Hippo · Sep 11, 2015

Why do a lot of new cars come with large alloys and rubber band tyres? Is it a style thing or are they trying to give a firmer ride/handling. My hippo is on 16 inch alloys but I see FL2's go up to 19 inch. I also see Evoque's on 20 inch alloys with tyres which visually don't look much different to FL2 size.

In my mind the smaller tyre wall would give a harder ride. Surely that's not what the average driver would want?

saxavordian · Sep 11, 2015

I think with all the modern suspension system that are very expensive added with inbuilt computer reading within. The issue is with tyre wear now paramount as the footprint increase to compensate. My neighbour who drives Merc also complains about the shallow walls while continually pumping up a tyre because the sensor says inflation to low.

hd3 · Sep 11, 2015

'tis all about on road handling .. steering response .. faster cornering .. etc etc

Tigger Eeyore & Roo · Sep 11, 2015

The most important reason for having larger wheels is to be able to fit bigger brakes, but most wheels are now much larger than the brakes within them. They also have a place in conjunction with a dedicated performance car that has the suspension and handling, whilst driven on a perfect road surface, to properly exploit their faster steering responses.

Fitting them to a Land Rover makes about as much sense as wearing Motorsport racing shoes to walk through marshland. You'll get the low profile harsh ride, the fear of potholes and kerb stones, the sacrifice of off road capability, the high cost and the mismatch with the rest of the suspension settings BUT not have a car that can exploit any of their advantages.

Their association with performance cars does, however, does seem to leave them in great demand.

Unfortunately, my current FL2 has 19" rims (and I wish it didn't, especially after my previous FL2's had 17 and 18" rims) and the new D4 will be lumbered with 20's, when 19's would still clear the brakes, save £50 each come tyre change and better suit the handling and intended purpose of the car.

Hippo · Sep 11, 2015

Would a FL2 with 19 inch wheels be ok on 17 inch if they were propper LR FL2 wheels?

td4van · Sep 11, 2015

Yes as the rolling radius of the tyres are the same between the two sizes (assuming standard size tyres on both rim sizes)

teddywood1 · Sep 11, 2015

I refuse to get into my son in laws friends car as there are hardly an tyres on there and the ride is so hard with lowered suspension and my bad back they just do not mix.

davidsmith1307 · Sep 11, 2015

Sold my BMW M-Sport due to large rims and the A1079. Made my teeth ache.

doriz · Sep 11, 2015

Gotta admit the speed bumps on way to work disagree with my S3, kinda spoiling the commute.

Mallett13 · Sep 11, 2015

Old mini bone crushing with low profiles

Alibro · Sep 11, 2015

Bigger wheels = bigger C**k

.....Probably

Mallett13 · Sep 11, 2015

Lol wishful thinking

bukko · Sep 11, 2015

My Sport is painful enough with those trimmed springs.
I need as much rubber as I can get!

...erm...

waldershelf · Sep 11, 2015

Alibro said:
Bigger wheels = bigger C**k

.....Probably

Not

Tigger Eeyore & Roo · Sep 12, 2015

Hippo said:
Would a FL2 with 19 inch wheels be ok on 17 inch if they were propper LR FL2 wheels?

Yes. The suspension and brakes don't vary between FL2, so the wheels can be swapped freely. The 17" wheels work so much better than the 19's.

PS: if you are going for the FL2, I shall be putting perfect condition Mantec sump and tank guards, along with a removeable Whitter tow bar in the For Sale section in the next week or two....

davidsmith1307 · Sep 12, 2015

Alibro said:
Bigger wheels = bigger C**k

.....Probably

Yes, if you have big wheels then you are an enormous c0ck.

Bobsticle · Sep 12, 2015

Had a Modeo Titanium X for a few years with low profile tyres and sports suspension. Never again. Went through lots of tyres and the ride was orible. 3 inches is enough for any woman but most dont like it that thick

Hippo · Sep 13, 2015

Tigger Eeyore & Roo said:
Yes. The suspension and brakes don't vary between FL2, so the wheels can be swapped freely. The 17" wheels work so much better than the 19's.

PS: if you are going for the FL2, I shall be putting perfect condition Mantec sump and tank guards, along with a removeable Whitter tow bar in the For Sale section in the next week or two....

Does the man tec or LR stronger guard actually cover under the engine? Pic's I see on the web show them as only providing front protection. Why do peeps talk about tank guards a lot? Is the tank too low perhaps.

Tigger Eeyore & Roo · Sep 13, 2015

Hippo said:
Does the man tec or LR stronger guard actually cover under the engine? Pic's I see on the web show them as only providing front protection. Why do peeps talk about tank guards a lot? Is the tank too low perhaps.

Despite what is often written, the FL2 has perfectly respectable off road ground clearance, but there are two Achilles heels:

1. Whilst the engine has an reasonable metal sump guard fitted as standard, it does not extend anywhere near forward enough. Should you hit a firm obstruction, it will hit the bottom of the radiators and the bottom hoses and crush them against the transverse chassis rail, before even reaching the metal bash plate. What the Mantec guard does is not only fully protect all of this but, because it's very tough and at an angle, it means that the car is forced to ride up over the obstacle and deliver the obstacle to the standard metal plate in a way that it can easily deal with it. There is no need to extend the Mantec plate over the (otherwise adequate) standard steel guard, which is why it appears to be "only providing front protection". All LRE cars are fitted with one. I gave one a very serious bash when I was out on a course, which is why I subsequently fitted one to mine!

2. The fuel tank is plastic and (stupidly) is nearly square at the edges and sits about three inches proud of the otherwise flat floor plan!! It is crazily vulnerable to grounding and being torn or fractured. The Mantec guard is very tough and is angled at both the leading and trailing edges, allowing the car to harmlessly rise and fall over hard obstacles.

If you do buy a front bash plate, be sure to get the right one; the mounting points changed with the 2011 "chrome arse" facelift. Mine is post facelift. The fuel tank ones are the same for every model year.

Nodge68 · Sep 13, 2015

Hippo said:
Why do a lot of new cars come with large alloys and rubber band tyres?

My D3 has 255/60/18 tyres. These give a good compromise between ride comfort, agility and off road ability. Tyres with thin side walls are not good off road, particularly where there are rocks. It's far to easy for the side walls to be pinched.
No all manufacturers fit low profile tyres. My wife's Astra GTC has 235/55/18 tyres which are huge for mid sized, 2 door hatchback.

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