Sounds like pure paranoia on the part of the shop.  They really don't 
want to sell you the tires.  If VWOA is jumping on them about using 
tires other than 205/70 14s then VWOA is in essence telling them not to 
put tires on Vanagons with alloys since the MXTs have been out of 
production now for a while and none of the searchers on this list have 
managed to find a direct replacement.  In the not too distant past one 
could go in to a tire shop and get whatever he wanted be they $19 bias 
ply Maypops or super expensive Italian jobs (could be the same tire) 
and none of the tire guys cared.  I tried to buy a set of tires for my 
wife's V6 Accord not long ago and the shop would not put them on the 
car because they were not V-rated -- I think this is 132 mph -- the 
tires I wanted were rated for a mere 120 mph.  Where the hell am I 
going to go 132 mph in Houston?  I guess if I did manage to get up to 
speed and lost a tire I could sue them.

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy - 'Roland the Road Buffalo'

> Date:��� Mon, 27 Sep 2004 16:35:14 -0700
> From:��� Peter Linsley <dun_roamin@YAHOO.COM>
> Subject: Re: Agilis on Alloy
>
> I just called them back so here's the deal. VWoA has been on this
> shops back
> for installing tires that were not 205/70/14 on alloy wheeled
> Vanagons.
> Supposedly VWoA say there is a safety issue here with the vehicle
> swaying when
> using 195/R14's on alloy wheels. They said they had experienced
> some problems
> with prior customers and flat out refused to install them on my van
> stating
> they didn't want VWoA giving them hassle again.
>
> This sucks because they quoted me a great price for the whole
> package including
> installation. Supposedly Michelin has a rebate offer on these tires
> that ends
> this Thursday.
>
> I'm guessing it's nothing more than a paranoid tire shop. Wonder
> what I can do
> to convince them....
>
> Cheers.
>