In this month's 4WD Action, the Maxxis Bighorns and BFG MT KM2 both came out as the informal 'winners' in a multi-surface traction and overall performance test. Predictably the ATs won on sand and road (though not as clear cut as you'd think), and the proper MTs won-out on the hill climb and mud.

The Maxxis had a slight edge in mud; the BFG MT KM2 had the edge in road noise (was quieter than many ATs - but then again, this is for a Deefer ) and also won the hill climb traction test.

It's clear both are worthy options, and surprisingly easy to live with as daily tyres according to the judges.

Bargain on ebay for BFG MTs: 4WD Tyres 33" BF Goodrich Mud Terrain - eBay Tyres, Wheels, Tyres, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 14-Mar-10 22:49:32 AEDST)

Got to test the new Bighorns (255/85 16) this weekend both on road and off and I was pretty impressed. On the total 6 hour round trip on tarmac, some in the wet, they were fine. I didnt notice any difference to the AT they replaced apart from a slight hum at higher speeds. Certainly nothing too loud.

On rock and in mud they were great. I got myself bogged once and discovered that these tyres can dig! A good thing when there is hard stuff to dig down to but not so great when it is soft all the way down! Pretty quickly they had nearly burried themselves (still running 32psi at this point!). Nothing a my friend with a winch couldnt solve though!

All in all impressed with the performance and they do make the car look a lot meaner too!

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I'm glad you're happy with them. I reckon deefers look quite well 'balanced' with 33's on

We haven't been able to bog ours since getting the Bighorns on. maybe I'm just not trying hard enough

Did you have any scrubbing issues with the standard springs? The side-biters just occasionally clip the edge of the front left flare when at full lock and serious articulation. Mind you we have some pre-existing damage there that doesn't help I'm hoping a new set of 2" lift springs will solve that.

No scrubbing that I have noticed although the truck may have a slight lift and I didnt get any big articulation whilst steering.
It has bilstein dampers (inc steering) so some work has been done by a previous owner but there are no distinguishable features on the springs and I have never come across a standard defender to compare...
The only thing I had to do for these tyres was to adjust the steering damper as the passenger side tyre rubbed the chassis rail at full lock.

They look excellent on your Defender!
I think that's the best tyre size for our toys

Did you notice any change in gearing?
Acceleration and maybe bad break performance?
What's your rim size and offset?
Sorry for the interrogation but its's good to have someone who actually has 255/85/16 on his Defender.

using Pirelli Scorpion MUD. 235 by 16 seem very good, very "chunky" on sidewalls for extra grip,seem very good on the road also
good price here NZ$250 each I would love Michelins but very expensive here and have to buy out of the UK

+1

One thing I would have liked is if 4WD action did a wet bitumen test on the tyres, to see how they handle a normal wet road.

No problems about the questions. I am usually the one asking so it is good to be able to answer some for a change.

The is no real noticable difference on the gearing or the acceleration (still terrible!) but I haven't noticed a detrimental effect at all. I checked my speedo against the speed reading on my navman and it is nearly spot on, the speedo still reads around 2% less than the gps read out, must have been way out before!

My brakes are not good, but then they werent before the new tyres either. The tyres have amplified the problem (couldnt hold the car on a steep but easily driveable hill without it rolling back, the wheels rotating, not slipping!) so i am going to change fluid and check pads and give them a general service on the weekend, see if that makes things better!

The tyres are on 16 x 7j sunrasia style wheels, not sure on manufacturer or offset.

I will be heading up to double island after easter so will get to see how they go on sand then too.

Dave

Thanks for the info Dave.
Please keep us updated how they did perform on sand.
Have fun during Easter. We will around Lake Jasper in south-west WA.

Cheers