biggest tyre on series3

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Hello and sorry to raise this thread from the dead but I've just bought a series 3 109 and I'm having the same dilemma as MechanicalBlackdog. Would 8j wheels fit on a standard 109, and if so would the 265/85/16 then fit on those?

My 109 has small extended arches so I could go slightly wider than the arch.

Thanks
 
OatMilkMan said:
Hello and sorry to raise this thread from the dead but I've just bought a series 3 109 and I'm having the same dilemma as MechanicalBlackdog. Would 8j wheels fit on a standard 109, and if so would the 265/85/16 then fit on those?

My 109 has small extended arches so I could go slightly wider than the arch.

Thanks
Click to expand...
What wheels exactly? You need to know the offset. Also most Series have shorter wheel studs, not normally an issue but will prevent an alloy and a few steel wheels with a thick naive plate from being suitable. Longer wheel studs are available if you want to go down this route.

You also mean 265/75 there is no such tyre as a 265/85

These are fairly fat tyres. And will most likely fit fine, but depending on the offset it might cause them to stick out of the arches, which just for reference is illegal (Construction & Use Regs, not MoT). Wider tyres may also limit your turning circle too, which on a 109 is dreadful to begin with!

A 235/85R16 is about the same height (slightly taller in practice) over the 265/75 and less fat. It will also fit narrower rims if you so want. And was the standard tyre size on a Defender. Or you could consider a 7.50 x 16 which is again about the same height, but narrower. And would have been standard fitment on a Series.
 
I think it depnds on how much you are prepared to put up with. With no power steering and signficantly offset swivel pins wider wheels make it hard to drive, I would think 265s on 8j would be exhausting.
 
Thanks for your replies and yes you're right about the tyre size typo.

Actually I've learned a lot from you @300bhp/ton, I've seen your posts a few times and your answers are very helpful so thank you!
I think to save myself too much trouble I will go for 235/85R16 the only question then is, 16x7 seems to be the more commonly used modulars but has anyone used 16x8s such as the link below?

I'm keen to increase the width using the negative offset but with an offset of -35 it may be too much.

Is there a definitive wheel offset which would be in line with the wheel arch? If so I would go slightly further to go into the extended arches on mine?

https://4x4tyres.co.uk/product/16-x...HX_x-YKfHe6Dt82Y125pWK0439mOf8JhoCuVUQAvD_BwE

Thanks,

Scott
 
Wolf wheels fit a series really well but you are best to have a 2" lift. They are 6 1/2J with a 20mm offset and take the 235/85 16 really well. A lot of people run this combination inlcuding me. It gives a 32" wheel which is nice for cruising, tyres are easy to get (but costly) and they fit inside the arches and don't mess up the steering lock. Search e-bay, any number for sale or new copies from Paddocks. BUT!!! you need longer wheel studs as the Wolf wheels are thicker. OK on an S3 as the press out so it can be done in situe - I pressed mine out with a large ball joint splitter. If you get 6 1/5 J modulars you may be able to keep the std studs. If you plan do do much driving I wouldn't go above 6 1/2j unless it had power steering.
 
When I first got 235/85 16s I had them on std LWB 5 1/2J rims. At the time this was the smallest rim size allowable for the 235/85/16 but I noticed recently that they have upped the minimum to 6J. That's one reason why I changed to the Wolfs, but I did a few years with the 235s on the 5 1/2 rims with no problems. Compare different tyres, I run BFG ATs but I got a cheap 235/85 as a spare, its completely different shape, about 1" smaller dia.
 
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