I think I know the answer to this question, but thought I would ask in any case.

I purchased a used '03 Disco II earlier this year.It came with 255-55-18 tires.

Recently, I have been offered, for free, a set of Nokian Hakkapeliita snow tires that are 235-70-16. Am I going to need to buy a set of 16" wheels in order to use the Nokians?

TIA

 

Yes. The last number in a tire size, in this case 16, indicates the rim size for it. Get a set of 16" steel wheels for your snow tires and keep the 18" wheels and tires for summer. If you do any off-roading, sell the 18" wheels and get a second set of summer tires for the 16" rims. Nokians are excellent snow tires. A lot of people from Alaska, including myself, swear by them for snow tires. They do well in snow and really stick to ice so you don't slide.

 

Take the free snows and do like AK said, buy a set of steel rims.
You can also post yoru 18" rims on Craigslist for trade for a set of 16" rims.

 

or keep the 18's and get a set of steelies in 16"

 

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I've driven NH's in the past and loved them, especially the studded SUV version, which these are.

Anyone know of a place for inexpensive Disco wheels?

 

disco wheels are sometimes hard to come by... the lug pattern is HUGE... 5 on 6.5 i think... so very few companies make them... i think some bmw's use them, but someone else would have to confirm... just check everywhere... atlantic british, 4wheelparts, just anywhere you could think of online...

 

The D2 uses a different bolt pattern from the D1. D2s use a more standard 5 on 120mm bolt pattern, as opposed to the D1's 5 on 6.5 bolt pattern. Any tire shop can order you a set of wheels if they don't already have them in stock. Inexpensive Disco wheels? That's an oxymoron. There is nothing about a Disco that's inexpensive.

 

yeah i guess i should start payin attention to what series disco people have...

 

There are always people looking for used 18" wheels, many are willing to trade their factory 16" alloy wheels straight across. The plus side of this is, you have amny better choices when buying 16" tires, they ride better, have stronger side wall, cost less, last longer and you can use these as your only set of tires, why have 2 sets?

 

[]
] One set of rims with snow tires and another set with summer tires.
Dedicated snow tires are the ONLY way to go.