Hi,
I have a 2023 Defender 110 P400 S that came with Pirelli Scorpion Zero A All-Season tires, 10k miles on them.

I’m planing on spending the fall and part of the winter in Montana, close to a City, not in a totally remote place.

I’m wondering if I can go by with my current tires or if I should get winter tires or something else.

Your advices would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

I always put snow tires on mine during the winter. Depending on the snowfall averages in your area, you may be able to do ok with all season tires. The Defender is amazing in the snow.

 

I change out to Cooper MT-3 4S snow tires in the winter here. My wife on the other hand runs the Scorpions all year, but she mainly stays in town. If your remote and they do not plow all that well you may want to consider some of the Nokian studded snow tires. Snow tires are just that, for snow If there is ice involved, then you need studs. Unless you like freezing off the tips of your fingers putting on chains. I would ask a local how well they really plow. Some counties are far better than others. Stock rims are cheap from Land Rovers on eBay, Craigslist and the like. Having two sets if your in a place that actually snows and you live there, then it will be a real advantage. If your a day tripper to the snow, then your fine.

 

For what it’s worth, I live in Colorado and have run KO2 year round but recently switched to Wildpeak AT4W. They aren’t real snow tires, but they are better than all seasons. I regularly go into the mountains to ski and if I’m careful, these have been fine.

 

I'm +1 on running BFG year round in Colorado. I ran KO2's on all my Toyota FJ/s and now have finally swapped to KO3's on 18's on the my 110x (had to do a caliper mount swap as usual/expected to fit). Knock on wood - never had a problem with the BFG's in CO winters on hard pack snow or deep snow on trails and I hope that trend continues with KO3's

 

I spent 25+ years in the Sierra Mountains in CA, and the last 3 in Park City, UT. I always run a set of dedicated snow tires.

The last 8 years were on various Range Rover Sports running Nokian Studless tires. My last set were the R3 SUV series.

I switched to a Defender earlier this year and just got my snow tires. They are Nokian R5 SUV series (275/55-20). I’m excited to see how they will do this winter.

Dedicated snow tires have treated me well. I don’t mind the extra expense/hassle of them. I live in the snow; I don’t travel to it. It’s an easy decision for me.

 

If you haven't driven on Montana and North Dakota gravel roads of which there are well more than paved roads, be warned. They are different from anything you've experienced and are death on tires. I had AT XL tires and in 3 weeks of driving on those gravel roads, I experienced 2 punctures right through the tread. I had to move to LT tires which have a stronger construction.

 

Snow tires

I’m a convert.

Best but of cash you can spend if your in the snow a lot. Traction for days.

 

Nokian R3 SUV winter tires on our 2021 and Nokian R5 winter tires on the 2023. Both 275/55/20. With the Defender, it's more about being able to turn and stop in slippery conditions than get going from a start.

I have used Nokian winter tires for 30 years and they are great. However, my R3's are done, so I may switch to the Michelin X-Ice SUV winter tires now that Michelin makes them in 255/60/20. The slightly narrower tire will work better in snow.

 

What offset are you using on your 20s? I'm considering that same tire and size for my new 2024 P525.