Thread: All terrain tyres for 18" rims

That size would have given you about 1” lift. You would have about the same clearance as stock Prado I think.

Originally Posted by rar110

That size would have given you about 1” lift. You would have about the same clearance as stock Prado I think.

Nah, only 5.5mm. And the trouble with comparing clearance is that vehicles like the Prado have one point that is the lowest - usually the rear diff, but significantly higher clearance everywhere else. The DS has everything at about the same height so many more points to hit

Standard tyres are 235/65 R17, so not much difference going to 245/65 R17.

Originally Posted by BobD

Standard tyres are 235/65 R17, so not much difference going to 245/65 R17.

Well, it depends what your starting point is and what your objectives are.

My 'standard' tyres were 235/60R18, and my main objective was to get the largest sidewall height possible on a DS so I could run safely at low pressures off road. I wanted to do this without increasing the overall diameter which compromises speedo/odo readings and can result in clearance problems, or increasing tread width which introduces more drag and scrubbing issues.

So, by going to 245/65R17 I gained 13% greater sidewall height, but at a cost of only 1.5% increase in diameter which is well within normal tolerances anyway. For those starting with 19" or 20" wheels the increase in sidewall height will be even greater. I also increased the overall width slightly from 235 to 245 to compensate for the fact that A/T tyres have a bulging sidewall so actual tread width is less than a similarly sized road tyre which has a squarer profile, so I end up with the same size contact patch as before.

Mamil, sorry, mate. I wasn't commenting on you getting that size. I was just clarifying to rar110 why there was only a small difference in ground clearance as you posted. As I said, the standard size for 17 inch wheels which came with my DS for the same reasons as you mentioned is 235/65 R17.

I agree with your choice of size and will probably do the same when my tyres wear out, even though I don't take it off road in any serious way. I didn't intend to question that choice.

In my case, I have two other cars that go off road before the DS as you can see in my signature. I took the DS on one little drive over a pile of gravel that the D4, Patrol, D1 and various cruisers go over without any problem and the DS bellied out at the top, so any increase in ground clearance is good and necessary if you use it off road.

Originally Posted by BobD

Mamil, sorry, mate. I wasn't commenting on you getting that size. I was just clarifying to rar110 why there was only a small difference in ground clearance as you posted. As I said, the standard size for 17 inch wheels which came with my DS for the same reasons as you mentioned is 235/65 R17.

I agree with your choice of size and will probably do the same when my tyres wear out, even though I don't take it off road in any serious way. I didn't intend to question that choice.

In my case, I have two other cars that go off road before the DS as you can see in my signature. I took the DS on one little drive over a pile of gravel that the D4, Patrol, D1 and various cruisers go over without any problem and the DS bellied out at the top, so any increase in ground clearance is good and necessary if you use it off road.

Ah ok, no problem. You made a good choice going for 17" rims from the start. I got the car with 18" rims and subsequently added some 17" for off road adventures. I still run on the 18" with road tyres most of the time, and swap over to the 17" with A/T tyres only when needed. If I was starting over again I'd probably want a wider difference in sizes, so either 19" or 20" for that 'sports' feeling on road, and 17" for off road.

Yes I've scraped my belly a few times, but am hesitating going for a spring lift as you're stuck with the compromises in road handling that gives you. If only LR offered adjustable height air suspension on the DS...

I'm in Brisbane.
Can anyone suggest some wreckers near to Brisbane who might have a set of 17" rims from either a DS or an Evoque?

Thanks

Doug

Originally Posted by Brisso57

I'm in Brisbane.
Can anyone suggest some wreckers near to Brisbane who might have a set of 17" rims from either a DS or an Evoque?

Thanks

Doug

Jump on to gumtree Doug - usually something there.