Thread: 19 inch road tyre choice for L322 TDV8?

Originally Posted by timax

YouTube

Listen to what he says about tyres.

Thanks timax, yes that's a good review of the L322. While Harry has a point about tire sidewall size on a 20 inch being beneficial to handling vs a 19 inch** (note points below), I have found that the "modern rubber" he talks about being no different here in Australia right now for both sizes. His Scorpion Verde tyres are available in both sizes, as are most others I would consider for road-only use.

**I my experience, the factors that contribute to handling are numerous, beyond rim/tyre size: spec of tyres, inflation of tyres, condition of tyres, wheel alignment, suspension set-up, condition of steering and suspension components, etc. Get all of that right on 2 identical cars side by side, with identical tyres, and you may notice a slight difference in turn-in and body roll on a 20 vs 19, but you will also notice a difference in ride quality as well. Cheers

PS, timax, it sounds like you have some nice Alfa's in your garage - I also had a GTV6 a while ago - a lovely machine!

Have a look at the General Grabber GT. For road use I find them pretty good. I've got them on my 20" L322 and also on my wife's Freelander 2 on 18". They wear well, are nice and quiet, comfortable and look good.

I bought some cheap and cheeerfuls in 19s for my L322, while I waited for some 18” rims to come up for sale.

They are Winrun 111LR. They have been excellent, certainly better than my Cooper ATRs in 265/60/18. I paid under $600 for 4 fitted.

I would put them back on except I want to wear out the crap Coopers and buy something else in 18s.

Originally Posted by FisherX

Have a look at the General Grabber GT. For road use I find them pretty good. I've got them on my 20" L322 and also on my wife's Freelander 2 on 18". They wear well, are nice and quiet, comfortable and look good.

Can you give size and source of these 20" General grabbers as I can't find any listed in Aus.
Thanks

Originally Posted by Brisvegas

Thanks timax, yes that's a good review of the L322. While Harry has a point about tire sidewall size on a 20 inch being beneficial to handling vs a 19 inch** (note points below), I have found that the "modern rubber" he talks about being no different here in Australia right now for both sizes. His Scorpion Verde tyres are available in both sizes, as are most others I would consider for road-only use.

**I my experience, the factors that contribute to handling are numerous, beyond rim/tyre size: spec of tyres, inflation of tyres, condition of tyres, wheel alignment, suspension set-up, condition of steering and suspension components, etc. Get all of that right on 2 identical cars side by side, with identical tyres, and you may notice a slight difference in turn-in and body roll on a 20 vs 19, but you will also notice a difference in ride quality as well. Cheers

PS, timax, it sounds like you have some nice Alfa's in your garage - I also had a GTV6 a while ago - a lovely machine!

Stupidly sold the GTV6. The only car i regret selling. I did 250k in that car and it only let me down once.
Re the tires, good point that they are available in both sizes here. Im a lover of high sidewalls and run 235 80 16 on my Defender. Tall and skinny. Great offroad.
Im going to be selling that car soon and buying a 2012 L322 TDV8. 19s are the smallest wheel that will fit over the brakes. It will be a learning curve for me on sand as i usually run 16 PSI and touch wood have never been stuck with the Defender.

I find it a pity that Pirelli haven't proceeded with releasing the AT+ in 255/60R19 to match their Verde AS in the same size that has LI 113. The 31" L494/L405/L462 tyres fit in the L322's spare wheel recess whereas the 32" 275/55R20 with approximately the same sidewall height doesn't fit properly. The 31" sizes don't have any rubbing issues whereas 32" are marginal.