Hey 14.44-4 Pajero,
Mate I had the MT MTZ on my last car. I was incredibly disappointed in them. They chipped very badly offroad and they were over the top noisy on the bitumen (even for a mud tyre). I did Rocky to Cairns towing the van and a cape trip on them in a 12 month period and they were stuffed inside 20,000k and I rotated them 5 times. At well over $400 a tyre that was an expensive lesson. One positive though is that for a muddy, they handled very well on the bitumen. I put BFG KM2 Muds on after this and they were better offroad and much quieter on the road. I don't think they handled as well on the bitumen but the difference was minimal. I sold the car with 22,000 odd k on the BFGs and whilst they had worn, they still had in excess of 50% tread left. The BFGs also chipped up offroad on a couple of rougher tracks, but nothing like the MTs.
Can't comment on the Cooper ST Maxx as I have never owned them, but I have heard good and bad things.
I personally have the BFG ATRs on now and these have been great. 15,000k on them so far and they do not even look like wearing. They are almost as quiet as the highway tyres I took off and handle 5 times better. I have towed the van Rocky to Airlie on them and they are equally at home on road and off. We are towing the van to Cairns again in September on them so will be interesting to see what they are like after another 2,500 odd k of highway towing + the Creb and Bloomfield tracks.
Obviously the ATRs are never going to be as good as a muddy offroad (especially in bog holes). Likewise the Muddy onroad. I think it comes down to what driving you will be doing and finding a balance between the two. Personally, I would never have a muddy again for a daily drive, towing or touring. Modern ATRs, especially the more aggressive ST Maxx will go pretty much anywhere the average 4x4 driver wants to go. (Having said that, when we do our next cape trip I will be putting muds on for this.)
Good Luck with your research.
