Need suggestion on new tires...

[VXD959]

I searched the forum but could not find the answer I was looking for...

Need to change my wife's 2000 VX tires. I'm looking for a better looking, fatter, smoother, quieter ride (she does not need off-road tires).

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Daniel

[David Wiltshire]

I am not sure if you can get the size you need but the Pirelli Scorpion Zero is a superb tyre. Since putting them on my VX here in the U.K. I have noticed improved grip on the road especially in the wet.

[WormGod]

I really appreciate what my Yokohama AVS tires have to offer. They are wider, a tad taller (which covers a lot of that open wheel well spacing), and an improved street grab. I ended up going with the 285/60/18.

[VXD959]

Those Yokohamas look fine ($143/each 285/60/18). So the Scorpion Zeros (154/each).

Should I go with a 275 or 285's? What about the tire wall size? 70/60/50/40's?

What's recommended for the VX w/o trimming the cladding?

Someone once posted about the Nitto's NT404 $131 275/60/18. I'm wondering how are those holding up...

I also found Dunlop Sport 9000..any one with those?

Goodyear Eagle GT for $119 each? p285/60/18
Falken $150/each

Michelin Pilot 275/60/18...$91

PS- Got pricing and information from DiscountTire and Tire Rack.com. (for my own reference)

;eekp;

[WormGod]

I had to do about a 1/2" trimming on the front lower cladding, but others with the same tires didnt seem to have to. It probably depends on your method of driving. I am pretty aggressive so I get the max use out of cornering/turning and I found that I had some rubbing. The trimming is completely unnoticable, even if I were to point it out. Very flush job with a hacksaw and a file.

It's hard to say what tire size to get. It really depends on YOUR preferance. I plan on going wider as soon as I get my new wheels, and I may stick with the Yokos. A very soft tire with a lot of good grab. Not so good in snow though.

[VXD959]

No problem with snow here in Houston, Texas.

Sorry for this "naive" question, but need to ask...

- Is the rubbing against the cladding a problem due to the size of the tire wall or the overall dimension of the tire? For example:

Is a 285/60/18 tire bigger/taller in overall dimension (circumsference) than a 285/45/18?

(You can tell I'm not an engineer or knowledgeable on this matter)

Thanks for all your help.

BTW, "Saint" just sent me a note stating that his Nittos are performing great after 8,000 miles.

[IsuZOOM]

Originally posted by VXD959

- Is the rubbing against the cladding a problem due to the size of the tire wall or the overall dimension of the tire? For example:

Well, that's kind of the same thing. I mean obviously the overall size of the tire is all that matters, and the sidewall size affects that.

Is a 285/60/18 tire bigger/taller in overall dimension (circumsference) than a 285/45/18?

Yes. The sidewall height is 15% more in the first. (285 means 285 mm width of the tire. 60 mean the sidewall is 60% of the first number, or 171 mm in this case)

[WormGod]

Right. It's a combination if width and height. Trimming isnt as bad as it sounds though. As long as you dont get cut-happy and take off too much, you will be very satisfied. Lifting is always an option for a larger tire, but then you have the whole "open wheel well space" issue again. It's good to plan out what you want and what you can get from what you want before jumping in head first. That's where these forums come in most handy.

[LEG 01VX]

Daniel,

Here is how you calculate the "tire diameter".

Size 285/60R18:

((285/25.4)x(.6)x2)+18=31.46"

Size 285/45R18:

((285/25.4)+(.45)x2)+18=28.10"

Larry

[VXD959]

Thank you, guys! Very useful information. Gotta love this forum!

[Randy]

After the original Bridgestones, I tried the Yokohama AVS/ST's and liked them for their grip and feel, except they became very noisey after some mileage. They lasted about 45,000 miles.

So, I took Tone's advice next, and bought the Pirelli Scorpion Zero's and must admit that they are very superior on and off-road. I did have an initial problem with the soft feel of the Scorpion Zero's and solved it by running 44psi instead of the 32psi that I am so acustomed to with all other tires. I have never run tires with so much pressure, but the Zero's need it. I have 35,000 on the Zero's now and expected 45-50K (much more than I ever imagined) when I bought them. I'm very pleased.

Thanks for the info Tone! I vote for you to Buy The Zeros!!!!!!

Randy

[driver3]

Ok, I'm doing the same, I'm taking off my winter rims and tires and going back to the 18's. I'm looking at the Falken TZ01's, Yoko AVS ST, scorpions, and the Kuhmo Exta. Has anyone used kuhmos? I'm going with 285/60/18's. I've heard that the avs st (my top choice right now) don't have great treadlife, and I know this type of tire isn't going to get good tread life, but I still could use some estimates. Also, the scorpions are supposed to be great, does anyone have them in the 285/60/18 size, and how do you drive? I want lots of traction on road, rain or shine. I have off-road tires for off the road, so these are completely street. Thanks... Andrew

[Panther_Black_VX]

Originally posted by Randy
the Pirelli Scorpion Zero's
Randy

Randy: Did you buy the stock size? Or do you have bigger wheels?

I'll adding these to my list of VX improvements...

[Navigator]

Originally posted by VXD959
I searched the forum but could not find the answer I was looking for...

Need to change my wife's 2000 VX tires. I'm looking for a better looking, fatter, smoother, quieter ride (she does not need off-road tires).

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Daniel

Michelin Cross Trainers will give you a smooth quiet ride with plenty of grip in all weather conditions, including snow. My best mod to date

[Andrey]

Originally posted by VXD959
I searched the forum but could not find the answer I was looking for...

Need to change my wife's 2000 VX tires. I'm looking for a better looking, fatter, smoother, quieter ride (she does not need off-road tires).

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Daniel

Are Scorpions noisy ? Any snow/mud experience ? Thanks