Date:         Wed, 8 Jul 1998 19:38:57 -0700
Reply-To:     harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Michelin MXT for the vanagon
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi Michael,
We recently bought a set of 205 70 R14 Michelin MXT tires for our '90
vanagon.
These tires do have "MXT" stamped on them and  max. press. of 50 psi.
You didn't say how much pressure your tires take. If it is only 35 psi,
the tire is probably designed for lighter passenger cars.
In my experience, a good tire for a vanagon should take 40 to 50 psi
inflation.
We purchased the tires from Sears.
They had to order them, but it only took a week to get them.
Our local Sears did price matching with Tire Rack prices,
and in fact, didn't charge any freight charges, and subtracted another 5%.
Price was something like $91 per tire, including mounting.
The Michelin book in Sears stated the MXT, which is reinforced sidewall,
50 psi, is the recommended tire for vanagons.
The van handles beautifully with these tires.

Good luck.
Harald & Nancy
'90 westy

----------
> From: Michael Meuser <meuser@MAPCRUZIN.COM>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Michelin MX for the vanagon
> Date: Wednesday, July 08, 1998 10:50 AM
>
> A dealer just sold me a set of 4 185R14 reinforced MX tires for my vw
> vanagon.  I checked the Michelin website and I don't find them listed at
all.
> In fact the tire selector just calls for a normal 4 ply (185R14 MX4).
>
> I've had the reinforced tires on previous vans and have always been happy
with
> them.  This version is much more agressive (more off-roadish) than ones
I've
> had before yet is not rated for mud and snow and has a wear rating of
only 240.
>
>  I checked the dot date on the tires and they range from 15 months to
over
> 2-1/2 years old.  Is this tire discontinued?  The dealer told me that it
was
> hard to get them because of under production.  Why then would the tires I
got
> be so old.  It just doesn't make
> sense.
>
> The dealer also said that they would have a tread pattern like the
> Rainforce MX4 which they clearly don't.
>
> The dealer called them an MXT, but all the tire says is MX
>
> What tire is now recommended for my 1983 VW Vanagon?  Is the Michelin
> selector right? Should I be using the MX4 185R14?  Does Michelin still
> make a reinforced tire for the VWs?  Is the tire I got from the dealer a
> discontinued model?
>
> I'm a bit leary because I just replaced a set of michelin xch4 that were
> made in 1989 yet installed on my car in 1994.  They all began to
> separate with about 1/3 of the tread left.  Also, note that the dealer
> did not say a thing about any warranty for the separation.
>
> The dealer is the WheelWorks in Santa Cruz, CA.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> mike meuser
> meuser@mapcruzin.com