Had 4 new Pirelli Scorpions fitted to my 20" summer wheels on Monday. On Wednesday I kerbed the car (drivers side, 10mph, scuffed a traffic island). Was surprised / disappointed that the front tyre failed. The side wall had a 3 inch long gapping split in it. Never good to have to change a drivers side tyre at the side of a busy commuter route. Had a new tyre fitted same day. Then today I noticed a rather large "gash" in the rear driver's side tyre. Rang the tyre shop who tell me they had noticed that damage but had decided the tyre was still serviceable as the gash didn't expose the side wall threads - so hadn't brought it to my attention.

So 2 questions :

1. Are Pirelli Scorpions known to have soft tyre walls - 'cos I was amazed at the damage (and cost) that scuffing a kerb has caused here.

2. Would you still drive with a tyre with such a large gash in it ?

 RRS TDv8 HSE Rimini
Disco 4 TDv6 HSE Ipanema
Defender 90, 200tdi CSW

Nope. I don't want to die. I value myself at more than £200 or so. I've been mad for flipping years, absolutely years, over the edge for yonks.

I would souldn't be to much of a problem, I'm no tyre expert but can't see it should cause that kind of weakness or as normal I could be wrong, so no help really sorry.

I changed my Conti when I gashed it (less than yours) though I could see a sliver of steel....
- £200 is £200.

My motto is that an MOT is the absolute basic safety levels of car maintenance. If you would fail an MOT, I would change it. But tyres... So so important...

I've often wanted to change to the Pirelli's as the Conti are so soft. HOw are the wearing? Especially around the outer edges of the tyres? 2022 P440e AB

out of interest, if you paid for the new tyres on a credit card, would the protection that gives not cover something like this been so recent

Its a bit early to say how they are wearing as they have only been on the car for 5 days. But the cost of ownership is currently proving to be a great deal more than the Conti's !

I agree that gambling on tyres is simply not worth it as a tyre failure on a big vehicle like the Sport when driven fast would be very bad news - so I am off to get a new one now.

Never thought about claiming on a card. I used a VISA debit to buy them - but wasn't aware that could possibly give some insurance type cover ? I did ask whether the fitting shop (National Tyres) might consider some form of discount on a new one - but they tell me that they sold me the original tyres at a huge discount as I got them to match Kwik Fits quote of £250 a corner - fitted, balanced etc. RRS TDv8 HSE Rimini
Disco 4 TDv6 HSE Ipanema
Defender 90, 200tdi CSW

i don't think you have any comeback on debit cards, unless your bank provides it due to the account type been a premier style one

very very common. The pirelli tyre has a different sidewall design to the conti's and acts as a sort of rim protector. In reality it just cuts easy when you kerb them .

I prefer the wear on them to the conti's though. I went through a set of conti's in worryingly small amount of time! Although do prefer the way the car handles at extremes on the softer conti's. WINNER - 2008 Best All New Photograph
WINNER - 2009 Best All New Photograph