Giby_off wrote:

How do you feel Nokian Hakkapeliitta on modulars?
Can you notice vibration around 90 - 100 km/h?

Giby_off wrote:

Do you use the same set of Nokian hakkapeliitta tires for 7 years? How much time per winter do you use them - 1 -2 mounts?
DO you drive them only on snow?
I am asking this because they are soft tires and if driven on anything else then snow could be easily worn.

Branny wrote:

Hi All,

Just to dispell the myth - I have cooper discoverer M+S LT235/85/R16s fitted on my Defender at the moment...

I'm in France, which my have a bearing as they shift more snow tyres here?

The Nokian Hakkapeliltas are what I would have bought, if funds had allowed. That said, I'm very impressed with the Coopers having moved from the Michelin latitiude M+S that came on my car and were quite scary in the snow/ice we get here in the Alps!!

Used my Cooper ST Maxx's last year, also M&S, did well, albeit not the most mental winter we've had. Where they underperform when compared with a full winter tyre like the Hakka, is on ice and/or that first, light, slushy just-fallen snow that has settled on cold Tarmac. Straight, packed snow, no problems, but that new stuff can provide some sphincter clenching moments on twisties like the Les Gets - Tanninges road. Given current temps I think it'll be fine with Cooper M&S, but if a big dump comes, could be a different story. As such I am going to shoe my spare steels in some Hakkas in the next week or so.  Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

ericvv wrote:

Giby_off wrote:

Do you use the same set of Nokian hakkapeliitta tires for 7 years? How much time per winter do you use them - 1 -2 mounts?
DO you drive them only on snow?
I am asking this because they are soft tires and if driven on anything else then snow could be easily worn.

Yes, 7th winter. Put them on mid october and take off end of march.
A winter tire is a bit softer compound, yes, but don't worry, they will not melt down even if you would use them in the summer. I estimate that in those 6 winters past, my Nokians must have done totally about 30.000km, no cracks, and maybe lost 2 max 3 mm thread.
What you say about snow there is a bit strange. They are not snow tires, I don't think that dedicated snow tires even exist, but they are a dedicated winter tire. Meaning they are good for any wintry conditions, dry, rain, snow, ice.
I asked my local tire shop about hardening of the rubber with age. Some on here say that after 6 years or so, tire rubber hardens so much that you should not use them anymore as they would have lost their original capabilities. Well, the tire dealer started laughing, he said not to worry about that before they will turn 10 years.
Eric

Giby_off wrote:

You turn my mind now. I was told that they are soft and you can use them for 2 years and on the third the tire is almost unusable.

ericvv wrote:

I asked my local tire shop about hardening of the rubber with age. Some on here say that after 6 years or so, tire rubber hardens so much that you should not use them anymore as they would have lost their original capabilities. Well, the tire dealer started laughing, he said not to worry about that before they will turn 10 years.
Eric

My dad worked at Michelin. If he would talk to your tire dealer, he would not laugh anymore.

I don't trust a tire that is only used for 3-4 months/year and is older than 5 years.

Most tire centers wont even fit these on your rims. They are put responsible if you crash, if it's due to aged tires... 28/02 - Loss of a good friend...

In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin.

ericvv wrote:

I still want to see the first insurance company or other authorities that will be able (even will try) to prove that a 7 year old tire with no cracks in the rubber compound, with zero damage, and with more than 10 mm thread would be responsible for an accident due to the chemics of the rubber compound having changed.

Almost with every deadly accident or even with severe wounded they check the tires. First thing they look at is the DOT.
Reveals immediately the age. Second thing is the state, followed by examining how they are fitted.

One thing you mentioned your self is that the compound gets stiffer. Well, the difference between winter tire and summer is the stiffness (harder or softer compound if you like)

If a winter tire isn't that flexible anymore, then it's no longer a winter tire. The flexibility is needed so the pattern can hook itself in the snow, and makes sure you can brake at a shorter distance at colder temperatures.

Compound is what makes or breaks a tire, that's also why it's a bad idea to fit in our EU countries tires made for African of South American market.

Crack are also not always visible, and might show up only when the tire gets warmer while driving...

Anyways.... You still make your own choises and you don't have to believe me of course  28/02 - Loss of a good friend...

In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin.