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Sybrow



Member Since: 31 Dec 2023
Location: Skipton
Posts: 23

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
road use - 235/85/16 or 265/75/16
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.
Post #1041226 29th Jul 2024 4:42am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4194

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
My view is that the 235 is probably equal or better for everything except (subjectively) looks. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1041228 29th Jul 2024 6:19am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3396

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
I ran 265, now run 235. The biggest difference I saw is that with 265, when going higher speed over 'deep' water puddles, more chance that water goes over the windscreen, blinding your view. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1041229 29th Jul 2024 6:38am
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1005

France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
The narrower tire makes for a better ride, roadnoise and steering, also you can increase the steering lock a little helping with turns. The sideway cornering stability is not brilliant (its a defender) and fitting wider tires for more 'grip' ain't gonna make any difference at all.

Wheels maketh the car I think and tires that are too wide for the rim look daft. With stock rims go with stock tires
Post #1041230 29th Jul 2024 6:44am
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 442

Wales 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
235’s on a 90, 265’s on a 110, my opinion, based on the look, presuming you have the correct wheel size to fit the 265’s.
Post #1041231 29th Jul 2024 6:46am
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Sybrow



Member Since: 31 Dec 2023
Location: Skipton
Posts: 23

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
Thanks all. I appreciate the replies.

I've got sawtooth alloys and my 90 came with Maxxis Bighorn MT 265's on it. So assume it can run either 235 or 265

Am hoping a switch to BFG AT will improve road noise and manners. But cannot decide whether a switch to 235 is needed as well to see a noticeable difference.
Post #1041232 29th Jul 2024 7:00am
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 707

United Kingdom 
Is this your first Land Rover? I really wouldn’t have thought the Maxxis would be all that noisy? And I’d be surprised if a BFG AT was much quieter.
Post #1041236 29th Jul 2024 7:27am
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Sybrow



Member Since: 31 Dec 2023
Location: Skipton
Posts: 23

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
It is. And that's interesting to know as I'd be gutted to spend all that money and it not make a difference!
Post #1041238 29th Jul 2024 7:29am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17310

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
235's will also perform better in snow (if we ever get any again with this global warming malarky).
Post #1041241 29th Jul 2024 7:54am
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Evil Elsie



Member Since: 25 Feb 2023
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 201

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Alpine White
Hiya,
If this is specifically for 'road use' then why not something road biased..??

Cheers, Dave 2002 Land Rover 110 Td5 Utility
1990 Suzuki GSXR 1100L
1980 Yamaha RD 350LC
1976 Yamaha RD 400C
Post #1041244 29th Jul 2024 8:26am
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20265

United Kingdom 
Does the BFG ATR come in 255/85/R16 ?

That is the size that suits me, much prefer that to 235’s.

I’m using KM2’s, which are lasting really well, next time I’ll look at KM3’s in the same size.
Though these are MTR.

The prices are rather steep though, especially if you compare to say Toyo as an example.

I’ve often liked the idea of Maxxis, but they aren’t all radials and I’d be concerned some of them would be too noisy or high fuel use.

255’s fit straight on, no spacers needed, only a tiny bit of steering lock adjustment needed but that’s all.
No binding anywhere on articulation, better footprint.
Post #1041246 29th Jul 2024 8:31am
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Sybrow



Member Since: 31 Dec 2023
Location: Skipton
Posts: 23

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
The BFG AT looks to only be available in 255/70R16 - is that still workable?
Post #1041248 29th Jul 2024 8:51am
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jaygti



Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: essex
Posts: 377

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
255/70 will work, but may look odd as the diameter will be smaller than the other 2 (which are basically the same diameter).

235/85 16 = 806mm dia.
265/75 16 = 804mm dia.
255/70 16 = 763mm dia.

Defenders are rubbish on the road anyway, so tyres won’t transform it, any improvements will be marginal.
I’d go with the size you like the look of.
For me 265s👍🏻 2002 td5 90 county hardtop
Post #1041256 29th Jul 2024 10:52am
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 707

United Kingdom 
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 Very Happy
Post #1041262 29th Jul 2024 11:35am
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Sybrow



Member Since: 31 Dec 2023
Location: Skipton
Posts: 23

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
jaygti wrote:
255/70 will work, but may look odd as the diameter will be smaller than the other 2 (which are basically the same diameter).

235/85 16 = 806mm dia.
265/75 16 = 804mm dia.
255/70 16 = 763mm dia.

Defenders are rubbish on the road anyway, so tyres won’t transform it, any improvements will be marginal.
I’d go with the size you like the look of.
For me 265s👍🏻


Cheers Thumbs Up
Post #1041279 29th Jul 2024 3:07pm
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