Tires again

[Greg Galinsky]

Be wary of the ratings in Consumer Reports about tires.  In the past 2 years
they rated the Dunlop D60or D65-A2 as their top rated touring tire.  When
the tires are new they are quite good but as they wear with about 12 to 15k
miles on them the tread depth dimminishes and some of the shallow sipes
diasappear.  The larger issue is also that some of the channels to disperse
water disapear, they are not full depth down to the 2/32 depth.  What was a
fine tire in wet when new gets terrible with about only 1/3 of it's useful
tread gone.

If Consumer Reports did life cyle tire tests that would make much more
sense.  The fisrt time; you say use a washing machine that was top rated by
Consumer Reports; it works and functions in about the same manner as after
500 times later.  The function of a lot of things don't change over their
lifespan; the function of tires definitly do change over their lifetime.

I have no specific info fo you on the Mich x One but have in the past 20
years found that the European manufactured Michelin tires to have good
construction and they stay round. Have had many defective and out of round
Micelins that were made in the USA.  I had a run of 8 straight that were
defective out of round right from the factory as new tires.  Have not been
pleased with the quality control of the US based Michelin tires.  Generally
in function most of the Michelin tires are good quiet dry weather tires;
fair in wet weather and suck in snow or ugly conditions.

There is not really much out there to do the all-season function that you
are looking for.  You may want to look at the Nokian NRW or the WR which is
replacing it.  They are the most aggressive all-season or more correctly
all-weather tire out there.

Take a look at the tires you consider and see if they have the snowstar
rating in the sidewall; these are rated for severe winter conditions.  It's
a little snowflake in what looks like a mountain outline.

Good luck
Greg Galinsky
G & G Service

90 90Q
90 80
90 80Q
88 90Q
88 80Q
96 Miata
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ice Cat ^. .^ ~" <iceisit at earthlink.net>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 10:21 AM
Subject: Tires again


> Taka wrote:
>
> >If you can swing it, I'd get the Kumho Ecsta MX- the recent
> >Tire Rack test showed it to be the equal of the much more
> >expensive Pilot Sport and S-03.
>
> I am wondering what you all think of the Michelin x-One?   It was
> rated highly in Consumer Reports, but I assume that was for average
> driving.
>
> I live in CT where there is some snow, but more rain and freezing
> rain, so I need an all season tire because we never know from one day
> to the next what the weather will be.     I must have something that
> has good traction on wet pavement as it seems to rain all the time
> here.   I don't understand the speed ratings but usually I am driving
> on the highway 75-80, but I want a tire that I can go faster if I
> need to.
>
> Any suggestions regarding choices of tires.   I would like to stay
> $85-95, but might go a little higher if persuaded they are worth the
> price.    My car is very old buy my driving is not and I want a safe
> tire that has good performance and won't wear out exceptionally fast.
>
>
> It is possible to get that plus a smooth ride?
> . . .  and if not what are the trade offs?
>
>   Thanks so much ~  Cheers, Fay
>
>
> "There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers
> exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will
> instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre
> and inexplicable.  There is another theory which states that this has
> already happened." - Douglas Adams
> mailto:iceisit at earthlink.net
> http://home.earthlink.net/~iceisit/
>