Tyre Experts - Advice please

Hello.

I am restoring my 88” series 3 and need to choose tyres. I have the original style tubeless defender steels (not wolfs) which are 5.5” wide. There is a huge debate about 235/85r16 vs 7.50 and most people agree that 235 are too wide for 5.5 rims albeit without problems. I am naturally therefore leaning towards the 7.50 Michelin’s (XZL or latitude cross).

however! I just realised Cooper do 215/85r16s which are a very similar size and could be a good compromise between being wider than super skinny 7.50 but not dangerously oversized for a 5.5 rim.

Am surprised not more people have suggested this in the past. A few questions: would this work, is 215 okay for 5.5 rims (assume so if ppl do run 235) and has anyone tried it on a series? Would allow me to get the Cooper st maxx which is my favourite tyre.

tom

215's are a much smaller diameter than 7.50's by about an inch. I would also argue that a 7.50 is not super skinny. Remember on a an original swb 6.00 were an option and fairly standard. I run 7.50 xzl on my swb and would fully recommend them for a series vehicle.

its a landrover! ive had 600 x 16 to 265 x 75 x 16 0n steel 5.5 ,, 265s were crap in snow , 600 like pram tyres , ive 235 x 85 on the now , good for gearing etc

88s look cute on 6.00 tyres but they offer rubbish clearance under the diffs, 7.50 look good and offfer sensible clearance.
The smaller metric tyres just look wrong IMHO.

Avoid any fat/wide tyre at all as you will lose valuable steering lock.