[lesstutrey]

My mxv4s finally bit the dust, the sidewalls are rotting out. I've been debating an AT tire for this since i lifted it couple years ago. I know rugged trails are not a true AT, they seem like more of one than geolanders do, based on tread pattern. Also 2 ply so they weigh 4lbs more per tire than the mxv4s. I thought about a bunch of tires, AT2s, Geolanders, T/A KO's (stopped making them in the 215x65 R16 though) I never really liked the idea of a 215. I mean yeah, subaru lists them as an alternate tire size, but a 235 always seemed to make sense to me. AT2s.. well no 235 option, and the geolanders have the 235, but most of ya'll seem to go with the 215 version. 235s might be slightly less nimble, but i'll take the increased surface area over a slightly loss in agility (can't imagine it's gonna be much compared to the 225s).
I'm having installed on monday, so i'll update this post then. I think they are the perfect tire for outback

Can't wait to get rid of the donut and get those one.. 8am monday! Then when rotated, i'll get a 5th one and finally keep a full size spare that will be rotated in use with the other 4.

 

[lesstutrey]

Installed. Played around in the parking lot to make sure there were no rubbing issues running the 235x60's .5" high and .4" wider stance. No issue. Haven't driven but a block and around in the parking lot with them. Didn't notice them making any noise in that half block with my window all the way down, and they do have a nice aggressive look, which i've been going for. I've heard they just pick up gravel, well, mine didn't in my parking lot. It is pretty well packed though. Gonna go for a short drive to see how they do at 60-65 and on gravel and tared gravel. I kinda wish they were white lettered, but i don't need to brag about running bfg. Probably hurt my fuel economy a little compared to the primacy mxv4s, at 4lbs more a tire. Support michelin with either purchase i suppose.
And of course they'll get to go through a northern illinois winter and some driving up in northern wisconsin... i'll get them on the highway to 75-80 soon, just too tired to go drive that far right now. Of course i need to put a few hundred miles on them before i get them broken in and a real feel for them.

After driving around a bit, i found nothing but oiled gravel. I'll have to go out a bit further into the boonies to find some. They make more noise than my old tires, as expected, but nothing too annoying at 65mph.. i'm coming from one of the most quiet tires around, so i'm gonna notice the noise difference, it's not as bad as driving around in my friends trucks with BFG KO's and AT2s, (by far and wide KOs though, guess the ******** around here don't want to be called cheap for running AT2s, even if their trucks look like utter crap). It's not a knobby tire noise, it's the noise of having more rubber hitting the ground, kinda like riding around on slicks, though nowhere near as smooth. Initial impression is good, but.. lets wait till the mold goo wears away, some miles are put on them, and some different terrain has been tried. I'll take pictures later.. i need to sleep (and yeah, it's 11am and i'm saying i need to sleep)

 

[lesstutrey]

They look more like a street tire with that tread pattern. Not knocking them though, they look good. I just don't think they would perform as well in mud as some of the other tires you listed. For me that would not be a problem as I don't want to use my OB in mud.

I've been looking for the subaru of a tire. I think i found it in this.
Won't handle as good in mud as an AT2 or K/O.. i bet it does as well as a geolander, and the two ply sidewall makes it just as durable as the KO or AT2. However, all three of those tires actually suck in real mud. They just become giant slick balls of mud with no tread. I know, i've pulled plenty of trucks out of mud bogs who were running ATs. Since 90% of my driving will be on paved roads, another 6% on gravel and 4% offroad through corn fields during harvest season, this seems like the right compromise in tires. If i wanted to drive in bad mud in my g3 outback (knda silly, heavy SOB with not much ground clearance, even lifted) i'd get a 15" tire and put an MT on it, only one that fits i think is a 215x75 BFG MT, though been a while since i looked.. I have two other vehicles, but they are VERY task oriented, an '82 CJ8 scrambler with AMC "Service Replacement" bored to 401 with 4 bolt and a '73 350 nova with NOS. The scrambler has 35x14.5R15 Nitto Mud Grappler MTs, the nova has 255x60R15 mickey thompson et street radials (slicks) and some 235x60 in the front. The Rugged Terrains seem like a subaru of a tire.. not SUPER AMAZING at any given thing it does, but because it does everything, it is really amazing. and ok, that is a lie, nothing beats a scooby in snow, and this tire will be ok in illinois type winters, but i'd take the jeep out if we got more than 6-7" but that also has to do with the >2' more ground clearance is has, and d-shackles and a winch... and i find MTs pretty great in snow, and i ain't gonna run a snow tire on my **** Offroad vehicle.

 

[lesstutrey]

Spoke too soon about no rub, at full extension and a bit of speed (like when making a u turn) it kisses the wheel well at the rear connector of the control arm. Might get a small spacer.. might just say fuggit. This probably wouldn't be an issue on a stock height g3 outback, lifting brings the wheels inward, and it is barely an issue now, debating spacer purchase.. probably worth the money for a small one, i'm thinking 8mm cause that's about as big as i can go without needing an expensive spacer. With such a small amount of spacing does only doing the fronts make sense or should i go for all 4?