Freelander 2 and winter wheels

[skeeterm5]

Hi,

I want to buy some wheels and winter tyres for Mrs S Freelander 2.

The current alloys are 19" wearing 235/55/19 tyres and I am a bit lost as to what size winter tyres and rims I should be looking for. I have seen it written that I shouldn't simply buy the same size due to clearance issues.

Any advice?

S

[stevemcs]

I'd be looking at 17's although if you don't want 2 sets just go for some cross climate/all season tyres. I should have done that with my Mondeo but even at trade prices i'd be near on £800

[loskie]

call these guys

http://www.252spares.co.uk/

If you can get 16" slightly thinner wheels

Or these fellas: https://www.britpart.com/

Edited by loskie on Thursday 2nd December 21:28

[skeeterm5]

Thanks both

[Drumroll]

I would just use cross climate tyres. Changing rim sizes creates all sorts of issues, that to me are not worth it.

[camel_landy]

It's a lot easier if you stick to the standard sizes. You'll find the sizes in the owners manual or on a sticker, usually in one of the front door jams or filler cap (can't remember where it is on the Freelander 2).

FWIW - I usually go for one size narrower for my winter tyres, to give better 'bite' in crappy conditions.

Edited to add:

Found this with a quick search:



As you're on the 235/55R19, I'd personally be looking to get some 17" rims and fitting the 225/65R17 for my winters.

HTH

M

Edited by camel_landy on Friday 3rd December 09:53

[A.J.M]

Mine with the same wheel size as yours runs Pirelli scorpion verde all seasons.

£130ish fitted a corner, you’ll get 30+k from a tyre and they cope with everything that a freeby will experience.

Personally, I wouldn’t bother with a dedicated winter tyre when the all season alternatives are so good and will give proper year round use.

[skeeterm5]

Thanks.

To add some context, we have recently moved to the Scottish Highlands and last week had about 6 - 8 inches of snow. Our house has its own farm track from a single track road which is about 1/4 mile long which looked lovely covered in snow.....

Thus I am minded to have 2 sets of wheels and go for full winters 😀

[stevemcs]

skeeterm5 said:

Thanks.

To add some context, we have recently moved to the Scottish Highlands and last week had about 6 - 8 inches of snow. Our house has its own farm track from a single track road which is about 1/4 mile long which looked lovely covered in snow.....

Thus I am minded to have 2 sets of wheels and go for full winters ??

I’d be going dedicated wheels, at least it doesn’t matter if you bounce off a kerb

[A.J.M]

In your case then yes I can see why winters may be ideal.

You’ll find 17s easily as there’s loads of GS spec cars with people wishing to upgrade wheels to larger sizes.

I would also look at getting the underside treated.
My car came from Inverness and it’s 6 years up there has shown a few areas have surface rust from the conditions.

So next year it’s going to get cleaned and treated.

[recordman]

In case you aren't aware, Evoque wheels also fit FL2s. When I was looking there were plenty of 18" rims and/or rims with tyres around at reasonable prices, mainly on eBay.

[Shaw Tarse]

Before buying 16" make sure they will fit. (I could be wrong, but think later cars need minimum of 17"?)

[skeeterm5]

Thanks everybody.

Just ordered 4 new wheels shod with Michelin Latitude Alpin 225/65 R17 tyres which seemed to do very well in tests.

They should arrive early next week which could be timely given the current forecast.

[camel_landy]

recordman said:

In case you aren't aware, Evoque wheels also fit FL2s. When I was looking there were plenty of 18" rims and/or rims with tyres around at reasonable prices, mainly on eBay.

FWIW - It's a fairly generic Ford fitment, so various Volvo rims fit too.

M

[WayOutWest]

Another who run ours on 17 inch wheels and Michelin CrossClimates all year round. Although not had a chance to test them in snow yet, they are supposed to be pretty good in snow for non-winter tyres from the reviews.

Oops, just read the "recently moved to the Scottish Highlands" bit. If not in the south of England then maybe winters would be much more worthwhile up there. Either way 17 inch wheels all year round make sense, why the hell would you put 19s on a Freelander.

Edited by WayOutWest on Wednesday 8th December 17:49

[Linds Hanson]

Why not 19" our Dynamic runs on 19s just fine and we have 255/55x19 Mich Crossclimates which work well on everything thrown at them

[skeeterm5]

WayOutWest said:

Another who run ours on 17 inch wheels and Michelin CrossClimates all year round. Although not had a chance to test them in snow yet, they are supposed to be pretty good in snow for non-winter tyres from the reviews.

Oops, just read the "recently moved to the Scottish Highlands" bit. If not in the south of England then maybe winters would be much more worthwhile up there. Either way 17 inch wheels all year round make sense, why the hell would you put 19s on a Freelander.

Edited by WayOutWest on Wednesday 8th December 17:49

Yes the highlands bit is the important bit 😀 and having seen it a couple of weeks ago then "inters" don't seem the sensible choice.

New wheels and tyres due to arrive tomorrow.

[skeeterm5]

So finally fitted the new wheels. A bit of fun was had with the wheel bolts which had clearly been put on with a windie gun set on full power.

But got them done and feel ready for the snow 😀

Before


And after

[skeeterm5]

No idea why one is sideways!

[A.J.M]

Jesus wept.

I know the highlands are hilly but that’s taking the biscuit!