Thread: Puma Tyre Choice advice needed

A 235/85 is .85 x 235 = 199.75mm sidewall height
A 265/75 is .75 x 265 = 198.75mm sidewall height
Not that much different in diameters, only 2mm (1mm top and bottom)...Only just over 6mm additional circumference as well.

265/75 seems like a logical choice if you want to keep the diameter the same and only increase the width??

EDIT: Just remembered I had 265/75 on my 90 in the form of BFG A/Ts. They were actually really good wear/puncture and noise wise with a fair amount of grip. I have never been a fan of BFG (was a tyre fitter in a past life) but these came on the vehicle so I stuck with them. Would get them again if I couldn't afford Coopers :/

Had the same continentals on my 110 Puma for a few weeks and they throw rocks like a delinquent child.

Maxxis and BFG both make a 255 I think. But more of a mud terrain than an AT.

Having said that, read up on reviews of these patterns. The BFG in particular was getting good reviews, and I don't think noise was a problem.

The 265s "may" scrub slightly on the rear coil towers.

Regards
Max P

Alex,

Just got off the phone from a Cooper Tyre Rep. He says I can't fit any of the tyres Im talking about unless I buy wider rims. So I'm probably stonkered, cause I didnt want to go to the trouble of new rims. He says I can only go the original tyre size.

Oh yes - you are right about the continentals picking up and throwing stones.

Has onyone fitted wider tyres to original puma rims?

What width rims are you running now?
255/85-16's are fine on 7" rims. Coopers ST come in that size:
Cooper Tires - Tyres

Other brands are Maxxis Bighorns, and the BFG KM2, but both are MT (but not particularly agressive).

Steve

I have a td5 wagon with the original alloys fitted with 255/85 bighorns they have been good for both on and off road and only just brushed the rear coil mounts AFTER I modified the suspension.I have spoken to a few friends and their coopers where disappointing and others liked their BFG's muddies. When I first got my def it had 235 coopers that where chipped and handled poorly after I got the maxxis fitted it was a lot better.

Will need to check rims widths I'm running but I believe they are 7". I'll ring a couple of other dealers, as I think you guys are right when saying a larger tyre will go on the current standar alloy defender rims.

But to my point though, there dosnt seem to be a lot of choice if I want to keep the diameter

Originally Posted by browndogrider1

Alex,

Just got off the phone from a Cooper Tyre Rep. He says I can't fit any of the tyres Im talking about unless I buy wider rims. So I'm probably stonkered, cause I didnt want to go to the trouble of new rims. He says I can only go the original tyre size.

Oh yes - you are right about the continentals picking up and throwing stones.

Has onyone fitted wider tyres to original puma rims?

Yep, the 265s were on 7inch rims and had no problems, he is probably just being over cautious. Probably not "ideal" but given how high the sidewall is it is not so much of a problem. If they were 35 series tyres then it would be more of an issue.

Originally Posted by browndogrider1

Alex,

Just got off the phone from a Cooper Tyre Rep. He says I can't fit any of the tyres Im talking about unless I buy wider rims. So I'm probably stonkered, cause I didnt want to go to the trouble of new rims. He says I can only go the original tyre size.

Oh yes - you are right about the continentals picking up and throwing stones.

Has onyone fitted wider tyres to original puma rims?

I have bolded your problem. You couldn't pay me to run that brand of tyre. Doesn't surprise me their reps don't know what they are talking about.

FWIW, I have been running 255/85-16 Maxxis Bighorns (on 7" rims!) for the last ~80000 km. They are not an AT like you are after, but are great on road/sand, etc... After that many km they still have about 5 mm tread left.
The perform as well on road and sand as any AT I have used in the past.

I also have 285/75s on 7" rims on another vehicle. not recommended, but works well IME.