<VV> Tires

[Bill Elliott]

I replied offline with some more specific advice, but since I go through 
a lot of tires I thought I'd make some general brand comments.

First, the "no name Asian tires" have widely varying quality. I have a 
set that I bought through a Corvair vendor that have been very good 
(though didn't quite seem to handle as well as the speed rating would 
suggest... but for the money I was extremely satisfied), but I've also 
purchased similar tires that did not perform as well as the least 
expensive alternatives. So I would be wary when buying these (most 
common on Ebay).

Next, Hankooks seem to be very good tires, at least equivalent to the 
"lower end" alternatives such as Cooper, General, etc (similar to where 
Yokohoma and Sumitomo were a few years ago.. now I generally rate those 
brands ahead.)  I would not hesitate using them as an alternative to 
those tires. They appear to be moving forward quickly in performance... 
I recently ran a set of Hankook performance snows on my former M3 and 
they were awesome even compared to some of the best in class.

I consider Kumho a step beyond the Hankooks and now every bit the equal 
of Yokohoma and Sumitomo and lagging behind the high end premium tires 
only in ride quality/noise, not actual performance. Given their price 
point (and the fact that I care little about ride quality/noise) I 
routinely buy these for everything from my father-in-law's CRV to my '67 
Mercedes 250SE...

Finally, if anyone is interested, I have a set of "no name" Asian tires 
that I bought for the Mercedes that I decided not to use on it. Unusual 
size 215/65HR14 but a good substitute for a 205/70-14 or a 225/60-14. A 
little large for a Corvair car (IMO) and based on my experience with 
this model I would not consider it a "performance" tire despite the H 
rating. Decent highway tire though. Appears to be an all season tread 
pattern.  Never mounted, but about 3 years old.  I'll take $80 + 
shipping (or can deliver for free to Fall Carlisle tomorrow or Friday  
or Hershey next Friday) for the set of 4.

Bill
Frederick, MD

Robert Henry wrote:

>My Corsa is badly in need of tires. I've called numerous tires stores and
>they don't have anything that will fit. Most of the tire manufacturer web
>sites don't even list 13 inch tires.
>
>So Clark's is now offering new P185/R80-13 radial tires (C12601). They say
>they can't guarantee which brand, but the picture on their web site shows
>"Hankook" name on the sidewall. Can an American Corvair be happy with Korean
>tires? Well, happier than with 20 year-old, irregularly worn P205/R70-13s
>that aren't made anymore. 
>
>Comments? Even better would be comments from someone who has bought tires
>recently. I realize it's another option, but I'm hoping to avoid changing
>the wheels for now.
>
>Robert Henry
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