tyre size

[wizard]

mrs wizards Freelander is in need of new boots later this year.
it currently has 195/70-15 on, is 205/70 -15 the biggest it can take without lifting it ?
I was thinking of BFG's A/T, anyone got any better suggestions.

wizard :twisted:

[pondy653]

Hi there
All I can say is don't look around just get 215/75 15 BFG AT's fitted.  They have transformed my 3 dr TD4.  I had Genral XP2000s fitted prior to the BFG's and I do 50 miles each way to work and managed to wear them out in under 9k miles (to my disgust).  
I was also recently using the M6 A14 route from the Mids to Norfolk seeing 3 figures on the speedo on a few occasions without any 'ear bleeding' road noise infact the wind noise was more of an issue.
So far the BFG's have lost .75mm of tread in 3500 miles which should equate to 58K before they become due for change.
I paid £376 inc vat fitted and Balanced.

So to recap just do it!!

Regards

Tony

See thread  http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=34127

[wizard]

sounds good to me.
Cheers
wizard :twisted:

[jimny33]

if you want slightly cheaper tyres I have General Grabber AT2s in 205/75 R15 tyres on mine  :D

[Doobreydog]

BFGs Vs Cooper STTs????

Im still undecided as to which I will go for next....B011cks to the noise (currently running on diamond backs) I need somthing to handle mainly rocky tracks so will be having a closer look at both.

[Steve ray]

BFG's are better. Not much difference in price between the two brands.

The Cooper STT mentioned are the MT version, not a patch on BFG MT's although you did say that you were after ATs, which should be a good choice for most requirements on a Freelander

[V8MoneyPit]

We fitted 215/75 BFG AT's at about the same time as Tony.... I think he waited to see how we found them If I remember correctly  :lol:

They are quiet on the road and handle all we need to throw at them (which includes some seriously sloppy mud around our land in the winter). They are slightly taller, but the speedo still reads just under what the sat nav suggests we are doing.

Ours is pictured in this thread (the black one.... well, the dirty grey one!):
http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=34127

[Discohugh]

Sorry to hijack,the wifes TD4 needs new tyres is it just 215/65/16 or can we go a touch bigger with no mods,she is mainly a tarmac landy.

[roscoe]

In my Freelander handbook, it says always put new tyres on the rear wheels, not the front?

Is this correct?

[V8MoneyPit]

There was something strange with earlier cars that wore out the rears in a strange way. They ended up making a knocking noise just like a dodgy CV joint. Replacing the rear tyres solved to problem.

[Steve ray]

The only advice I follow, is always make sure that you "pair" tyres on each axle.

[jimny33]

i believe if you put new ones on the front it can over gear the VCU and cause it to fail...

then again I bought my freelander from a 'proper' (read expensive!) dealership, and they put the tyres on the front of the car... :?

[harveyg77]

Right, the 15" rim came with 195r15, which is the same as 195/80r15. You can easily go upto 215/75r15 which will get you the BFG AT/MT. Alternatively 215r15 (215/80r15) is about the max without a lift or spacers. But BFG don't do this size, you'll have to go to a Colway or similar.

On a 16" rim 215/65r16 was the standard sizing. But 215/70r16 will get you the BFG AT/MT with absolutely no problems at all and virtually no noticeable differences. I used to run a 225/75r16 Goodyear MTR on my Camel, but this raised the gearing and coupled with the weight meant it struggled to top 65-70 up hill on a motorway. So lifted I would go for 205r16 (205/80r16) Colway AT/MT as I am going to do next time replacements are due.

Lastly, the 'British tyre federation' or whatever they are called always recommend noew tyres going to the rear. Cars are setup for safe handling as such a normal driver is pervcieved to handle a car better/easier if the front gives up first. Better grip onthe rear will ensure this happens. Yes I know that rear drives handle better etc. but most cars nowdays are fronts and this is what they say, not what i beleive necessarily.

Also on the Freelander there is a slight difference front to rear which keeps a 'little lock' on the VC so you get a small drive to the rear all the time. If you put new to the front and old to the rear you exagerate this difference too much. However, I've had a LR dealer actually put new Wraingers on the fornt because I had softer/better gripping Scorpion STs and it handled better that way - triggered by a scary moment coming over the Cat and Fiddle where the rear of the car kept trying to overtake the front ;-)

Cheers H