Seeking comments about tyres and wheels.

I live in the Berkshire/Hampshire countryside, and here pot holes are more like sink holes. Also, I take a shortcut road, to my daughter's school, that crosses our fields.

The road across the fields become clogged when it rains and, while I somehow manage to climb with our All4 Mini Countryman (on Michelin Crossclimate2), my wife can't, and takes the long way back. So, it's pretty slippery and muddy.

Also, we already destroyed 3 wheels in 2 years, in pot holes that County refuses to accept negligence for, as B roads require only a once a year inspection ... last pot hole measured 21cm deep, and they are always filled with water, so difficult to spot!

Anyway, I was very much considering swapping the 20" in favour of 19" with specific mud & snow tyres, to protect our next Range Rover's wheels, but a seller who had Pirelli Scorpions on his 20", suggested that, not only are more than capable of going uphill where a Countryman struggles, but will not get damaged in pot holes, as he claims that he fell in many and never had problems.

Please comment and advise.

I have 20s on my RR and I’ve not broken a wheel in a pothole, but I am careful going up kerbs and parking as there isn’t that much tyre to take the bang.

I had 19s on my TD6 and they were better over bumps and going up kerbs. You may also find that tyres are cheaper and there is more tyre choice if you want an off road tyre.

Wheels are cheap enough if you buy a car and want to fit different ones on.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

It seems that you should be looking for a vehicle that has the rear e-diff, then fit a tyre like the Duratrac to whichever size rims that it has, assuming they are either 19" or 20". If 20" then fit 255/55 rather than 255/50 and if 19" then maybe also consider 255/60 GG AT3, although the ride with these is harsher than usual.

Thank you @mjdronfield and @GraemeS

Is the RR homologated for both tyres 255/55 and 255/50 ?

255/55 are not factory standard. 255/50 are the normal tyre size for 20 inch wheels. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Can one use non std tyres in Great Britain? Will the insurance pay in case of accident?

I’m running General Grabber AT3’s 255/55/20. Told my insurance company and it doesn’t make any difference.

UK insurance companies are only interested in non OE wheel sizes but not non OE tyre sizes. The wisdom of this is obviously questionable…… 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I was only contemplating this recently and you're feedback would be great. my new to me RR came with new tyres. They are not a brand I would have picked as the road noise is pretty bad. That said its a thousand euro I don't have to spend right now. That said, when I go to change I will probably go for Pirelli Scorpion. I'm currently on 255/50/20, Ive seen a bit about the 50 vs 55's but has anyone run both? Have you noticed a difference with comfort?

I was always under the impression that a RR would be like driving a cloud but mine is hard enough to the road compared to the disco. Just curious if the tyre size or brand makes a difference to comfort? Current yokes
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster
2006 Disco 3
Scoobie GT wagon
Mx5 G Ltd
TT S Line
Pajero JDM Exceed

Having run both sizes on several L322’s (all Pirelli’s) I’d say you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference - adjusting the tyre pressures to suit your preference is more noticeable though.

I’m currently using 255/55/20 Pirelli Verde at 34psi all round which I find comfortable / soaks up potholes ok. Jonathan

2007 Defender 90 XS Hardtop

Last edited by JCW on 21st Jan 2024 12:12pm. Edited 1 time in total

Fla wrote:

I was always under the impression that a RR would be like driving a cloud but mine is hard enough to the road compared to the disco. Just curious if the tyre size or brand makes a difference to comfort?

My 2004 322 had 255/55R19 Pirelli scorpion zero, these worked fine as a road tyre, good balance between handling, braking, comfort, noise, fuel use. Poor on slippery surfaces off road, especially if towing.

My winter tyre on that car was Goodyear MT/R 255/55R19, no longer available, then Goodyear Duratrac 255/55R19, much better off road and in wintry conditions, is the LR homologated off road tyre for 322, but poorer handling, braking (especially in wet) noise and fuel use, and lower speed rating (I think 110 mph?).

My 2012 WM had 255/50R20 Continental cross contact as standard, these were a nice handling road tyre, quiet and with soft edges giving a comfortable ride, downside the edges wore out quickly. Again not good on slippery surfaces off road.

I then got some take-off 405 wheels intended for the replacement of the 322 and used them as my summer wheels, they had Goodyear road tyres 255/55R20, harder edges so noisier and less comfortable ride than the Continentals, but better wear pattern. Handling marginally less good than Continentals, the car and its suspension were set up for 50 profile and I would not have run 55s if they had not come with the 405 wheels, car sits fractionally higher, also concern if one has a puncture and the (standard) spare is smaller.

My winter wheels on the 2012 car were style 15 19" with Goodyear Duratrac 255/55R19, see above. Note style 15 are the only LR 19" wheels that can clear the brake calipers on later 322.

50 profile will give you quicker steering and better handling on road, and if relevant for you, more stable towing. Earlier 322s typically came with 19" wheels and handle perfectly well on them with a good balance of qualities. There is a better choice of AT tyres in 19" and the higher sidewall will protect your wheels more. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Thank you, very useful 👍🏻