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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971   
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Have a read of this, it's quite interesting:
http://expeditionportal.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/ Bear in mind that harder compounds (like the BFG AT) last longer but don't grip as well because they're harder. Whether that's a problem or a bonus depends entirely on your personal use. Two that are often available fairly cheap are Michelin Latitudes in 7.50R16, often with the standard duty steel wheels. They will only fit the 5.5" and 6.5" steel wheels, can't put them on alloys. The other is the Continental Cross Contact in 235/85R16, possibly with a set of Boost alloys. They're both good tyres, I have personal experience of the Michelins and would recommend them. The reason people take them off is usually because they want the look of something else. Assuming you've got alloys, the sizes that fit are 235/85, 255/85, 265/75 and not strictly allowed but people do it, 285/75. Narrower the better unless you like the look of wide tyres, need more flotation (and yes, you do get more flotation from a 265 than you do from a 7.50 for the same contact length as they're 3" wider), want to do high speed cornering or like mud up the sides of your Defender. Wheel spacers (normally 30mm) are available if you put wider tyres on and don't want to affect your turning circle too much. Traction is derived from the length of contact patch in the direction that you want the force, so corners want wide tyres. The 255/85 and 285/75 tyres are slightly taller so give you a bit more ground clearance at the expense of less choice of tyres and higher gearing. IMO, you can do a lot, lot worse than the standard tyres size (235/85R16) with any reputable tyre. If I was putting them on my vehicle I'd have Cooper AT3s but the choice is entirely yours  |
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27th Nov 2015 12:45pm |
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| Lambley Member Since: 20 Apr 2013 Location: Mid Devon Posts: 1435 
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I'd go for Cooper AT3's, I've got some on another vehicle and they're excellent, give good grip and are very quiet. At £80 a pop for 265/75/16's they're a bargain too, £89 for 235/85/16's - both from 4x4tyres.
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27th Nov 2015 12:53pm |
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| machine1963 Member Since: 01 Jun 2015 Location: oldham Posts: 61  
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What a brilliant write up thanks for the infomation.
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28th Nov 2015 9:44am |
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