Pirelli Scorpion OEM A/S to KO3 tires

[gregr]

I'm planning on doing some solo overlanding over the summer, and I've been sort of nervous about the OEM Pirelli tires. I have about 2200 miles on them; I love them for how quiet they are, and the efficiency I've been getting with them on the road, but nervous about their robustness on dirt and rocks. Not so much the traction they can provide, but more about resistance to punctures and cuts. I was generally resigned to making them work, and where necessary, patching them on the trail.

This morning I woke up to a puncture in one of them (lol - an omen?), so I made an appointment at Discount tire to get it fixed.

Well, long story short, I ended up coming home with a new set of KO3's. I had been noodling about them and the Duratrac RT's, and was leaning toward the KO3 when my Pirelli's eventually wore out. Well, the tire guy correctly sussed out my hesitation about them (lol). On the bright side, they took my old tires as a trade in (which I didn't know was a thing), and I ended up with the full set for a decent deal. They're expensive, but I'm feeling pretty ok about it, given my summer plans.

They're definitely louder than the Pirelli's (which becomes apparent at like 30mph), but not terrible. And they look great IMO!

Here are a couple of obligatory pics -

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[gregr]

These look so much better with core center caps

I think I'm the only one around here who likes the core wheel covers! Although I definitely don't like taking them off every time I want to adjust tire pressure...I can totally see the appeal of the center caps.

 

[gregr]

They look good dirty too.

 

[SlegMD]

Congrats. Looking forward to the tire reviews going forward. I just joined the Pirelli XTM AT group today. Looks so much better from the core AS tire

 

[cyberro]

Definitely a hit on the range but a boost on looks.

 

[yamadirt]

They look a lot better than the original ones. if you don’t mind sharing, how much are these?

 

[Tallgeese179]

I think I'm the only one around here who likes the core wheel covers! Although I definitely don't like taking them off every time I want to adjust tire pressure...I can totally see the appeal of the center caps.

Nah, I agree with you. While the core wheels aren't bad looking, IMO both of the wheel options are forgettable without the covers. It's a basic AF design with meh quality finish.

I realized after spending time ceramic coating both sets that Tesla's finish is dog water. Very thin in some places and the matte clear coat on the face isn't super consistent in sheen. Compared to the Rays on my 370Z or any of the BMW wheels I've worked with it's amateur hour. So when I see the covers scuffing the wheel finish I'm not surprised.

 

[shurley1975]

ATD doesnt show many options in our size. I like those. I might have to order them from another dealer.

 

[soapytiddies]

If you don’t mind me asking, how much of a difference in road noise did you experience?

 

[HaulingAss]

I'm planning on doing some solo overlanding over the summer, and I've been sort of nervous about the OEM Pirelli tires. I have about 2200 miles on them; I love them for how quiet they are, and the efficiency I've been getting with them on the road, but nervous about their robustness on dirt and rocks. Not so much the traction they can provide, but more about resistance to punctures and cuts. I was generally resigned to making them work, and where necessary, patching them on the trail.

This morning I woke up to a puncture in one of them (lol - an omen?), so I made an appointment at Discount tire to get it fixed.

Well, long story short, I ended up coming home with a new set of KO3's. I had been noodling about them and the Duratrac RT's, and was leaning toward the KO3 when my Pirelli's eventually wore out. Well, the tire guy correctly sussed out my hesitation about them (lol). On the bright side, they took my old tires as a trade in (which I didn't know was a thing), and I ended up with the full set for a decent deal. They're expensive, but I'm feeling pretty ok about it, given my summer plans.

They're definitely louder than the Pirelli's (which becomes apparent at like 30mph), but not terrible. And they look great IMO!

Here are a couple of obligatory pics -

Nice! I run the DuraTrack R/T's more than half the year and the OEM Wrangler Territory that came with the Foundation model for the 3 months that I don't need the lugs. The one thing I miss every time I put the bigger lugged tires on is the road handling. The noise is not bad, I don't like it but I can live with it. It's the lack of dry pavement corner grip/steering response that bothers me the most. I like driving corners briskly and hate tires scuffing. And the emergency stopping on pavement is slightly longer. I know it's all a compromise, I just don't like that I need to.

I happily run the OEM Wrangler Territory off-road without much concern over punctures so I wish I could run them year round but their lack of bite in sloppy snow or mud is what puts me over to the DuraTracs (which are also even more resistant to flats).

Could you comment on your impressions of the KO3 corner grip/scuffing when pushed hard around a corner approaching the limits of traction?

 

[cyberro]

Love the color. What is it?

Gloss Glacier Blue

 

[gregr]

If you don’t mind me asking, how much of a difference in road noise did you experience?

It's noticeably louder than the Pirellis were. It starts right away, like 30 mph. It doesn't get too much louder after that - or it blends with the other noises so I don't notice. I think I was spoiled by how quiet the Pirellis were!

Nice! I run the DuraTrack R/T's more than half the year and the OEM Wrangler Territory that came with the Foundation model for the 3 months that I don't need the lugs. The one thing I miss every time I put the bigger lugged tires on is the road handling. The noise is not bad, I don't like it but I can live with it. It's the lack of dry pavement corner grip/steering response that bothers me the most. I like driving corners briskly and hate tires scuffing. And the emergency stopping on pavement is slightly longer. I know it's all a compromise, I just don't like that I need to.

I happily run the OEM Wrangler Territory off-road without much concern over punctures so I wish I could run them year round but their lack of bite in sloppy snow or mud is what puts me over to the DuraTracs (which are also even more resistant to flats).

Could you comment on your impressions of the KO3 corner grip/scuffing when pushed hard around a corner approaching the limits of traction?

TBH, I didn't really push the Pirellis at all, so I don't really have a useful frame of reference. I tend to use FSD, and when I'm driving myself I tend to drive it like a truck.

What I _do_ notice is the ride quality feels a bit harsher than the Pirellis were. I'm guessing it's the stiffer sidewalls of the KO3s doing that. Again, I think I was spoiled by the Pirellis - they were quiet and cushy...but of course had their own compromises!

 

[Steelheart]

Just switched to the KO3 as well. The Perellis just wore out too fast. The KO3 road noise is more but after a week don’t notice it. Range has taken a hit but I live on a dirt road in the mountains and feel more confident with these next winter. Great choice.

 

[John Helms]

I'm planning on doing some solo overlanding over the summer, and I've been sort of nervous about the OEM Pirelli tires. I have about 2200 miles on them; I love them for how quiet they are, and the efficiency I've been getting with them on the road, but nervous about their robustness on dirt and rocks. Not so much the traction they can provide, but more about resistance to punctures and cuts. I was generally resigned to making them work, and where necessary, patching them on the trail.

This morning I woke up to a puncture in one of them (lol - an omen?), so I made an appointment at Discount tire to get it fixed.

Well, long story short, I ended up coming home with a new set of KO3's. I had been noodling about them and the Duratrac RT's, and was leaning toward the KO3 when my Pirelli's eventually wore out. Well, the tire guy correctly sussed out my hesitation about them (lol). On the bright side, they took my old tires as a trade in (which I didn't know was a thing), and I ended up with the full set for a decent deal. They're expensive, but I'm feeling pretty ok about it, given my summer plans.

They're definitely louder than the Pirelli's (which becomes apparent at like 30mph), but not terrible. And they look great IMO!

Here are a couple of obligatory pics -

I was told that the Perelli tires, the OEM‘s about 23 or 24,000 miles is average but the replacement scorpion tires give like twice the mileageI’m looking at good years. They’re all season tires. I do not like the noise or rough ride that the other tires offer. If I put a set of Goodyear tires on my truck and they’re noisy, I will replace them the Perelli‘s are good tires not so much the OEM version for what I’ve been told a good conversation.

 

[SlegMD]

First day drive with Pirelli XTM AT.
Cannot discern any road noise difference from core Pirelli AS tire.
Single trek;
Was careful to replicate my daily commute to typical drive, 80mph for 8 mile on FSD, then freeway rush hour traffic 5mile(15-55mph), urban driving 40mph for rest. All FSD.
Also did hard launch which is customary of… me.
409 wh/m compared to 389 all time(15k miles)

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