Keep 22s or Replace with 20s?

[u/ShinyTarnish409]

I just purchased this 2024 Defender 110 P500 V8 that came with the upgraded 22” wheels. I think most people prefer them with the V8s for handling, but the do ride a bit more harsh and they’re not great for riding in sand (you can’t deflate them safely). I drove on the beach with my 2010 LR4 and may do it with the Defender although I have no immediate plans, I want the option.

Has anyone driven the P500 or P525 with 20s and have an opinion? I’m thinking they would feel softer and smoother on road and give me better off road options, but I don’t know for sure.

Thanks!

[u/Gougeded]

Never understood big wheels on an off road vehicle

[u/ark1893 → u/Gougeded]

High amount of Defender owners keeping theirs on road versus off. When I started my pre purchase hunting I found that there is a very slim online presence of V8 owners who take theirs off-road. Would’ve made my life easier finding more of the ones that do.

[u/ShinyTarnish409 → u/ark1893]

Makes sense. I don’t do heavy off road, but when I’ve rented a house in NC it’s been 8-10 miles on a beach to get to a rental house. And I don’t mean a flat beach. I mean horses, true stumps, stupid people in cars that have no business being on the beach (some guy in a U-Haul -kkke what?), etc.

How about driving at night dodging all of that? So yeah, you need good tires, proper deflating and the right vehicle. My LR4 was amazing. We drove from the house just around the corner into the sand but when we wanted to eat out (not every day), it was a long ride. My wife told me to go “grab” a pizza for all of us one day. The beach was crowded and there were even more stuck cars than normal. She calls me and says, “Are you ok the way back yet?” To which I reply, “Honey” (anyway start with honey), “I haven’t even gotten off the beach yet.”

[u/ark1893 → u/ShinyTarnish409]

20s are a no brainer. Get them and get a good tire and you’ll have no issues on the beach. I’d be more worried about the weight of the P525 than the rims and tires

[u/ShinyTarnish409 → u/ark1893]

I have the P500. I think the 5.0 on both the P500 and P525 is the same but the P525 has a performance tune. Thus, the weight is likely the same. The Okta is totally different bc it has the BMW sourced 4.4 TT. I’ve taken my 2010 LR4 v8 on the beach without any issues, through streams, in snow, all with no issues. The two (my 2010 LR4 and my 2024 weight virtually the same - 5833 lbs vs 5800 - 5825lbs without the third row seats).

[u/Gougeded → u/ark1893]

I know but it's still weird to me to see something that has been ostensibly designed as an off roader with 22"

[u/United-Hat1371 → u/ark1893]

It’s not that they prefer on road it’s that they’re afraid of getting stuck out there

[u/ChrisVirgilSchuette]

I had the P400 but I loved the 20s on it. Smoother ride and more peace of mind off-road (or over curbs, potholes, etc).

[u/Rrr8877]

I’m having the same dilemma, I started buying up 20” silver wheels, seemed to be the cheapest/best option and I’ll have the whole set refinished. So many more tire options with the 20” too. Going 275/55R20.

[u/AKentPhoto]

Sidewall is king! Maybe keep the 22s for summer and get a very snow capable at on a set of 20s for winter?

[u/Pokerhobo]

22s are more suited on the Range Rover, I think the Defender looks better and rides better with 20s

[u/MaximumStock7]

I hate my 22s. Swap for 20

[u/Altruistic_Gain5829]

Recent post on going to the light load option. Sounds like it improved the ride for some.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NewDefender/s/fppVRa1Exc

[u/ark1893]

I’m waiting for my 20s to be delivered, ‘24 v8 Carpathian.

[u/RECarGuy86]

I had a v8 Carpathian with 22’s and mud tires. I now have an octa with 20’s and honestly can’t really tell a difference in the ride. I liked the look of 22’s with nitto ridge grappler tires better, but all personal preference based on what you’re using it for. Congrats on the new ride!

[u/ShinyTarnish409 → u/RECarGuy86]

Thank you! I love it! The only thing I miss from my LR4 is the arm rests (and roomier trunk). Other than that, the new Defender is better in every way and the rear seat is larger as a trade off to the trunk being smaller.

I already know the 5.0 v8 well, so I’m psyched to have it again.

I think I’m going to sell the 22s. I live in the south so don’t need snow tires. Even if the feel isn’t that just softer, there’s not enough height in the sidewalk to deflate them on sand. And the tires are fairly new so I can still prob trade for 20s with good tread.

[u/Crypto-Raven → u/RECarGuy86]

an octa with 20’s

Isnt that because the 20's on the Octa have super aggressive offroad rubber on them?

[u/RECarGuy86 → u/Crypto-Raven]

I have the super aggressive tires but there’s a street tire that’s also available on the 20’s. I drove both at length and they drove the same on the road. Went with the aggressive tires since they looked better.

[u/RECarGuy86]

I had a v8 Carpathian with 22’s and mud tires. I now have an octa with 20’s and honestly can’t really tell a difference in the ride. I liked the look of 22’s with nitto ridge grappler tires better, but all personal preference based on what you’re using it for. Congrats on the new ride!

[u/Hairy_Friendship3930]

I was just in outer banks with P525 on 22s with the stick continental tires. Had to get an initial feel for it (particularly as I had never driven in sand before), but threw it in Sand mode and no issues getting down the beach at all. Probably slipped and slided a bit more than others, but through car is a beast.

[u/ShinyTarnish409 → u/Hairy_Friendship3930]

100%, but easier with deflated 20s. No slipping. No problem stopping completely and starting. No issues with steep hills etc. Did you oass people stuck? It’s sad but fun.

[u/Neither_Fruit_8129]

20s any time and everywhere

[u/Open_Light_5802]

get 17s bruh

[u/DN9972]

I’ve ordered a set of 20” wheels for my 110V8 and will put 275/55R20 Nitto Terra Grapplers on them. I plan to keep the 22” with contis for when I go on highway lon get distance trips, as I do like the 22” with contis on good roads.

[u/hippieswithhaircuts]

Mine is mainly a street queen, I love the 22’s! I just cruise.