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Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

285's or 265's

I've been offered a set of 5x BFG KM2's in a 285/75/16 size at the right price, I've got 265/75/16's on at the moment.

Question is - what difference will they 285's make to the turning circle, gearing (I've already changed my ratio's to 1.2) and extra fuel or drag?

Anyone gone to wider tyres and regretted it?

Last edited by Lambley on 11th Mar 2016 2:36pm. Edited 1 time in total

11th Mar 2016 2:33pm

familymad

Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3479

2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black

I got irritated by the crud going up the side with 285's. 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI

11th Mar 2016 2:35pm

AJC

Member Since: 30 Nov 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1358

Is yours a 90 or 110?

11th Mar 2016 2:42pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

sorry it's a 90, I've got some new wheels (ET25) with no tyres on so was wondering if it might be best to fit the 285's to the new rims and sell the Zu's complete with tyres, saving swapping about, I do like the Duratrac's though, I've not had KM2's

11th Mar 2016 2:49pm

RED-DOT

Member Since: 29 Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 2363

Land Rover spent over two million pounds testing which tyre size was best for the Defender in real life use and the 235-85X16" came out tops. Anything else is for looks. 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..

11th Mar 2016 2:55pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

^^^ Agreed, 235's are too thin for me though. 265's look about right but I've always fancied some KM2's and don't want to miss out.

11th Mar 2016 2:58pm

Matt110

Member Since: 29 Jun 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 677

RED-DOT wrote:
Land Rover spent over two million pounds testing which tyre size was best for the Defender in real life use and the 235-85X16" came out tops. Anything else is for looks.

...... Yes but in so doing they factored in cost to them, what was available in the market place at sufficient volumes to supply the volume they needed on the line, what generated the best bearing life, what gave best fuel economy to make sure they could hit their CO2 targets, and a wealth of other things. Hardly any of these things are relevant to someone replacing the original tyre really

11th Mar 2016 3:28pm

Cupboard

Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey

Availability, cost, fuel consumption, component wear are all things that I'm interested in!
My Defender isn't just for me to look at.

The performance benefits of narrow tyres are well documented.

However the OP was after a comparison between 265s and 285s, so that's not really relevant. FWIW going from 7.50s on standard steels to 255/85s on Wolfs I did notice a drop in turning circle (or more accurately a reduction in steering lock before I god the guddugga dugga dugga noises).

11th Mar 2016 3:53pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

I only wanted to know if there were any advantages or disadvantages really

11th Mar 2016 5:13pm

Ranger

Member Since: 17 Nov 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 75

2003 Defender 110 Td5 G4 LE Zambezi Silver

The 285's may require spacers, if not already fitted. The 285's are also a bit scary should you hit a minor puddle at the roadside at speed, can be prone to aquaplaning and pulling to the left, whereas the 265's, being slightly narrower, are a bit steadier. Easier to source 265's and cheaper too. I've had both.

11th Mar 2016 5:41pm

Bps

Member Since: 14 Feb 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 822

There's a thread a bit further down about 285's on a 90 that you may find interesting reading 😀

11th Mar 2016 6:46pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll stick with 265.

11th Mar 2016 7:06pm

Arierep

Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258

1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White

Don't know if it's relevant for the OP, but no one mentioned offroad behaviour.
Foi from my little experience with them, 285/75r16 air down nicely and provide quite a confy ride and good ground clearance

12th Mar 2016 11:25am

jeffersj

Member Since: 23 Jan 2015
Location: Near Preston
Posts: 431

1996 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Bronze Green

Have 285s with spacers, do make a mess of the vehicle sides and lock stop adjusted almost to limit but no problems apart from getting balancing right if at all. With hindsight I would go with 265s. Jeff
Ex 1968 Series 2A
Ex 90 TD5
Ex D3
Ex D4

12th Mar 2016 2:46pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

Cheers jeffersJ, that settles it, I'll stay with 265's. I don't want to put spacers on tbh, I just fancied a set of wider tyres but 265's are a good compromise.

12th Mar 2016 6:45pm

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