235/85 R16 versus 265/75 R16. Another tyre thread !

[VladTepes]

I am currently running 235/85 R 16 BFG MT’s on my Defender 130.
I like these tyres a lot.

Now I am considering what to replace them with when the time comes, and my question is:

Are wider tyres better ?

My choice then is 235/85 R16 OR 265/75 R 16.

These are almost exactly the same rolling diameter, but with a 3 cm wider tread in the latter case.

What would be the pros / cons of each option ?


The following tools allow a direct comparison of various tyre sizes.

Side by side - Metric
http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual-tyre-size-calculator (http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual-tyre-size-calculator)

Overlay – Metric / Imperial
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html)


Of course, I’d rather have taller tyres (285’s – 33”) but as they wouldn’t be legal, and it’s a big investment, I want to stick with legal; tyre size.

I am not interested in any debate on brands etc – I’ll be sticking with the BFG’s but I am interested in the pros / cons of a wider tyre.

and yes I am aware of these threads.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/64253-265-75-235-85-wrangler-mtrs.html

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/19664-what-better-109-235-85-265-75-a.html


Thanks.

[Outlaw]

Search is your friend Vlad... fairly sure wide vs skinny debate has been done a good couple thousand times :angel:

[weeds]

Vlad.........do we really need another tyre thread:p

have you clicked on the good oil lately;)

[Utemad]

If you fit wider tyres on existing rims you would increase your turning circle. A big consideration in a 130 I'd think.

[spudboy]

Pity you are not in Adelaide, 'cause I could lend you a set of 265/75s to try. I don't like them and have gone back to 235/85 for my Defender.

The wider tyres made the steering heavier and "deader". The whole car felt less lively and slower to respond with the wider tyres. Maybe the extra weight gave it that feeling - don't know - but the standard General Grabbers (on alloys) and the Michelin XZYs (on Wolf steelies) both feel better than the 265/75s.

Don't reckon I got any further in sand with the wide tyres than the standard ones.

That's my 2 cents worth :p
David

[VladTepes]

If you fit wider tyres on existing rims you would increase your turning circle. A big consideration in a 130 I'd think.

new rims are on the cards anyway so I'd get the offset done appropriately.

[Sleepy]

FWIW - Stick with the 235/85. I just bought some BFG MT KM2's and very happy with them.:)

[VladTepes]

Those are the ones I'll be gettng to replace my old pattern MT's - how much did you have to pay for them.

[ozscott]

Mate - personally the higher profile the better for all off road including sand. I know what you are saying able wanting to stay legal, but why dont you make some equiries about when Qld is signing up to the National Code that will allow you (should anyway from memory) the taller sizes that you are after...if it just round the corner (and they have been saying for ages it is but who knows) you might be able to hold off...

Cheers

[Sleepy]

Those are the ones I'll be gettng to replace my old pattern MT's - how much did you have to pay for them.

$300 ea fitted & balanced (Bob Jane)

[VladTepes]

Mate - personally the higher profile the better for all off road including sand. I know what you are saying able wanting to stay legal, but why dont you make some equiries about when Qld is signing up to the National Code that will allow you (should anyway from memory) the taller sizes that you are after...if it just round the corner (and they have been saying for ages it is but who knows) you might be able to hold off...

Cheers

enquire of who ?

[ozscott]

Our Dept of Transport Vlad if you can get anything out of them. They have a Policy section that deals with this. Just keep pestering to you get through to the right department.

Cheers

[ozscott]

PS...I am not too worried about the strict legalities as long as it is within the national code of practice its the insurance company that you need to square it away in WRITING with...once that is done for my part I am happy.

Cheers

[Reads90]

wider tyres put More stain on the Wheel bearings and therefore make them going more often

[SA Steve]

Here in SA (not that 'SA', South Africa), we can get Michelin XZL's in 235/85 16 quite reasonable prices - anyone have any comments on them?

(Tyre Traders | Michelin 4x4 XZL OR (http://www.tyretraders.co.za/index.php?page_name=more&tyre_id=1140))

[RABBITS]

G,day How much are they,they look ok.
Dave

[Sleepy]

G,day How much are they,they look ok.
Dave

RR2,500.00 inc VAT each = AU $347

They do look good. Not sure if you can get them here.

[Psimpson7]

PS...I am not too worried about the strict legalities as long as it is within the national code of practice its the insurance company that you need to square it away in WRITING with...once that is done for my part I am happy.

Cheers

In Qld that is simply not true. The NCOP isnt in force, and there are no plans as such for it to be at the moment.

If Qld Transport pull you over you can argue the NCOP till you are blue in the face but you will get a defect notice if they dont agree, which they wont.

The insurance policies will also have a stipulation that the car is legal to state rules so thats not a good area either.

[coolblues_au]

Its to late I have just brought a set of 235/85/16 BFG A/T's. Was looking into changind sizes but chickend out. Going on a 110 Extreem. Well here's hoping.

[Sleepy]

Its to late I have just brought a set of 235/85/16 BFG A/T's. Was looking into changind sizes but chickend out. Going on a 110 Extreem. Well here's hoping.

They are a good all round tyre coolblues. I had them on my 110 and got 100,000km out of them.:) Land Rover Defender Xtremes were sold with these as standard prior to about 2003 when they changed to General Grabber A/Ts. Whilst I don't mind the generals - I think the BFG's are better.

[ozscott]

In Qld that is simply not true. The NCOP isnt in force, and there are no plans as such for it to be at the moment.

If Qld Transport pull you over you can argue the NCOP till you are blue in the face but you will get a defect notice if they dont agree, which they wont.

The insurance policies will also have a stipulation that the car is legal to state rules so thats not a good area either.

Whats not true...my personal concern about insurance not so much the traffic laws...?

I didnt say it was legal to have them quite the opposite hence why I said ring transport to see WHEN they are going to go with the National Standard. For my part I have a letter from the insurer agreeing to my larger than one profile up tyres (ie I told them it met the standard but not the current laws in qld) and they have noted my policy. I have some idea what I am talking about when it comes to insurance law and I take my chances according to that knowledge. I dont purport to provide advice to anyone here, but I am happy with my situation where the policy's general policy wording is modified by my specific agreement with them.

So dont worry matey...its all true!

Cheers

PS. When was the last time you saw the DOT pulling over people....I last saw it 20 years ago when they pulled over my HQ. Lets face it 31's instead of 29.5 on a Discovery is never going to attract attention. Its all about calculated risks.

PPS. I know that Qld is dragging the chain on the National Standard and that in the meantime I am running tyres that do not comply with the TORUM Regulations and I thought my posts were clear...if not my post is now tolerably clear.

[Gav110]

Vlad, why not 255/85 ? This seems to be gathering consensus as the ideal compromise and gives 33 on a tall but not too wide tyre...

[VladTepes]

PS. When was the last time you saw the DOT pulling over people....I last saw it 20 years ago when they pulled over my HQ. Lets face it 31's instead of 29.5 on a Discovery is never going to attract attention. Its all about calculated risks.


Cops pulled up a mates wife the other days said the big wheels (35s I think) have to go as they knew they were too big "for a Land Rover". Now its wearing its 235/85s again and looks, well, sad.


Vlad, why not 255/85 ? This seems to be gathering consensus as the ideal compromise and gives 33 on a tall but not too wide tyre...

Yeah but illegal in Qld due to >15mm increase in rolling diameter - and I have no wish to give an insurance company any "outs" if it comes to that.



So my original q stands - if i am going to replace my tyres would the 3cm extra width be be useful for anything ?

[ozscott]

Fair enough mate. The 35's are big on a rover no question. I reckon an inch or 1.5 up is one thing.

Cheers

[Psimpson7]

PS. When was the last time you saw the DOT pulling over people....I last saw it 20 years ago when they pulled over my HQ. Lets face it 31's instead of 29.5 on a Discovery is never going to attract attention. Its all about calculated risks.
.

Pretty much every week I am afraid on the coast. Although generally the tyres and lift on the pulled cars do look dodgy.

If you Ring the DOT they wont even make reference to the NCOP. It wouldn't surprise me if it never came into force in Qld. All my tyres are declared to my Ins company and noted on the ploicy, but I certainly wouldnt run my 35's past a DOT check, least of all like a claim if I was using them.

Having said all that 255/85 is probably the best option!

[stevencam]

I am currently running BFG muddies 255/85, changing from 7.50/16 to the 235/85 allowed the use of more aggresive tread patterns while still maintaining an acceptable tread contact for on road use. The 255/85 is probably a negative compared to the 235/85 in regards to width, depending on the tread type, but a bonus off road for clearance and length of contact patch. So! unless you can gain hight stick with the 235/85. Having said that, wide chunky tyres can look really good! go the 265/75 :D

[Sleepy]

These are my new BFG 235/85s MTs. I'm pretty happy with them. Planning on new springs to lift it a bit (inch or so, nothing major)
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/90-110-130-defender-county/23439d1268478619-235-85-r16-versus-265-75-r16-another-tyre-thread-13032010200.jpg