[volvo0toS60]

I've tried searching but came up inconclusive.

So I'm looking for a new set of tires for the pegs. Right now I'm running some winter tires on the stock wheels and can't wait to get them off (15" terrible looking). Right now I have some rubbing with the 235/45/17's. I heard that running 225/45/17's will solve this problem and may even save a few bucks. Does anyone have these tires on the 17" pegs? I believe they are 8" wide. Are the Continental contiextreme contact's good? I hear they're the best bang for the buck, and made in Germany? Any thoughts here people?

 

[Bender]

Conti Extreme Contacts.

225s will solve some rubbing issues but i would stick with 235

 

[PureDrive07]

Re: (Bender)

Quote, originally posted by Bender »

Conti Extreme Contacts. 225s will solve some rubbing issues but i would stick with 235

+1......Just about everyone gets some sort of rubbing in their S60/V70s, sure you can go with a smaller thread size but I wouldn't. If you complaining about rubbing on full-lock-to-lock, just live with the whole 5seconds that you actually spend doing it, or you can just put 5mm spacers, or adjust the steering stops to have awful turning radius; if it isn't bad enough.

 

[deerok]

Re: (PureDrive07)

another conti extreme lovefest....

lol

 

[volvo0toS60]

any reason to why you guys think to stay with 235 and not go down to 225? Is it unsafe or something? Illegal?

I've researched and found that cars sold in europe have 225 as stock. I read that article but wasn't sure exactly which rim they were speaking of, but they did mention having 235 as stock with rubbing so I just assumed it's similar if not the same. People commented saying that the 235's sold as stock to the U.S. is because it provides better stopping power, due to americans being bad drivers, but on a hunch i'm assuming they were joking.

 

[volvo0toS60]

I've also read that the rubbing may cause an issue with bearings and joints, which is the main reason why I would want to go down a notch.

Anyone know of any good 5 mm spacers that are low in price yet reliable? I've seen some close to like 100 dollars, is that just overpriced or is there something better on ebay? I just took a look on ebay and found some in varying sizes for 15 dollars a pair. The sizes available are 3, 5, 7, 8, and 12 mm. I know you've mentioned 5 mm but which would look the best and not mean getting new bolts? I have wheel locks and wouldn't want to spend all the extra money for new bolts and locks so which size would help me out in this situation?

Modified by volvo0toS60 at 9:21 PM 2-23-2009

 

[Bender]

235 has a bigger contact patch = better traction.
for how often it will actually rub, you wont be wearing any parts...

 

[Bender]

Re: (deerok)

Quote, originally posted by deerok »

another conti extreme lovefest.... lol

You clearly have never driven on them.

 

[volvo0toS60]

I lock the wheel at least once or twice a day so you can see how annoying it gets. A friend of mine had to switch out an axle twice on his skylark because of a slight rubbing. The mechanic who noticed it voided the warranty on his axle too, so I'm just being a little cautious. I'm not really racing or anything as my car is only a 2.4 non turbo, I just want it as a comfortable decent looking car that handles okay when I need it to. So that being said is there any serious risk with going down just a notch?

My brother actually has conti extremes on his 87 corvette, overall a nice tire, can be a bit noisy but that's most likely due to the nature of the old vette.

 

[Cjones16]

Re: (volvo0toS60)

Well generally the wider tires track more with the road cracks.. Diagonal cracks across the road for example. its not super noticeable in the s60 but I have noticed it on mustangs before

Im running 235's Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S, But the Conti-Tracks were almost bought

Here's a Chart of the tire ratings
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...=HPAS

I'd go with a 225 for your 2.4... But 235 are 8 bucks cheaper than 225..Weird (Michelin Pilot)

 

[ss60]

Re: (volvo0toS60)

Quote, originally posted by volvo0toS60 »

I've researched and found that cars sold in europe have 225 as stock. I read that article but wasn't sure exactly which rim they were speaking of, but they did mention having 235 as stock with rubbing so I just assumed it's similar if not the same. People commented saying that the 235's sold as stock to the U.S. is because it provides better stopping power, due to americans being bad drivers, but on a hunch i'm assuming they were joking.

It's true you guys can't drive. Western Europe has far stricter driver training and testing.

I have both 225 summer and 225 winter tires and they handle great, plus they are a little lighter so you get slightly better acceleration.

 

[volvo0toS60]

Cjones, those Michelins are a fantastic tire, too bad they're so damn expensive! It is odd how the smaller tire is cheaper, could be a lot of things, even though it's worth the price, they are a little too expensive. The conti's give me the most bang for my buck, which I don't have a lot of.

Any news on the wheel spacers? If I can get a size that won't require new lugs and clear the rubbing then I'll spend the extra bucks.

 

[silvers60]

Re: (volvo0toS60)

I'm in the same exact boat. i have a 2.4 with the ugly 15" on winter tires. Need new tires for my 17"s for the summer. My 235s rubbed a lot last year, so im thinking about going with the 225s. But i also heard that some people remove the small plate in the inner fender when the tire rubs and that solves the problem. gonna check that out before i make my purchase.

 

[volvo0toS60]

Doesn't that plate expose something?

But if someone can help me out about the wheel spacers and the lug nuts....anyone???

I've searched and found both possibilities with the 5mm spacers. One person said ipd recommends longer bolts though and had the link to prove it. I've also searched about the plate, and again two possibilities, either it exposes something in the engine bay or it just exposes plastic and no engine bay. Can someone prove anything here?

Modified by volvo0toS60 at 7:00 AM 2-27-2009

 

[MagoonR]

Re: (volvo0toS60)

Quote, originally posted by volvo0toS60 »

any reason to why you guys think to stay with 235 and not go down to 225? Is it unsafe or something? Illegal?

I am running 225/45/17 Pilot Alpins for winter so no, not unsafe or illegal.

 

[Turbos60]

Re: (MagoonR)

Why would it be unsafe? 225 is fine many are running them.

 

[volvo0toS60]

Awesome, I'm probably just going to get the 225's because I haven't found any confirmed risks. The conti extremes is what i'm going for.

Anyone know of any coupons that can save me a few bucks? So far I've found a 75 dollar visa card if I buy four at tirerack.

 

[silvers60]

Re: (volvo0toS60)

Quote, originally posted by volvo0toS60 »

Doesn't that plate expose something? I've also searched about the plate, and again two possibilities, either it exposes something in the engine bay or it just exposes plastic and no engine bay. Can someone prove anything here?

So yesterday i changed the oil in my car, and pulled off that metal plate. There is nothing behind it except plastic. This plate is just installed on top of the plastic wheel well, and you can see rub marks on it where the tire hits. Not sure of it's function.

 

[Bender]

Re: (volvo0toS60)

Quote, originally posted by volvo0toS60 »

Awesome, I'm probably just going to get the 225's because I haven't found any confirmed risks. The conti extremes is what i'm going for. Anyone know of any coupons that can save me a few bucks? So far I've found a 75 dollar visa card if I buy four at tirerack.

Thats a great deal.

 

[tsuehpsyde]

Re: (volvo0toS60)

225s should be fine. Heck, my 2004 S60 T5 came with 215/55 R16s on it (some crappy all season continental wheels that haven't worn worth a crap). The tires are pretty awful, but they are more for family people and while I usually drive okay, every now and then I drive pretty aggressive and I now see pieces missing from the thread because of it.

That said, if 215 is considered okay stock with the T5 model, then your N/A model with 225s should be good to go.

I'm considering the same problem myself...what to upgrade to (both in type of tire as well as size) when I tear these things apart. Sort of want to get new wheels too, but meh, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.