Alan,

I just sent this to you & the list, but it did not ever appear on my screen
from the list.

Walt Spak
Pittsburgh, PA.
wnsopc3@3rdm.net
----- Original Message -----
From: Walt Spak <wnsopc3@3rdm.net>
To: jhlauterbach <jhlauterbach@msn.com>; <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>;
<arbosch@RA.ROCKWELL.COM>
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: Tires... (I don't want to flog a dead horse, but...)

> Dear List,
>
> I just returned from my local tire dealer where I had a set of Michelin
> Agilis 61's, 185 X 14, installed compliments of Michelin.  These went on a
> 91 GL to replace the MX4 RainForce tires that I bought several weeks ago.
>
> When I realized that I needed tires, I went looking for a set of Michelin
> MXT's in 205/70 X 14-97T as were fitted.  I got a full 40,000 miles out of
> the last set and was very happy with them even though I generally like
tall
> skinny tires better than the 70 series type.  Several dealers + The Tire
> Rack told me that they were discontinued.  I ended up at my local dealer
who
> I really like and he called his Michelin rep/wholesaler who confirmed that
> the MXT's were not available.  Next, I checked the Michelin web site and
was
> surprised to find that it recommended the MX4 RainForce tire in a 205/70 X
> 14 95T size & load rating.  I ran this past the dealer who confirmed it
with
> his rep/wholesaler and we all decided to go with a 215/70 X 14 MX4 as it
> upped the load rating to a 96T.  I bought the tires & had them installed.
I
> noticed that they did not handle as well as the MXT's and I spent a couple
> of weeks playing with pressures.  They always seemed to cause a little bit
> of oversteer.  It wasn't drastic, but it was there.
>
> I got back onto Michelin's web site & wrote them an e-mail asking if they
> were in fact the right tire & what pressures did they recommend.  I
finished
> the note by expressing a concern that I might have an accident as a result
> of the oversteer situation.  The Michelin customer service rep named Greg
> called me early the next morning & informed me that they were the wrong
> tires for the vehicle & was absolutely positive that no one at Michelin
> would ever recommend those tires for a Vanagon.  He was bit surprised to
> learn that it was listed on Michelin's web site as the preferred tire.  He
> assured me that it was a mistake & offered me a set of Agilis 61's.  I
> expressed my concerns that the 61's would look dorky on the alloy wheels.
> He checked the measurements & found that the were something like 2 tenths
of
> an inch narrower & 3 tenths taller.  I decided to go for them.
>
> The 61's do look a little small on the alloys, but do not look that bad.
I
> took a real winding road home from the dealer & I love the way they
handle.
> I think they are better than the MXT's.
>
>  From what I could get out of the M. rep, the MXT's are still made in
> Europe, but with the 61's in the US, M. feels they have us covered & do
not
> plan to bring in any MXT's.  That is just my interpretation of one rep's
> opinion and could change.
>
> I would recommend the 61's to everyone.
>
> John L., I would fight with Michelin.  You wanted to buy the right tires
to
> begin with & they wouldn't let you.
>
> Alan B., Don't buy the MX4 RainForce.  Go for the Agilis 61's in a 185X14.
>
> Walt Spak
> Pittsburgh, PA.
> wnsopc3@3rdm.net
>