I expect to be ordering a new Freelander 2 HSE TD4 manual in the next few days. I have a concern regarding wheel size. I currently have a BMW 320D with sport suspension and 18" wheels. It's too firm for the bumpy roads of Brussels. Thus, I won't take the sport option for the FL. Standard wheel size is 18". If I take the Premium Pack, it gets 19" wheels. I have in mind to still request the 17" wheels, and potentially even the 16".

I'm really fed up with the 'firm' drive of the 320D and want to avoid this in the future. I know the FL suspension is already much. much better, but still, I want to aim for the 'best' ride.

I had never thought about wheel size until I got the 320d 4 years ago. I understand the only reason for going for a larger size is the 'look'. Is there any other advantage of larger wheels??

For me, the 'look' of wheel size is not an issue, although I accept that with 16" this could become noticable.

What are you thoughts?

Why don't you ask the dealer if you can drive an S and another type with 18" wheels.
I drove an S to testdrive with the 17" wheels and they look good enough form me not to go for bigger wheels.

Am thinking of driving them till they need new tyres and then buying larger rimms (20" or so) to fit summer tyres on and winters on the originals as my SX will have the 17" type 1's.

But will ask the dealers if I can testdrive a car with 19"s if possible.

Dont worry to much all the landrover tyres (except maybe 19's) will have more sidewall than your BMW and the softer suspension will smooth out the bumps  At work
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oakwood wrote:

I understand the only reason for going for a larger size is the 'look'. Is there any other advantage of larger wheels??

Exactly. (and IM.O. they look stupid on a 4x4). Another advantage is of course that low profile tyres wear out much faster and are more expensive. (for the dealer or tyre company I mean )
And if ever you change your mind and want to go off-road, bigger rims take a lot more hammering by stones.

Paul wrote:

oakwood wrote:

I understand the only reason for going for a larger size is the 'look'. Is there any other advantage of larger wheels??

Exactly. (and IM.O. they look stupid on a 4x4). Another advantage is of course that low profile tyres wear out much faster and are more expensive. (for the dealer or tyre company I mean )
And if ever you change your mind and want to go off-road, bigger rims take a lot more hammering by stones.

It's a question of taste. A race car should have low profile tyres, sure, but an off-road car ? To me it looks like a runner on stilettos.

oakwood: I have 18" with summer tyres and 16" with winter tyres and both ride very well comfort wise. I got the 16" fitted with winter tyres as part of the purchase deal but was also advised that 16" wheels were better for winter use and which I can now agree with.

However if I only had one choice of wheel size I would defiantly go for the 18" wheels. They ride very well (during the period I have them fitted) and probably because of the tyre type are somewhat more comfortable that the winter tyres.

I don’t think that 19" or even 20" wheels are necessary on a Land Rover unless its only looks that you consider, but my mind the 18" HSE wheels look good enough .

ps - had a BMW 3-series earlier, but the Freely rides much more comfortably 2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

One of the reasons I got a FL2 was because of the hard ride on my previous car (Golf GTI) and I now have an HSE with 18" wheels and it's great for ride comfort. Freelander 2 TD4 HSE auto Tonga Green/Alpaca

You can't compare your 18in, low profile, run flat tyred bmw wheels with the 18in, chunky sidewall, normal tyred HSE wheels. The only similarity is the 18in size but the tyres makes a big difference. Best thing is test drive a HSE to see if you like the ride before deciding. Phil

Topic has previously been discussed.

As a guide I also had a BMW320D Sport with 18" wheels. My FL2 also has 18" wheels and there is no comparison. FL2 ride comfort is totally different to the BMW, but then again its a totally different car.

Previous Topic link http://www.freel2.com/forum/post28668.html#28668

Hope this helps

Thanks for all the great advice. My choice will be 17 or 18, which I'll decide finally with the salesman. My leaning is to 17", to be on the safe side. The roads in Brussels can be rough, and there are a lot of cobbled roads and high speed bumps.

I think it's a good choice oakwood. According to my dealer, there's little difference in handling and road-handling between 17 and 18" but 16" would be a little less stable.
(I can't confirm this though as I've only driven my SE with 17" wheels)

Easy!

For summer-tyres: 18"
For winter-tyres: 16"

Easy as that. 2008 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Automatic, Caspian Blue, Alpaca, Moon roof, Exclusive pack.

hi viking how is it you have smaller wheels for the winter and larger for the summer? 07my Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Baltic Blue,Privacy Glass,Ebony black leather,Land rover detachable towbar,S/S Side bars,Climair wind deflectors,Bramble Rash,

rover60 wrote:

hi viking how is it you have smaller wheels for the winter and larger for the summer?