Road tyres....read on

I'm expecting to get some abuse for this, as I know how tyre threads usually go. However, from what I can find most people want road tyres that are good off road, or the biggest tyres possible.

I'm going to go on a long drive over to Sweden shortly and need to replace my tyres. I've decided to go for ones that will be best for driving on road, as to use the landy in Winter I'll need suitable winter tyres.

So, to buy asap, ideally from blackcircles as they seem to be able to get them and fit them quickly, what sort of size/model of tyres would work well ON road?

There seems to be some people who've mentioned 205/70/R16 - are these too small?

235/70/R16 - http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/blackcircles-com/value-choice/235/70/R16/H/106/f?returnurl=/order/tyres?&width=235&profile=70&rim=R16&speed=Any&wintertyre=wintertyre&tyre=33435931 seem possible?

Any experience?

gse1986 said:

So, to buy asap, ideally from blackcircles as they seem to be able to get them and fit them quickly, what sort of size/model of tyres would work well ON road?

There seems to be some people who've mentioned 205/70/R16 - are these too small?

235/70/R16 - http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/blackcircles-com/value-choice/235/70/R16/H/106/f?returnurl=/order/tyres?&width=235&profile=70&rim=R16&speed=Any&wintertyre=wintertyre&tyre=33435931 seem possible?

Any experience?

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Size is relatively easy, anything that keeps the same rolling circumference. eg 205/80r16 and 235/70r16 are identical circumference, one is just 30mm wider. A narrower tyre will give marginally better fuel economy than an otherwise identical wider tyre. Harder compound tyres generally last longer and provide better fuel economy, softer tyres generally grip better. If going for new rims as well, big rims and skinny tyres tend to lead to a harsher ride, little rims and tall tyres tend to feel more wallowing and less confidence inspiring

On the site there are 3 categories for each tyre, fuel economy, grip, and noise. decide how important each of these are to you to help in a choice of tyre.

The pic on your link just shows a generic picture, but it shows a directional pattern that would ideally mean two spares, or a mismatched one.

On a purely personal note......
Pirelli Scorpions I used to find fantastic on road, and more than adequate off-road, my current heap was bought with Nexens on, and in comparison wet roads feel like driving on a soapy ice-rink. Jeep had directional road tyres on, continentals I think, and they were great on road, and survived many less arduous laning trips aroun the fens and the surrey downs.

Size will depend on engine, gearing and other things too. Small tyres are fine for pottering about and normally give zippy performance. But will also mean you can't cruise at higher speeds as well, as this will require higher engine rpm.

What vehicle are you referring too as well? The size you mentioned is an odd one.

In the past 20 years, most Land Rover Defenders are equipped with either 235/85R16 or 265/75R16. Both about the same height, but one is fatter than the other.

Base models may have come with 205's, likely a 205/80R16, which is smaller in height and width.

If you think you'll be doing winter driving on ice and snow, or even in the wet. Then get some proper winter rated tyres. They won't be the best on dry roads and won't be the sort of tyre to throw it through the bends at full tilt on, especially in the dry (it'll knacker the winter tyres). But winter tyres will pay dividends on ice or snow.

But you haven't really offered enough info on your Nordic trip. If you are going in the next few weeks or so, then chances are normal all season tyres will be up to the task.

I run General Grabber AT2's 235 x 85 x 16 I have no problem with them on the road or snow. When I changed to them from Coopers I was surprised how quiet they were and how much better they handled in the wet.

Have a look on ebay for Michelin Latitude cross, always new/used takeoffs on there in vehicle sets.

+1 for the Latitude cross - standard fitment and rated by Land Rover as good for on road. Available in 7.50 x 16, quite a narrow but fairly aggressive tread pattern, I find they roll well and are quiet. No problem with the easy off road stuff.

For on road long distance I use Michelin 750x16 commercial van tyres, and get a quiet run with good grip in the wet.

I'm running latitude cross 235/70R16 on my D1. it got stuck in the snow, and was recovered by SWMBO's D1 running Pirelli scorpions in 245/70R16.

BFG AT's for me next time! - can't imagine why

Disco1BFG said:

BFG AT's for me next time! - can't imagine why

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Totally your choice, but you may want to look at alternatives. Historically the BFG AT's are pretty nasty in the UK. Don't really suit any of our off road conditions (remember it's an American tyre, designed for the continental USA terrain). And any I've sampled have been somewhat horrid on the road, especially in the wet.

The newer pattern looks marginally better, and I admit I've not run those yet. But I remain unconvinced. There are probably a 100 tyres I'd opt for over the BFG AT's.

I have Pirelli Scorpion Verde's on my CX-5, so far have been impressed with them. They handle very well on the road and I took it up some very steep wet grass and didn't manage to lose traction at all even with the limited AWD system on my car. I know they are mostly road biased tyres but so far so good..

300bhp/ton said:

Totally your choice, but you may want to look at alternatives. Historically the BFG AT's are pretty nasty in the UK. Don't really suit any of our off road conditions (remember it's an American tyre, designed for the continental USA terrain). And any I've sampled have been somewhat horrid on the road, especially in the wet.

The newer pattern looks marginally better, and I admit I've not run those yet. But I remain unconvinced. There are probably a 100 tyres I'd opt for over the BFG AT's.

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Interesting, and thanks for the advise. When I get to the point of spending money on tyres ( have my eye on some wheels on evilbay ATM), I'll put a new thread up to avoid hijacking this one !! I'm not spending any money just yet

I've got a set of Cooper Zeon XS Sports arriving today apparently. I might have done a few miles on them by the time that you're ready.

Cheers for the pointers guys, i decided to go with the correct size ones - ended up being some Avon AT 235/85R16's.
When I compared the speed difference between what I have and what I should have, it ended up being 7 or 8% less, so I figured given the long journey I've got coming, that it was worth perhaps a little sacrifice on noise. I can't find the noise rating for my current tyres, so I've nothing to compare to.

Being fitted at work on Thursday - I'll report back once sorted.