Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 14:24:39 -0500 (EST)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: KENYON FAIREY <kfairey@oit.umass.edu>
Subject: Alloy Wheels - again!
Not to rehash all the previous discussion - I would like to ask for input on
a particular wheel-tire combo for a final decision on my part.
I am about to upgrade from standard steel wheels to Alloys on my "new" '91
Westy (non-syncro :()
Option 1:
Factory Alloys from the dealer
Tires required: 205/70 HR14s:
--either
Michelin MXV4 radials : H 95 rated (130 miles/hr @ 1521 lbs/wheel; Max psi 44)
300 wear rated (60,000 mi/2)
--or
Pirelle P4000 : H 93 rated (130 miles/hr @ 1433 lbs/wheel; Max psi 44)
50,000 mi warrenty
Option 2:
Borbet Leichtmetallrader Alloys (Mercedes wheels) from the TireRack
--They say this wheel is an exact crossover for the '91 VW Vanagon
--but they are 15" wheels: 15 X 7
--these alloys look exactly like the VW wheel, escept there are 8 rather than 5
"cut outs"
Tires required: 205/65 HR15s
Michelin Energy MXV4 radials : H 94 rated (130 miles/hr @ 1477 lbs/wheel;
Max psi 44) 340 wear rated (68,000 mi/2)
QUESTIONS:
Are they correct in saying that the Borbet wheels are "correct" for the VW
Vanagon/Westy? As they are 15" wheels, they do require a larger tire.
205/70 R14 tires measure 25.3 inches
vs.
205/65 R15 tires measure 25.5 inches
If the Borbet wheels are appropriate, and will cause no problems - would you
go this route?
New factory Alloys are $425 list/$300 if you're lucky
Borbet Alloys are $125/115 each from the TireRack - and look almost like the
VW Wheels.
I would like to save money - but not at the cost of safety or mechanical
problems.
Thankx-
Kenyon
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenyon Fairey, Re.D. Adjunct Assistant Professor
Head, Help Desk Services & Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Software Support Department of Forestry &
Office of Information Technologies Wildlife Management
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A 117, Lederle Graduate Research Center Internet -- KFairey@OIT.UMass.EDU
University of Massachusetts Phone -- (413)-545-4366
Amherst, MA 01003 FAX -- (413)-545-3203
