Tire confusion -- S70 T5

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 01 Dec 2020, 09:28

I want to get a softer ride form my T5 -- I drive like an old man because I AM. I had touring tires recommended by this forum. So many damn places and brands to choose from. Will stay away from Chinese and real oddball names but would like to hear about best bang for buck names from you guys or maybe someone who was/is in the tire business. Michelin, goodyear, cooper, uniroyal, pirelli --- a zillion others. It's ridiculous.

Too many damn choices on everything from toothpaste to tires. Have yokohama now -- real crap.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 01 Dec 2020, 10:29

Head to tyrereviews.co.uk. Enter your preferred tyre size, read the reviews for the tyres, and make your own informed decision. That site collates reviews and data from all the major and most trust-worthy review boards. Tyres are a highly subjective area and you'll often get a different recomendation for every person you ask, all of which will be geared to what that person prefers for their budget, type of driving, and local road conditions. What works for me or someone else might not work for you; as an example I've had great experiences with Yokohama Advans, whereas you clearly haven't.

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 01 Dec 2020, 10:45

ok thanks.

it's either michelin defender OR
goodyear assurance comfortred

one of those 2.

anyone use them?

Post by **j-dawg** » 01 Dec 2020, 11:47

Most industries these days make more or less interchangeable products but I legit think Michelins are a step above other tires. I've never regretted buying Michelin, even at a higher cost.

To compare the two tires, check Tire Rack. Endless reviews by people who think way too hard about tires.

Post by **kallekula** » 01 Dec 2020, 12:21

I'm in the process of buying new tires too. For me it’s most important that the tires are quiet, and have good grip ofc. I have almost decided upon Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack.

Post by **pgill** » 01 Dec 2020, 14:53

mar601 wrote: ↑01 Dec 2020, 10:45 ok thanks.

it's either michelin defender OR
goodyear assurance comfortred

one of those 2.

anyone use them?

MAR601,

I am running Michelin Premier LTX on my P3 SUV and they are very comfortable.

The Michelin Defender should also be very comfortable.

I've run Goodyear's in the past with very mixed results.

For a 1998 S70 I would get the following

Michelin Defender

205 55 R16 91H (Confirm that this is the size that you are running)

91 is the load rating (1356 lbs. x 4 = 5424 lbs.)

H is the speed rating (130 MPH max speed)

A lower load rating will generally be a softer riding Tire

A lower speed rating will generally be a softer riding Tire

91H is a good choice

Defender construction

Internally, two wide steel belts are reinforced by a single ply of polyamide to stabilize the tread, improving steering response and tire life. The two-ply body casing is constructed of polyester cord to balance durability and ride comfort.

Premier LTX construction

The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped polyamide cord on top of a polyester casing ply to blend handling and durability with ride uniformity and comfort.

Good luck

Paul

Post by **erikv11** » 01 Dec 2020, 15:40

mar601 wrote: ↑01 Dec 2020, 10:45 ok thanks.

it's either michelin defender OR
goodyear assurance comfortred

one of those 2.

anyone use them?

Between these two I'd go with Defender.

I'd also trust kallekula about the Bridgestones!

Post by **volvolugnut** » 01 Dec 2020, 16:00

As another old guy, who drives like an old guy (most of the time), I find if vehicles have good suspension and alignment, I may replace tires for age instead of tread wear. Seven years is considered about the limit on tires regardless of miles. I tend to buy moderate priced Firestone, Bridgestone, or Goodyear with Temperature and traction rating of A and treadwear rating of 500 plus. Not the cheapest or the most expensive = not the worst or the best.
volvolugnut

Post by **MoVolvos** » 01 Dec 2020, 22:27

mar601 wrote: ↑01 Dec 2020, 10:45 ok thanks.

it's either michelin defender OR
goodyear assurance comfortred

one of those 2.

anyone use them?

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Had a set of 15" Bridgestone Potenza's on my 98 S70 T5 in 2012. I believe they were around $200 for the 01 V70 rims and tires which had 1K miles on it. Met owner at Costco and he had them balanced before handing them over. They were very comfortable in the beginning but after two years they were wearing very quickly. I estimated them to be 25K and at best 30K tires. My experience with Bridgestones is that they wear out much earlier than the tire Rating. Donated the car before the tires wore out.

Just purchased a set of 225/60/16 Defender T + H for the 03 Odyssey today. Costco's $150 off expired end of day Nov 30th. I called Discount Tire yesterday and they matched the price but I opted to pay an additional $80 for their Non-Prorated free replacement Road Hazard Warranty. Out the door was around $595.00. I purchased their Road Hazard for both the 19 Atlas Conti ($100) and 03 S80 T6 Goodyear ($80) even though neither sets were purchased from them. As long as they are in newer condition and they balance out they will sell you the Warranty.

A word of caution. When I arrived 3 of the 4 Defender T + H tires had a DOT Date of (15/19 or Manufactured on the 15th week of 2019) and 1 with (40/20). I asked for the Date when they called and the sale associate said they should all be 2020 tires. Long story short, I was going to leave and just wait for another sale but he had the Manager called their supplier to get another 3 (40/20) tires. At no time did they hard sell me or complained but was for sure not going to have me walk out without a sale. Excellent customer service.

This replaced a set of Michelins I purchased back in 2015 from America Tires. Got 49K out of the rated 60K and could probably go another 5K but winter is here. Tires almost never reach the rated mileage regardless. I keep all my tires at 42 PSI (44 PSI Max Cold) and align as needed. The old set had super even wear. The new Defender T + H made the van look really good (really?) and of course drives very nicely.

Lastly, we have a set of newer Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max P225/50R17 94V on our 03 S80 T6. It came with the car and is a decent tire. Good stability, especially on the freeway but is not as quiet nor corner as well as the Michelins. The C30 T5 has the Michelin PILOT SPORT A/S 3+ 215/45ZR18 from Costco. Little stiff but son likes the quiet ride and performance.

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Post by **MoVolvos** » 01 Dec 2020, 23:11

pgill wrote: ↑01 Dec 2020, 14:53
mar601 wrote: ↑01 Dec 2020, 10:45 ok thanks.

it's either michelin defender OR
goodyear assurance comfortred

one of those 2.

anyone use them?

205 55 R16 91H (Confirm that this is the size that you are running)

91 is the load rating (1356 lbs. x 4 = 5424 lbs.)

H is the speed rating (130 MPH max speed)

A lower load rating will generally be a softer riding Tire

A lower speed rating will generally be a softer riding Tire

91H is a good choice

Good luck

Paul

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The stock tires are 205/50/16 if the linked info in correct. I like the idea of running a slightly taller (205/55/16) or wider (215/50/16) tire. The S70 has a tight wheel well so the shocks and springs need to be in good shape and stock height to avoid any rubbing when corning too swiftly. The 16's seemed to provide a stiff ride so I opted for the 15" rim and tires as mentioned in the earlier post, though the taller or wider 16" tires could offset that. The higher Load Rating also means the tire will have longer wear.

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/volvo/s ... 5-eudm-237

https://tiresize.com/comparison/

By the way Paul, put on another set of EBC rear brakes (pads), this time on the 03 Odyssey and there is a noticeable difference in stopping power. Bias towards the rear so less dive during stop. Good providence again as the last set was $18 and it went up to $70 for the new stock. The front set (rotor and pads) still working great on the C30.

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