By c_m_sharpe on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 12:06 am: Edit

Sorry for yet another newbie question about tire selection:
I have a stock 97 disco and desperately need to replace the tires. (currently, they have the oem michelins 235/70/16 with @60k miles on them)

Sadly mostly city driving in the sf bay area. About 5-10 trips to the mountains for skiing a year and maybe 2 decent off road adventures (the michelins usualy slipped more than I cared). This is my primary vehicle.

What should I buy? Local tire shop that appears to do alot of business with rovers suggests getting the the new michelins in 255/65/16 vs oem size. Many on your boards seem to be pushing bfg or goodyear all terrains or mt.

I welcome everyones advice (size and brand). Thx.

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 12:29 am: Edit

If only 5-10 trips off-road per year, look for AT such as Pirelli Scorpion AT, size... 235/70 keep it stock

By Steve (Steve2) on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 12:24 pm: Edit

pirelli scorpions AT
yokohama geolander at+II's
bridgstone dueler AT

there are a few sizes you can play with that are the same at stock.

225-75
235-70
245-70
245-75 (trimming)
215-85 (trimming)

all depends on what you want - i'd also change out shocks (ome firms or bilsteins) if they are stock - and perhaps a fresh set of factory springs if orig as well.

personally i went with a lift and 235-85s in MT as if you are going to do it - go all the way. and this is my only car.

michelins make very nice tires-(the new crossterrains) i would NOT do 255-65 as all they would do is eat into your mpg - though it might make it corner better - but you'd have to fix your suspension 1st.

chewbaka and sasquach makin friends....

By Dave B on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 02:05 pm: Edit

Looks like I am in the same boat on tires... I'm also in the SF Bay Area. I have the oem Michelin XPC's on my '98 series I Discovery. The tires need replacing soon, I got 45k miles out of them.
I kind of want to keep the stock tire size. My vehicle is still stock, although I want to change out the shocks (and springs?) soon.
I've narrowed the 235/70R16 tire size options down to:
BF Goodrich T/A KO - looks good, but might run noisy on the hwy.
Bridgestone Dueler AT - doesn't look agressive enough and have a friend that hated them on his range rover.
Yokahama Geolander A/T+II - They look really nice, but haven't heard much about them.

I do several off road trips a year and head up to Tahoe for few ski trips... I want a tire that does well off road, but then again I also want a tire that behaves well on the highway. Face it, as a primary vehicle 90% of the time is spent on road.
What a dellema... Any comments or opinons for the experts out here?
Thanks.

By Ron on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 02:08 pm: Edit

How about the dunlop RVs (not RTs) they come in stock size and are cheap. If you wait a while many more 235 70 R16 will be out as it is the stock size on the jeep liberty

Ron

By TCarr on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 02:31 pm: Edit

Steve
How would the 255 65 16's eat into your mpg? It's almost exactly the same diameter.

Tiny, tiny bit larger (0.034 per cent) so, not noticable.

By Roverine on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 02:44 pm: Edit

Everyone here knows, (ad nauseum) I'm a die hard BFG fan. I run the AT KO's (255 70 R16). Seems to be a good "little bit of everything I need", (for ME). I'm in the So Cal area. BFG's have just always worked well for me; Good side walls, they wear better, and stick to the road nicely in wet & snowy weather. (I have completely ruined practically new similar Yokies & Goodyears while offroad - does this tell anyone anything about my driving, lol?? ...)

Kim

By Steve (Steve2) on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 02:48 pm: Edit

tcarr

the 255-65s are wider and therefore larger foot print - ergo greater rolling resistance.... and they also decrease your turning radius and might look a tad 'puffy' on 7" wide rims

note this is for d1 only -

By c_m_sharpe on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 04:59 pm: Edit

I think I'm sold on the eventual goal (in 1 year) of buying the shocks and springs, doing some trimming and getting the 235-85. But as I am short on funds, I'm just looking for an intermin solution. So, I couldnt care how long they last. It seems like the 235-70 scorpion at's might be the best bet. Sadly its mostly highway driving, but I would like them to be more aggresive than the stock mich's.
Pls comment if I'm off base. (it happens frequently!)

Thanks for everyones help!