Tires

[bosco]

Fellow Bird Lovers, I need your input. I am in the process of research on replacing the tires on my Bird. The original tires are Michelin P235/50R17 MXM4. I have priced these tires at Sam's. They are $212.83 per tire. They gave me the following prices on similar tires: Michelin 235/50Z R17 PSAS+-$203.42;Goodyear 235/50ZR17 96W GT-$153.02;Goodyear P235/50R17 95V RSA-$142.06. Please make some suggestions to me on which way I should go. I want to be sure I am getting a good tire but I also can't afford to" break the bank." (Both wife and myself live on a fixed income as we are both retired.) Thanks, Bosco.
P.S. I am not bound to these brands.

[Lonestar]

Re: Tires

If you will do a search for "tires" you will pull up many threads with all types of opinions and suggestions on tires for you Thunderbird.

Not to offend anyone but on your list you note the Goodyear RSA... horrible tire so you might want to check that one off your list first. Also, beyond the opinions of the members here you can go to tirerack.com and read owner's opinons as well as professional ones for tires for your car.

[bronzebird]

Re: Tires

Cecil:

Lonestar is correct.

The topic of tires had been beaten to death on this site for the past five years or more. There is enough stuff already posted for you to either form an opinion or confuse yourself completely.

Best not to start the 'tire wars' postings all over again.

Bronzebird

[Leroy]

Re: Tires

Get White Walls. Leroy

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[Gobird]

Re: Tires

Cecil, Try this link. As for myself I went with the GT's.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...id=88251&pp=15

[rodeknyt]

Re: Tires

I went to Sam's last summer and got Bridgestone Potenza Grid019 tires for our 2002 bird. Fantastic tire and was $40 per tire cheaper than the OEM Michelins. Much smoother and quieter ride than the Michelins, too.

[Ediron]

Re: Tires

I checked Tire Rack for Michlins even with shipping ($55) they were cheaper than at a tirer retailer.Use one of there recommended installers.I haven't ordered but I may go to the 235/55 Pilot A/S as recommended by many.About $177 per +$55 s/h +$20 installation per =$843.All from there site if correct.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Tires

Best thing about Bridgestone Tires is that they paid for this year's Super Bowl Half Time Show. I thought it was one of the best.

everyone who is telling you to dive into the "search" on tire discussions is right on. You'll find out more than you ever could learn anywhere else for what best suits our Birds.

Keep us posted on what you decide to buy.

[Skip]

Re: Tires

In the April 2010 Auto Issue of Consumer Reports, Michelins are rated highest for 3 of the 4 categories for the "best all-season tires". The Primacy MXV4 is rated highesat in the H-speed rating category. Now I know you need to take CR ratings on anything automotive related with a grain of salt, especially considering the beating they keep giving domestic cars in favor of Asia ones**, but this does serve as some type of a benchmark, I geuss. And I found that when I was looking last year my Ford dealer gave me the best deal.

Skip

** Case in point: The only midsize car to get a much higher than average reliability rating is the Ford Fusion. Yet CR picked the Nissan Altima as the top pick in that category. Go figure. Some things never change. It will be interesting to see what happens now that Toyota has been dethroned.

[Lonestar]

Re: Tires

I will regret this.... The 02-05 Thunderbird calls for a V rated, not an H rated tire. Having said that, not many of us, even those who boast how fast they drive, have ever, or will ever, reach the limites of H rated tires (130MPH / 210km/hr). Tire stores are supposed to show you tires that meet the specs for your specific vehicle but I doubt any of us have had a tire dealer say, "hey, your car calls for a V rated tire and let me show you the tires we carry that are V rated". Nope, they just want to know the size.

The Primacy is a very highly rated tire.

[justjon]

Re: Tires

I agree with Skip on all points including the best deal with My Ford dealer. If you ever sell your car cheap tires will reflect on your general love and care.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Tires

Fellow Bird Lovers, I need your input. I am in the process of research on replacing the tires on my Bird. The original tires are Michelin P235/50R17 MXM4. I have priced these tires at Sam's. They are $212.83 per tire. They gave me the following prices on similar tires: Michelin 235/50Z R17 PSAS+-$203.42;Goodyear 235/50ZR17 96W GT-$153.02;Goodyear P235/50R17 95V RSA-$142.06. Please make some suggestions to me on which way I should go. I want to be sure I am getting a good tire but I also can't afford to" break the bank." (Both wife and myself live on a fixed income as we are both retired.) Thanks, Bosco.
P.S. I am not bound to these brands.

I went with a set of Goodyear Eagle GTs on the '02. When the time comes.......the '04 is likely to get the same tire. They stick like eggs in a cheap skillet compared to the Michelins

Not surprising really.

I've had great experience with the Eagles on other cars too so this was a easy choice for me.

On the other hand the Michelin's did do well on mileage. I'd be lying if I were to say I expect to get over 50,000 miles out of the "Z" rated Goodyears as we did with the Michelins.

[toysax]

Re: Tires

We have a Kia Amanti, very pleased with this car and Hankook tires. So I checked on Hankook Ventus V4 ES tires and got a set. $131 each. They are directional and W rated (as if I plan to get the bird over 80 or 90 mph) They handle great and not any louder than the original tires were. Haven't seen the bird since Monday, Rivertown Ford is putting rack and pinon on it for the knock and squeaking sound in the steering. Hope to pickup on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. They repaired a leaking tranmission hose as well.

[fums6]

Re: Tires

Not to sound condesending, but you only get what you pay for.

[toysax]

Re: Tires

Time will tell on both the Car and the Tires. I will let every one know about both.
The car has 23000 and no problems. The tires are still in the shop with the bird which we miss. Left the top on since I know they will not bring it inside even though I asked that it be kept inside.