Hi Folks,

I've never used a forum before but then again I've never spent so much on a motor before, so I hope someone can answer a query for me. I'm to collect my HSE this Friday morning. Already in car dealership and looks brilliant. However, originally the HSE model (which I test drove) had 19" wheels as standard but I found the ride was better with the 18" wheels and I was having the HSE model changed to accomodate that. Now the 2007 HSE is coming with 20" wheels with low profiles as standard! Admittedly it looks good but it would seem impractical. The dealership is checking to see if the 20" wheel can carry a larger tyre. If it can't, what is the better option for me. I should point out that I don't forsee any real amount of off road work but not all of our roads are motorway standard!!!

I would be grateful for any feedback. Thanks

Must be European specs. In the US, the HSE trim still comes standard with 19s, 20s are stock only on Supercharged (no diesels are sold in North America.) We don't get 18s at all here, but I have bought a set of used ones from a LR3 (Disco3) which I fitted with all-terrain tires for off roading, and I agree with you that the ride, even when compared to the stock 19s, is noticeably smoother. It is only an inch or so of extra rubber, but it makes a big difference. Of course, handling suffers a bit, it becomes more vague and "floaty". 

Try it first!

You will be surprised how well these vehicles cope with 20" wheels

The HSE comes std with 19's in the UK - I'm suprised its arrived with 20's on it already, unless thats been specified by the dealer Also fyi, on the HSE you wont be able to put 18's on it due to the Brembo brakes

As Kaine said your choice is 19's or 20's. Try the 20's but if you find the ride too hard buy a set of 19's off ebay for about £600 and then sell your 20's on ebay for about £900 and you've made a small profit! 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


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Very Annoyed wrote:

...buy a set of 19's off ebay for about £600 and then sell your 20's on ebay for about £900 and you've made a small profit!

Good point! But I'm sure the HSE standard wheels are 19's. 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


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Thanks Guys for your feedback. I also spoke to a couple of tyre companys over here and got a guy in one who got his own RRS HSE 4 months ago. He mentioned he would have liked 20" alloys (as tyres don't cost him that much!!!) but suggested in my case that if I change to 19" wheels and go for 255/55's as opposed to the 275/40's being supplied by my garage that I would feel the ride difference significantly. He also mentions that they get a fair few 'low profile' customers in for puncture repairs as a result of pot-holes & kerb damage and that the tyres he suggests are more forgiving in that regard. Has that been a problem for anyone??

p.s. The dealer also confirmed this morning that all SE & HSE's for 2007 are coming with 20" wheels.

Thanks again

Gerry

The 20's are prone to wheel damage, not sure about tyre damge. Basically the tyre gives no/little protection to the wheel. 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


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Very Annoyed wrote:

Good point! But I'm sure the HSE standard wheels are 19's.

Seems not in Eire  Cheers

Simon

2007 2.7HSE 20" Wheels
2005 TDV6 D3 S Auto - Zambezi Silver - JE Tune - RRS 19" - Sidesteps - Roof Rails
Body Side Strips - Xenons - Bright Pack - Cold Pack - Premium Stereo
Alpine Roof - Towpack - Alpine Touchscreen Satnav - Veba Rear DVD changer
Alpine Roof Monitor - Webasto FBH Timer - Brembo Frt & S/C Rr Brakes

I think it is called "market specific" speccing, like some markets don't get the full monty security system that we have in the UK and hot places don't get the FBH 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Checked my 19" wheels and tyres over weekend - both nearside now have scratches on rims and rear tyre has nasty slice out of side wall ! Have not been off road, most of the 4500 miles on motorway.

My Shogun owned for 2 years and 30000 miles on Goodyear AT's. Tyres were abused but were a solid tyre, hardly a sign of wear and no damage.

Different tyres unfortunately ! MY10 TDV6 HSE, Alaska White, Ebony with Contrast, Park Heat, Paddle Shift, Privacy, Heated Steering Wheel, Extended & Premium Leather,

MY07 TDV6 HSE, Zermatt Silver, Gone

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1964 Austin Healey 3000

2007 LR Defender

2011 VW Tiguan R Line

Hi Gerry and welcome

I have 275x40x20s on Stormer alloys they have done 4500 miles, i havent been off roading but have managed to pick up two nasty cuts in my side walls, ones that bad that i bought a new wheel and tyre and i keep the damaged one as a spare, but as Landlord said he has a cut in his side wall and thats a 19 inch. some of my Previous cars
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P38 Range Rover Autobiography
RRS 2.7 HSE Silver
RRS TDV8 HSE silver
FFRR Vogue black
Disco3 HSE silver
RRS 2.7 HSE silver
RRS 3.0 HSE BALTI BLUE
______________________________
current vehicles
RRS 3.0 L494 Autobiography
Audi R8 V10 Spyder
AC Cobra
Landrover Defender 90
Landrover Defender 110
Suzuki Jimney

I would like to know if anyone with Wrangler F1tyres has had any deep cuts on their tyres.Been driving for 14000 kms with Wranglers and these tyres are brilliant with the Contis I grooved a tyre the first day and when one blew up on the motorway that was enough for me. RRS TDV6 HSE BUCKINGHAM BLUE BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR RHODIUM TASMOD SILLS PARROT 3000 EVOLUTION WHITE SIDE REPEATERS RRPORT.CO.UK BROLLY & STICKER
HOW GOOD IS THIS CAR!!!!
8 YEARS AND STILL GETTING LOOKS

I've got 295/40/20 Wrangler F1's fitted and have had no problems after several thousand miles. Ride may be a little harder than 19"s, perhaps, but I'm used to Porsche 911's so it's still luxury to me!