Time for tires (tyres)

2002S4019T · Post by **2002S4019T** » 06 Jan 2012, 09:22

Beginning to think about tires for my 2002 S40. Toyo has been my favorite in the past. Is there a brand that seems to work best on Volvo? Should I consider plus sizing? Wheels are factory 15in. alloys, although I would consider going to 16in. if it was an option for this car, but would like to stay with factory wheels I think. Any opinions are appreciated.

AndyB2005S40 · Post by **AndyB2005S40** » 08 Jan 2012, 08:12

Just bought 4 Kumho Ecsta 4X's from TireRack the other week for my '05 S40....OK, granted, a bit different than yours, but have had decent experience with their ASX's in the past (VG price, plus a $50 Visa card if you buy before 1/31...gotta love a little financial incentive like this!)...Have used Conti's and Yoko's in the past with decent luck...My suggestion: Go to TR's site, list "price from low to high", check out the "surveys", and go with something that ranks around "7.3" or more (OK probably has some severe snowfalls now and again, so don't even think of anything rated as "fair" in that category)....Good luck.

BerniniCaCO3 · Post by **BerniniCaCO3** » 12 Jan 2012, 20:11

Definitely keep the stock 15".
I have 15" rims on my car, and the ride is more comfortable, the tire prices significantly cheaper, and the risk of damaging the rim over every single pothole lower, than when you start going to larger and larger rims with lower and lower profile tires.
I see people with their 17" and 18" rims (on sedans, so low profile) scratched and chipped, paying $200+/tire, and getting fatal sidewall damage significantly more frequently than folk with saner rim diameters.

Dunno about tires.
We like michelins and goodyear... but it's kindof a taste thing, and I have NO objective evidence to support those choices.
Pirelli can wear out a little quicker than you'd like to think.

Choices on directional or nondirectional depend on your budget and how rainy/snowy your area is (where directional has an advantage). Only disadvantage to directional is you can't rotate side to side, so *maybe* you'd see less overall life out of them. Not really.

2002S4019T · Post by **2002S4019T** » 16 Jan 2012, 10:23

Yes, I am old enough to remember when a 195-60-15 was considered a low profile tire, and I do think I will stay with the 15's.
The Toyo Versado LXII looks really good to me but they also offer the Versado Eco, which is made partially from recycled tire material, in a 195-65-15. I think the larger size might give me a little bit better ride and fuel milage if it doesn't screw up the cars computer in some way.

Post by **matthew1** » 16 Jan 2012, 11:55

2002S4019T, if you do buy from Tire Rack, please use my Tire Rack promotions page. Just click anything on it, then put your tires in your cart. It really helps me because the affilate revenue from them (and other affiliates (like Amazon) allows me to spend more time working on the site.

My experience with Tire Rack.
The nuts and bolts of using MVS-Tire Rack links.

Thanks in advance!

Matt

2002S4019T · Post by **2002S4019T** » 19 Jan 2012, 16:50

I definetly will do that if I buy from Tire Rack. Thanks

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Jan 2012, 12:14

I have no shame.

2002S4019T · Post by **2002S4019T** » 09 Mar 2012, 12:39

Just to follow up, I ended up going with the Yokohama Avid Touring S. Too soon to tell how I like them. Seemed to take a lot of weight to balance but a nice riding tire.

Post by **matthew1** » 10 Mar 2012, 12:57

Thanks for getting back to us, and thanks for using my Tire Rack link.