Puma Tyre Choice advice needed

[browndogrider1]

Have read lots of threads, am in despair, still have a tyre problem!

Current tyres Continental 235/85 r16 (standard issue).

I want a slightly wider tyre, with no less diamater - but want to stick to a more AT pattern.

Decided to go for 255/85/r16. Cant find any tyre this size that is an AT or similar. Does anyone know of any brand I can have fitted in Canberra or Sydney??

Option 2 265/75 r16 the diameter is less.

Option 3 265/80 r16 (this tyre might be ok if it fits without rubbing - does anyone know?) Also this size seems a bit difficult too in a not too aggresive tread pattern.

In summary - I'm looking for a wider tyre, with at least the same diameter, that fits a defender, with a pattern thats 50% off road or less.

Would love some tyre recommendations!

[Alex]

A 235/85 is .85 x 235 = 199.75mm sidewall height
A 265/75 is .75 x 265 = 198.75mm sidewall height
Not that much different in diameters, only 2mm (1mm top and bottom)...Only just over 6mm additional circumference as well.

265/75 seems like a logical choice if you want to keep the diameter the same and only increase the width??

EDIT: Just remembered I had 265/75 on my 90 in the form of BFG A/Ts. They were actually really good wear/puncture and noise wise with a fair amount of grip. I have never been a fan of BFG (was a tyre fitter in a past life) but these came on the vehicle so I stuck with them. Would get them again if I couldn't afford Coopers :/

Had the same continentals on my 110 Puma for a few weeks and they throw rocks like a delinquent child.

[Tusker]

Maxxis and BFG both make a 255 I think. But more of a mud terrain than an AT.

Having said that, read up on reviews of these patterns. The BFG in particular was getting good reviews, and I don't think noise was a problem.

The 265s "may" scrub slightly on the rear coil towers.

Regards
Max P

[browndogrider1]

Alex,

Just got off the phone from a Cooper Tyre Rep. He says I can't fit any of the tyres Im talking about unless I buy wider rims. So I'm probably stonkered, cause I didnt want to go to the trouble of new rims. He says I can only go the original tyre size.

Oh yes - you are right about the continentals picking up and throwing stones.

Has onyone fitted wider tyres to original puma rims?

[steveG]

What width rims are you running now?
255/85-16's are fine on 7" rims. Coopers ST come in that size:
Cooper Tires - Tyres (http://www.coopertires.com.au/index.php?page=tyres&tyre_id=6)

Other brands are Maxxis Bighorns, and the BFG KM2, but both are MT (but not particularly agressive).

Steve

[frantic]

I have a td5 wagon with the original alloys fitted with 255/85 bighorns:D they have been good for both on and off road and only just brushed the rear coil mounts AFTER I modified the suspension.I have spoken to a few friends and their coopers where disappointing and others liked their BFG's muddies. When I first got my def it had 235 coopers that where chipped and handled poorly after I got the maxxis fitted it was a lot better.

[browndogrider1]

Will need to check rims widths I'm running but I believe they are 7". I'll ring a couple of other dealers, as I think you guys are right when saying a larger tyre will go on the current standar alloy defender rims.

But to my point though, there dosnt seem to be a lot of choice if I want to keep the diameter

[Alex]

Alex,

Just got off the phone from a Cooper Tyre Rep. He says I can't fit any of the tyres Im talking about unless I buy wider rims. So I'm probably stonkered, cause I didnt want to go to the trouble of new rims. He says I can only go the original tyre size.

Oh yes - you are right about the continentals picking up and throwing stones.

Has onyone fitted wider tyres to original puma rims?

Yep, the 265s were on 7inch rims and had no problems, he is probably just being over cautious. Probably not "ideal" but given how high the sidewall is it is not so much of a problem. If they were 35 series tyres then it would be more of an issue.

[isuzurover]

Alex,

Just got off the phone from a Cooper Tyre Rep. He says I can't fit any of the tyres Im talking about unless I buy wider rims. So I'm probably stonkered, cause I didnt want to go to the trouble of new rims. He says I can only go the original tyre size.

Oh yes - you are right about the continentals picking up and throwing stones.

Has onyone fitted wider tyres to original puma rims?

I have bolded your problem. You couldn't pay me to run that brand of tyre. Doesn't surprise me their reps don't know what they are talking about.

FWIW, I have been running 255/85-16 Maxxis Bighorns (on 7" rims!) for the last ~80000 km. They are not an AT like you are after, but are great on road/sand, etc... After that many km they still have about 5 mm tread left.
The perform as well on road and sand as any AT I have used in the past.

I also have 285/75s on 7" rims on another vehicle. not recommended, but works well IME.

[browndogrider1]

OK - You guys are convincing me about the Bighorns. It seems they drive alright on road as well as off road.

Frantic - are you saying your rear suspension mods, meant that the Bighorns rubbed? Does a 255/85 r16 Big Horn fit standard suspension without rubbing on a Puma?

Also, I'm Even thinking about the 265/75 r16 as well - apparently the consensis is that they fit the rims - but do they rub the Puma? Do we think they are too wide?

[browndogrider1]

Alex,

Did your 265/75 r16 rub on your 90 at all

[Alex]

Alex,

Did your 265/75 r16 rub on your 90 at all

Not at all, it was a TD5 with OME 2 inch lift in it though, so not sure that helps, may be different on a standard height puma.

As I said before, I was really happy with those BFG A/Ts. I never had one puncture despite most driving being on dirt, rough tracks, rocks etc and they even managed to get me through the CREB track in the rain (not something I would recomend doing to anyone BTW). I am sure there are many better tyres around, but they are good value for money.

[Marty110]

I had 265/75 on my 7" rims - no problem, but have since changed to wider offset ZU's, still 7" tho. Had same wish as you - slightly wider but not taller. The 255 option is a good one too as it gives a bit more air under the diffs if you dont mind going bigger in diameter, but try and find one in the bush - you might have to carry a spare carcass if you dont have 2 spares....

[Tank]

Alex,

Did your 265/75 r16 rub on your 90 at all
Have you had a look at Pirelli Scorpion A/T, great tyre and well priced, Regards Frank.

[Alex]

Just realised I have to put some 32" x 11.5" on my 110 Puma this weekend (temporary wheel swap with my county) so will see how they go and let you know if they clear. It has stock suspension and they are a few cm wider than a 265 so should show up any clearance issues...

[Dougal]

Kind of a hijack, but how do you rate the original continentals?

[Alex]

I only had mine for a few weeks, the car had done 22,000km at the time. I did a couple of thousand kms on them. They had noticeable wear on them which seemed more than I would expect for the kms.

The picking up rocks was really annoying, always rocks stuck in the tread and sounded like a machine gun with them flying out and hitting the floor. Worst tyre I have had for this.

Didn't get to try them much off road so can't comment on that side, but they were well mannered and quiet on the bitumen.

[browndogrider1]

Yep, I reckon the continentals are good - except I agree that they are best at getting stones jammed in the tread. This is really anoying!