Is there a good low profile, high performace tire?

Bob_Skurka · Apr 22, 2005

I have a Volvo C70 convertible with about 32,000 miles on it. The OEM tires are 225/45YR-17s Pirelli P6000 that cost over $200 a pop mounted and balanced. I've now just had my 3rd flat tire!

Not one of the tires was punctured, in each case they simply lost air at high speed and ripped the sidewall.

I'm getting sick of replacing these tires, worse yet it never happens on bright sunny days. All 3 tires blew while the lovely Mrs_Bob was driving my car. And this time it was snowing and about 20 minutes after sunset as I was changing the tire on the side of the rural 4 lane highway with the closest streetlight a mile or two away.

I think I done with Pirelli tires! As the only tires that will fit the rims and still stay inside the wheelwells are ultra low profile tires, I'm wondering if the problem is the low profile tires or if it is the brand, or if I just have to take the keys away from the lovely Mrs_Bob?

Any thoughts on other brands in low profile configuration?

Henro · Apr 22, 2005

<font color="blue"> All 3 tires blew while the lovely Mrs_Bob was driving my car. And this time it was snowing and about 20 minutes after sunset as I was changing the tire on the side of the rural 4 lane highway with the closest streetlight a mile or two away. </font>

Bob,

I can't help with your question, but I might suggest an alternative to taking the keys away from the lovely Mrs. Bob, something that might be more condusive to a happy household...

How about an AAA membership for the lady? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

kevincook · Apr 22, 2005

I don't have any specific suggestions other than you should go over to Tire Rack and read the reviews over there. I have bought several sets of tires from them at pretty good prices when I couldn't find what I was looking for locally.

Search for the type or size of tire you are looking for and then read the REVIEWS from customers. I have found them to be generally pretty fair.

I have been generally happy with the Bridgestone, Michelin and Goodyear tires I have owned but it depends on exactly which model of tire. Some of the Michelin and Goodyear tires have just been OK and others have been great.

Good Luck,
Kevin

BigDave · Apr 22, 2005

I put Michelin Pilot Sport A/S size 235/50WR17's on my Lincoln LS. I was very happy with their grip & feel. I only had them about 10k miles before I traded-in. I plan to put the same type on my Audi when the stock 235/45VR17 Michelin HX MXM4's die. The MXM4's worked great in the snow, but don't corner as well as I would like. I hope to replace them around 25-30K miles depending on wear.

QueBota · Apr 23, 2005

Have Michelin Pilots on my wifes Crown Vic 225/60/16. Bought these to replace the factory Michelins at 50K. Have always had good luck with Michelins. Only negative I have noticed so far is they seem a little soft, might only last around 40K. Pilots seem to get some bad reviews at web sites.

Dave

fishman · Apr 25, 2005

Bob. I can't help you with anything but an opinion on Pirelli tires. I bought a set of all terrain Pirelli tires for my 4 wd half ton pickup. It's a good thing thay had a 60k mile warranty, because by 30k they were done. The tread was gone. I was happy with their ride for the most part, and the sidewalls were fine, but they just wore out too quickly.

I'm not sure if this helps you out or not.

KubotaSteve · Apr 25, 2005

Well Bob, back in my earlier college days, I had a Dodge Daytona Turbo Z and ran that car like there was no tomorrow. Fortunately I have since wised up and drive much more sanely now. Tires would only last me about 12,000 miles. I tried Goodyear Eagel GT, Pirelli's, Kelleys, Sears performance tire (can't remember name but funds were low then /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), and Michellin. The best handling tire by far was the Eagle GT however the downside was that it wore out the fast because it was the softest. The Pirelli's and Sears tires were crap. The Michellins were a decent trade off in performance and tire wear, plus they were not nearly as expensive as the Eagles. With the Eagles, I could go through S turns with a speed limit sign of 35 mph at over 65 mph and never slide or have the tire rollover on me. Now days I take the turn at about 30 mph. Just remember whatever tire you choose there are going to be tradeoffs. For performance you give up tire wear and for tire wear you are going to give up performance. I'm still partial to the Goodyear Eagle GT, but the Michellins are great too. I now have Michellins on both of my vehicles now and can't be more satisfied however neither of my cars now are performance oriented. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobertN · Apr 25, 2005

Pirelli's came stock on our Jag XJ6. I hated those tires! They wore poorly, performance was mediocre, and they were expensive! We never had a flat. By wearing poorly, not only was it short on mileage, but the they just wore oddly; you could see it in the tread. It was almost like inflation issues, but we kept them to proper pressure and rotated them.

We had best luck with Michelin on the Jag and the IROC Camaro. They lasted well, handled well, rode well, although they still were not cheap... The XGTV's were really nice.

We had a set of BFG Comp's on the Jag too. They were the upper performance line, not the budget "Comp TA's". I can't remember the model. The worked pretty well too.

Interstingly, the Michelin LTX's that came stock on my Ram-2500 barely lasted 30k miles. The BFG Rugged Trails are almost at 40k miles, and probably have about another 5k before I will replace them...

One other thing... Jag and Pirelli had a deal going, must have... Pirelli made the only exact size tire for the Jaguar as called out by the factory... The other brand tires were just a smidgen diferent on size. Still fit the rims and wheel wells though...

Based on my expierience with the Pirelli's, I do not understand how they stay in business except for manufacturer contracts...

Junkman · Apr 26, 2005

Bob........ I can feel your pain..... way back in time, I had a limited production sports car called the Mazda Cosmo. I believe that it was in 1975 and it also had a very low profile tire on an alloy wheel, that was very expensive, hard to get and only limited availability when you could find them, because they only imported 3000 units into North America. I learned the hard way, that they don't suddenly loose air and then loose the sidewall, but were easily damaged when you hit the slightest pot hole in the road. The tread of the tire is so close to the rims outer edge, that when compress by hitting the sharp edge of the pot hole that it would damage the side wall. That car went through about 5 or 6 tires at great expense until one day when the ex was driving it in wet weather and another tire blew. The car went off the road and flipped over a few times. She was OK, but the car was totaled. I guess that is one of the reasons that it was a limited production item..... if you could afford the car, you could afford to keep it in rims & tires..... most people wouldn't or couldn't.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jayhawkRoy · Apr 26, 2005

You might check out Bridgestone Turanzas. We owned a set for our Geo Prizm several years ago, and they did well. The current Turanza model on the tirerack.com web site seems to get good reviews, also.

After dealing with 55 profile tires, I firmly believe the problem is with the profile being too low. All of our cars which have 70 profile and better have fewer flats. You may want to consider going up to a 55 or 65 profile if you can and see if that makes a difference. Good luck in finding a tire that works for you.