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Michelin XZL at 8.25x16
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:40 pm
by Dreadnought
Is anybody on this site using these tyres at this size and if so can they give me a report on them? I have read on other off road forums that they are considered to be a very tough tyre but with a very Hard uncompromising compound and therefore ride suffers? This may have been on a lighter vehicle and the dynamics of this tyre may be different for a Pinzgauer.
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:40 pm
by David Dunn
I had read all the same about how great they were. And was planning on getting a set for my 101 Vampire when supply dried up. Later I was forwarded a classified ad for a set of 5 8.25 -16 XZL. They been on my 716 since '04. The tires are tough ( though I cut a sidewall the 1st outing

). I have no complaint on the ride, but 716s suspensions are different than 710s, and mine has modified springs, on top of that!
I also tend to run lower tire pressures than most on an empty truck.
IF I was on your side of the pond, I would buy them again, but because the lack of supply, I'd never buy them again here. That's why I reccomend to buy tires that are readily available locally
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:33 am
by Dreadnought
Thanks David, like I said I had heard many good things about these tyres and an OK from you is good enough for me, so it looks like as soon as I can find some, I will fit them to the Pinz and retire My G90s back to the Landrover. (I have no complaints about the Goodyear G90s at 7.50Rx16 they did transform the ride and handling, but my set up of a 'road geared' Mercedes gearbox will benefit from the 8.25x16s greater rolling radius allowing me to make more use of my 'crawler gear' using it more as a normal road gear. (my off roading all tends to be in Low Box - rather than crawler high) As an aside I did find a US site which praised the XZL to the heavens but did point out that XZL at 9.00x 16 is a significantly bigger tougher tyre than the 8.25x16 version and is of very heavy construction and is significantly taller than many other 9.00x 16s giving good ground clearance. (Sounds ideal for a 101? if only you could get them)
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:15 pm
by David Dunn
I'm actually happy I never found the 9.00x16s for my Vampire. They may be ok for a GS, I feel they're too tall for tha heavy Vamp on the highway( water temps went up).
The 8.25x16 are now metric.. 255/100x16... I rather have the 255/85s myself. I can pickup more of the rpms in the top gear.... I had Coopers 255/85 on my truck when I got it, and it seemed to make better use of the power curve ( more than just the tire's diameter difference ).
I'd still like to know your tranny's ratios, to calc out road speeds
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:36 pm
by Dreadnought
I just found a metal data tag on the transmission, if I can I,ll take details from it and try to find some information. I have to say that at 100KPH although the Mercedes engine is quite fussy, it is a fairly high revving unit for a diesel and does not sound particularly stressed at that speed, if I needed to I would keep her at that speed for hours with no particular worries. Another of my 'jobs to do' is the fitment of a 24 Volt electric tachometer so I can actually see what kind of revs I am doing at that speed. Going back to the 101, way back in the mid eighties when I was a soldier serving with 7th Signal Regiment in Herford West (as it was then ) Germany, we had several 101 Radio Vans, (none of them of the 'specialist operator type') and they always ran 9.00x16s but not the usual Bar grips seen on GS vehicles, but the NATO type bar grips with added grooves and sipes so beloved of the German forces. I didn,t get to drive them much, but they were fast and powerful. Though at the time my car was a 1300cc Morris Marina so maybe they just seemed fast and powerful!!!!!!
michelin XZL
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:10 pm
by pinzmeister-uk
Withams specialist vehicles at Grantham in Lincolnshire have 255/100x16 Michelin XZL's at £125 each, brand new. Check them out at
www.mod-sales.com
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:18 pm
by David Dunn
Aaaaaah, Witham's

My Mk3 Sankey and my Supacat RAF bomb disposal unit trailer came from them

.... if it weren't for the shipping, I'd have a lot more from them.

michelin XZL
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:41 pm
by pinzmeister-uk
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:16 pm
by David Dunn
My Cat is in very nice shape... did a parade this morning with it, and the meter just turned 400 hours.

I had been looking for one for years, and don't think I could have found a cleaner one than this. I am still trying to get a hold of a flipit trailer ( preferably 24v )... then all I'll need is a lightweight 105
Its going to cost me...but I'm gotta check their site

Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:55 pm
by chacaocop1
I wouldn't mind owning one of these....
http://stroicar.com/eng/equip.php?ID=224
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:20 pm
by David Dunn
Chacaocop1.... Meet Garfield
http://real4x4forums.com/PinzgauerBBS/v ... php?t=3733
Pinzmeister, I found 7 lots on the tender for Supacat... wish I knew what in the "Spares".... you can never have too many Cat parts

michelin
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:18 pm
by pinzmeister-uk
Didn't look too closely at the supacat spares, did see what looked like axle gaiters, c.v joints and lots of filters. There was loads of other stuff but thats what caught my eye.
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:01 pm
by David Dunn
I'd love to submit a bid on the lots, if I had any idea what was in there.
I also need someone that can look at the lots, and then pick them up if I win. My friend in Southampton doesn't always go to the tenders, nor is that close to retreive things.
My Cat is a very late MK2A, and from what can see, the only reason it doesn't have all Mk3 parts, is that it was part of an existing contract. The manu. date was well after the Mk3s were started. So most likely, all those parts would fit.
Wonder if I can get a cheap seat on a flight there, and bring my spoils back as 'carry ons'.

michelin
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:19 pm
by pinzmeister-uk
David, I go to most Withams tender sales, the next one is in november, I'm happy to check out any cat spares for you. I usually go to the viewing on the saturday as the tender closes monday lunchtime, you can bid online up untill then, I'm only about one and a half hours from Withams so if you were to win anything I could pick it up and store it in Sheffield until you arrange shipping.