Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 13:37:00 -0700
Reply-To: Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Why is the tire choice so complicated?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Brian,
After two sets of the original MIchelin MXL's on my '90 Westy, I am now
running Michelin XC LT 4's 195/75 R14's M+S, which I have not seen discussed
much here. I got them at Sears a couple of years ago, they were Blems
(blemished), so were only $50. They are warranteed for 50k miles, now have
25K and look good to go for another 25K at least. On my recent trip to San
Diego, I had them re-balanced and rotated at Sears (free with original
purchase and they let you watch to make sure they do it right), and I see
they still have th same tire, but it was around $80. They have a somewhat
open tread and are probably a little noisier. The Vanagon being the box that
it is, is still going to be blown around by high winds, and there were
plenty of those, along with sand, on the Calif. side of the river on I8.
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Cochran <rangerbrian@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2000 1:34 PM
Subject: Why is the tire choice so complicated?
> Hi everybody,
>
> I need tires badly!! my westy was purchase with almost bald tires (in the
> middle-overinflated) in the rear. (Juliper or something - load C) and
> cheapies in the front (probably dangerous)
>
> Now I tried and tried to do this without bringing up the tire subject, I
> really did! I've researched the archives, visited various tire company web
> sites and phoned local tire dealers.
> I can't get the Y370, that once seemed the tire of choice. And I don't
seem
> to hear anything definitive about these Y356's (or 354's according to that
> poor Yokohama web site)
> I have heard about the Michelin LTX M/S, but everyone happy with these??
> what to those cost?
>
> Now here's a GOOD question: Why do I rarely see any discussion about the
> continental contacts???? I'm guessing they must really be terrible, but
> that's the only tire (according to the books,rules,etc) suited for the
> vanagon. I had a tire dealer tell me, "the vanagon was designed around the
> continental." Right. . ., you all know the vanagon was really designed
> around the auto-repair industry and that's just a line of bull from
someone
> over-stocked with continentals. Or is it?
>
> THe "tire selector" options on the Yoko and Michelin websites don't show
> anything they make for the vanagon, and that makes me nervous!! One would
> think they would push whatever is close-enough..
>
> I am not going to spend over $400 on MTX's. Forget it. I'm poor.
Yesterday
> I shelled out $58 for a Oil breather tower, today I'm hoping to get that
> silly chrome window molding installed by someone, that is, if I can get it
> to start!
>
> sorry for the ranting, but I've been trying to SMARTLY select tires since
> March and everytime I try to sit down and do this I hit a brick wall
(mostly
> due the the recent discontinuing of the Y370's).
>
> All insights on this will be helpful. I'm sure other tire company options
> are out there, too! Please share all the reasons ($, ratings, noise,
> versitility, availablity, etc,etc).
>
> Thanks
> Brian Cochran
> seattle,WA
> 84 westy
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