Debating going to -2 rims

My 2003 Disco came with the 18" rims with 255/55/18s. While not a bad size and smaller than most modern SUVs and trucks, I find myself wondering of the trade off in handling would be worth going to the smaller 16" rims the first Disco 2s came with. Their tyre size was 255/65/16. I don't bash my rig on rocks or do too much mudding, but I do encounter sand and washboard fire roads when I do find time to go out into the woods. To be fair, 90% of my driving is on paved roads, this leaves me inclined to leave the 18s.. but I have to admit, the beefier looking sidewalls of the 16" do look good

With the handling of something like that I don't think you'd give up anything really.  I have 16s in the largest profile possible in a non-commercial tire (235/85/16s) and I like the way they drive on the street just fine on my Montero. 

Why not split it and go with 17s? The beefier sidewalls may look good, but I wouldn't enjoy the increased body roll (ride comfort should be a slightly noticeable improvement, though)

Not directly applicable, but my MINI came on 17s, which I promptly sold and replaced with 16s. For winter driving I run it on 15s with a 195/60/15 tire. The handling is still acceptable, although not at the same level as the 17s. I did it because it's all too easy to find sets of 3 wheels as a result of our wonderful Michigan roads.

Dootz said:

Why not split it and go with 17s? The beefier sidewalls may look good, but I wouldn't enjoy the increased body roll (ride comfort should be a slightly noticeable improvement, though)

16s are readily available as they were the standard size before 2003 when it jumped to 18s. Rover never produced a 17" rim and aftermarket only seems to support 20"+ or the standard 18 and 16s unless I want to go steel "nato" rims

My wife’s GTI runs 18” wheels in the summer and 16” in the winter.  I’d say the difference in handling quality is not dangerous at all.  The difference in ride quality is enormous.

Land Rover handling.

That's funny.  The more unsprung weight you can lose, the more pleasant it will be to drive.  More sidewall?  More pleasant.  Less width?  More pleasant.  You might lose a wee bit of ultimate grip on dry pavement, but the worse the road, the better it will work.

As long as the wheels clear the brakes, go for it.    

You won't be disappointed.