 | Home > Wheels & Tyres > Help a tyre novice with sizes |
 
|
|
|
| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20190  
|
I could recommend 255/85/R16, you have another option which is BFG KM3 as well.
(There is a cost difference with those two). You won’t need spacers, just a little adjustment in steering lock stops which isn’t difficult. Mine are on Boosts, are those allows the same width? NEVER SURRENDER! ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧 |
||
30th Sep 2024 10:47pm |
|
| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4169 
|
235/85 and 265/75 are both standard Defender sizes that were fitted by LR themselves at various points. For all intents and purposes the are same height, rolling diameter/radius. Just difference in width. No problem fitting either.
255/85 is appreciably taller as shown in the table. So this will slightly raise the ride height and gearing. I've never tried that size, so I can't comment on the effect, but there quite a few on the forum who have. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS |
||
|
30th Sep 2024 11:04pm |
|
| falkster Member Since: 12 Nov 2023 Location: Sutton Coldfield Posts: 64  
|
I am currently running the same size as you and my next tyres will be 235/85R16. As has been said before diameter is pretty much the same, so my speedo will still read the same.
Most importantly though, there have been many tests by off-road enthusiasts that apparently showed the narrower tyre is the better option. If it is for looks, the 255/85R16 is certainly an option as it looks a bit beefier in many peoples opinion. In the end a question of preference. and just in case your question went in this direction: the first number is the tyre width in mm, the second number is the sidewall height in % of the tyre width, which explains why the 255/85 tyre is larger in diameter than the 235/85, despite both listing 85 as height.  1988 Land Rover OneTen County SW, 3.9l Petrol V8 (serpentine), original "Santana" LT85 gearbox |
||
|
1st Oct 2024 8:22am |
|
| MarkBrown Member Since: 03 Oct 2022 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 424  
|
Depends on what look you want. If it’s a 90 I’d go with the same size that’s on already with those wheels. Have a look at the different tyre and wheel combinations on here, I think it depends on the colour of the vehicle and the overall style of it also.
|
||
|
1st Oct 2024 9:35am |
|
| rustandoil Member Since: 08 Sep 2012 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 727  
|
I have 265/75 16 Coopers on my 110, looks and performs well in my opinion.
Those Toyo's look a good price  |
||
|
1st Oct 2024 10:52am |
|
| AJC Member Since: 30 Nov 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1355
|
i have had every 16 inch tyre size i think on my 110
235/85 285/75 255/85 i am now on 265/75 for me, the 285's and 255's benefit from a 2 inch lift where as the 235 and 265 are fine on stock suspension |
||
|
1st Oct 2024 12:14pm |
|
| Chicken Drumstick Member Since: 17 Aug 2020 Location: Near MK Posts: 695
|
Standard fitment is 235/85R16, which is actually a really nice size and will work well for everything. 265/75R16 was also standard fitment I believe. They work out to be about the same height as the 235, but fatter. So offer a different look. But off road in the UK they will likely be slightly less good on most terrains. This only matters if you are off roading though. Arguably you should get better mpg and better steering with the narrower tyres, but most probably won't notice this. The 255/85 is a nice size, it is tall and relatively narrow for its height. Ideally if you switch to this size you'll want 5, so as to have a matching spare due to the height difference to the other sizes. The only downside is choice, in the UK currently there is not many options in 255, really being the Toyo and the KM3. The 255 will slightly change your gearing, making it taller. So bear this in mind. I'm not sure what engine or power your vehicle has. And there is a chance they will rub. Most likely the rear wheel spats under suspension flex. But it depends on what rim and offset and if your spats sag or not. |
||
|
1st Oct 2024 12:30pm |
|
| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17248 
|
If you think you may want to use tyre chains and you have standard suspension, stick with the 235s.
|
||
|
1st Oct 2024 4:33pm |
|
| JackNorris Member Since: 16 Mar 2020 Location: UK Posts: 65
|
Thanks for all the replies, invaluable as always
So currently running the 265/75 16 but just as it came with those It isn’t a daily driver and does do a fair bit of off roading Sounds like the 235/85 16 could be a solid option, slightly cheaper too Ability to use tyre chains a bonus too I’m not worried about looks really. Handy being same overall size for Speedo too although defender speedo so accuracies could be debated anyway 
It’s a 90 300tdi 👍 Standard suspension Has got spacers from previous owner |
||
|
1st Oct 2024 10:20pm |
|
| Chicken Drumstick Member Since: 17 Aug 2020 Location: Near MK Posts: 695
|
What sort of off roading do you do?
The Toyo is an "ok" tyre, but despite its looks, ranks more in the AT category off road. Where you off road can also depend on what would work better. 235/85 is a nice size and lots of choice. 7.50 x 16 is also a great size to consider, same height still but even more narrow and for most UK terrain types will outperform fatter tyres. As for using chains, I guess a nice bonus. but I've never need to or even have any. It really would be specialist use in the UK. Sadly not as much choice in 7.50 size and your rims are I think 7" wide, they will fit, but maybe a little stretched. A 6-6.5" is ideal for a 7.50. However, I would say this is about the Best Mud Terrain you can buy right now. And still acceptable on the road. It is very aggressive and in narrow 7.50 guise will work better than many of the extreme MT patterns you get with some remould tyres. https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/7-50r...-x-mt-g005 If you want a tough tyre for touring or laning, I still quite like the XZL's: https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/7-50r...taxon_id=8 A tad pricey and a little old school. And not the best on some terrains, but surprisingly capable. But a very strong tyre, hence why it was the preferred tyre by the military. In 235's I would pick either of these over the Toyo: https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/235-8...taxon_id=8 https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/235-8...taxon_id=8 Neither as good as the X-MT's in 7.50 I posted above off road, but bother better than the Toyo's IMO and no worse on road either. In fact, I'd go for the Nankangs over the Toyo's as well: https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/235-8...taxon_id=8 https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/235-8...taxon_id=8 The BFG KM3 is good too, but very expensive IMO. You've really got to "want" them. If you just fancy a very capable AT, then these are brilliant, I have them on 2 vehicles currently: https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/235-8...taxon_id=8 |
||
|
2nd Oct 2024 1:31pm |
|
|
|
| All times are GMT + 1 Hour |
< Previous Topic | Next Topic > |
Posting Rules
|
Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
