Thread: New tyres- advice?

No issues at all with 255's rubbing, although some report a slight rub on the spring towers in the rear but I never experienced that, ever with 130 rims (20.6mm offset)

IMO 0 offset rims are best with 255's, you get some steering back and the slightly wider stance gives a little more stability.

The only downside is towing, second/low starts are a reality with the taller rubber on Tdi's and TD5's.
Tdci's should be fine with that nice low first gear.

Originally Posted by rick130

No issues at all with 255's rubbing, although some report a slight rub on the spring towers in the rear but I never experienced that, ever with 130 rims (20.6mm offset)

IMO 0 offset rims are best with 255's, you get some steering back and the slightly wider stance gives a little more stability.

The only downside is towing, second/low starts are a reality with the taller rubber on Tdi's and TD5's.
Tdci's should be fine with that nice low first gear.

I have a TDCi with a tune. The 255/85R16 size seems pretty perfect for the vehicle. (compared to stock 235/85: speedo more accurate, the subtle increase in overall gearing is good). I fitted mine on stock boost alloys.

There are physical differences in tyres despite branded same size. My first set of 255/85R16 MT were Maxxis Bighorns. They came very close to rubbing on my spring towers, could barely fit an index finger in the gap. Latest set (fitted just a couple of weeks ago) are Toyo Open Country MT and the clearance from spring tower is WAY better (two standard test fingers).

Neither came close to rubbing anywhere else (TDCi 110 DCPU)

Originally Posted by tact

I have a TDCi with a tune. The 255/85R16 size seems pretty perfect for the vehicle. (compared to stock 235/85: speedo more accurate, the subtle increase in overall gearing is good). I fitted mine on stock boost alloys.

There are physical differences in tyres despite branded same size. My first set of 255/85R16 MT were Maxxis Bighorns. They came very close to rubbing on my spring towers, could barely fit an index finger in the gap. Latest set (fitted just a couple of weeks ago) are Toyo Open Country MT and the clearance from spring tower is WAY better (two standard test fingers).

Neither came close to rubbing anywhere else (TDCi 110 DCPU)

It's be interesting to run a stagger tape around the Toyo's, my first set of Big Horns measured dead on 33.3" diameter at only 20psi, and the five were consistent in circumference.
The second set measured the same.

Some tyres are shocking for consistency, in another life racing the Dunlop tyre guys had to match pairs as tyres (English, not Japanese Dunlop) could have up to 1" difference in diameter and these were mounted on a 13" rim!!

When working with a Japanese Bridgestone tyre engineer thirty years ago he mentioned that one of the hardest things in the world was to get a tyre popping out of the mould perfectly round!

Originally Posted by tact

I have a TDCi with a tune. The 255/85R16 size seems pretty perfect for the vehicle. (compared to stock 235/85: speedo more accurate, the subtle increase in overall gearing is good). I fitted mine on stock boost alloys.

There are physical differences in tyres despite branded same size. My first set of 255/85R16 MT were Maxxis Bighorns. They came very close to rubbing on my spring towers, could barely fit an index finger in the gap. Latest set (fitted just a couple of weeks ago) are Toyo Open Country MT and the clearance from spring tower is WAY better (two standard test fingers).

Neither came close to rubbing anywhere else (TDCi 110 DCPU)

How are you liking the Toyos Neil? How noisy on road? Ok in wet? ... not sure about MT’s for daily drive. I’m looking at getting the AT’s.

TD5s never had problems pulling away on 33.3”

Options wise on those rims you have the 235s, 265s, 255s and maybe 285s.

If it’s just a bit of mud you are encountering on your property do you really need diff clearance? A 265/75/16 is probably the tyre you want, same diameter as the 235 but will go better in mud and look better too. Heaps of brands to choose from and much cheaper than 255s.

On my 110, I have ran 235 and 255 on +33rims. When I ran the 255s I only had the most minimal of rubbing on hard lock and honestly only noticed in a tight car park at the super market! But they did rob my 300tdi of power; no doubt about that. So, seeing as you have the wolf rims with +20 offset, I reckon you could run the 255s no worries, but it will come at a small cost of power and fuel consumption. You should consider the 265s though as they are cheap compared to, the 255s where you have only bf, maxxis and toyo - and they are all ridiculous priced and impossible to find outside of a city.

285/75/16 is a nice size for a 130 I reckon, but you may want to check in with others to make sure it would fit on that rim without too much rubbing. 285s are excellent off-road and beat 255’s with the right rim and suspension set up in my opinion and experience. So, if that’s where you do your driving go there, but if you are mainly on road then stick to 235s or 265s.

If I were you, I’d be keeping an eye on gumtree or similar and picking up some cheap second hand tyres and sussing out what you like and what fits. Here is what 285/75/16 looks like on a -25 offset wheel.

20180318_213253.jpg