Smaller Wheels/ More Tyre

Paul Morris · 2025-09-29T11:27:30-0400

I know this won't be to everyone's taste, but I have just swapped out my 21" black alloys for a set of 18" in silver. I had found so far that the 21" wheels had a quite unforgiving ride - very hard and shaking the car at the slightest bump. I was also acutely aware that the 21" wheels were VERY easy to scuff, with there being less tyre, more wheel. I had a number of occasions where I scuffed the far side front wheel and had to repair the damage to the nice black alloys.

Anyway, I was looking for new tyres, finding I had a choice of one (very expensive Pirelli Scorpions), when I came across an eBay ad for a company called Pure Auto Design, based in York. They can refurbish, swap like for like wheels and take PX for complete sets of wheels and tyres. Long story short, they took my old set of 21" wheels, as a PX with £240 for a complete set of 18" genuine JLR wheels with brand new tyres, fully balanced, swapping over the TPMS etc. I was wary of how it might affect the looks of the car, so before I made my decision, I used my new friend, ChatGPT to create a mockup of what the end result would look like. The rendering was excellent, showed me what the car would look like and I was very happy to go ahead. Pure Auto Design were quite excellent, and I think one of only a couple such companies doing this in the UK at the moment - I would thoroughly recommend them!

Ultimately, yes, it has changed the character of the way the car looks a bit, but that is subjective, and I prefer the way it looks now. But the big issue for me is the ride, which I now find much more comfortable.

Also, I now have a much larger choice of options when I do need to change the tyres over eventually.

Before and after pics attached for interest.

Before:

Scuffing:

After:

BossBob · 2025-09-29T11:39:01-0400

Looks good to me but then I moved from an FL2 with 17” wheels to an L551 with 20” wheels. Yes the ride will be less jarring, there’ll be more choice of tyres and they also be less expensive.

SCC90 · 2025-09-30T01:44:00-0400

The less tread a tire has, the less the suspension components work, so there is nothing to say regarding reducing the wheel diameter. However, I advise you to go to a Land Rover workshop so they can code the vehicle for its new wheel diameter, as according to the workshop manual it is very important for the systems to know it.

Paul Morris · 2025-09-30T02:18:31-0400

Already checked and there was no need for this - the garage checked the comparison in diameters - because it was a JLR wheel and tyre set for a JLR wheel tyre set, the overall diameter was exactly the same, so difference in running circumference and therefore no need for re-programming.

Past Master · 2025-09-30T11:57:31-0400

Yes, if you use Land Rover wheels and the recommended tyre size there is no need to change any coding.
My own opinion - the Land Rover is an off-road vehicle and the wheels should look the part. I think low profile tyres on Land Rovers just look silly (just my opinion!).

Beanie · 2025-09-30T12:55:30-0400

In my opinion that looks fine with the 18's on. I also prefer the silver (sparkle silver?). Are they 245's like the 21's?
I have 20's on mine and the diamond cut finish is starting to look a bit tired. When I do eventually get round to having them refurbed it will be powder coated sparkle silver.

Neiltm63 · 2025-10-01T11:15:35-0400

If you haven’t already done so it would probably be beneficial (just in case) to inform your insurance company

Paul Morris · 2025-10-01T11:22:27-0400

Thanks, Neil, but no need. It’s not a modification in the sense that they are interested in. No change to performance, value or function. In an insurer’s eyes this is no different than changing the tyres.

Camraom · 2025-10-01T11:21:25-0400

That looks good to me, and as it’s an off-road vehicle a lot more practical as well. You don’t need low tyres and the risk of constant damage to your wheels if you’re going to take it off road.

BossBob · 2025-10-01T11:33:16-0400

Some off-road excursion companies won’t even allow a car to take part in their events if you‘ve got rims bigger than 18” fitted.

071 · 2025-10-02T02:02:52-0400

I’m on 18s. Love the ride and no anxiety about damage parking next to kerbs or driving up them. I came from a BMW on larger wheels and low profile tyres and wouldn’t go back to that spec.

Beanie · 2025-10-02T12:54:45-0400

My understanding is that providing they are genuine Land rover wheels and were an original fitment for the model it should be OK. The problems arise when they are cheap knock off Chinese rims or of a type that haven't been specified (and certified by JLR) for the car., the suggestion is that it can make the car less safe or are more likely to attract thieves.
Best advice is to ask your insurance company.

Smaller Wheels/ More Tyre

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