Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 20:29:45 -0800
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Tire sales-people (rant + info .... long)
In-Reply-To: <491661A7.4090701@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
As I was leaving the shop, he said they were C rated. Hearing that,
and seeing the actual L.I. rating on the sticker was a curiosity in my
mind.
I didn't actually see the sidewall to confirm as they were buried in
piles. All food for thought I guess.
Thanks for your insights Mark.
Neil.
On Sat, Nov 8, 2008 at 8:05 PM, mdrillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> Sadly, that tire is discontinued in that size. I have used several sets on
> Syncros/ Campers and I know many other Vanagon/Syncro/Westy owners who have
> too. Nice tire and I would love to still be able to get them. Of course it
> is a Load C 6PR tire so the load index theory does not strictly apply, IMHO.
> Larry and I have gone around and around on this. He prefers to err on the
> side of insisting on a higher weight/load standard. The result is that many
> people buy low end Asian tires with high load/weight numbers but inferior
> braking and handling and think they have done a good thing. Doesn't matter
> much anymore since most of the quality tires that fit our vans are gone
> anyway. You can at least still get some decent winter tires for $$$.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
>
> neil N wrote:
>>
>> Tire in question: Michelin LT 195/75/14 93R Mud & Snow.
>>
>> On a whim, I went to a local tire shop. The first salesman, tries to
>> sell me these Michelins. I was dubious, but curious, so he sent me to
>> talk to someone else. I should say in defense of the first guy, that
>> he did recommend some Agillis tires though I didn't actually see them
>> to identify what size/model they were. Regardless, I wanted some
>> snows. So....
>>
>> Ok. Now I'm talking to the second fellow. First off, in reference to
>> me saying my Westy needed a minimum 97 L.I. tire, he asks: "where did
>> you hear that?". I say: "internet". During the conversation, he then
>> refers to the info I got as "crap". Well, now he's inadvertently
>> insulting my Vanagon buddies here on this list and elsewhere. (not to
>> mention my own intelligence) But to be open minded, I listened.
>>
>> I knew enough to know this tire didn't have the right load index
>> (according to what I've read) but the first fellow looks it up anyway.
>> Sure enough. 1435 lbs. But no, they're both trying to convince me that
>> it would be fine citing various "examples". Basically continuing to
>> tell me I'm wrong. But hey. I'm the customer right? I want a tire with
>> a L.I. minimum of 97 dagnabbit! ;^)
>>
>> To confirm my suspicions:
>>
>> This from Larry's website (thanks Larry)
>>
>> "Model: LTX M/S
>> Size: LT195/75R14
>> Passenger Car Tire: No
>> Load Index: 93
>> Load Range: C
>> Max Load: 1435 lbs
>> Max Infl@ion Pressure: 50 psi
>> Diameter: 25.5
>> Revs/per Mile: 824
>> Fits in Stock Clamshell: Yes
>>
>> Meets Specifications: No "
>>
>> Oddly, I didn't see it on the Canadian Michelin website:
>>
>> http://www.michelinman.ca/specs/ltx_m_s/27.html
>>
>> Did they stop production of this size? Maybe this tire guy has old
>> stock to sell off? I don't see the Agillis in a size 14" either.
>>
>> Anyhowsers.,.....
>>
>> IMO, these guys were telling me that a tire VW considers unsuitable, was
>> ok.
>>
>> Would a brake mechanic try to sell me undersized pads (if that were
>> even possible) or other incorrect parts?
>>
>> No.
>>
>> So why oh why, would a tire guy,
>> try to sell me a "pie in the sky"?
>>
>> Yeesh! ;)
>>
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>> --
>> Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
>>
>> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>>
>>
>
>
--
Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
| 
