Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 00:39:49 -0500
Reply-To: John Koloski <koloski@TOAD.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Koloski <koloski@TOAD.NET>
Subject: Re: Mich MXT 205s Report
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
The original MXT 205's that came on my new Vanagon were the WORST tires
that I ever owned on any car I ever drove.
I would routinely load my Vanagon with 5 other scuba divers and their gear
and drive non-stop to the Florida Keys at a steady 70 mph for 24 hours/1400
miles. Not once but TWICE those damn Michelins exploded in Florida after
only 12 non-stop 70 mph hours of use. I would also lose all control driving
in snow ( a few inches, unplowed) with the Michelins AT A SPEED OF 15 MPH.
I told a guy at a tire store about my problems with the Michelins and he
suggested Pirrellis (probably mispelled). They were less expensive than the
Michellins, I could maintain control at 45 mph in snow (I don't drive
faster than that until they plow the roads), and they NEVER blew up on the
way to Florida. They did wear out faster, however because they were made
out of a softer rubber than the MXT's. The tire stoe that I bought the
Pirelli's from stopped carrying them so I had to try another tire. I am
now on my third set of the cheapest all season radials Pep Boy's sell and I
LOVE them. They say "maximum inflation 44 psi, cold" so I don't mind
putting 40 psi in the rear tires (the MXT's said "maximum 40 psi, cold").
They are all season tires and work great in the snow, and they never BLOW
UP on 24 hour non-stop high speed scuba ROAD TRIPS. They are made from
soft rubber and wore even faster than the Pirelli's did, but I always got
cash credit toward a new set when I pointed out the mileage/tread depth to
the Pep Boy's guy.
PS I'm on my third set of brakes. I got 90K miles from each set of brakes,
50K from the Michellins, 40K from the Pirrelli's and 30K frm each set of
Pep Boys tires on my 1990 Vanagon.
> From: Kent Christensen <lkchris@USWEST.NET>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Mich MXT 205s Report
> Date: Tuesday, November 09, 1999 12:04 AM
>
> I certainly second Steven's notion that new Michelins are great and
> that the tires recommended by the manufacturer are the best tires to
> use and that if Michelins are in the list they're the best ones in my
> experience. I should add, however, that new tires are always going to
> feel better than the old ones just replaced. Newer rubber, not
> hardened with age, deeper tread also equals softer, better ride, etc.,
> etc. It's the "reinforced" vs not reinforced that likely makes the
> crosswind difference, however. I think the only good alternative to
> "reinforced" is "C" as the door jamb sticker will indicate. I just
> think, however, there is a fundamental difference between European
> tires and American tires, however, with much more compliant sidewalls
> usually the case with the latter. Don't see how American tires can
> ever be right for a Vanagon. I think most Asian tires (available in
> USA and relevant to Vanagons) are closer to American than European.
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