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Morse2012

Member Since: 08 Aug 2024
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 6

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

Wheel size or tyres to give softer ride?

Hi all. I'm new to this forum and have just bought my first Defender - a 2015 Defender 90XS which was converted by SMC Overland. It has 20inch Maxxtrac wheels with Copper Zeon LTZ 285/50/R20 tyres. The ride is a little hard for my taste. Question...is the hard ride due mainly to the Cooper tyres (ie are they just hard tyres), or to the size of the wheels. I am considering changing (or swapping) the wheels to 18 or 16 inch; or maybe I only need to change the tyres to something softer (if such a thing exists?). I will only drive on-road, and I'd like to keep the fairly 'rugged' look that the larger wheels/tyres give. I've read a lot of the previous posts about wheels and tyres, but I haven't managed to find a thread about the on-road ride characteristics of the various options.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

Click image to enlarge

20th Aug 2024 3:01pm

MarkBrown

Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 454

1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green

Hello and what a beautiful 90! Personally I’d get rid of both the wheels are tyres and replace with the 16” ones which should be fitted, along with a good quality all terrain tyre if it’s for general random use. 235 85 16 or 265 75 16 are both standard sizes. Have a search through here, wolf steels are popular along with boost and later the sawtooth in black ( would be my choice for yours.) I’ve never been in a 90, but the 110’s I’ve had I wouldn’t describe the ride as bumpy nor even firm. They’re different to a modern car but not in the way people would have you believe. It’s my favourite vehicle, always satisfying somehow. Perfectly imperfect!

20th Aug 2024 3:24pm

Gravygraham

Member Since: 15 Mar 2017
Location: East Kent
Posts: 174

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey

Yup, definitely fit her with 16'' wheels, you'll have much more sidewall bounce making for a softer ride. Swot up on your tyres though, some AT tyre manufacturers tell you about their tougher sidewalls, which of course will remove some of the suppleness of ride. Welcome to the forum.

20th Aug 2024 4:21pm

Notyalc

Member Since: 27 Jul 2018
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 160

What tyre pressures are you running?

20th Aug 2024 5:45pm

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 715

Re: Wheel size or tyres to give softer ride?

Morse2012 wrote:
Hi all. I'm new to this forum and have just bought my first Defender - a 2015 Defender 90XS which was converted by SMC Overland. It has 20inch Maxxtrac wheels with Copper Zeon LTZ 285/50/R20 tyres. The ride is a little hard for my taste. Question...is the hard ride due mainly to the Cooper tyres (ie are they just hard tyres), or to the size of the wheels. I am considering changing (or swapping) the wheels to 18 or 16 inch; or maybe I only need to change the tyres to something softer (if such a thing exists?). I will only drive on-road, and I'd like to keep the fairly 'rugged' look that the larger wheels/tyres give. I've read a lot of the previous posts about wheels and tyres, but I haven't managed to find a thread about the on-road ride characteristics of the various options.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

Click image to enlarge

Personally not keen on those 20” rims at all. So out of place on this kind of vehicle. And most certainly not rugged looking IMO.

There is a reason Land Rover never offered anything bigger than a 16” rim on a Defender. Even p38 Range Rover and Discovery 2 owners will opt for the 16” rims instead of the optional 18” ones if you want the best ride quality.

It’s a live axle utility ladder chassis 4x4 after all.

That said. The ride, while it should be very acceptable. Will never be silky smooth. Partly because of having live axles. But also that your head and shoulders are much higher from the road, so lateral motion will be amplified vs a car and a 90 also has a very short wheel base. Only mildly longer than a Fiat Panda! So pitching back and forth can also be noticeable more so than longer wheel base vehicles.

20th Aug 2024 6:46pm

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 715

Do you know what shocks and springs are fitted? Looking at the rest of the vehicle I’d assume they aren’t standard. Over firm damping or stiff springs will also give a terrible ride.

20th Aug 2024 6:49pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20308

Castellated spring isolators are useful, and I’d avoid HD springs unless HD are actually needed.
Same with HD Dampers, best avoided unless actually needed. ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️

20th Aug 2024 7:02pm

MarkBrown

Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 454

Gravygraham wrote:
Yup, definitely fit her with 16'' wheels, you'll have much more sidewall bounce making for a softer ride. Swot up on your tyres though, some AT tyre manufacturers tell you about their tougher sidewalls, which of course will remove some of the suppleness of ride. Welcome to the forum.

I met a guy with a sprinter van who had maxxis worm drive tyres and said they were noticeably more comfortable than his previous set of bfg all terrains, might be worth looking into.

20th Aug 2024 8:07pm

Morse2012

Member Since: 08 Aug 2024
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 6

Thanks to everyone who has given their views. I really appreciate all comments. Plenty for me to research further.

20th Aug 2024 9:32pm

revd

Member Since: 20 Apr 2024
Location: England
Posts: 110

I would look for a set of genuine Boost alloys - they are considered a bit old hat with newer designs available and so are good value - I paid £100 for the set (five) - they will take 235/85 -16 or 265/75 -16 tyres

Click image to enlarge

21st Aug 2024 6:22am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17359

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

That Defender needs Blindos!

21st Aug 2024 7:39am

Gravygraham

Member Since: 15 Mar 2017
Location: East Kent
Posts: 174

Quote:
I met a guy with a sprinter van who had maxxis worm drive tyres and said they were noticeably more comfortable than his previous set of bfg all terrains, might be worth looking into.

Ah, now that’s interesting Mark. I’m about to swap out a set of part-worn BFG’s and the Wormdrive Maxxis were looking to be my preferred option.

21st Aug 2024 10:17am

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3414

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

285/50/R20 Is smaller over all diameter than a 235/85 R16 tyre. Looking at how the rear tyre fills the wheel arch, it looks like it does not have standard suspension. So worth looking there too, especially the rear, as the seating is closer to the rear axle.

You may also find that a loaded 90 is as comfortable as a classic Range Rover, or so I think. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

21st Aug 2024 11:06am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 715

Gravygraham wrote:
Quote:
I met a guy with a sprinter van who had maxxis worm drive tyres and said they were noticeably more comfortable than his previous set of bfg all terrains, might be worth looking into.

Ah, now that’s interesting Mark. I’m about to swap out a set of part-worn BFG’s and the Wormdrive Maxxis were looking to be my preferred option.

I really like the Wormdrives. I have them on 2 vehicles currently. My brother has the BFG’s on his 90. The BFG’s do look like they might last a little longer. But they are no better otherwise.

The BFG is offered in different load ratings. The stronger side wall is good for heavy off roading. But will ride harder for the same pressures.

21st Aug 2024 11:44am

MarkBrown

Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 454

The worm drives did look good on his van too. I’d thought about a set for my sprinter ( for sale ) but they didn’t seem to have the tpms symbol, so I chose another make which did. Perhaps you could confirm if this is correct?

21st Aug 2024 3:38pm

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