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| mk1collector Member Since: 17 Sep 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 6769   
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If you daily drive it and don't want anything extreme then a lift kit isn't really necessary. A decent set of tyres and the defender is great straight out of the box. Maybe (if your not already well versed) get on a few good off-roading courses
 Ray
My build thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html |
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9th Nov 2016 11:57am |
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| Tom-Bodenham Member Since: 08 Nov 2016 Location: Bradford Posts: 7  
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Yeah I see what you mean. Would 285/75/16 fit with no lift kit though? I have 30mm wheel spacer already fitted.
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9th Nov 2016 12:27pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17327 
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I used to run 285/75 x 16 BFG KM2 muds on Boosts with 30mm spacers, no lift, and no problems - unless you consider the amount of crud you get on the side of the vehicle a problem.
I now run 255/85 x 16 KM2s on Blindos (no spacers) , which provides all the benfits and more of the wider size but with none of the disbenefits. If the KO2 was only available in a 255/85 I would recommend that, though personally I'd choose the KM2 over the KO2 any day. |
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9th Nov 2016 1:05pm |
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| Tom-Bodenham Member Since: 08 Nov 2016 Location: Bradford Posts: 7
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Ahh right, that maybe a good idea. You say you would choose the KM2 over the KO2 even for daily use too? What is the KM2 like for tread wear? I've heard that its okay for on road use but I would ideally want a longer life as I plan to do a lot of road driving.
Also you got any pics of the 255/85's on your defender? Just to get an idea of size. |
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9th Nov 2016 1:25pm |
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696
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I'm interested to know the benefits of running a wider tyre - i've always stuck to standard sizes on my Defenders but for no reason other than habit. |
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9th Nov 2016 2:28pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1762 
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Why? I run 265/75/16 KO's (old style) at the minute and plan to replace them with KO2 in the not too distant future. I do like the look and improved mud performance of the KM2's however. Primarily do road driving and towing, but it's not my primary vehicle. How are the KM2's with regards to noise and wet road grip? They'd be going on Deep-dish alloys with 30mm spacers. |
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9th Nov 2016 2:44pm |
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| Tom-Bodenham Member Since: 08 Nov 2016 Location: Bradford Posts: 7
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I see the majority of people run 265/75/16. That seem's to be the best bet to have without any suspension mods..
Interested to hear everyone else's opinion on what tyres they use though? |
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9th Nov 2016 4:08pm |
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| agentmulder Member Since: 16 Apr 2016 Location: Outer Space Posts: 1324 
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How big is your sample size to make that call? I think you'll a lot of 235/85r16 out there as well !  Solved the bowel problem, working on the consonants... |
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9th Nov 2016 8:26pm |
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| Welshsurferdude Member Since: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Newport Posts: 2393 
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 Click image to enlarge I run KM2 muds as a daily for the last 5-6 years on 3 different defenders, love em! 2008 Santorini Black 110 XS USW (Sold) 2015 Discovery 4.5 Black pack Firenze red XS 2008 Corris Grey 110 XS USW (sold) 2011 Santorini Black 110 XS USW (Sold) |
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9th Nov 2016 8:40pm |
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| Tom-Bodenham Member Since: 08 Nov 2016 Location: Bradford Posts: 7
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Just from scouring other forums I see that most people have said either 265/75/16 or 285/75/16. No concrete evidence aha. I kinda want a thicker tyre just for the aesthetics which is why I learned towards those two sizes. |
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9th Nov 2016 9:33pm |
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| Tom-Bodenham Member Since: 08 Nov 2016 Location: Bradford Posts: 7
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I see so many different reviews from people saying different things about the tyres ha. What is it like on the road for daily use? Loud? |
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9th Nov 2016 10:26pm |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 
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I'd seriously consider sticking with the standard size of 235. It's kinder on the vehicle and will perform better in most Defender-y scenarios than the 265. Unlike 255 or 285 there are plenty of tyres available and you should be able to get replacements easily in a hurry if needed.
I run 7.50R16s on mine (narrower again still) and when I've been with vehicles running 235/85 and 265/75 KO2s and the old style in 285, I've had better control in slop. It's well documented that wider tyres perform worse in most conditions - there are a few where wide is best but they're rare. If I wanted better off road performance and ground clearance then I wouldn't consider anything other than the 255/85, however you can't get any all terrain tyres in that size in the UK and I don't personally need a mud tyre so it's not really a sensible change for me. I'd love Cooper's ST/Maxx which do exist in 255/85 but only in the US. In my opinion, if you're not doing anything extreme and you're considering all terrain pattern tyres, there's nothing to be gained and lots to lose by leaving 235/85 behind. |
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10th Nov 2016 12:57pm |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3364
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I'm currently running the 285 KO2s you were thinking of, running them with no lift and offset wheels (same effect as 30mm spacers).
I've run KMs and KM2s for the last 15+ years in various sizes but have now changed to KO2s. They are WAY better mannered on the road and noticeabley quieter. In the snow and ICE last winter they also outperformed the KM2s which aren't actually winter rated and are horrendous in ICE. The 285s (and I expect 265s on 30mm spaces) do put crap all up the side of the car this time of year so you won't be able to keep it clean. I fitted the dirt defenders and they stop 90% of that. |
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10th Nov 2016 1:04pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17327
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I find that the KM2 have impeccable road manners and I have managed to get 100,000 miles out of a set of KM1s on my Disco2. At that mileage they weren't great in mud, it must be admitted, but I have never had less than 50k out of a set of KM2s with usable tread and a good performing tyre at the end. These are 255/85, Click image to enlarge |
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10th Nov 2016 1:23pm |
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