I have just buckled a front wheel after hitting a pothole. Just couldn’t avoid it; it was either the pothole or a head-on crash into another car.

I think I will get rid of the 20’s and move to 19’s. I reckon the slightly larger than standard 255/55-19 tyres would give a slightly better ride too.

Anyone using this size tyre?

Yep! Running General Grabber AT3s. Have been for the past 6 years or so.

I have been using 255/55/r19 for years on my current and previous RRS. Just put a new set of Goodyear Wrangler All Terrain Adventure (silly name) on to replace a part worn set of Pirelli AT+. Needed 2 of the Pirellis but they're no longer imported to the UK so supplies are drying / have dried up meaning future replacements would be even harder to sort. So ended up putting 4 new Goodyears on. Can't see me going back to Pirelli as this is the second time they've stopped supplying a tyre - previously it was the ATR.

Only done 100 or so miles so far but the new tyres are definitely much quieter than the old ones (which were worn and so expected to be noisy). 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I've currently got my 19's with winter tyres in the 255/50/19 as above. For me, the ride is only slightly softer than my 20's with their 275/45/20 but noticeable all the less, although I suspect 19's more pothole tolerant. I have considered putting an alternative tyre on the 19's when they wear out but I do like the look of the 20's, I think it really suits the 1st generation car. 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE in Cairns Blue.

Last edited by Stevepd on Sat Jan 21 2023 3:50pm. Edited 2 times in total

255/55 gives over half an inch (over 16mm) more sidewall than 275/45 so probably should be noticeable on uneven surfaces. It also, of course, fills the wheel arch better too being a larger overall tyre.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I assume the spare still fits alright.

I don’t really want an AT tyre but will probably go for a Pirelli Zero Asimmetrico which is M+S rated.

I had those Asimmetrico's on my 20's before they wore out, very impressed. 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE in Cairns Blue.

Which wheels are you guys using to run the 19’s please?

Have you all got Brembo front calipers?

I don't think they do that in 255/55, it's a 255/50 tyre. It's also a pretty old tyre now, having been fitted to the RRS back in the beginning.

If you don't want AT tyres and just want a road tyre, there are plenty out there, including a number of true all season options.

M + S means very little in practical terms (it just means the ratio of voids to lands is higher than a standard road tyre) and most / all all-season tyres will have it. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Notyalc wrote:

Which wheels are you guys using to run the 19’s please?

Have you all got Brembo front calipers?

Salisburylander wrote:

I have just buckled a front wheel after hitting a pothole. Just couldn’t avoid it; it was either the pothole or a head-on crash into another car.

I think I will get rid of the 20’s and move to 19’s. I reckon the slightly larger than standard 255/55-19 tyres would give a slightly better ride too.

Anyone using this size tyre?

I used to have the 6-pot Brembo calipers but changed them recently for the 4-pot version. I originally planned to use the RRS standard 19 x 9 ET53 rim which will fit over the 4-pot calipers; however, trying to get a set of decent rims that haven’t been badly kerbed and buckled without flaking paint is near impossible.

I therefore plan to use the new Defender style wheel. There are plenty for sale on online auction sites. The rims are 19 x 8 ET41.5 and I have been told they will fit (but the guy selling it would obviously say that). I have bought a single rim to try. If it fits, it can be the spare wheel; if not, then I will put it on a well known auction site.

Just waiting for the temperature outside to rise above freezing before I give it a go. I’ll let you know how I get on.

mike54: post a picture so everyone can have a look. What model are they off?

Salisburylander wrote:

I used to have the 6-pot Brembo calipers but changed them recently for the 4-pot version. I originally planned to use the RRS standard 19 x 9 ET53 rim which will fit over the 4-pot calipers; however, trying to get a set of decent rims that haven’t been badly kerbed and buckled without flaking paint is near impossible.

I therefore plan to use the new Defender style wheel. There are plenty for sale on online auction sites. The rims are 19 x 8 ET41.5 and I have been told they will fit (but the guy selling it would obviously say that). I have bought a single rim to try. If it fits, it can be the spare wheel; if not, then I will put it on a well known auction site.

Just waiting for the temperature outside to rise above freezing before I give it a go. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Salisburylander wrote:

mike54: post a picture so everyone can have a look. What model are they off?

I had them on my MY20 P400e. All 4 are unmarked.

As you can see they were silver, I had them blasted and re-coated in this colour - I made a mistake though (apologies), they’re 20” not 19” but you still get the increased sidewall

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