Page 1 of 2
Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:46 pm
by dobby
Ok
Need some definitive advice
Bongo needs four new tyres, it's over at Ian Taylors Bongo Health Farm having a holiday (service, MOT, derustification)
Should I go for 215 width front and rear or do 195 front and 215 rear as per standard?
Tyres will be fitted to standard SP pack alloy wheels (are they all the same width)?
Lastly, what's the benefit of 215's all round - does it make the steering heavier?
Thanks
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:32 pm
by BONGODADDY
Hi Graham,
I am no expert but i can let you know that i have 215/65/15's all round on alloys, they are 100 rated and the ride and handling seems very good, don't really notice bumps in the road and the tyres grip very well in the wet as well.
Hope this helps mate.
Paul.[/b]
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:35 pm
by Bob
There's a Fact Sheet on tyres in the Member's area, well worth a look.
Essentially you can fit the same all round, or original sizes. It's critical on a 4wd to have the same circumference though and either route will achieve this.

Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:52 pm
by You've Been Bongod
graham isnt yours a 4wd???
if it is i would stay with the same size all round 215's
if its 2wd then 195 front 215 rear
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:31 pm
by dobby
You've Been Bongod wrote:graham isnt yours a 4wd???
if it is i would stay with the same size all round 215's
if its 2wd then 195 front 215 rear
Thanks all, the fact sheet is pretty clear about it.
Carl - it's a 4wd and they are 195F and 215R as well
Going to get 215's all round via Mr T
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:16 pm
by splitpin
Mine is 4wd and I've had both combinations fitted, didn't notice any difference in feel or handling either way but steering was a bit heavier with the 215/65 size on front. Recomended sizes according to handbook are 195/70 front 215/65 rear wether 2wd or 4wd.
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:12 pm
by David Edwards
I have been running on 215's all round since I bought it, no probs, just remember the speedo will probably do what mine does,lol, record 5mph faster than you are actually doing, I am not bothered about it as it helps with speed limits,lol.
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:16 pm
by missfixit70
215 is the tyre width David, so it depends on the diameter as to the speedo reading. I found my 215/55/17's put the speedo & trip counter spot on

Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:17 pm
by dobby
splitpin wrote:Mine is 4wd and I've had both combinations fitted, didn't notice any difference in feel or handling either way but steering was a bit heavier with the 215/65 size on front. Recomended sizes according to handbook are 195/70 front 215/65 rear wether 2wd or 4wd.
David Edwards wrote:I have been running on 215's all round since I bought it, no probs, just remember the speedo will probably do what mine does,lol, record 5mph faster than you are actually doing, I am not bothered about it as it helps with speed limits,lol.
Thanks guys
215 it is (ps I'll check the speed against a sat nav when they are fitted).
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:04 pm
by Mountain
Hi,
My Bongo came in from the Land of the Rising Sun with 195/80/15 mud and snow tyres on.
They are very 'bouncy'!
-
Now I've got me some alloys and I have got hold of some 205/70/15s
Anyone got this size? They work out around a 1% greater circumference that standards......but they are new and very cheap!
-
Oh alloys! What do you think?

Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:54 pm
by You've Been Bongod
are the alloys off a mitsubushi fto??
dont forget to get alloy wheel bolts as steel wheel bolts will not do the job due to the way the bolt fits upto the wheel
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:29 am
by Mountain
Dunno
Advertised as Mitsubishi alloys...£75

Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:24 am
by rita
Mountain wrote:Hi,
My Bongo came in from the Land of the Rising Sun with 195/80/15 mud and snow tyres on.
They are very 'bouncy'!
-
Now I've got me some alloys and I have got hold of some 205/70/15s
Anyone got this size? They work out around a 1% greater circumference that standards......but they are new and very cheap!
-
Oh alloys! What do you think?

Hi,do you have centre caps for your alloys?
Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:46 pm
by Alison01326
Being a bit thick here but if your speedo reads fast (ours does, a bit) does that mean your odometer is wrong too?
Ours seems to be OK, but have only ever really checked it on short runs. I imagine the further you go the more obvious it would be.
It's been checked with a hand held GPS unit (don't have proper sat nav) but that's not why I am being thick

Re: Tyres 215 all round or 215 and 195?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:01 pm
by missfixit70
Alison01326 wrote:Being a bit thick here but if your speedo reads fast (ours does, a bit)
does that mean your odometer is wrong too?
Ours seems to be OK, but have only ever really checked it on short runs. I imagine the further you go the more obvious it would be.
It's been checked with a hand held GPS unit (don't have proper sat nav) but that's not why I am being thick

Could be, best to check it over a long journey & see what sort of % difference you get between measured & actual.