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treps



Member Since: 07 Jul 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 244

Winter wheels and tires advice please
I would like to get a set of wheels and tires for the winter. Main purpose is to: a) drive in the Pyrenees mostly road with the odd steep uncleared trail, and b) satisfy French authorities when driving up to the Cols.
Rather than changing tires I plan on getting new rims too. This is to go on a 110 Adventure. It now has standard Wranglers LT 235/85/R16.
Surfing I came across these: https://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/16-x-7-oem-styl...0-%202016)

What do the collective think? Other options? What tires to put on them?
There is much great advice on this forum but I confess to struggling to get a view on the above. Many thanks
Post #592769 13th Jan 2017 12:45pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Wheels and tyres are very subjective which is why there is a whole section of the forum dedicated to this debate Laughing

If it was me I would use a cheep pair of steels or some wolfs as you wont be too worried about damaging them or the finish in the salt and grit and if you slide into something rocks!

That said, those wheels will be fine and will look very good on your adventure (most likely)

The general consensus is that Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2 are the best winter tyres which can be bought from Nordic Tyres in the UK.

But as always, all of the above is highly subjective and many may disagree but if I was looking for winter tyres I would go with some black wolfs and Nokian's

Hope that helps Thumbs Up Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #592772 13th Jan 2017 12:58pm
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treps



Member Since: 07 Jul 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 244

...
I should add that I get conflicting advice on the Wranglers MT/R capability in snow. A friend thought they were so bad that he binned them and replaced them for full blown snow tires whilst another thought they were OK.
Any experience appreciated. It would also be a lot cheaper... Many thanks
Post #592773 13th Jan 2017 12:58pm
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Shaggy's above comments are right on the mark. I run those black Wolfs with Nokians for the 8th winter now. Matter of fact here in Switzerland JLR offered those black Wolf HD/Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT, later superseded by the LT2, as a official Defender accessory. This is also what is generally used in Nordic countries.
Those Wolfs will look good on your Adventure too, just like imo they look good on the SVX. Thumbs Up
If you are not convinced yet, do a search on here for "Wolf Nokian" and you will have enough opinionated literature to fill your weekend. Laughing
Eric


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Post #592777 13th Jan 2017 1:22pm
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nick345345



Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Dunbar
Posts: 71

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Baltic Blue
Another vote for the nokians from me. I've got mine on Mach 5 alloys.
Post #592780 13th Jan 2017 1:30pm
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treps



Member Since: 07 Jul 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 244

Wranglers MT/Rs on snow?
Thanks all for the replies. A very clear winner.
Does anyone have experience with the Wranglers MT/Rs on snow? Thanks again
Post #592812 13th Jan 2017 2:38pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6460

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
I've been very impressed with the BFG AT KO2 on snow, and they are snowflake rated.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #592816 13th Jan 2017 2:42pm
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xcentric



Member Since: 17 Jan 2016
Location: Midlands
Posts: 247

There's 2 things about tyres that are critical: material, and tread.

Winter tyres are made of a different mix of silica and rubber and so the compound is much softer in the cold temperatures, which gives it much better adhesion. Tread impacts this - chunky tyres bite through mud and snow and can clear it from their treads, giving traction - but on roads in the wet, they have less surface area in contact and the blocky treads squirm under transverse loads.

The Goodyears are not winter tyres, as far as I can see, so won't be as good in the cold weather on the roads. On deep snow, then cutting through it is important and so they should be fine, but on ice they'd likely be poor.

The nokians, or any other winter tyre, would in general be much better in the winter on road than a summer tyre.

However, there is a third thing about tyres: aesthetics - and whilst practically it's the least important, it's the reason many people buy a specific tyre. Really though, it should be the last consideration.
Post #592818 13th Jan 2017 2:47pm
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treps



Member Since: 07 Jul 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 244

Wolf HD / Nokian it is then
Thanks for the replies. It looks as if Wolf HD & Nokian combo is the answer.
Perfect weather today to surf for a deal on the above... Thanks again
Post #593233 15th Jan 2017 2:48pm
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Post #593237 15th Jan 2017 3:02pm
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ak34



Member Since: 23 Apr 2015
Location: Riga
Posts: 15

Latvia 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Aintree Green
Winter Nokians are excellent choice. They are good on normal winter roads. Much better than A/T or M/T tires. But might not be the best tires on soft roads or off-road when it gets warm. On defender I use studded Geolandars M/T. They are M+S tire which makes them legal for winter use here, are excellent in deep snow, mud etc. Good on ice.
Post #597044 28th Jan 2017 6:36pm
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Riverboy



Member Since: 16 May 2016
Location: French sector, Earth
Posts: 1288

2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Corris Grey
Martin wrote:
I've been very impressed with the BFG AT KO2 on snow, and they are snowflake rated.


Me too. Drove in heavy snow the other day and it felt as solid as a rock Thumbs Up Bowler 18" with BFG AT K02s.
Post #597056 28th Jan 2017 7:00pm
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xtr2turbo



Member Since: 30 Apr 2016
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 71

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
question, when you fit steels do you also need different nuts or will alloy wheel nuts be OK?
Post #597063 28th Jan 2017 7:13pm
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williamthedog



Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Tamar Blue
You need different nuts Whistle
Post #597088 28th Jan 2017 8:17pm
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treps



Member Since: 07 Jul 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 244

I thought I would report back. Thank you all for the advice. I ended up with wolf black steel wheels and Nokian Hakkapelitta LT2 as advised here. This is an excellent setup. Two weeks in the Pyrenees at 1200 to 2200 metres with good snow and icy roads was absolutely fine. The drive down on mostly motorway was also fine, probably even smoother than the originals.
We are back down in February and I look forward to more playing in the snow...

I used AJS Tyres in Lower Kingswood. Excellent service by Andy and the whole team there.

Again, thank you all for the advice.
Post #677989 12th Jan 2018 7:31pm
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