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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
jst wrote:
i think 99% of the people who do my driving days would beg to differ on that front. 255.85 is a good compromise in side wall height vs width footprint and has proved its worth many a time off roading the added height over a 31" being a great advantage!


Despite my comments about diameter I do actually agree and have run 255/85 KM2s for years. I don't really understand how a theoretical 17mm makes so much difference, and I suspect the actual dimensions differ from the nominal.

I am currently in a quandary though because I need a new set before winter, and I am torn between 255/85 KM3s and 235/85 KO2s. The KOs seem to be considered better on wet or icy tarmac and compacted snow, are small enough for tyre chains (and are not available in a 255/85 size). The KM3s are better in mud off road, and in powder snow, but are I think too big to allow chains without body damage.

Generally reviewers seem to rate the KM3s as far better in ice and compact snow than the KM2s, so that is the way I am drifting. Opinions welcome!

Decisions, decisions.....
Post #793934 19th Sep 2019 9:49am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3996

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
It’s a real shame there isn’t greater choice of tyre in 255/85. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #793936 19th Sep 2019 9:55am
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BogMonster



Member Since: 05 Feb 2008
Location: Stanley
Posts: 389

Falkland Islands 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
shropshiredefender wrote:
Old Land Rover wisdom states that narrower tyres cut through mud and find grip. Wider tyres float over mud.
So 600/16 Whistle


That's going back a few years Rolling with laughter Thumbs Up ---
2006 Defender 110 SW 300Tdi • 2011 Ford Ranger XLT crewcab • 2015 Defender 110 Station Wagon Utility TDCi
Post #793942 19th Sep 2019 10:45am
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windy81



Member Since: 14 Mar 2018
Location: North Wales
Posts: 311

Wales 1992 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Firenze Red
235/85 R16 are more readily available, which is why I prefer them over the 255's so if you destroy a tyre in the middle of no mans land, you've more chance of getting hold of one.
Post #793949 19th Sep 2019 11:26am
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1185

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
In the grand scheme of things the difference between 235/85, 255/85 and 265/75 are likely to make naff all difference. You're talking just over an inch difference in width and about 3/4" difference in ground clearance.

Realistically the tyre pressure and tread depth will make as much of a difference as the actual tyre size. The biggest impact it's likely to have is on turning circle depending on your wheel offset. For example a couple of weekends ago I was laning with some friends and my 110 has a better turning circle on the Zu alloys with 265/75R16s than most of the 90s.

One thing to consider - which is why I'm unlikely to change away from 265s is that if you change tyre size it's not as convenient keeping the old ones as spares. I've got the best KM2 on the back door as a spare but there's also another three tyres in the barn which could be used as spares if need-be.

[edit]
I should have added that 3/4" is theoretical and in the real world you're likely to experience even less because the weight of the vehicle will obviously compress the bottom half of the tyre more.

So in the grand scheme taking a subtly different line will make much more of a difference. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #793954 19th Sep 2019 11:36am
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AJC



Member Since: 30 Nov 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1329

United Kingdom 
Post #793966 19th Sep 2019 12:16pm
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7873

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
^^^

Toyo's are cheaper at www.tyresdirectuk.co.uk Whistle James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #794016 19th Sep 2019 6:15pm
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mobilesawmiller



Member Since: 03 Mar 2013
Location: Co,Tyrone
Posts: 100

United Kingdom 
I have run 255 85 16" BF Goodrich Mud Terrain for a couple of years now. Latest are the second generation ones which have great grip off road and reasonable manners on road. On the Tdci Defender I find they slightly up the gearing - at an indicated 60 mph I would actually be doing about 65 - 66. On 16 x 7 black modular they fill the wheel arches well without the need for wheel spacers of which I'm not a big fan.

Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge
Post #794469 22nd Sep 2019 11:50am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7682

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
I'll say it again as i think it's an important point that is lost here.

In reality a 255.85 is far superior for clearance off road than a 235.85 or 265.85. Over the last 15 years of running driving days the evidence for this is over whelmingly high. There were several examples again today of 265.75 km2 not making it where a 255.85 km2 did on like for like performance. Both on 90s.

If you just want an mt looking tyre to fill the arches and look right the practical application of them may not hold that much weight. In which case consider 285.75.

Bw, I run 235.85 ko2s in winter and take the vehicle with them on over the one with 255.85s km2s when there is snow,ice on the ground, compacted or not. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #794542 22nd Sep 2019 8:08pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3996

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
How much does the taller tyre raise the gearing? Is it noticeable. I really like the slow first gear crawl in low range on standard tyres and wouldn't want to spoil it. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #794576 22nd Sep 2019 8:55pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19535

United Kingdom 
It's a lot better, brings speedo to about bang on accuracy.
I've checked against GPS, and with 235 if the Speedo said 30 the GPS would say 27 - 28mph.

With 255 if the speedo said 29 - 30 the gps would be about 30 - 31.

I would say it's closer accuracy, the gearing is great and is especially good at higher speeds.
After all you have low range too.

I have also had great success with Dynabeads too, as has Blackwolf. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
Post #794580 22nd Sep 2019 9:08pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
jst wrote:
...
Bw, I run 235.85 ko2s in winter and take the vehicle with them on over the one with 255.85s km2s when there is snow,ice on the ground, compacted or not.


Thank you, your last para (quoted) actually sums up where I have come to in my reasoning, 235/85 ko2 for winter, 255/85 km2 or 3 at all other times.

Have you any experience of the KM3 yet? The grown up reviewers seem to rate it highly, better on tarmac, snow and ice than the 2 by a considerable margin, which might make it an acceptable all-year tyre.

The only downside of the 255/85 KMs in my view is that they are just too large to run tyre chains without suspension mods.
Post #794588 22nd Sep 2019 9:36pm
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Grouse



Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: on the hill
Posts: 512

Height :- 255/85 v 265/75

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Post #794610 22nd Sep 2019 10:35pm
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1185

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
I'd like to see that last picture with some weight on the 255/85 tyre.

Funnily enough everyone always posts size comparisons either with no weight on them with the smaller tyre (because usually they're upgrading). Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #794641 23rd Sep 2019 9:28am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7682

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i use the 255.85 purely on a practical application for the clearance and currently run 90/110s fitted with

285.75KO2
255.85s KM2
265.75 KO2
235.85KO2
235.85Contis
265.45.20s Grabber

so its not an 'upgrade pic' just for the sake of it for my usage, but i follow your logic.

BW - sorry i dont have any KM3s yet but have heard similar - plus quieter on road. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #794664 23rd Sep 2019 12:46pm
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