Andrew, I have been having good luck with Maxtrek Maximus M1 tyres (Chinese) about $140/150 each fitted. They have been fine (no noticeable difference to me compared to $250 Hancook's, I think they are actually wearing better, and they seem to grip fine).
I also recently had some Sonar ones put on the front, at the suggestion of a local tyre shop/mechanic, also Chinese, he said they are a bit harder compound, so should last longer (with a bit less grip) than the Maxtrek. They were about $180/200 each fitted. They seem to be wearing ok, but i havent run them far enough to know.
My driving is almost all rural, 100km/h+ on bitumen, gravel and dirt of highly varying quality.
I would also like to know the same as you Andrew. I have a 2014 VF SSV Ute, and do a lot of gravel/dirt driving. (Unlike your wheels, my back wheels are in shithouse condition, the front ones pretty good (just some curb rash from the previous owner) but I never let them get rotated onto the back). The other day I got a puncture which resulted in a buggered rim. I can get a set of 18" Holden wheels with ok tyres secondhand for less than a new set of tyres.
I am assuming your wheels are the same size, so I will add this info here, i dont want to hijack your thread, but I think our questions are essentially the same.
My ute has 245/40/R19 tyres on these rims:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1x-Hold...3dcab873f:g:BfgAAOSw6btZsP86&autorefresh=true
I dont believe it has the Brembo brakes, the only branding I can see on the calipers is "iqd" or something like that, and they arent bright red like I have seen in photos.
I have read mixed messages on here:
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2439797 but mostly they seem to suggest that 18's can be used, as long as I dont have Brembo brakes.
I called a tyre/wheel place in Melbourne I found on Gumtree that was selling a set of 18" Holden wheels with tyres, and he said that its not roadworthy to use anything other than what is specified on the tyre placard on the inside of the door. It only says 19":
View attachment 196906
Here is one of my wheels (as you can see, its rough as guts from stone chips):
View attachment 196907
Does anyone know If i Can legally use 18's, if they will run well, and what sizes I can use. According to my SSV owners manual, the SS Ute (not SSV) comes with 245/45 R18 XL 100V.
Also, is it ok to mix size rims - I am only asking for the spare wheel. I have a spacesaver, and also a proper 19" rim (some cheap crap which has been painted black and the paint is now getting blasted off by the gravel!). My spacesaver is T155/70 R18, so I am assuming it is ok to mix them for a short while at least?
I am probably going to call in at my local tyre place soon and discuss it with them, will let you know what I find out.