 80km/h, after that I close the windows.

I guess you learn to live with the noise, it's really not that bad when you stick to about 100/110km/h. above that it does get very noisy but when driving that fast you are in a hurry and will not hear the noise.

Driving in the platkar for a while and getting back in the pajero, you hear a BEEEEG difference becasue the civic is almost noiseless but I drive with the pajero daily (only traffic no highway) so the sound does not bother me.

[KaiV]

All

I have BFG AT on mine. Strangely, I hear many complaints of them AT's not good in the wet. If they are not, then the Bridgestone AT's must be the worst

Honestly, I'd rather be on BFG's than any others. I am very happy with them.

Also, on a recent trip to Lesotho, the BFG's performed perfectly on the ice and snow.

Personally, I can recommend them

[Cherokee235]

Hi there
My 5 cents worth. I have had BFG's on two of my vehicles and can testify that they are very hard, uncomfortable tyres. Also rediculously expensive and hopelessly over rated.
You may want to try the new Goodyear AT/SA tyres. I had a new set of them on my previuos vehicle and they are awesome tyres. Very strange that no-one mentions them.
They give a very nice soft ride and are not noisy at all. They are reinforced with cevlar as well. Best of all, they are the cheapest of the lot +- R1800.00 for the standard Pajero tyres 265/65/17
I have just bought a SWB Pajero Gen 4, most unfortunately with Bridgestone AT tyres on. I don't like them one bit and can't wait for them to finish so I can buy another set of Goodyear's.
Good luck on your quest.

[Gemaskerde Tuinvurk]

Since we're talking about ATs... what about the Kumho ATs?

Lombard tyres is running a special with them at about R2100 a tyre for the 265/65/17s.