End-of-life report - Bridgestone M/T (D673)
Posted: 01 Oct 2017 17:51
We always tend to report on our tires shortly after purchase, when we still know almost nothing about them. Since few of us have enough money to replace tires when they're half-worn, how they perform later in their life is an important consideration.
So I have decided to post an end-of-life report. I am hoping this catches on, because once again, not many of us can afford to test a broad selection of tires for ourselves.
My current set is Bridgestone muddies. They were fitted about 3 1/2 years ago, but the date code indicates that they are just over 6 years old. Size is 32x11.5R15, but the actual rolling diameter now is close to 29", which has caused me a number of embarrassing incidents, especially lately. Because they are so small, I have less ground clearnace than most guys, and as a result I have hung it on the diffs a few times while following other guys.
The car (for those who don't know) is a '96 GQ with a fair amount of extra weight which is used enthusiastically on the road (It's my daily driver), on trails and for touring. I drive hard, and usually try all the toughest obstacles.
The tires have now done 73 000km. This is a set of five, rotated at least every 10k km, and with the spare being rotated through. I runn a TPMS system, so can state with confidence that the tires have never exceeded 61 degrees C.
Traction is mostly comparable with the old BF A/T's (my previous tires, which were considered pretty weak on tar). On the other hand, I have had a lot of punctures (not sidewalls, but in the thread itself). They are now cracking up quite badly, and two of them have multiple gaiters on the inside to try and stop the leaks. Two of them are now at the point where I am unable to stop all the leaks (one fortunately very slowly), and it seems as if the steel belting is puncturing the tires. They are quite badly cracked as well.
Some pics:
In short, I guess the biggest issue is that the tires were already 2 1/2 years old when I bought them, but I am not sure I will buy this brand again...
So I have decided to post an end-of-life report. I am hoping this catches on, because once again, not many of us can afford to test a broad selection of tires for ourselves.
My current set is Bridgestone muddies. They were fitted about 3 1/2 years ago, but the date code indicates that they are just over 6 years old. Size is 32x11.5R15, but the actual rolling diameter now is close to 29", which has caused me a number of embarrassing incidents, especially lately. Because they are so small, I have less ground clearnace than most guys, and as a result I have hung it on the diffs a few times while following other guys.
The car (for those who don't know) is a '96 GQ with a fair amount of extra weight which is used enthusiastically on the road (It's my daily driver), on trails and for touring. I drive hard, and usually try all the toughest obstacles.
The tires have now done 73 000km. This is a set of five, rotated at least every 10k km, and with the spare being rotated through. I runn a TPMS system, so can state with confidence that the tires have never exceeded 61 degrees C.
Traction is mostly comparable with the old BF A/T's (my previous tires, which were considered pretty weak on tar). On the other hand, I have had a lot of punctures (not sidewalls, but in the thread itself). They are now cracking up quite badly, and two of them have multiple gaiters on the inside to try and stop the leaks. Two of them are now at the point where I am unable to stop all the leaks (one fortunately very slowly), and it seems as if the steel belting is puncturing the tires. They are quite badly cracked as well.
Some pics:
In short, I guess the biggest issue is that the tires were already 2 1/2 years old when I bought them, but I am not sure I will buy this brand again...