Recomended tyres for my new 15" rims?

[jester1467]

Hi Guys

Now i've got some 15" merc steel rims ( 15x6.5) I'm finding its a bit of a minefield making a decision as to what tyres to put on them.

Getting mixed views from suppliers and fitters, wether they have to be 8 ply 6 or 4? Varying makes and the qualities, BFG, Cooper, Insa, Maxxis, General etc etc. and then obviously price!

I'm thinking your the best guys to ask as you run them day to day, and know the special intricacies that come with being a Syncro owner and driver!

I want to get out 4x4ing, so handling on and off road are important, they need to look the part and need to fit in the wheel arches! I've seen some monster tyres by Cooper but they're 31" tall wheels!!!!

I know this will be a debate, but would like your varied views, and your sense of humour!

[v-lux]

This could go on for a while!!

Personally, i really like BFG. Was amazed at how different they feel compared to 'other' tyres. They wear very well too, had mine (mud terrains) on for about 10-12000 miles now and there still real good.

Get some 215/75/15 all terrains, you'll not look back.

Or you could look here for a debate: https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=49288

[mattk918]

I like my new Cooper Discoverer ATR, but the side walls definitely don't feel as stiff as the C rated van tyres I have on my 14" wheels. (Think you can get 8 ply ones in certain sizes?) Grip in the snow was amazing, struggled to break traction no matter how hard I tried!!!!

[syncropaddy]

This could go on for a while!!

I think youd be best sorting out the size you want first....... on those rims you need 215/75/15

If you want on and off road performance then go for an 'All Terrain' type of tyre

Get the best ply rating available. Tyre fitters have the IQ of a sparrow. Thats why they are tyre fitters. What do they know about the best tyres for your vehicle and suppliers are biased to profit and not whats best for you. Who said Im cynical .....

I think that the BFG A/T tyre is probably as good as you are going to get and Id say that at the end of this thread that tyre will be the most popular.

[jester1467]

Paddy

You say 215/75/15

My local guy that "apparently" is the local 4x4 Cooper specialist seemed to think that an AT tyre would give better traction off road at 195/70/15.
His theory seemed to come from the weight distribution - more weight on smaller area giving greater pressure to grip to the ground in a slippy situation.

He did however have that size on the shelf!!

Does that sound logical?

[toomanytoys]

You sure about 195/70? trouble with them is they are no bigger diameter than the stock 185r14's so no real advantage.. a 195r15 would be and would be the same diameter as the 215/75.. narrower tyre will bit better in certain conditions and on the road would reduce steering effort especially if you dont have power steering..
Yes fitting the 15" rims makes for a wider choice of tyre, but if you plan on doing any off road stuff then gaining some extra ground clearance is wise...

Just had a look on the cooper site and they dont do a 195 in 70% profile.. its a 195r15.. I think "andysnewsyncro" has them on and maybe Pete and Sharons mate Jason...

[syncropaddy]

more weight on smaller area giving greater pressure to grip to the ground in a slippy situation.

Well what he says is a given but how many of us use that size? Not a popular size in 'proper' A/T and M/T. 215/75/15 also gives us more ground clearance and better gearing
Going 15" is the way to go .... definitely.

[..lee..]

i had the same dilemma a while back and i ended up buying general grabber at2`s and i`m very happy with them but my needs may be different to yours. my syncro camper does a lot of road milage and a little off road. i think a mt would be better off road but i didn`t want 100`s of miles of buzz.

grabber at2`s are rated as good if not better that bfg`s on some sites and kuhmo kl71`s are supposed to be very good mt`s both come in a lot less pricey than the bfg`s.

lee.

[andisnewsyncro]

Yep, as Si says 195 R 15 on mine now. Marshall Powerguard ATs which I think are the same as Khumo (sp?)
Been quite happy with them so far, lots of road miles but not done anything more challenging than a bit of deep mud and the snow a few weeks back

Garage pic here
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/garage.php? ... ge_id=2902

I've run Maxxis before on both the Syncro & an old Disco and they seemed good too, lots of mileage and very little wear.

[Sebastian S]

I'm looking at getting Bridgestone Dueler 694's, anyone had any experience with them on a Syncro? They seem to get pretty good reviews: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... A%2FT+Revo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (they're called Revo in USA).
Available in 215/75/15 and also 225/75/15.



(oh yeah, and hello everyone, my first post here Have been lurking around for a long time though! )

[axeman]

[quote="v-lux"]This could go on for a while!!

i have 215-75-15 genral grabbers, on for a year now and 11k on them, in reality is only 9k as i swap over to the muds every now and then, but they have hardly worn at all, very good on road and inpressive off. only use the muds when i know that it is gona get very sticky, the ones that you have put a link up too look like they are more suited to a modern soft roader. by that i mean more road based, having said that sally's freelander was exerlent in the recent snow and has a simular looking tyre on it.

BFG and grabber A/T both look like a decent semi nobbly tyre, you get good looks and good performance frm them.

neil

[syncroandy]

I had BFG AT's on my Kombi for ~5 years and they lasted very well, were great for general use on road and dry off-road but clogged badly in damper conditions. However they aren't the proper ply rating and I think the casings are probably not up to really heavy off-road use.

PS. Now with Conti Vanco 8's 225/65R16 on ML alloys. They are very good, were great in the snow this winter, but I'd not take them into the mud.

[toomanytoys]

but I'd not take them into the mud.

ever see mud again!!!!!

Go on give em a go....... worth seeing how far they can get...

I used the well used 195r14 vredesteins Doug gave me, to go to france at Xmas.. performed very well.. in fact I was surprised.. only they have a bit of a wear patern on and they droned nearly as bad as my MT's.... they were loads better in the mud than the "winter" 185's though..

[jester1467]

Been looking at Kuhmo KL78 and Cooper Discoverer AT both in 215/80/15

Also Federal MS351 and General Grabber AT2 both in 215/75/15

All look nice tyres with a good on road / off road split, adequate load ratings , the federal tyre is a six ply tyre which is an other plus, all fairly reasonably priced.

Any bad press on any of the above?

Only seen these on the internet I'll have to see if I can see them in the flesh!

[toomanytoys]

poss 215r15 will be a little too big.. over gearing and clearance issues... as been suggested 215/75's work... they also give similar gearing to the vw OE option of 205r14's... IIRC there are a few that are running 225/70r15's...