Jeff,

Michelin just recommended & sent my dealer a set of 185X14 Agilis 61's to
fit on the alloy wheels of my 91 GL.  Did I get the last ones in the
country.  I doubt it.,  I had no trouble getting a set for my 84 Westy last
year either.  Call Michelin and insist that they look at the Agilis 61's as
a replacement for you.  Remember, you know more than the average customer
service rep when it comes to Vanagons.,

Walt Spak
Pittsburgh, PA.
wnsopc3@3rdm.net

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff Howard <schur@PRODIGY.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 9:08 AM
Subject: '87 Westy tire grief - long

> Has anyone tried Bridgestone 613's on
> their Westy (with alloy wheels)? They
> come as 205/75 R14 and should fit. They
> have a reinforced sidewall.
>
> Here's a summary of my efforts to find tires
> for my Westy now that my second set of
> Michelin MXL's (205/70 R14) has worn out and
> we know there are none left. I looked at all of
> the vanagon.com info, called the Tire Rack,
> spoke with a manager at Michelin,
> did some internet searches, spoke to two
> local dealerships and spoke with VW
> Customer Service 5 times yesterday. What
> a pain in the ass. Here's a summary of
> the results:
>
> 1. The dealerships can't help
>
> 2. Tire Rack suggests Michelin Agilis 185/14
> but there are none available. VW Customer
> Service says not to use that size tire
> on the alloy wheels.
>
> 3. Michelin has no replacements of any type.
> They suggested looking at Nokian tires.
> Nokian (Swedish?) has the correct size
> but no reinforced sidewalls.
>
> 4. VW Customer Service didn't initially
> think it was their responsibility to help
> me find tires. After convincing them that it
> was, they did some research for possible
> replacements and suggested either going with
> a 215/65 R14 or a 225/65 R14. I've since
> found that neither size exists. After
> reporting that to them they suggested that
> I might have to buy new wheels. Not a
> suggestion I'm very receptive to.
>
> 5. I have a great local tire shop and I
> asked one of the owners for help. He checked
> with all of his contacts and came up with
> a Bridgestone model 613 which is a 205/75 R14.
> He had never heard of the tire and ordered
> one for us to look at today. It will fit the
> wheel and has reinforced sidewalls. Not sure if
> it's a passenger, light truck or tractor(!)
> tire. If anyone has heard of or used this
> tire I'd be very interested in hearing about
> it. The cost is $530US for 4 tires including
> tax, mounting, etc.
>
> Thanks for listening to my rambling!  :)
>
> Jeff
> '87 Westy
> Chapel Hill, NC