Date:         Thu, 4 Sep 2003 13:47:32 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Winter tires?Nokian not Available???
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Kevin, I work for the parts Dept. at the Honda Dealership here in Anchorage, AK, and have driven here for 25 years. My first consideration is traction, I have yet to drive a tire that gives better than the Hakkapeliitta's do. As for road noise, they will not be as quiet as an all season but they are more quiet than any others I have tried. Our sales dept. will only put Hakkapeliitta's on demo cars because they do not want the customers to listen to the additional noise that other tires generate. An additional benefit to Nokian tires is longevity, they seem to last quite a bit longer and for those of us that use studs, the studs stay in much better. Several people have listed rims for free lately, and while they may not be in your area it would not be much to ship them. Here most people invest in extra rims for their winter tires as it is quicker, easier and in the long run cheaper if you are planning on keeping the vehicle.

Mark
87 Westy Syncro
Anchorage, AK


The Nokian website http://http://www.nokiantires.com sez:
>
>  Year: 1991  Make: VOLKSWAGEN MINIVANS  Model: Vanagon
>
> Option:Standard
> Tire Size: Nokian Tire
> 185R14/C Sorry, no tire currently available
>
>  Option:Syncro
> Tire Size: Nokian Tire
> 185R14/C Sorry, no tire currently available
>
> Anyone have a source?
>
> John Meeks
> Top of Lower Michigan
> 91 Westfalia MultiVan
>
>
Look under the "van" tire heading <
http://www.nokiantires.com/newsite/tires.cfm> .  The C2, CS, and CQ come
in 185R14 sizes and good load ratings.

My existing Michelin LTX M&S are getting worn and I may replace with
Nokian's this year.  Anyone with actual experience able to provide a
comparison (noise, traction, etc) between the Michelins and the various
Nokians?

If I had a spare set of rims I might use different winter and summer
tires.  Anyone local to Calgary looking to give away a set of 14" rims? ;)

Kevin