Hi Bruce
Are your 15" rims the 5.5" width or larger? I've been advised that 225/75R15 tyres probably won't fit on my wife's 01 FL.
I think Harry will be in the same situation if he has the 5.5" width rims.
Cheers, Paul.
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I wouldn't use retreads but you might want to consider second-hand tyres. A second-hand tyre retailer will be able to match your tyres and tread depth.
There are several such dealers in Sydney, e.g.,
Milperra Tyre Service
7 Bullecourt Ave
Milperra NSW 2214
(02) 9792 2999
I have used them in the past with good results.
Finally, after all your advice I have 2 brand new Pirelli fitted. They are great.
Due to many people asked me about the price of Pirelli, I list here the detail:
It is Paramatta Trivet offer:
"Hi Harry,
Thanks for your enquiry into Pirelli tyres , I have listed the tyre you require below ,
Pirelli 195/80/15 Scorpion S/T $161.70 each (fitted & balanced inc GST)
If you require these tyres or any further information on Tyres please feel free to contact our Store on (02) 9841 8889 , our opening hours are 8.00am -5.30pm Monday to Friday & 8.00am -12.noon Saturday"
Cheers,
Harry
Hi Harry,
I'm using the Pirelli Scorpions and I'm happy with them, good grip,
quiet, good on tarmac and sand (although I think the VCU was locked at the time).
I wonder why your front tyres are more worn than rear though, normally the IRD causes rears to wear more quickly. Or are you running in FWD mode only?
When I bought my FL1 it had good rear tyres but for the roadworthy it had to have 4 new tyres, I thought the workshop had a scam going, but I think it might have had something to do with the IRD gearing, not sure though (and I didn't pay for the tyres).
In a perfectly serviceable FL1 the front tyres will wear about twice as fast as the rears - hence the importance of tyre rotation in a FL1 - because it has a VCU it is important that all tyres have approximately the same rolling diameter. If there is a big difference between the fronts and rears it may cause the VCU to start locking up.
The reason front tyres wear is that the FL1 is basically front wheel drive. With a serviceable VCU and same tyre wear all around the VCU is basically unlocked and it is only the friction in the system and IRD gearing (earlier versions only) that sends about 10% of power and torque to the rear when driving on the tarmac. Hence most power goes to the front which is also steering. Like all front wheel drives the fronts wear quicker than the rears. Off road, the VCU locks when it detects wheel spin at the front and sends 50% power to the rear. This can also happen when the VCU fails and locks causing abnormal wear on all wheels and then failure of the IRD and maybe rear diff.
In my view the VCU should be checked every 5000km as a precautionary measure and if found the be failing the car taken off the road and the VCU replaced.
Garry
Her in doors has the 03 Freelander fitted with standard Perrelli 215 65R16's on 6 inch rims. Our driveway is fairly rough hence what would be the largest tyre we could fit i.e. if we can get more height with a change to profile height that would be good. Dont care too much about width would not like to go any narrower probably consider a good 50/50 AT tyre.
Anyone put larger tyres on this model fitted 16inch rims? What was the down side e.g. speedo? insurance? Also brand of tyre and price? Thanks...
I have 225/70/16" BFG ATs. Speedo is accurate oddometer under reads by 5%
Garry, are these tyres noisy on road and did you changeover 5. There is a brand new Pirrelli on the rear never been on the vehicle however profile is 65R. Probably have to buy 5 I guess. Just had a look at the BFG tread pattern I lke it. Are they o/k allround and do you have a ball park price of what you paid? Cheers
Freelanders MUST have tyres that are the same rolling diameter or you will have issues with the Viscous Coupling. So if your spare is a different width and aspect ratio but the rolling diameter is the same as the mains then not such an issue - but the spare you have is likely to be too small for BFGs.
I bought 4 BFGs and managed to get a different slightly used tyre of the same rolling diameter for the spare. The BFGs were about $230 a few years ago. They wear well and give good grip in the dry and are reasonable in the wet though ABS has kicked in a few times in wet weather braking. They can be a little noisy at slow speeds but are quieter the faster you go.
I have covered 50,000km on mine and they are not yet half worn.
Garry