Thread: Tyre advice please

All interesting questions, but to properly give opinions we need to know:

- what you intend to be doing (cannot possibly advise on best tyre to fit otherwise)
- why you were unhappy with the Coopers

the 33" will be a heavier tyre and wider. This will increase fuel consumption, especially as it's rotating mass. By how much I don't know, you'd probably need controlled conditions to notice. The gearing will be marginally higher but you are unlikely to notice, and it will have little effect on cruising economy.

Ditto the above about recommended tyres depending usage. Since the Defender runs 32s as std you won't have problems with the 33s. You'll certainly be going wider than 235, try not to go too wide though becasue you may then start to have issues with rim selection.

255/85/16 is a good size for Defenders, they are 33.2" in diameter, so just a bees dik over 33"

Baz.

fuel consumption, slightly better i believe

300tdi does feel them there to some degree but still copes just fine

no panel rubbing but i had to adjust steering stops to clear the arms at full lock.

hard to go past maxxis bighorns if you want muds..

silverstone do a nice A/T i am told..

Originally Posted by rmp

All interesting questions, but to properly give opinions we need to know:

- what you intend to be doing (cannot possibly advise on best tyre to fit otherwise)
- why you were unhappy with the Coopers

the 33" will be a heavier tyre and wider. This will increase fuel consumption, especially as it's rotating mass. By how much I don't know, you'd probably need controlled conditions to notice. The gearing will be marginally higher but you are unlikely to notice, and it will have little effect on cruising economy.

General day to day cruising, outback road driving (if there is such an animal anymore, half the gulf is now sealed )

Unhappy with the cooper because of

1. They cost a shedload and with absolutley minimal off roading 2 are now missing a lug/chipped.
2. They are out of round, e.g there is core shift in the moulding
3. They r a shedload noisier than I expected

I'd suggest having a look at the Maxxis and the Silverstone A/T tyre. Both are good value and the Maxxis seem to be getting a pretty good rap.

Originally Posted by incisor

fuel consumption, slightly better i believe

300tdi does feel them there to some degree but still copes just fine

no panel rubbing but i had to adjust steering stops to clear the arms at full lock.

hard to go past maxxis bighorns if you want muds..

silverstone do a nice A/T i am told..

Have to agree with INC in all aspects except make of tyre. I know BFG are dearer than Maxxis but I paid $290ea for mine and have approx 70,000k's on them and there is STILL 10MM of tread !! I'm not sure how much the others cost but I reckon on a $ per k basis BFG blows them out of the mud !! They behave very well too and I've been told that the new BFG muddies are better on road than mine.
All of this is of course assuming that you are after muddies.
Steve.

I'd say go for 255/85 r16 BFG mud terrains as well.

I have had 2 sets, and use them currently. They last ages, are very good offroad, ok on road and not that expensive. You should be able to get them for $300 each on a set of 5.

Rgds
Peter