for what it's worth, I have the 19"s and very happy with them. This is my second LR and the first is still running after a decade. the most repetitive problem with the older one was flat tires. I can't fix the terrible roads out my way, which meant no car that can't offer a sidewall for basic protection. (in my talking to folks that went for low profiles, the big rims sell cars and ruin car brands. I know some owners that fell for the big rims and later turned away from the brand completely, they so completely hated the problems that come from big rims and no sidewall. the tires suck - and if you don't know it, you'll learn it and then hate the car brand. that's been what I've noticed anyways). the tire choices when I was shopping my 110 were no better for the 20"rim than the 19" rim, so i went with the sidewall. the dealership had loads of 110s for me on the lot - ready to go & possibly at a discount - but on the 20"s; I had to wait about 6 months for one configured on 19"s, and went for the unusual configuration of P400 with 19"s. The 19"s provide a good sidewall, and if GY stops restricting it's best tires for Defender owners, the choices will improve. the 19"s with good tires will be sufficient, and maybe it can keep others in the 19"s and not having to deal with the caliper issue on a switch to 18"s. Same for Firestone (which sells to Wrangler & 4Runner but not Defender, as if a Defender 110 wouldn't want to try one of the Destination tires?) GY makes 3 Duratrac tires, but only one of them is allowed to fit the Defender. Other GY tires would be appealing to some 19" rim Defender drivers. as I looked at tires available for Defenders, I did wonder who may have paid JLR to ruin such a great SUV by fitting new production models with oversized rims that ruin pretty much everything else the Defender can otherwise do amazingly well. I think eventually tire companies will come around to allowing their best tires to be bought by Defender owners. Right now, there seems to be a "don't make the best tires we sell fit Defenders" thing going on with the manufacturers... Firestone & Wildpeak are missing sales by refusing a 255/65/19 size. The amount of bad press JLR has earned from a measly 10mm of width in the wheel well is the stuff that should end up in MBA text book on marketing. all JLR had to do was sell one trim with a 255/70/18; or a less good 265/60/20. the GX/LC use the 265/70/18 - and had JLR simply copied the Toyota rim size, Defender owners would be assured of many tire choices in the decades ahead. if your Defender can benefit from the buying power of Toyota, how's that not going to be good for future tire choices? (I think the new Grenadier went with a Wrangler like size, ostensibly to assure those owners of tire choices in the aftermarket). It would have been great as an owner to piggy-back off a rim size that existed already for better quality tires. there's a story in there somewhere that led a simple solution to be turned down in favor of a bizarrely complex decision to remove the sidewall, something totally unwanted in a 4x4. I think tire companies will come around to the 19"s as it's close enough. having the 19"s now a year, I'd recommend them; i would be hesitant to recommend the 20"s, as even on the 19"s I'm still careful. It's not a Bronco, and the 20"s make it even less so. good luck with your MY26!

 

Thanks for sharing your experience, @curb-optional . I've since learned from Lucky 8 that even their conversion kit won't go on the MY26 Defenders, so that means I'd have to live 19's or 20's on a new one, which I'm not willing to do. I might consider it if BFG made the KO2 in 19", but they do not. So for now I will be sticking with my 2023 110.

Myron

 

My two cents - in Australia you can still get a D250 S 90/110, which does come with the option of 18" steel wheels and the smaller brakes. However, all other models - even the SE - are only D350 and P425 or above with the larger brakes.

 

BFG KO3 will be available in the OEM 255/65R19 next year. They were supposed to be available this year, but they were delayed.

 

While they might work for you (and that's great), they don't work for a lot of people on this forum. Yes, they have more sidewall compared to the 20" wheels, but the Goodyear Adventures are nothing more than a slightly more hardcore all-season. They don't have any sidewall reinforcement, and they're prone to tear when doing any kind of moderate off-roading. Plus, they're awful in the mud and deep snow. The only proper all-terrain is the OEM Duratracs, which are decent, but not the best all-terrain out there. BFG has delayed the 19" KO3 until next year. But still, that leaves only two options for a proper all-terrain. I don't think tire manufacturers will be making this size, as it is exclusive to Defender, and they wouldn't spend loads of R&D money to develop what is essentially an ultra-low volume tire. I'm still shocked BFG decided to make a KO3 in the OEM 19" size.

Nobody wants 19" wheels. I had them, replaced them with 20" wheels, and 2 1/2 years after having them on Ebay for $300 for a complete set, i gave up and removed the listing.

I off-road mine with 265/60R20 tires and haven't had a single issue with the sidewall. 20" wheels still have plenty of sidewall for moderate off-roading.

 

Very useful information, thank you @CincyRovers !

 

I think they will continue to delay this for ever and a day and 19"s will remain as useless as ever.

 

So I was at my local dealer today getting an oil change and other related 50K service done on my 110. They had a MY 2025 90 P300 "demonstrator" on the lot that they are looking to move. It has about 5-6K miles on it and is in Fuji White with 20" alloys. Very handsome Defender, in my opinion.

I forgot to actually look at the physical brake calipers themselves, but the placard on the door jamb has information and specs on it that make me believe the vehicle would take my 18" steel rims. Am I interpreting this correctly?

Thanks all!

Myron

 

All Defenders have the same tag on the doors. The engine size does indeed dictate the info given on that plaque. P400s don't have 18" wheels on the plaque, but P300s do, even if they have the larger brakes. I can tell by the photo that particular 90 has the 4-piston Brembos, so 18" wheels can't be swapped over unless you do the conversion or grind the rear calipers.

 

Well, rats. But thank you for your speedy reply @CincyRovers !