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Date:         Fri, 20 Jul 2001 09:08:30 -0400
Reply-To:     Jeff Howard <schur@PRODIGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Howard <schur@PRODIGY.NET>
Subject:      '87 Westy tire grief - long
Comments: cc: strcklnd@aur.alcatel.com
In-Reply-To:  <200107200400.f6K40Yw24982@vmf-ext.prodigy.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Has anyone tried Bridgestone 613's on their Westy (with alloy wheels)? They come as 205/75 R14 and should fit. They have a reinforced sidewall.

Here's a summary of my efforts to find tires for my Westy now that my second set of Michelin MXL's (205/70 R14) has worn out and we know there are none left. I looked at all of the vanagon.com info, called the Tire Rack, spoke with a manager at Michelin, did some internet searches, spoke to two local dealerships and spoke with VW Customer Service 5 times yesterday. What a pain in the ass. Here's a summary of the results:

1. The dealerships can't help

2. Tire Rack suggests Michelin Agilis 185/14 but there are none available. VW Customer Service says not to use that size tire on the alloy wheels.

3. Michelin has no replacements of any type. They suggested looking at Nokian tires. Nokian (Swedish?) has the correct size but no reinforced sidewalls.

4. VW Customer Service didn't initially think it was their responsibility to help me find tires. After convincing them that it was, they did some research for possible replacements and suggested either going with a 215/65 R14 or a 225/65 R14. I've since found that neither size exists. After reporting that to them they suggested that I might have to buy new wheels. Not a suggestion I'm very receptive to.

5. I have a great local tire shop and I asked one of the owners for help. He checked with all of his contacts and came up with a Bridgestone model 613 which is a 205/75 R14. He had never heard of the tire and ordered one for us to look at today. It will fit the wheel and has reinforced sidewalls. Not sure if it's a passenger, light truck or tractor(!) tire. If anyone has heard of or used this tire I'd be very interested in hearing about it. The cost is $530US for 4 tires including tax, mounting, etc.

Thanks for listening to my rambling! :)

Jeff '87 Westy Chapel Hill, NC


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