Another question re alloys and tyres

[jc109]

I posted this in another thread recently but it was a bit off topic I guess and it may have looked like I was trying to hijack things. It's a serious question though, so any advice you may have would be appreciated.

"I'm about to order my first Defender after several years playing around with my SIII.

I've been wondering what the best option is re tyres, and am no clearer now after reading all this!

I intend ordering the dual finish alloy wheels with standard tyres as I have Wolf wheels on my 109" with Cooper STs that I've been thinking would make a good swap when I take the 110" out bush.

The Coopers (which I think are great BTW) are 265/75/16s.

How would I find these tyres on the Defender? I'm happy to consider all options. ie:

1) Full swap of wheels and tyres
2) Coopers to alloys on 110" and Grabbers over to 109"
3) Leave Coopers where they are and order 110" with factory MTs of a size TBD
4) Leave 109" alone, order 110" in standard rubber, and buy a whole new set of wheels and tyres in an appropriate size as off-road set

If the Wolf wheels come off the 109" I can either leave her on workshop stands or buy a cheap set of original wheels (I ditched the old set long ago...) with cheap rubber.

Any suggestions?"

Most of my driving will be on tarmac simply because of where I live and the amount of time my other half will be using it in my absence.

When I do go offroad I'll be doing a bit of everything. I love pushing things, and will probably get more adventurous as things progress. I'll no doubt do a lot of time on the sand too. My intention is to set her up as a full touring rig in due course.

I really want the best of everything but I don't want to have to modify the vehicle in any way (for the first few years anyway).

So, any recommendations?


James

[land864]

Been thinking about the same thing myself.

I'd be going option 4 if you can afford it.

Then it's only 4 wheels off one at a time and refit spare offroad wheel when you have it raised in that corner.

Otherwise it's swappies which would be a pain if you ask me.

If you're pressed for time you can trundle dow to your local Bob Jane and get them to do the swap while you go do something else productive.

Apparently a set of Series One Disco steel rims are a good cheap spare set and can be offfset if you want to go bigger than 235/85R16.

Go steel for your spare set.

Not sure now about alloys off road. I know GQ Patrols have a problem with alloy wheels falling off after a long run on corrugations. Apparently that has something to do with the alloy wheel nuts binding and not seating properly when torqued up. That may be overcome by applying some grease to the face of the nut maybe but I'd be going steel as a spare set.

Just my thoughts

Pete

[scrambler]

I'd be thinking that you will get the best on-road performance with narrow tyres (less rolling resistance) so perhaps consider getting standard wheels and 7.50 's for the 109 and keeping the Wolf rims for the play tyres? Also keeps the pretty alloys from getting scuffed.

[KarlB]

What ever you do be careful because if you change your tyre size, you could well lose the warranty on your drive train and to my mind that is a very expensive way to gain very little. The factory Goodyear MTRs are 235/85/R16s and they are the old pattern not the newer asymmetrical kevlar reinforced ones. Still good tyres though, if you want a more aggressive tread. The Grabbers would be better for touring. The 2011 plated Defenders should come with Continental Conti Cross Contact AT tyres, not General Grabbers. They should also be good for touring.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[jc109]

The 2011 plated Defenders should come with Continental Conti Cross Contact AT tyres, not General Grabbers. They should also be good for touring.

Cheers
KarlB
:)
Interesting. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks Karl.

[jc109]

Sounds like you're confirming what I suspected anyway. Get the stock tyres from LR and do a swap if and when I need to for the more aggressive rubber on the Series.

I guess I should tread carefully for the first three years anyway in case I void my warranty by getting carried away.

Thanks for your advice guys.

[fishobob]

What ever you do be careful because if you change your tyre size, you could well lose the warranty on your drive train and to my mind that is a very expensive way to gain very little. The factory Goodyear MTRs are 235/85/R16s and they are the old pattern not the newer asymmetrical kevlar reinforced ones. Cheers
KarlB
:)

Thanks for the info Karl. I hadn't really considered the issue of warranty in regards to upsizing tyres. Mind you I was only thinking of upsizing to 265's so it's not really a huge change. Do you think those would still create warranty issues?

For those of you with new Defenders and bigger tyres, have your dealers said anything to you on this issue?

Cheers and all the best,
Rob

[Scallops]

Thanks for the info Karl. I hadn't really considered the issue of warranty in regards to upsizing tyres. Mind you I was only thinking of upsizing to 265's so it's not really a huge change. Do you think those would still create warranty issues?

For those of you with new Defenders and bigger tyres, have your dealers said anything to you on this issue?

Cheers and all the best,
Rob

265 / 75 muds don't cause any warranty issues. ;)

[fishobob]

265 / 75 muds don't cause any warranty issues. ;)

Thanks mate

[Tusker]

If you swap from time to time, would the SIII take alloys? As mentioned in here not long ago, the hubs that accept alloys for coil sprung vehicles have a slash across the stud endface. Try fitting an alloy to an early Rangie & it will just jam.

I stick to vanilla 235/85/16s for touring. Taller profile for sand etc, readily available in the bush, & a very high load rating. Check your 265/75s, I suspect the load rating is lower. I'd go 255/85s, but they just aren't common enough in the bush.

For touring get some disco steelies if you can. Easier to swap/change (normal nuts instead of the self centering jobbies that the alloys have) & a ham fisted bush tyre fitter will butcher the alloys.

If sticking with alloys, chuck the locking nuts before they fail.

For play wheels/tyres, there are so many options that its another thread.

Regards
Max P

[frantic]

255/85r16 tyres(maxxi, bfg or cooper do them) fit with standard suspension BUT I am not sure if they would affect warranty, Maybe if you got the dealer to fit them BEFORE you took delivery so it was part of the new vehicle?
Also have a look at getting an extended 3yr+warranty through LR, the local LR/VW/Audi dealer in wollongong is one of the cheapest for official extended "factory"(I think It's through alliance) warranty. we purchased a new VW multi as the runabout and they where cheapest by a fair margin to the Sydney dealers offering exactly the same product.

[KarlB]

Couple of issues here:

Firstly re extended warranty, you would be crazy not to get it. The Land Rover one is for an extra year or 2 years up to 200,000 km (your choice) Their provider is Allianz Australia. Allianz, as far as I am aware, are also the providers of the VW insurance and if you go via them you can get an extra 3 years cover (this is what I have). I think you may also be able to get a policy directly through Allianz as well (search the forum for info on this).

Secondly re changing tire size and warranty. Strictly speaking, Land Rover would have to argue that your changing the tyre size was the cause of any failure. If a dispute arose it would be your responsibility to provide contrary evidence. I wouldn't go down that path if I could avoid it as they are very big boys with lots of money behind them. You would want a very good case. The recent issue that Povamn had about raising his suspension is a case in point where ARB appeared reluctant ot go into bat against Land Rover despite them claiming that their modifications did not cause Povman's problems (again, do a search for details if interested). I wouldn't be changing tyre sizes while under warranty without advice in writing that it would not affect the warranty. This would preferably be from Land Rover (though I am pretty sure they would provide no such advice) or from the dealer. You could then have a case aginst the dealer for poor advice in the event of any issues. Changing to some tyre sizes may also present issues with your insurance and roadworthiness

People do change tyre sizes while under warranty and get away with it but I suspect that is more good fortune that any thing else. Personally, I am not prepared to take the risk.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Gav110]

For what it's worth if you are not substantially changing rolling diameter, I think there is little to worry about. Going to 255/85, 265/75 or even 285/75 are hardly any different. Of those, the 1st and 3rd are approx. 33" so we're only talking 1 inch max and no engineer will sign off on that difference being the cause of a drivetrain failure in the face of it being the #1 offroad accessory fit in this country. I have gone 285/75 and had my car seen by LRA as well as dealer and it was not even mentioned (and I have spacers too).

[KarlB]

Warranty will only ever be an issue when you make a claim and it may not be an issue then.

As for the spacers, they are clearly illegal if used on the road as they make your vehicle unroadworthy. I don't know about your insurance Gav, but I have not seen a policy that does not require you to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition at all times. I would assume you know this and are prepared to take the risk. Shame for any poor bugger you hit though.

Cheers
KarlB