Re: Tires, Tires, Tires

[Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>]

Michael D. Stocker wrote:

> However, just purchased a set of Michelin MXV4 for my Mazda 929.  GREAT
> TIRES!  H rated.  Good handling.  Good wet and dry traction.  Excellent ride
> for a H rated tire.  Supposed to also have low rolling resistance for
> improved MPG.  Much better all around tire than XGT H4.  The newest version
> is the MXV4+.  Available at Sam's Club and TR.

Well folks... as we've all more or less realized, the old latin verse
"Degustibus non disputantum est" (sp?) certainly applies. It translates into
"Of taste there is no arguing".

I'd hate to start another tire thread, but I bought a set of H-rated MXV4s
(it's a long story....), and I hate them. Anybody want to buy a set? Four
practically brand-new... 195/65/15 OEM size... very little mileage on them
(probably less than 300 miles!!)

I put them on, and found them to be very sloppy. Too soft. Sure, they rode nice
(in a straight line), and were quiet, but compared to the Pirelli P4000
SuperTourings I had on before them, they paled in comparison.

I put them on for the winter... and after one week, I had to take them off. I
felt very unsafe. Of course, this probably was also due to the fact that I was
used to my 15x7 Borbets with V-rated Comp T/As, but after a week, I still
couldn't get used to them. I put the Comps back on, and said "that's why I have
the Syncro... for bad weather".

I guess this validates that latin phrase, as well as the usual "to each his
own".

Mike, I'm glad to hear that you find them satisfactory. After all, that is what
it all comes down to... a matter of taste and preference, on an individual
basis. Just like the recent thread about BMW vs. Audi...

> A word about Pirelli tires.  NEVER buy Pirelli tire made in USA.  Probably
> one of the worst quality tires you can buy.  These tires are made in an old
> Armstrong Tire plant.  Their tires made in Europe are still worth
> considering.

Hmm... that's interesting. Thanks... I'll remember that next time. The ones
that I had must have been non-U.S. then. I had a set of Pirelli P4000
SuperTourings, and loved them (as a daily, non-track, touring tire... quiet,
smooth, great ride and handling). I abused them on the track at LimeRock, and
then found myself getting a pro-rated refund toward the MXV4s. I wanted another
set of Pirelli P4000s, but I'm sure that the folks at NTB wouldn't have
understood. ...

--
                     Jim Griffin
                 ICQ # 1315286
               JGriff@pobox.com
           http://pobox.com/~jgriff
     http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1315286
'92 Audi 100S - '87 VW Quantum Syncro
 "Perception is often stronger than reality!"
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