Originally Posted by Fraser

If you are after rim protection and puncture resistance you could also look at a light-truck tyre rather than a passenger car tyre but you'll sacrifice ride quality and most likely speed rating although I'm not sure what's available in your neck of woods. LT tyres can also effect steering quality, but so will a bigger, fatter tyre 'passenger' tyre. I'll be interested in what you settle with. My driving environment is like yours ... low profile rubber is more a liability than an advantage.