Thread: BFG KO2 265/65/18 on D4

I just fitted the exact same tyres just over a week ago myself to the exact same rims

+ So far I am loving the look and feel on road. The car feels more serious now, feels more grabby with more momentum.
+ They are definitely noisier, but not by much at all given the tread pattern. I can hear extra noise from about 30km/h up.
+ No off-roading yet, but will soon - zero rubbing at access height over speed bumbs in underground car parks at least
+ The ride is softer than original tyres. Came from 19 inch rims too though.
+ I was expecting some detriment to the steering, but it feels more responsive to me.

My 2c anyway.

Thanks for the info guys, Im waiting on the 18's to arrive first and after my extensive research are looking to go with the same tyre and size.

Look forward on hearing any reports on how they go off road and if all good with clearance/rubbing etc.

Rob

Scotty & Morover

Any chance of some photos - yours is the combination I would like to go to eventually.

GOE 18s in satin black with 265/65r18 KO2s

The beach picture gives the best indication of the increased ground clearance with the wheel & tyre combo/

Better start saving.

Ok I feel I have to weigh in on the BFG A/T. Personally, I don't like the tyre. Performance wise, it is good, but wear in my honest opinion is terrible. Now I must say though, I think this is VERY much dependant on what environment you are using the tyre, and how you are using it.

From my experience with the tyre, which is limited to 2 vehicles and one environment, it is very prone to chipping. We use the BFG A/T on both LC200 series (with country pack - OME, LongRanger, ARB bulbar/roofrack, snorkel) and on the Merc G Wagon. Both vehicles regularly travel the Central Arnhem Road which is aprox 700km of hard pack dirt (or mud at the moment, and no longer hard packed) with portions of the road covered in sharp rocks. Both vehicles chew up a set of 6 (LC200) and 5 (Merc) in about 20,000km.

We have 2 x LC200 and both have destroyed the BFG A/T. Admittedly this is a heavy vehicle, high power engine, driven at speeds up to 110km (speed limit on the Central Arnhem Road), BUT, we fitted the same vehicle with Mickey T A/T, and got 35-40,000km on the same road, with the same drivers.

ALSO, very important to note, the old BFG A/T (not the new KO2) was fitted to about 20,000 Merc G Wagon across the ADF. FACT - Every vehicle still fitted with that tyre is now restricted to 80km/h as a safety measure after a large number of them were found to be faulty. I am told it was due to delimitation of the tread, but this is unconfirmed.

Now, why is the BFG underperforming you may ask. My assumption, after talking to about half a dozen tyres guys and showing them tyres, and explaining the problems, is that is has very much to do with the location and construction of the sipes on the tyres (google for tyre terminology). It seems that tyres with sipes that extend to the sides of the block are more prone to chipping and high wear, whereas, tyres with sines that do not extend to the sides are less prone.

Further evidence can be found for this theory of mine in my personal vehicles. D4 fitted with Cooper Zeon, aprox 3,000km on track, and 5,000 on bitumen and no evidence of chipping. VW Touareg fitted with Mickey T S/T aprox 8,000km on track and 8,000 on bitumen, also no evidence of chipping.

For those that are wondering, I do believe 'sipes'' are put there to reduce squirming and make the tyre quieter. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. EDIT- I was wrong.... Thanks for the correction Graeme. Also noticed damn iPhone auto correct changed sipes to sines. WTF

Now I am far from a tyre expert, hence my questioning of the tyre guys, but this is just my personal experience, for what it's worth.

Oh, BF is the first pic. Notice the sipes go to the edge of each block. Cooper Zeon is second. Notice the sipes stay within the block. Mickey T A/T is third. Also sipes stay within the block. Shame I don't have any pics of our destroyed BFG A/Ts before they were changed.

Perhaps its best to say, a cheaper tyre (in this environment) is not always a cheaper or better option (false economy).

Lastly, i also acknowledge that for every bad story about a part, tyre, car, or even beer (oh my god) there are a hundred good stories. I would be very interested in hearing how you guys go with the KO2.

Sipes are to aid adhesion on wet sealed surfaces.

Also GOE 18s in satin black with 265/65r18 KO2s
Car is at Std height in the photos.