C

chrisbramley

New Member
Hi all

I have an 05 freelander, and I love it - despite the shock of coming from a 340BHP Scoobie STI :)

I don't like the current tyres but like the 17 inch rims... leaving me in a tough spot. Long story short, I have a few options, but search everywhere here and on the net as I might, I can't find a specific yes or no, and LR themselves were ambiguous.

I want Michelin Cross Terrains as the best of all worlds - they are only available in 225/70/r17 however.

Can anyone verify yes or no that these will be ok on an unmodified freelander used for mild off roading? Ride/speedo/etc I can handle, I need to know:

- will the drive train be ok with this (all replaced at once)?
- will it knock or rub at all?

I KNOW 65 would be better, but 235/60 is roughly the same. LR said they recommend 65, but 70 should, might, maybe be ok on those rims. Very helpful. I need the experienced voice of people who have... well. Experience :D

Yes or no? :)

thanks!

Chris
 
Hi Chris,

The short quick answer is NO.

If you were to see the 2 sizes (225/55 17 and 225/70 17) standing side by side I doubt you would ask this question. They are 3.5cm bigger in diameter - also your speedo would read 60mph when in reality you'd be doing 66mph. Achtung Polizei!

Have a look here:
Visual Tyre Size Calculator | Kouki Tech

I'm running 235/55 17 which are in my opinion the biggest tyre you can fit safely without hitting the front strut bottom spring cup.

I have 7mm between the edge of the tread and the strut. Any less and on heavy braking or hard cornering there would likely be contact. :(

Run your hand behind the tyre and feel the gap - then imagine what it would be with a tyre approx 1.5" higher up. :(

I'm running Continental Conti4X4Contact which are great off-road - they are a 80% on-road and 20% off-road design. :D

Singvogel. :cool:
 
Thanks for the feedback - it's interesting seeing how many variations I am getting.

I have looked at a few comparisons, including charts - to my mind the current 225/55/r17s look small for the arches. As I said, the speedo thing isn't a worry for me - I use a gps unit anyway!

I measured across the arch and a 22570r17 is possible just about in those terms, but that strut does arch out over the wheel! Just one question though - the cup is fixed to the wheel assembly, so how would braking or cornering cause the tyre to hit the cup? Surely they are fixed in position and the shock/spring ABOVE this deals with variances? :s

I have heard the contis are good but I wanted more tread life - I have sourced the replacements for the cross terrains in the michelin latitude Tours (not the HPs) in 225/65/r17 which is perhaps a mm or so bigger than yours. That will give me more ride height at the least, and will be better all rounders than the GG UHPs I have currently.

A real shame about the strut as if you look at the FL2 the arch isn't TOO different and they really benefit from the bigger rolling circumference possibilities...

If anyone can prove 225/70/r17 on an unmodified FL in the near futurer I may nab the XTs. Otherwise, cheers for the pointers and I'll nab the Tours :D

C
 
I'm with SV on this and run 235/55/17 - perfick. Sourced on fleabay, part worns. Dunlop Winters front and Bridgestone Duellers on the back. My pref is to run mondo (tho prop on a present) and these tyres size gives the old girl good stability as a fwd or fwd with dragging arse!
 

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chrisbramley said:
Hi all

I have an 05 freelander, and I love it - despite the shock of coming from a 340BHP Scoobie STI :)

I don't like the current tyres but like the 17 inch rims... leaving me in a tough spot. Long story short, I have a few options, but search everywhere here and on the net as I might, I can't find a specific yes or no, and LR themselves were ambiguous.

I want Michelin Cross Terrains as the best of all worlds - they are only available in 225/70/r17 however.

Can anyone verify yes or no that these will be ok on an unmodified freelander used for mild off roading? Ride/speedo/etc I can handle, I need to know:

- will the drive train be ok with this (all replaced at once)?
- will it knock or rub at all?

I KNOW 65 would be better, but 235/60 is roughly the same. LR said they recommend 65, but 70 should, might, maybe be ok on those rims. Very helpful. I need the experienced voice of people who have... well. Experience :D

Yes or no? :)

thanks!

Chris
Click to expand...

Interesting that you have changed a powerful car for a Fleabag. I'm considering going the other way, having never owned anything considered 'fast'. Can I ask why, was it just for the change or family or running costs?
 
Thanks all... I bought 225 65 r17 michelin latitude tours after careful consideration and am extremely pleased. Look perfect, drive very well, leave enough play, and are great on basic offroad and on road so far. They make the car look much better too! Pic on request :)

I moved over for a few reasons... tired of the notice and harassment from the police, fuel costs, tyre costs, ease of damage, vandalism and breaking into, insurance... the last straw was being done for no insuranve after 17 yrs and a clean record because a DD failed and my insurers sent a letter I never got. It cost me 4k in all and they only checked me because I ws in a scooby... literally a day later I was called by debt collection and it would have been sorted! May not be my fault but I was liable.

Fast cars are fun but you cannot get as much out of them in the uk and I also rock xlimb so wanted something I could take anywhere. They also run at a premium. The police tried to do me for partial slicks and everything - not a peep in the freebie! Despite black tints and drl as I am sick of people who cant spot a big suv in the day :D
 
Also.. believe it or not, the freelander is the nicest most comfortable drive to date. I have owned a tuned subaru, a tuned toyota supra, a porsche and puma amongst others... the freelander is not fast but it beats them hands down on long journeys and general comfort if not opulence. the only real downside is lack of cruise control.
 
chrisbramley said:
Also.. believe it or not, the freelander is the nicest most comfortable drive to date. I have owned a tuned subaru, a tuned toyota supra, a porsche and puma amongst others... the freelander is not fast but it beats them hands down on long journeys and general comfort if not opulence. the only real downside is lack of cruise control.
Click to expand...

Very interesting comments there Chris. I agree with you.

Lots of folks don't understand why I choose my Freelander instead of my 528i for my long trips to the Balkans.

I prefer the Freelander as it doesn't attract attention - both from the Polizei and the criminals.

An auto-box HSE spec has very comfortable seats and cruise control.

Although I'm not going to say it's fast, even with a Synergy2a - It can easily break the legal speed limits in every country except Germany.

Singvogel. :cool:
 
chrisbramley said:
Thanks all... I bought 225 65 r17 michelin latitude tours after careful consideration and am extremely pleased. Look perfect, drive very well, leave enough play, and are great on basic offroad and on road so far. They make the car look much better too! Pic on request :)

I moved over for a few reasons... tired of the notice and harassment from the police, fuel costs, tyre costs, ease of damage, vandalism and breaking into, insurance... the last straw was being done for no insuranve after 17 yrs and a clean record because a DD failed and my insurers sent a letter I never got. It cost me 4k in all and they only checked me because I ws in a scooby... literally a day later I was called by debt collection and it would have been sorted! May not be my fault but I was liable.

Fast cars are fun but you cannot get as much out of them in the uk and I also rock xlimb so wanted something I could take anywhere. They also run at a premium. The police tried to do me for partial slicks and everything - not a peep in the freebie! Despite black tints and drl as I am sick of people who cant spot a big suv in the day :D
Click to expand...

Interesting. My latest craze is for a totally standard BMW 330 Coupe and I am early 50's so hopefully all a bit sober looking and Saga insurance. My ideal would be a bigger LR and a BMW Coupe but I cant justify two hobby cars. I agree the the Fleabag is comfortable enuf, but more comfortable than my pals Merc Coupe - not sure about that. It does compel you to drive within the legal limits by virtue of modest horsepower, which is no bad thing, I guess. Did you track day your Scoobie - heard this can be a hoot? A lot of folks love there Freelanders, without question - I'm not one of them, its just OK most of the time:)

Pics of yours with new boots would be good!
 
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Singvogel said:
Nice cars BMWs, DD3. :)

Perhaps one of these would suit you. Very low-key - not. :p

BMW art cars: the complete collection - bmwdrives.com

My circumstances are changing soon and I've been looking at an M-Sport.

SV.
Click to expand...

Yes, something like that, low key, blends well with crowd:)

Hmm. You can buy a very clean M3 for less than silly money but does it attract the wrong attention, thinks yes. Hate that we live in a world where our choices are influenced by the disregard of other peoples possessions by a rouge few and it becomes better to blend:(
 
DD3 said:
Yes, something like that, low key, blends well with crowd:)

Hmm. You can buy a very clean M3 for less than silly money but does it attract the wrong attention, thinks yes. Hate that we live in a world where our choices are influenced by the disregard of other peoples possessions by a rouge few and it becomes better to blend:(
Click to expand...

Yes - best to blend in and attract no unwanted attention.

BMWs and M-Benz give a most particular impression of the owner.

The police anticipate / expect you to break the traffic rules. On the M6 and A1M especially, I've had police cars sit away back behind me waiting to see if I'll speed up after roundabouts, junctions etc.

The jealous take a coin along the side. Had that - twice.

The snatchers assume that the car is full of goodies that they need more than you. I didn't claim other than for the window - so not to lose no-claims.

Only in Germany and Austria where both marques are used as taxis are they seen as just another vehicle.

As you say - it's sad - but that what it's come too.
 
Singvogel said:
Yes - best to blend in and attract no unwanted attention.

BMWs and M-Benz give a most particular impression of the owner.

The police anticipate / expect you to break the traffic rules. On the M6 and A1M especially, I've had police cars sit away back behind me waiting to see if I'll speed up after roundabouts, junctions etc.

The jealous take a coin along the side. Had that - twice.

The snatchers assume that the car is full of goodies that they need more than you. I didn't claim other than for the window - so not to lose no-claims.

Only in Germany and Austria where both marques are used as taxis are they seen as just another vehicle.

As you say - it's sad - but that what it's come too.
Click to expand...

Bit off putting isnt it - the 328/330 is quite sober, do you agree?
 
I need to make a call within the next month or so as Freelander needs some money spending for a clutch, cam belt and other stuff. Not bother to fix otherwise, as would PX rather than sell to an unsuspecting privateer!
 
Singvogel said:
Yes - I'm looking for build quality and advanced technology in the bits that aren't on show.

I'm looking at E90 320Ds.
Click to expand...

Very nice, doozal not my pref. I'm in E46 territory, E36 if went M but less likely as discussed re associated issues.
 
Ha. I had a 5 series beemer too :)

The landrover has the best mix I have ever had. It IS an auto HSE as it's better off road and the clutch issues are removed... but although it has the Cruise parts, they are not enabled. Local dealer said it would be £50, so I'll get it sorted out.

I never said it would be the best thing ever, but for ride height, firm/soft mix, seat comfort and longevity for a journey, it beats my other drives. It's also not stock as I had it eco tweaked, which ups the responsiveness massively for things like roundabout pullaways and gives loads more torque.

The tyres are fantastic. They are smoother riding than the general grabber uhps, higher riding, better gripping, better rolling resistance, apparently a lot longer lasting... and should give better mpg. Very very impressed.

I personally think 235 is too wide for both mpg and off road purposes. Most off roading requires thinner tyres for cutting to grip and the fatter the tyre the more resistance... I am pleased I got the right width! And still loads of room for suspension travel.

Check out how they fill the arches:

2013-03-07%2023.31.42.png
https://www.dropbox.com/s/582otg45oysxsin/2013-03-07 23.31.42.png

2013-03-07%2023.32.39.png
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hqpykpg5nixivfu/2013-03-07 23.32.39.png

The 55s always looked small. These look like they fit correctly. :)
 
chrisbramley said:
Ha. I had a 5 series beemer too :)

The landrover has the best mix I have ever had. It IS an auto HSE as it's better off road and the clutch issues are removed... but although it has the Cruise parts, they are not enabled. Local dealer said it would be £50, so I'll get it sorted out.

I never said it would be the best thing ever, but for ride height, firm/soft mix, seat comfort and longevity for a journey, it beats my other drives. It's also not stock as I had it eco tweaked, which ups the responsiveness massively for things like roundabout pullaways and gives loads more torque.

The tyres are fantastic. They are smoother riding than the general grabber uhps, higher riding, better gripping, better rolling resistance, apparently a lot longer lasting... and should give better mpg. Very very impressed.

I personally think 235 is too wide for both mpg and off road purposes. Most off roading requires thinner tyres for cutting to grip and the fatter the tyre the more resistance... I am pleased I got the right width! And still loads of room for suspension travel.

Check out how they fill the arches:

2013-03-07%2023.31.42.png
https://www.dropbox.com/s/582otg45oysxsin/2013-03-07 23.31.42.png

2013-03-07%2023.32.39.png
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hqpykpg5nixivfu/2013-03-07 23.32.39.png

The 55s always looked small. These look like they fit correctly. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris, but not convinced it compares to an an E90 or 46 (on the road). We have had our Freelanders for some time so we know the score with them and have had E36's in the family before and SV certainly knows his Beemers.:)
 
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Tyres look good in the pics. How much space do you have between the tyres and cups on the front?
 
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