Member Since: 05 Nov 2021
Location: Rowlands Castle
Posts: 9
To 20" or not to 20"
Hi guys,
I'm sure this will cause a bit of a controversey, but here goes.
I've had my disco 3 for a couple of years and absolutely love it, however when I purchased the vehicle it had a set of 20" wheels fitted. One of the first things I did was to buy a set of 18" alloy wheels and kept the 20" to be refurbished. I don't do any proper green laning or off roading (just yet) but I do see a couple of clients each week and they are down some seriously rutted farm track lanes; usual heavy mud, some standing water and deep ruts. I am so glad of the disco suspension.
So my question is; is there any reason why I shouldn't keep my 18" wheels or should I go for the new shiny refurbished 20" wheels (see photo). I think general grabber do some descent tyres for the 20" so am very confused.
Thoughts, comments, ideas all most welcome guys
Best
Nic
30th Mar 2023 3:19 pm
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1107
Hi Nic,
Hello and welcome.
Can't see any photo but you'll notice a reduction in road ride quality as you increase wheel size for sure. Maybe not much of a consideration but that's my experience.
Jim
2014 Discovery 4 XXV SDV6 Causeway Grey
2016 Discovery 4 HSE Lux SDV6 Loire Blue - now gone
30th Mar 2023 3:28 pm
KevinD3
Member Since: 05 Aug 2020
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Posts: 1277
I think you’ll start having clearance issues if you go down the road of putting A/Ts onto 20 inch rims. One thing I’ve seen in the past also is that some pay to play sites and Green lane tours don’t actually allow wheel sizes over 19 inches on-site, not sure why but guess there’s a reason.2008 HSE Stornoway Grey
My Wife thinks the D3 is a hobby, The D3 thinks the wife is 💕
I would stick with 18". Like you I have a set of 20" which I should sell.
NJSS
30th Mar 2023 3:52 pm
Davethegeo
Member Since: 01 Oct 2015
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 911
Sold my 20s. Much happier on 19s due to increased comfort and less chance of dinging the 20s on the terrible roads and tracks I drive along. I imagine 18s would be even better.D1 300Tdi - gone
D2 Td5 ES (Alive remapped...mmm) - sadly gone
D4 2012 SDV6 XS - Stolen
D4 2014 SDV6 HSE - Shiny
30th Mar 2023 4:00 pm
RRSTDV8
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13541
OP's wheel:
Click image to enlarge
I'd stick with the smaller rim. More sidewall is always a good idea. Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
30th Mar 2023 4:10 pm
Prodigal Son
Member Since: 05 Nov 2021
Location: Rowlands Castle
Posts: 9
Thanks guys for your sage advice.
I have a few people saying that the 20" look so good etc, and that a disco 4 facelift etc would be the way to go. But I needed sound words re side wall just to be certain.
Many thanks again and I'll be selling the 20"s
Best
Nic
30th Mar 2023 4:41 pm
RRSTDV8
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13541
Facelifting is just making a fake thing. Best to spend your hard earned keeping your Disco healthy. Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
30th Mar 2023 5:01 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
Don’t listen to them ….. they know not of what they speak.
[only kidding chaps ]
I’ve been running 20’s on my D3 and D4s and never experienced any issues.
However, I run with a wider tyre at 275/45/20 [GG AT3s] versus the standard 255/50/20.
And according to my man-maths, this gives me a bigger cushion of air to ride on ….. and even more than on the 255/55/19.
[just awaiting a mathematician to prove me wrong ]
Also, the extra width gives me more rim protection.
But, I don’t do “mud-plugging” (& wouldn’t do so on 20s), just forest & moorland track and the 20s have held up well with no punctures or damage.
And they’re great on the twisties.
(had 17s once on the D3 for off roading, but felt like i was running on blancmanges on the twisties.)
However, all this is just my experience & opinion.
Click image to enlarge
...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
30th Mar 2023 6:03 pm
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: North Essex
Posts: 676
Prodigal Son wrote:
Thanks guys for your sage advice.
I have a few people saying that the 20" look so good etc, and that a disco 4 facelift etc would be the way to go. But I needed sound words re side wall just to be certain.
Many thanks again and I'll be selling the 20"s
Best
Nic
I find it hard to understand just the concept of larger rims "look good", surely it is more dependant on the design of the wheel. If you already have them then you have no choice. Cosmetic apearance is very much in the eye of the beholder, I pass a RR fully kitted for off road and I think it looks the business, SMBO thinks otherwise.
A narrow sidewall will not allow the tyre surface to conform to the road as well, no problem if you have nice smooth roads where you live but for me I can get to over 100 pot holes and collapsing edges within a mile or two of home. My D3 on standard wheels has a much nicer ride that the thinner tyred MG5 we also use.A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an is still an EV. Strictly speaking its SWMBO.
30th Mar 2023 8:03 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20841
I noticed no difference going from 19"s up to 20"s and then 21"s (albeit with bigger tyres)
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13541
ronp wrote:
Don’t listen to them ….. they know not of what they speak.
[only kidding chaps ]
I’ve been running 20’s on my D3 and D4s and never experienced any issues.
However, I run with a wider tyre at 275/45/20 [GG AT3s] versus the standard 255/50/20.
And according to my man-maths, this gives me a bigger cushion of air to ride on ….. and even more than on the 255/55/19.
[just awaiting a mathematician to prove me wrong ]
Also, the extra width gives me more rim protection.
The 19 has half an inch deeper sidewall... Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
30th Mar 2023 8:43 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
…… and I’ll raise you!
….. the 275 has three quarters of a inch extra width ...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
30th Mar 2023 9:16 pm
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2889
I run 255/55/20 on my20 inch rims and find them a great compromise plus you get absolutely spot on readings on the speedo both cars were on 19s previously and I found 255/50/20 on the d4 a bit harshMust stop buying shiny toys....
Last edited by darrind on 30th Mar 2023 10:19 pm. Edited 1 time in total
30th Mar 2023 9:21 pm
RRSTDV8
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13541
ronp wrote:
…… and I’ll raise you!
….. the 275 has three quarters of a inch extra width
Doesn't help ride comfort. Just means it tramlines more. Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
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