According to the Michelin press release, the Agilis 61 (with reinforced sidewalls) are a redesigned/replacement version of the XCA's. It sounds like they aren't making the XCA's any more, but I don't know. The price you paid is about $40per tire less than the Agilis!
See: www.michelin.com/us/eng/news/agilis/3.htm Tony '91 Syncro Westy ('teepee') Pacific Grove, CA
>From: Greg Vaughn <GVaughn@COMPUSERVE.COM> >Reply-To: GVaughn@COMPUSERVE.COM >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >Subject: Re: tires (one more time) >Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 05:35:11 -0800 > >Shortly before discovering this list, I went to Costco (membership >discount store) to get tires for my '91 Westy. I'd heard that there >were some Michelins specifically for the Vanagon, and asked the >salesperson about them. After looking at what I was currently running, >he pointed to a set of >Michelin XCA's on display and said they would work great. I think he >also told me that they were a light truck tire, but I'm not sure of >that now. They are 205 75 R14 C, so a little larger than what is >specified in the owners manual, but that sounds good to me. I told him >I wanted something with reinforced sidewalls to lessen sway, and he >pointed out that it says "8PR" on the tire - meaning it is rated as 8 >ply, even though elsewhere it says the tread has 2 steel and 3 >polyester plies and the sidewall has 2 polyester plies. I asked him if >it was M&S, and he said yes (it does not say so anywhere on the tire). >It does say "Normal highway use". Also says made in Germany. Other >markings: DOT FTJW CBWX 358 P. They have a deep tread, including >sidewall tread that reminds me a little of snow tires. > >Anyway, I bought the XCA's rather than waiting for a special order on >the others (price was about the same - ~$75 each). A few days later I >tried the Michelin website and couldn't even find the XCA mentioned, >so I called Michelin to ask about them. The tech guy assured me that >they were excellent tires for the Westy, and that I wouldn't really >gain anything by switching to the others. > >After several thousand miles they seem to be fine. A little noisier >than what I had before, but no sway problems. Haven't had any nasty >weather yet, so not sure about how they'll handle flood, mud and snow. >In 2-3 months of watching tire discussions here on the list, I've not >seen the XCA mentioned - anybody know anything more about these tires, >or have experience with them? > >- Greg ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com |
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