Kevvy,
Lots of people will tell you that 19" rims are the worst thing that ever happened and you cannot what ever you do go off the black stuff with them. I'm here to tell you that is bollocks.
My experience with 19" is not on a Freelander, but rather a D4 with enough extras to weigh in a bit over 3 tonnes. So likely much harder on tires than your Freelander I suspect.
The lower side walls is definitely not a great thing.... but if you drive the vehicle aware of the lower profile and you are aware of exactly where your wheels are - my experience would suggest they are not a problem at all.
I've done plenty of off road over the last 3 or so years -Forests around Melbourne, Vic high country, several extended trips into Outback S.A, Flinders Ranges, NSW Forests, Lithgow and more. Appropriate pressures and driving style, they still go anywhere a smaller rim will.
I've covered a wide variety of terrain from sand to sharp rock and in close of 80,000Km had 1 tire problem, when the idiot driving the car put a sharp rock through a side wall. (That was me btw.)
Would more side wall be better - probably , but don't let people tell you 19" are no good. If anything I think they have helped make me a better 4wder.
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