Going to buy new tires... What!? Michelins?

[sammyman]

Ok, so I've been reading these forums for a few weeks regarding an upcoming tire purchase to go on some used CLK's for my 90 Multivan.

I really was leaning towards the new BFG KO2's , but they are heavy, wear faster than other tires, and then I read about BFG customers having blow outs:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/tires/goodrich.html

I also seriously considered the Nokian but their newest tires (2.0) are made in Russia. For some reason, their cheap price and russian quality is deterring me. And why don't big dealers (tirerack etc) carry their tires?

Now, the Michelin Defenders have a few good qualities, despite the fact that they don't have the right load rating.

They last forever, they are quiet, they are reasonably priced, and I haven't heard of anyone on here having problems with them. I read A LOT about how they don't have the right specs, but I have yet to see reports of issues.

So I'm planning on going with Michelins (Defender or Premier LTX from Costco). Part of me is thinking that with my new 16" clk rims, I'll have a much stronger "sidewall" with any tire than my current stock 14" rims, ie. more vertical metal and less rubber = stronger.

Am I crazy? I feel like all the hate of Michelins here is just talk. Does anyone have bad experiences with Michelins on vanagons? If so, please share before I pull the trigger.

Thanks!

[the joker]

heed the load rating a side wall blow out can be deadly

[dhaavers]

You said it y'self:

[danfromsyr]

less rubber does not = stronger.

all sizes can and are made to different specs.

get a tire that meets the specs and driving conditions you expect to use them on.

Nokian (has been) a top tier tire maker. I've driven and logged tens of thousands of miles on at least 3 different tread/tire types from them.

if you have a stock engine you want to keep your gearing close to stock.
but some don't so it's a "to each their own" sorta choice

Edit* Ohh and why start YET ANOTHER TIRE THREAD? go read up and ask your tire questions in the TIRE THREAD in the stickies at the top of this forum..
_________________

[dobryan]

They give it a load rating for a reason. Please heed it and keep everyone safe.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

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[Michael4104]

[Tully Mars]

You may have trouble buying tires from Costco. I tried to buy some BFGs for my Westfalia a few years ago on 15 inch wheels. They would not sell and install anything but STOCK sizes for my van. Liability issues they said.
_________________
I'm a man. But I can change.
If I have to.
I guess.
_______
84 Wolfsburg Westfalia
Hobie Cow

[Steve M.]

Where are you going to be driving it?

[Borg]

Years ago I had Costco put LTXs on my van, they won't vary from whatever their computer tells them is OK for the vehicle in question.
_________________
Steve

[dsdunbar]

Yes, I think this should be in the Tires thread.

The OP indicated buying the tires from Costco, nothing about installation (though I think it is fair to assume one would try the install there and/or it is fair to give warning of your experience w/ costco).

The OP can always unmount his rims and bring them in. I do this all the time w/ les Schwab, no issue.

I have the Nokian EnTyre 2.0's and I really like them, but I only have 1k miles on them at this point, so not very much.
_________________
'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin

[pdm777]

My Michelin HydroEdge tires self destructed-
the sidewall disintegrated and separated from the tread. NOT SAFE!!!

After that, I switched brands found a tire well suited to Westys:

Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread 215/55-16.

97H load rating
(GoWesty sells 215/60-16 with lower load rating.)

[Merian]

[whafalia]

Going from hydroedge (the michelin gowesty used to sell) to nokian was one of the best things I've done for the van. Felt like I'd gotten power steering and are lasting very well. The nokians still look great at over 30k, michelins were wasted at that. Someone slap me if I don't pay the premium next time,
_________________
84 westie 2.2 w/ digijet, AT

[msinabottle]

DEFENDER LTX M/S

Consult this post:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8029389

and this post:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7871770

and this page, if Tire Rack doesn't play 'Moving Target' again:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender+LTX+M%2FS

Yes, Virginia, there are Defenders that are safe. But they start with 15" rims.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[sammyman]

Everyone that has Nokians seems to love them.

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/02/26/nokian-tire-test-cheat-report/

Looks like they haven't been playing by the rules.

[danfromsyr]

[nemobuscaptain]

[SCM]

[PDXWesty]

[vanagonjr]