Date:         Sat, 16 Mar 1996 23:14:00 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Vdubdude@aol.com
Subject:      Re: EV transmission cooler & Tire prices?

In a message dated 96-03-16 18:50:45 EST, you write:

>got come quotes on tires today, and OUCH they're expensive.
>
>@ Goodyear:
>
>   1.  205/70 - 15 Aquatred II's  115.99 each, set of 4 with all the 
>                extras $601.04.
>   2.  195/70 - 15 OEM's 133.80, or $684.50 for the entire deal.
>
>Isn't that more than most of the people on the list paid for their 
>entire busses?  :)
>
>Personally, I think this guy is out of his mind.  Has anybody else priced 
>these things?
>
>Also has anybody put 205's on their Eurovan?  Did they fit ok?
>
>Also checked at a local discounter for the Pirelli Aquamile's.
>
>205/70 - 15's $79.95 each, 80,000 mile warranty, 454.11 for the entire 
>set including lifetime balance and roadhazard.
>
>If I can't find Goodyears cheaper, I'm gonna try the pirelli's.
>
>

Try Sumitomos. Sumitomo is a well established racing and passenger car tire
company in (gulp) Japan.  I usually don't buy Japanese stuff because of their
protectionist government policies, but these are such an excellent value, I
can't pass them up.  I sell tires at my shop, and I have had excellent
results from them.  For Type 2s, they come in 2 flavors.  The 8-ply
recommended light truck tire (your van is a one-ton truck), and the HTR 70.
 The HTR 70 is a fine passenger car tire.  The H speed rating doesn't just
relate to speed, It also says something about the stability and
responsiveness of a tire.  Treadwear rating is 320, traction is rated A,
temperature is rated A.  I love these.  They are very affordable.  I sell
 them to my customers for about $400.00 for a set of 4  mounted, balanced,
new stems, South Carolina tire import duty, and sales tax.