 | Home > Wheels & Tyres > Good Winter tyres to replace BFG muds |
 
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3346   
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Hi guys!
Another one of those which tyre is better threads, so I apologise in advance 
I have been running 255/85r16 BFG muds since mid April and I'm not really getting on with them. I want to swap back to my 265/75R16 GG At2's as I think they are much better for my own usage. So soon a set of 4 255/85/R16 BFG Km2's will be up for grabs 
I want to keep the wolf wheels as I quite like them, but what shall I wrap them with? I want a thinner tyre for winter roads- mainly due to me trying to get out to snowier climates for snowboarding more regularly. So, what would people recommend and in what size to fit on a standard wolf rim? I quite like my GG At2's but I'm not sure how they would look on my 110, especially if thinner - may look too small. What are your thoughts? Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter  |
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9th Jul 2015 9:06pm |
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| pj2106 Member Since: 20 Dec 2012 Location: Huntingdon AKA The Shire Posts: 1500 
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Why not go for a at bfg?
The at2 are a good tyre my friend runs the 235/85 I think you can get them as 275/75 which would look similar to your kids I might be interested in the middle of you do sell them let me know 2008 110 2.4 XS Utility (Hagrid) 2002 90 TD5 Hardtop (Sully) Sold 1998 300TDi D1 (Billy) Sold |
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9th Jul 2015 9:14pm |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6486 
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BFG AT have snowflake rating in some sizes, I think they are excellent on snowy roads, but if buying for solely winter use I wouldn't go for 265/75 like I have
  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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9th Jul 2015 9:36pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3346
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If I have thought of the BFG AT but don't have any experience of them.
There reputation proceeds themselves but I cant justify that sort of outlay for a set of winter tyres. I would like to see what the "next gen" BFG AT's are like but nobody seems to know when they will be available or for how much (or even what they are like) Once I have worked it out the km2's will be available on here thats for sure Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197
Self confessed mileage hunter |
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9th Jul 2015 9:47pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3346
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Yes I have definitely decided that thinner is better for winter use- and yes the snowflake symbol is a must
Would 235's be thin enough? Originally she would have had 7.50's fitted but other than Avon Rangemasters (worst tyres I have ever had) it is a bit limited on choice. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter |
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9th Jul 2015 9:51pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3346
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I have been looking at them very seriously and was going to swap my GG At2's with them at one point (then something else popped up and a few months later the KM2's came out so I went for them) Its annoying they are not available as 235/85/16 as they would probably be my 1st choice in that size. I wander where you can get them? Is it a legal thing why they cant be used here? otherwise I'm sure they could be shipped/collected. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter |
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9th Jul 2015 10:01pm |
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| L90Andy Member Since: 29 May 2014 Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon Posts: 716 
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I've spoken with Goodyear about 235 UK availability. Answer was lack of demand. I did point out that was the std LR size and they currently supply Wrangler MTR in that size as OEM fit, but didn't take any notice.
Although less than ideal, I've ordered a set of 265's so I'll see how they are and feedback - assuming we get a proper winter! |
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9th Jul 2015 10:06pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3346
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Thats really, really, really annoying
Let me know how you get on id be really interested to know, though its a bit elementary as 265's wont fit on wolf rims so they may have to go too. Do you know where they are available? Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter |
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9th Jul 2015 11:07pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816  
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If you do a search for Nokian Hakkapeliitta you get a gazillion threads.
Like this one below, winter tires in standard size 235/85R16 on the most northerly Defender.
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic34948....kapeliitta I have been running Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT in the winter since new or 6 winters past me now, just perfect. A collegue of mine has the new LT2 version superseding the LT, again as good as it gets in the winter. Matter of fact, JLR Switzerland, who must know something about winters I think, offer these Nokians in 235/85R16 on steel Wolfs as an official Defender winter accessory. A good winter tire is same price as a good summer tire, would not understand why they would be any cheaper. Eric PS - nice discussion to have in the middle of a heat wave.   You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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10th Jul 2015 5:27am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 7701
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235.85 bfg at get my vote I run them in that size on my 110, have worked well in snow. Also run 265.75 bfg ats on a 90. These are better for road handling but, as expected, not as good in mud, wet grass or snow as 235. Cheers
James 110 XS Utility 130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making) 90 Puma Hardtop |
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10th Jul 2015 8:05am |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 
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Coopers?
http://expeditionportal.com/cooper-discoverer-atw/ http://www.tyrepress.com/2014/09/most-prog...rer-range/ They highly rate the AT3 too. |
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10th Jul 2015 12:26pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3346
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Thanks for the info guys
Eric - I had looked at those on your truck actually with the black wolf rims and they do look quite good. how do they handle dry and rain though? In reality these tyres are probably going to see more Kent winter than proper winter so weeks of 0-15'c with rainy showers, sunny spells and occasional gusts of wind (to quote the BBC weather report  ) and I don't want to wear them out too quickly by using them in inappropriate conditions - similarly I don't want to spend out a lump of cash to then have them sitting at the tire hotel for most of the year. When do you go from summer to winter tyres?
And yes, thoughts of snow to keep me cool in this heat Workshop thermometer says 28'c so its cooled down a bit. Would rather be at the on the mountains though
Thanks for the input jst Sadly I'm not "off road" any where near as much as I used to be (in fact the KM2's which are coming off have not seen mud in my ownership (which feels like such a sad admission  ) so a more road bias tyre would be better for winter work. I am definitely sold on the thinner tyres for winter though. I have had some really challenging moments with 265's aquaplaning or doing silly things in the wet 
Thanks Cupboard, I will have a look through and see how they fair Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197
Self confessed mileage hunter |
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10th Jul 2015 12:55pm |
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| tatra805 Member Since: 16 Aug 2011 Location: Dolany Posts: 436  
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on coopers here (the winter tire not the AT) in 235/85, no comparison with any AT i used (snowflaked or not) not on deep snow and certainly not on compacted. Really impressed with them.
Preferred them above the hakapillata's new design as they are a more open profile helping offroad with clearing mud. I would even dare to say they are better than the BFG's AT's in mud. BFG AT still my best preferred summer tire all time but for real winter driving... no. Dedicated tires for me. |
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13th Jul 2015 10:50pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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Shaggy, winter tires are not only good in snow. But also in other wintry conditions, meaning in all colder weather conditions, including dry, and especially in rain or sleet. So here is my answer, the Nokians do very well in all those wintry conditions, and what is also a good point is that they are only marginally noisier on asphalt than my summer GG TR, and then on highway speeds that is. Would I go in the mud with them, yes, if necessary, but point is, I never go in mud anyway, not even onto salty roads.
Mine will go into their 7th winter as of mid October, will have an estimated 30/35.000 km done in the first 6 winters, and still have 80% thread left (there is a marking on them showing thread reduction). With some occasional tire shine, they also still look like new now. I also never had to rebalance them until now, so they must be aging quite evenly. The only thing that shows their age are very mininal hair cracks in the rubber in between the thread blocks. Surely good for another couple of winters.
Now, about the new generation of this tire, the LT2. Our friend kitoper on here has those same Wolf/LT2 combos from JLR Switzerland as winter tires on his more recent Hunter. In winter he will go in real serious winter weather up in the mountains, with very steep snowy slopes to take at times. And very happy with them all the same. By the way, we are going to hit 33°C here today, and creeping higher to 37°C by the end of the week. Do we really want to discuss this topic right now?
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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14th Jul 2015 5:21am |
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