AT 235/55/18 - does the extra sidewall cause issues?

[chriscroft]

Hi Chris, I appreciate this is an old thread but I’ve just ordered x4 235 55 18 Michelin cross climates for my T6. Wondered how you found them?

I guess they are the "SUV " MCC
I fitted them to my Volvo xc40 and after some messing about it was 255/45/20 size I fitted
They are excellent tyres, their road manners are superb, and for my XC40 (which is pretty fast by my standards), they are as good as the Pirelli summers that were OEM - in the dry summer; and excellent in winter; although I haven't used them in deep snow.
Our Vel Exec 204 4mo, still has Nokian weatherproof, and for our use, this is the correct tyre, as they are better off-road than the MCC; but the MCC are defiantly a better summer performance tyre.
So you've defiantly got the right size imo; the MCC are great all year round, and they are pretty good when you press the "loud peddle" and get a move on.
Interested to know how you get on.

 

[Gillyg46]

I’ll let you know! I’ve also ordered some new wheels....I’m super excited!

 

[chriscroft]

I’ll let you know! I’ve also ordered some new wheels....I’m super excited!

What wheels are you going for?
I just think that the slightly larger size (235/55/18), and the more aggressive all-season directional tyres suit a T6, and make it look like it's ready for an adventure; those super-wide slick road rubber elastic bands, are just not in keeping with what a T6 means to me, and the adventures we have in ours.

 

[Gillyg46]

I’ve went for Matt finished / load rated 1form edition 2’s....

 

[Gillyg46]

What wheels are you going for?
I just think that the slightly larger size (235/55/18), and the more aggressive all-season directional tyres suit a T6, and make it look like it's ready for an adventure; those super-wide slick road rubber elastic bands, are just not in keeping with what a T6 means to me, and the adventures we have in ours.

I agree! I like low profile but wanted a bit more sidewall depth with the 55. I went down the swamper look but I’m headed more towards an urban swamper now! I’m also looking at LED’s for when I’m off the beaten track.....

 

[chriscroft]

I agree! I like low profile but wanted a bit more sidewall depth with the 55. I went down the swamper look but I’m headed more towards an urban swamper now! I’m also looking at LED’s for when I’m off the beaten track.....

Urban Swamper.....Interesting
It's strange you say that, because I've "Developed" our Vel, without a plan...., and now it's a bit too Urban.
So I want to "Counrty-fy it a bit. I keep looking at the new LR Defender for inspiration (with a white roof)

 

[Gillyg46]

Not sure that I’ve seen your van, can you send a pic?

 

[chriscroft]

It's on the Mojave page of "Show us your van", as a Vel Exec it has Chrome+

 

[Gillyg46]

Looks nice. I like the body colour with the dark grey wheels. What you thinking of doing to it?

 

[chriscroft]

 

[j4ckal]

I’ve went for Matt finished / load rated 1form edition 2’s....
View attachment 92289

Get some pics posted up when you get those on. I like that style of wheel.

 

[Dannyb6467]

Get some pics posted up when you get those on. I like that style of wheel.

Me too...keep us posted.

 

[Kind of Blue]

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View attachment 92302

I saw my first one today, a short wheel base going in the opposite direction. The magazine images always make them look small this was certainly bigger than photographs make it look.

If your going to try to imitate the look, it would need some sort of graphics to make the T6 bonnet look longer. Put the Spare on a carrier on the rear door and a suspension lift or air.

 

[chriscroft]

So going back to the thread title, I'm currently running 235/55/18's......... Today I've just had a TVS-DSG remap/optimisation........., and a mild ECU-remap ....... OMG OMG I can't start to explain the difference. In fact I would be prepared to go a size higher in tyre to a 255/55/18 I've now got so much optimised torque and drivability, I can afford to give a bit away. Then again I've run 255/55/18 before (on a T5) and didn't like it, so maybe not.

 

[Kind of Blue]

255/55/18 That is the most likely size that I shall adopt also. Just the wheels and then lots of air!

 

[andys]

I believe that Loz also has high regards for Michelin Cross Climates. I am not sure what size he ran though.

I think @Loz runs the Latitude Cross which is quite different. I’ve run the Cross Climates for a year now and they’re a good tyre in the wet, not too bad on mud, terrible on wet grass and utterly useless in snow. I used to always swap to proper winter tyres between Nov and March and had hoped the Michelins would be a close enough compromise - they are not. As I say, still a good tyre for all round general camper use, but even the very cheapest winter tyre you can possibly get would be an order of magnitude better on snow.

 

[Loz]

I run the Cross Climate on our Mini Cooper but Lattitude Cross on the Cali, they are quite different tyres. I run standard size 235/55/17 would like a 60 ratio but that is not an available size option.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I think @Loz runs the Latitude Cross which is quite different. I’ve run the Cross Climates for a year now and they’re a good tyre in the wet, not too bad on mud, terrible on wet grass and utterly useless in snow. I used to always swap to proper winter tyres between Nov and March and had hoped the Michelins would be a close enough compromise - they are not. As I say, still a good tyre for all round general camper use, but even the very cheapest winter tyre you can possibly get would be an order of magnitude better on snow.

You are quite correct, I made an error there. I should have realised because I use Cross Climates on another car for a number and find them very good. I have never used Latitude Cross. Some disused things might become more valuable but I do not think that brains quite fall into that category. Mine has been unused for a number of years and is probably going a bit rusty! thank you for pointing that out.


It is funny you have gone to all seasons from winter while I with the T6 have gone over to full Winters, Brigstones. I thought about having more specialised tyres on wheels. However 3 set of wheels it perhaps taking things to extremisms. For me Off-Road Tyres are an absolute must but have managed with full Winters and airing down. This kind of use is OK for occasional use but frequent use is asking a big question on there construction because they are just road tyres. So some time in the near future when I buy some new or used rims, most likely Landrover products at 18" I shall buy 255/55 R18 BFG AT and also 18" rims.

For All Season Tyres; not quite sure if I shall buy the same size as above I may do, we shall see, it might make sense to have every thing the same.. Then I shall sell the 225/65 R17 Winter tyres and Rims. I will also sell another set of unused or delivery only 255/45 R18 road tyres. They where supplied with the vehicle which was a cancelled order They where an ridiculously expensive option, I think an over £2,000 option, crazy. I just could not believe that some sane person might spend so much on rims that do not provide some exceptional ability or other. So they have sat in the hall for a year now, while I considered what to do with them. It would have been a complete wast on me, they would just end up getting abused.

Anyway thank you for correcting my mistake. Cheers!

 

[Kind of Blue]

I run the Cross Climate on our Mini Cooper but Lattitude Cross on the Cali, they are quite different tyres. I run standard size 235/55/17 would like a 60 ratio but that is not an available size option.

View attachment 92489

Hi Loz, yes I know. I made an error became a bit confused. Old age and under used hard drive!

 

[Gillyg46]

I was soo close to buying the general grabber AT’s but my last 3 months have seen 99% on road and 1% off road so that made me swing to the CC’s for my next tyre. I think the van would have looked better with the GG’s but I tried not to be shallow and think more of road handling and MPG. I have learned so much in the last 3 months reg tyres and wheels! I’ll definitely never go budget seen as your tyres are the only thing that connects us to the road!