S80 Tire Question

I own a 99 S80 T-6 with 17 inch wheels. I currently have Michelin XGT
ZR's on it and love them. Michelin says it was replaced with the Sport
A/S. The cheapest I've found them in Denver is at Costco for $935 for
four (tax and everything included). Researching tires online I have
noticed a much cheaper tire from Falken (ZE512). Their price seems so
cheap it makes me wonder. Does anyone have an opinion on these tires
or other ultra high performance all season tires? I flat out love my
Michelin's and got 30,000 out of them easily which I consider good for
a Z rated tire. But I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Don

Also I forgot to ask one other question. My current tire size is 225
50 17. The tire stores here in Denver are saying I can go to a plus
one tire (235 45 17) and have a better selection at a better price.
Any opinions on the plus one tire size and how it might affect
performance of my car?

Don


On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 01:45:34 GMT, Don <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I own a 99 S80 T-6 with 17 inch wheels. I currently have Michelin XGT
>ZR's on it and love them. Michelin says it was replaced with the Sport
>A/S. The cheapest I've found them in Denver is at Costco for $935 for
>four (tax and everything included). Researching tires online I have
>noticed a much cheaper tire from Falken (ZE512). Their price seems so
>cheap it makes me wonder. Does anyone have an opinion on these tires
>or other ultra high performance all season tires? I flat out love my
>Michelin's and got 30,000 out of them easily which I consider good for
>a Z rated tire. But I'm open to suggestions.
>
>Thanks,
>Don

I've driven cars using both Michelin Sport A/S (basically their best tire
for consumers)... It's an incredible tire - tons of grip, even when it's
really wet, and apparantly they are not half bad in snow either! Felt nice
and solid - this was on a 2003 Golf TDI GLS (dealer installed 17" VW rims,
stock suspension)... Another car was a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, Tuscani (stock
suspension, stock rims), also running 17" wheels with the Falkens... great
tire, but they are wearing out noticibly more then the Michlens - he
commutes in this car, they don't seem suited to it - but tons of grip too...
tho the Michelins seem better, but considering the price, it's up to you...
if cash isn't really a big deal I would take the Michelins, for the name
alone.

I've also driven a 1993 Dodge Stealth... With Fuzion tires, about the same
price as the Falkens, about the same performance, about the same wear (ie -
not as good as the Michelins by far... I'm thinking the Michelins might be
twice the price, but you'll have to buy two sets of these cheaper tires)...
The Stealth had 17" rims as well (aftermarket), the suspension system had
been replaced with lowering springs and stiffer shocks (factory setup has
computer controlled 2-mode ride comfort setting shocks Touring/Sport)

.... The Fuzions seem to have much less grip at initial startup, it's very
easy to spin up the front wheels on the Stealth... but even with all its low
end torque, the TDI can't break the grip of the Michelins... barely a
chirp - with stock Goodyears you can get them spinning pretty damn good....
Don't know about the Falkens, no comments from the car owner about initial
starts.... and I don't think he would appreciate me burning up his tires
while driving his car (the other two car owners encouraged it...)

I like Michelin tires.... they are more money, but I think they're worth it,
they last very long and they have great grip... this is true for all their
tires it seems.
"Don" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I own a 99 S80 T-6 with 17 inch wheels. I currently have Michelin XGT
> ZR's on it and love them. Michelin says it was replaced with the Sport
> A/S. The cheapest I've found them in Denver is at Costco for $935 for
> four (tax and everything included). Researching tires online I have
> noticed a much cheaper tire from Falken (ZE512). Their price seems so
> cheap it makes me wonder. Does anyone have an opinion on these tires
> or other ultra high performance all season tires? I flat out love my
> Michelin's and got 30,000 out of them easily which I consider good for
> a Z rated tire. But I'm open to suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Don

"Don" <(E-Mail Removed)> skrev i meddelandet
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I own a 99 S80 T-6 with 17 inch wheels. I currently have Michelin XGT
> ZR's on it and love them. Michelin says it was replaced with the Sport
> A/S. The cheapest I've found them in Denver is at Costco for $935 for
> four (tax and everything included). Researching tires online I have
> noticed a much cheaper tire from Falken (ZE512). Their price seems so
> cheap it makes me wonder. Does anyone have an opinion on these tires
> or other ultra high performance all season tires? I flat out love my
> Michelin's and got 30,000 out of them easily which I consider good for
> a Z rated tire. But I'm open to suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Don

I have now run 2 seasons ( in Sweden we change to snow tires nov-april) on
Goodyear eagle F1 on my -99 s80 2,9. I am very happy with them, sticky on
dry asphalt and good draining in rainy weather. Gas mileage got worse
though, because the increased friction compared to the original continental
eco-contact.

--
Johan

Rob,
Thanks for the information. I'm leaning towards the Michelin Sport
A/S. I've had two sets of Z rated Pilots on this car and have gotten
about 30,000 miles out of each set. For a Z rated high performance
tire I'm more than happy with that. I let a tire dealer talk me into
putting a Dunlap H rated tire on my wife's Saab after she had been
driving on Z's. He said the tire would last much longer and I wouldn't
notice the difference. Huge mistake on my part. Her Saab felt like it
was driving in mud. Major road noise and the tires had to be replaced
at 30,000 miles. I won't make that mistake again. My gut tells me that
if the Falkens are half the price of the Michelin's then they simply
can't be the tire the Michelin's are. Yes I'm sure some of the $935
for a set of Michelin's is their name and massive advertising budget
but I also know how well those tires drive. Thanks again for your
feedback. Too bad Michelin is a French company.

Don


On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 01:48:53 -0400, "Rob Guenther"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I've driven cars using both Michelin Sport A/S (basically their best tire
>for consumers)... It's an incredible tire - tons of grip, even when it's
>really wet, and apparantly they are not half bad in snow either! Felt nice
>and solid - this was on a 2003 Golf TDI GLS (dealer installed 17" VW rims,
>stock suspension)... Another car was a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, Tuscani (stock
>suspension, stock rims), also running 17" wheels with the Falkens... great
>tire, but they are wearing out noticibly more then the Michlens - he
>commutes in this car, they don't seem suited to it - but tons of grip too...
>tho the Michelins seem better, but considering the price, it's up to you...
>if cash isn't really a big deal I would take the Michelins, for the name
>alone.
>
>I've also driven a 1993 Dodge Stealth... With Fuzion tires, about the same
>price as the Falkens, about the same performance, about the same wear (ie -
>not as good as the Michelins by far... I'm thinking the Michelins might be
>twice the price, but you'll have to buy two sets of these cheaper tires)...
>The Stealth had 17" rims as well (aftermarket), the suspension system had
>been replaced with lowering springs and stiffer shocks (factory setup has
>computer controlled 2-mode ride comfort setting shocks Touring/Sport)
>
>... The Fuzions seem to have much less grip at initial startup, it's very
>easy to spin up the front wheels on the Stealth... but even with all its low
>end torque, the TDI can't break the grip of the Michelins... barely a
>chirp - with stock Goodyears you can get them spinning pretty damn good....
>Don't know about the Falkens, no comments from the car owner about initial
>starts.... and I don't think he would appreciate me burning up his tires
>while driving his car (the other two car owners encouraged it...)
>
>I like Michelin tires.... they are more money, but I think they're worth it,
>they last very long and they have great grip... this is true for all their
>tires it seems.
>"Don" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>>I own a 99 S80 T-6 with 17 inch wheels. I currently have Michelin XGT
>> ZR's on it and love them. Michelin says it was replaced with the Sport
>> A/S. The cheapest I've found them in Denver is at Costco for $935 for
>> four (tax and everything included). Researching tires online I have
>> noticed a much cheaper tire from Falken (ZE512). Their price seems so
>> cheap it makes me wonder. Does anyone have an opinion on these tires
>> or other ultra high performance all season tires? I flat out love my
>> Michelin's and got 30,000 out of them easily which I consider good for
>> a Z rated tire. But I'm open to suggestions.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Don
>

French company... well people from all nationalities, even those who
typically don't care for the French seem to be life-long Michelin drivers,
without a worry... So I look past their country of origin.

Its true about the Falkens tho.... they just don't seem as good as those
Michelins... Michelin has a lot more money to spend on R&D, so why not go
with the company that's making the new designs, and not copying them.
"Don" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Rob,
> Thanks for the information. I'm leaning towards the Michelin Sport
> A/S. I've had two sets of Z rated Pilots on this car and have gotten
> about 30,000 miles out of each set. For a Z rated high performance
> tire I'm more than happy with that. I let a tire dealer talk me into
> putting a Dunlap H rated tire on my wife's Saab after she had been
> driving on Z's. He said the tire would last much longer and I wouldn't
> notice the difference. Huge mistake on my part. Her Saab felt like it
> was driving in mud. Major road noise and the tires had to be replaced
> at 30,000 miles. I won't make that mistake again. My gut tells me that
> if the Falkens are half the price of the Michelin's then they simply
> can't be the tire the Michelin's are. Yes I'm sure some of the $935
> for a set of Michelin's is their name and massive advertising budget
> but I also know how well those tires drive. Thanks again for your
> feedback. Too bad Michelin is a French company.
>
> Don
>
>
> On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 01:48:53 -0400, "Rob Guenther"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>I've driven cars using both Michelin Sport A/S (basically their best tire
>>for consumers)... It's an incredible tire - tons of grip, even when it's
>>really wet, and apparantly they are not half bad in snow either! Felt nice
>>and solid - this was on a 2003 Golf TDI GLS (dealer installed 17" VW rims,
>>stock suspension)... Another car was a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, Tuscani
>>(stock
>>suspension, stock rims), also running 17" wheels with the Falkens... great
>>tire, but they are wearing out noticibly more then the Michlens - he
>>commutes in this car, they don't seem suited to it - but tons of grip
>>too...
>>tho the Michelins seem better, but considering the price, it's up to
>>you...
>>if cash isn't really a big deal I would take the Michelins, for the name
>>alone.
>>
>>I've also driven a 1993 Dodge Stealth... With Fuzion tires, about the same
>>price as the Falkens, about the same performance, about the same wear
>>(ie -
>>not as good as the Michelins by far... I'm thinking the Michelins might be
>>twice the price, but you'll have to buy two sets of these cheaper
>>tires)...
>>The Stealth had 17" rims as well (aftermarket), the suspension system had
>>been replaced with lowering springs and stiffer shocks (factory setup has
>>computer controlled 2-mode ride comfort setting shocks Touring/Sport)
>>
>>... The Fuzions seem to have much less grip at initial startup, it's very
>>easy to spin up the front wheels on the Stealth... but even with all its
>>low
>>end torque, the TDI can't break the grip of the Michelins... barely a
>>chirp - with stock Goodyears you can get them spinning pretty damn
>>good....
>>Don't know about the Falkens, no comments from the car owner about initial
>>starts.... and I don't think he would appreciate me burning up his tires
>>while driving his car (the other two car owners encouraged it...)
>>
>>I like Michelin tires.... they are more money, but I think they're worth
>>it,
>>they last very long and they have great grip... this is true for all their
>>tires it seems.
>>"Don" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>news:(E-Mail Removed). ..
>>>I own a 99 S80 T-6 with 17 inch wheels. I currently have Michelin XGT
>>> ZR's on it and love them. Michelin says it was replaced with the Sport
>>> A/S. The cheapest I've found them in Denver is at Costco for $935 for
>>> four (tax and everything included). Researching tires online I have
>>> noticed a much cheaper tire from Falken (ZE512). Their price seems so
>>> cheap it makes me wonder. Does anyone have an opinion on these tires
>>> or other ultra high performance all season tires? I flat out love my
>>> Michelin's and got 30,000 out of them easily which I consider good for
>>> a Z rated tire. But I'm open to suggestions.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Don
>>
>

I faced exactly the same choice not too long ago.

We have a 2002.5 S80 2.9 with the 17" wheels.

When I was looking for a replacement set it came down to a) going to a 235/45
to get a broader selection, or sticking with the 225/50.

I had a friend who had done the same thing with an Acura (gone to a wider tread
width and a lower aspect ratio) and had experienced some uneven wear and a few
other problems.

We decided to stick with the 225/50s, which left us with either the Pilot Sport
A/S at over $800, or a Bridgestone Potenza RE92. I had the exact same size
Potenzas on my 2002 Nissan Maxima, and was less than impressed with them, so we
went with the Pilot A/S.

So far,we have 8700 miles on them, and are quite impressed. Both the dry and
wet handling is slightly better than the OEM Michelines, and they also seem a
bit quieter. No undue signs of wear or anything unexpected.

We have not yet experienced any winter weather with them, don't get a lot of
that here in Texas. We do get some pretty serious thunderstorms, and the Pilots
did quite well in some very heavy rain, high wind, standing water type
conditions. No tendency to hydroplane or lose traction.

All in all we're very happy with the Pilot AS, yes they're pricey, but I
consider it money well spent.

BTW, when we priced them, Discount Tire actually beat CostCo by a few bucks, I
took a copy of a Road and Track magazine to them, which had a mail order price
the store manager matched. I later was told he wasn't supposed to do that, but
you might give it a try.

MACampbel wrote:
>
> I faced exactly the same choice not too long ago.
>
> We have a 2002.5 S80 2.9 with the 17" wheels.
>
> When I was looking for a replacement set it came down to a) going to a 235/45
> to get a broader selection, or sticking with the 225/50.
>
> I had a friend who had done the same thing with an Acura (gone to a wider tread
> width and a lower aspect ratio) and had experienced some uneven wear and a few
> other problems.
>
> We decided to stick with the 225/50s, which left us with either the Pilot Sport
> A/S at over $800, or a Bridgestone Potenza RE92. I had the exact same size
> Potenzas on my 2002 Nissan Maxima, and was less than impressed with them, so we
> went with the Pilot A/S.
>
> So far,we have 8700 miles on them, and are quite impressed. Both the dry and
> wet handling is slightly better than the OEM Michelines, and they also seem a
> bit quieter. No undue signs of wear or anything unexpected.
>
> We have not yet experienced any winter weather with them, don't get a lot of
> that here in Texas. We do get some pretty serious thunderstorms, and the Pilots
> did quite well in some very heavy rain, high wind, standing water type
> conditions. No tendency to hydroplane or lose traction.
>
> All in all we're very happy with the Pilot AS, yes they're pricey, but I
> consider it money well spent.
>
> BTW, when we priced them, Discount Tire actually beat CostCo by a few bucks, I
> took a copy of a Road and Track magazine to them, which had a mail order price
> the store manager matched. I later was told he wasn't supposed to do that, but
> you might give it a try.

I find it interesting that the S80 uses the smaller size, because both
the S60 and V70 use 235/45/17 tires as the optional size, and they're
both slightly smaller versions of the same chassis.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

"Mike F" <"mikef2316()"@allsttream.nett> skrev i meddelandet
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> MACampbel wrote:
> >
> > I faced exactly the same choice not too long ago.
> >
> > We have a 2002.5 S80 2.9 with the 17" wheels.
> >
> > When I was looking for a replacement set it came down to a) going to a
235/45
> > to get a broader selection, or sticking with the 225/50.
> >
> > I had a friend who had done the same thing with an Acura (gone to a
wider tread
> > width and a lower aspect ratio) and had experienced some uneven wear and
a few
> > other problems.
> >
> > We decided to stick with the 225/50s, which left us with either the
Pilot Sport
> > A/S at over $800, or a Bridgestone Potenza RE92. I had the exact same
size
> > Potenzas on my 2002 Nissan Maxima, and was less than impressed with
them, so we
> > went with the Pilot A/S.
> >
> > So far,we have 8700 miles on them, and are quite impressed. Both the dry
and
> > wet handling is slightly better than the OEM Michelines, and they also
seem a
> > bit quieter. No undue signs of wear or anything unexpected.
> >
> > We have not yet experienced any winter weather with them, don't get a
lot of
> > that here in Texas. We do get some pretty serious thunderstorms, and the
Pilots
> > did quite well in some very heavy rain, high wind, standing water type
> > conditions. No tendency to hydroplane or lose traction.
> >
> > All in all we're very happy with the Pilot AS, yes they're pricey, but I
> > consider it money well spent.
> >
> > BTW, when we priced them, Discount Tire actually beat CostCo by a few
bucks, I
> > took a copy of a Road and Track magazine to them, which had a mail order
price
> > the store manager matched. I later was told he wasn't supposed to do
that, but
> > you might give it a try.
>
> I find it interesting that the S80 uses the smaller size, because both
> the S60 and V70 use 235/45/17 tires as the optional size, and they're
> both slightly smaller versions of the same chassis.
>
> --
> Mike F.
> Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.
>
> NOTE: new address!!
> Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
> (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

No s80 is not the same chassi at all. Its volvo. s60 and v70 are shared by
ford.

Johan E wrote:
>
> No s80 is not the same chassi at all. Its volvo. s60 and v70 are shared by
> ford.

Sorry, but you're wrong, all 3 are based on the same platform. Look
under the rear of the S80 and compare the suspension to a V70 or S60.
(Make sure they're both FWD or AWD.) You can do the same to the front
suspension, it's just harder to see. Most of the parts are identical.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)