Date:         Tue, 22 Jun 1999 16:42:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Pete Cassidy <pcassidy@APPLE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Pete Cassidy <pcassidy@APPLE.COM>
Subject:      Wolfsburg Tires/Tyres - the answer(s)!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi all,

     For the record, in case anyone else wants to know .....
After I posted my plea for help on tires for my 6" standard VW
alloys I got a dozen helpful replies from people on the list. The
opinions were almost unanimous.

     So ... here's a summary of what I've learnt:

     - Michelin MXT 205/70R14R are the ones to go for
       if you want a standard highway tire. This is the one I need.
       These tires have the appropriate reinforced sidewalls and
       are rated at 1710 lbs. @ 50 psi.

     - These tires are still available & America's Tire or
       tirerack.com can get them within days of ordering.

     - The standard Vanagon tire is 185/75 or 195/75, but the
       Wolfsburg standard tire is 205/70, regardless of what
       your FLATS may try to tell you (hello, Sears!!).

     - I'm paying $93 a corner, but they may cost up to $116 depending
       on who you ask & where you live.

     - Don't bother looking on michelin.com - they're not there!
       Vanagon vehicle search shows none available & the MXT
       isn't up there either.

     - Don't bother calling America's Tire & asking for Vanagon
       tires - they'll just say no! You *must* specifically ask for
       the MXT tire! This will cause the correct tire to miraculously
       appear on their computer.

     - There isn't a suitable Michelin Agilis tire in 205/70 size. 8-(

     - Some people suggested Yokohama 370s, but these don't seem to
       be available in 205/70.

Thanks to everyone for the help,

Pete C

--
Peter Cassidy,                     pcassidy@apple.com
Sr. Test Dev. Engineer             (916) 394-5302 - phone
Sacramento Operations Center       (916) 815-0762 - pager
Apple Computer Inc.