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Sybrow

Member Since: 31 Dec 2023
Location: Skipton
Posts: 35

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 DCPU Keswick Green

Chicken Drumstick wrote:
Sybrow wrote:
The BFG AT looks to only be available in 255/70R16 - is that still workable?

What are you after and what sort of use?

255/70R16 is ever so slightly shorter and narrower than a 31.10.50R15. So they are fatter than a 235/85 and almost as fat as a 265/75 but 1.6” shorter. A shorter tyre will make getting in/out easier. And will slightly impact the Speedo and overall gearing.

I have 255/70 Maxxis Wormdrives on the Ninety at the moment. Works well for general road use and green laning. I can also highly recommend the Wormdrives.

Click image to enlarge

The Wormdrives are also available in 265/75 and 235/85: https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/235-8...ve-at-980e

I don’t mind the BFG’s. My brother runs them on his 90. But I can’t justify the cost over the Wormdrives, which perform just as well in everything. I also run Wormdrives on my 4th Gen daily driver Jimny.

The BFG and Maxxis are at the aggressive end of the AT scale. Do you plan to off road? If not a more road biased tyre might work better.

Eg
https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/235-8...xon_id=128

https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/265-7...taxon_id=8

As for which size. I’d expect slightly better steering an mpg from the 235’s and maybe slightly more dry tarmac grip from the 265’s. The 235’s would be better off road. Visually I personally prefer the 235’s. But it is a close call.

Out of the 2 I’d go 235. Although as it happened I went 255/70….. my “other” Land Rover runs 33.10.50R15’s or a set of super skinny 7.00 x 16’s. So no need to follow the masses if you don’t want

Thanks Chicken Drumstick. As there seems to be no huge difference between 265 and 235 - it seems to come down to preference and looks. I think I am a bit wedded to BFG tyres (for no real reason!)

The other option I have considered is the BFG trail terrain - has anyone tried these?

https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/products/265-7...taxon_id=8

29th Jul 2024 5:45pm

MarkBrown

Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 530

1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green

I met a guy who’d got the wormdrives on a sprinter van and said they were considerably quieter than the bfg all terrains he had before. I put a set of khumo at 52’s on my sprinter and they are super quiet too, although they don’t look so good as the others I’ve mentioned , but ideal for the van!

29th Jul 2024 10:41pm

AJC

Member Since: 30 Nov 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1369

Re: road use - 235/85/16 or 265/75/16

Sybrow wrote:
Hi - am going round in circles on this!

Can anyone let me know which size tyre, between - 235/85/16 or 265/75/16, they would recommend for road use?

Am thinking BFG AT.

Thanks in advance.

if its purely road use only and you're not bothered about aesthetics, i would go General Grabber AT3 instead

30th Jul 2024 7:03am

34064

Member Since: 12 Dec 2023
Location: South Central
Posts: 225

Good luck finding some grabber at3 they have stopped making them in 235 85 16 and they dont make them in a 265 75 16 either but you can get the grabber AT2. Davantis also get good reviews and dont come at the same cost of BFG tax 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day

Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784

30th Jul 2024 7:28am

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7909

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

For purely road use the new BFG Trail Terrain may be a good option. Cooper AT3 may also be a good option.

For me based primarily on looks

(and great performance, I've had two sets) I'd go 265 KO2's. I believe there is a new version soon?

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers

30th Jul 2024 2:44pm

C90

Member Since: 19 Nov 2024
Location: East
Posts: 44

Thanks for sharing your thoughts fellas, it's been helpful reading your opinions.

I am currently torn between the tires I am using now - Continental 235/85R16 and the ones that are already on a new set of wheels I've bought - Davanti Terratoura 265/75/R16.

I don't do any off-roading and am not fussy so I guess it just comes down to which has the most tread!

(and whether I can be bothered to swap the tires over instead of just bolting the new wheels on!)

5th Dec 2024 12:10pm

Pace

Member Since: 19 Mar 2021
Location: Somerset
Posts: 85

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

Just seen this while getting back up to date with the forum - the 265 Terratouras when I measured them have the contact patch very similar to a 235 so you may find no real difference between the two. The width seems to be in the sidewalls when viewed from the front.

24th Dec 2024 2:20pm

Sybrow

Member Since: 31 Dec 2023
Location: Skipton
Posts: 35

I've had 265/75 /R16 Trail Terrains on for a couple of months now and they have been great on the road in all conditions thus far. Would definitely recommend them if you are mostly road driving.

24th Dec 2024 3:55pm

Birdy

Member Since: 07 Oct 2011
Location: Côte d'Azur
Posts: 883

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black

My two-penneth is that for (low-speed) road use you're more likely to scrape high kerbs etc. in town than any other damage. I'd rather scrape a bit of rubber than lose a chunk of alloy wheel, my own preference for the truck is high- rather than low-profile tyres.

Peter

24th Dec 2024 4:58pm

kyvlle

Member Since: 22 Jul 2016
Location: Essex
Posts: 67

2004 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green

34064 wrote:
Good luck finding some grabber at3 they have stopped making them in 235 85 16 and they dont make them in a 265 75 16 either but you can get the grabber AT2. Davantis also get good reviews and dont come at the same cost of BFG tax

I am after the Grabber AT3, but seems no one has stock anymore. Been quoted to get the Grabber X3 instead. Anyone has experience of it's on-road performance?

The blurb on General Tire's website says this has 20/80 on-/off-road bias, making it a more 'off-roady' version of the AT3.

24th Dec 2024 5:32pm

34064

Member Since: 12 Dec 2023
Location: South Central
Posts: 225

i ran grabber X3s on my discovery fantastic tyre and good in most conditions and surprisingly quiet. you wont find grabber AT3 anymore in 235/85/16 as they arent made annoyingly though i do have some for sale on the forum as i have just fitted some 235/85/16 Goodyear duratrac RTs 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day

Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784

24th Dec 2024 6:14pm

C90

Member Since: 19 Nov 2024
Location: East
Posts: 44

I changed from Continental Cross Contact 235/85R16 to Davanti Terratoura A/T 265/75R16 a few weeks ago based purely on my feeling the Davanti's feel a lot more stable on the road, better grip, smoother over pot holes (which are AWFUL where I am), more comfortable ride in general, I haven't noticed a huge difference in road noise and I have not noticed any difference in fuel consumption.

As mentioned, this is purely my feeling and is based on no science as there are other variables to consider like tyre pressure and age/wear of the old tyres vs new but overall, I am very happy with the change and will not go back to the previous size.

6th Jan 2025 11:06am

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