[850Rwagon]

205 45 17 replacements are anout gone - I think they are yoko 520's? ..... damn they are noisy tires.

as I page thru the tire rack ads this does not appear to be a widely popular size. What other sizes have you guys gone with? I'm using the stock volans and have IPD springs.

thanks for the help!

 

[Simon Linton]

The favourites on the standard Volvo sizes in the UK are Yokahamas (run by the coordinator of the club's performance section) and Michelin Pilot Sports (run by me).
I've also run Kumho Ecstas which are cheap, but with a harsh ride and less grip than the Michelins.

Since we're all running Rs, wear is not really a factor as spirited driving will eat any rubber.

As you said, 205/45/17s are a rare beast and we're all hoping that eventually Bridgestone will do SO2s in this size - but not so far...

 

[pj's 850]

I went with BfGoodrich g-force t/a KD's on a whim. They were cheaper than michelens, or something like that, I dont remember why I got them. I have never used a stickier tire on my car. They are noisy and the ride is harsh, but they grip like nobodys business. I used the Michelin pilot sports, some Falkens(garbage I think), and the Pirrelli P-zero Assimetricos, I like the BfGoodrich tires a lot. I get a lot of people who think they are cheap crap, and cheaper version of Michelins since they are owned by them. The tire companies design there tires seperate from eachother, and though most Bfgoodrich tires are more affordable, its not because they are a lesser tire. Anyway, you may want to check them out. I also recomend checking out the Article they have been boasting in there ads, its a true testimate too how good the tires are. Using a g-tech I was able to pull .92 with those tires on 16" rims and iebach springs, and no that wasnt peak. Im using 215-50-r16's for the tires, so a 215 might work, but you also might get some rubbing, I do on sharp turns with an incline. K, thats my bit.
-matt

 

[volvoracer]

Hi All,
I just replaced stock 850R tires (Pirelli P-zero Asimmetrico 205/45-17) with Yokohama AVSi 215/45-17. 4 out of 5 had sidewall bubbles/pinch flat damage. The Pirellis were a disappointment; expensive, wore out quickly and easily damaged sidewall.

AVSi is a quiet, sticky, very impressive tire for the money, it holds it's own against all but the very top tires, and at the price they are a good value. I had 2 sets of AVS on my '67 1800S racecar/streetcar; the performance was very good wet & dry. Track days, Autocross, and 30k later they were impressive.

Car sits a bit higher. I'd say 3/4 inch or so, I noticed a bit of "tram-lining" on certain surfaces, and a slight rub on extreme right turns.

I am on ipd cargo springs and Bilsteins, stock R springs up front. This will give me the excuse to get H&R lowering springs...

I've test driven Kumho 225/45 on a V70 T5 stick (fast!) found them to rub a bit up front and a soft sidewall made for a nice ride but a decidedly unsettling wiggly feel in transition corners...Yokos have a very stiff sidewall, ask the guy who mounts 'em...

Due to taller height, spare barely fit in tire well (wagon).
I paid $520 delivered to Boston (Tire Rack).

 

[NJ850N/A]

I have Yoko Parada 205-45-17 on mine, very sticky, good summer tires, but when it's pouring out there, they tend to slip a little bit. Over all, good tires for 100 each.

 

[TravelingIncognito]

Originally posted by 850Rwagon:
205 45 17 replacements are anout gone - I think they are yoko 520's? ..... damn they are noisy tires.

The stock Michelins on newer S/V 70s are garbage and offer the worst of both worlds...poor dry grip and short life.
I went to TOYO Proxes and they are a great compromise for wet/dry/handling/wear. They offer several options from touring to all out race bred. Somewhere in the middle would likely fit the bill and probably oversize to 215 45 17 for better performance w/out suffering too much noise and reduced mpg

 

[Simon Linton]

The Michelins you mention on the newer S/V70s won't of course be 205/45/17s since they aren't R spec and the Toyos don't come in the standard size either.

All oversize rubber WILL rub the wheel arch liners (our club members have tried every combination of width and profile without success) which makes them illegal - in the UK, anyway.

 

[850Rwagon]

Thats what I figured and am thankfull you confirmed it. The car being lowered a touch more than an already lower R made me sketchy about going with bigger tires. We ocasionally load the thing up with 4 people and a trunk full of stuff too...

So 205 45 17 it will be. now I just need to figure out which ones....

 

[NJ850N/A]

Yokohama Parada Spec-2, good tires, I know so because I have them on mine.

 

[850Rwagon]

price sounds goo too.....

 

[Kai]

quote:

Originally posted by 850Rwagon:
price sounds goo too.....

S-03s....

~~

 

[pj's 850]

OOOOHHHHH!!! No one likes my Bfgoodrich suggestion I guess. Actually I checked size and pricing reasonyly. The damn things went up in price, so they might be too much, but they are a great tire. That bmw pulled .8 Gs just by changine from a Dunlop tire to the Bfgoodrich, thats amazing in my opinion. This was also an indipendant test, so its by no means some biased advertising gimmick of Bfgoodrich, they are just using it cuz its amazing stuff. You all can sit on your proxes and so2's, ill be that car slightly ahead and in better control around the corners. HEHE, just kidding, im just bein an A$$, sorry. They are good tires though, they are purpose built and drive that way, thats the only problem.
-Matt-

 

[towerymt]

quote:

Originally posted by pj's 850:
That bmw pulled .8 Gs just by [changing] from a Dunlop tire to the Bfgoodrich, thats amazing in my opinion.

What did it get before?

 

[850Rwagon]

You guys talking about the proxes, BFGs, S02's and all..... but these aren't the size I noted wanting. I just ran '97 850R wagon with 205 45 17 thru Tirerack with high perf/max perf (summer tires) and all that came up was 4 total choices. 1. P-zero 2. Kuhmo 3&4. Yokohama

I'm leaning towards the Pzeros just because they are a stickier compund than the rest - *BUT* I want to find out which is the quietest first. I doubt the kuhmos will be much quieter than our present Yoko 520s.

I ran Pilot Mxx3's on my 91 Jetta GLI. Now that was a tire that ROCKED. I used to 3 wheel in wet conditions at the autoX.... awesome tire dry or wet.

 

[TravelingIncognito]

Originally posted by 850Rwagon:
You guys talking about the proxes, BFGs, S02's and all..... but these aren't the size I noted wanting. I just ran '97 850R wagon with 205 45 17 thru Tirerack with high perf/max perf (summer tires) and all that came up was 4 total choices. 1. P-zero 2. Kuhmo 3&4. Yokohama

If you have all the answers why the Question??? You note replacing 205 45 17 you don't say that is the size you wanted to replace with!
Ever hear about plus sizing??? If your lowered car is an issue than state it the question. Wonder why Toyo doesn't come up on a TireRack query....maybe it's because they don't sell Toyo!!...or other brands. Try and buy a Volvo at a Saab dealer and see what luck you have.
That EXACT size is limited but Toyo offers T1-S in: 205 40 ZR17
215 40 ZR17
215 45 ZR17
205 50 ZR17
FZ4 : 215 45 ZR17
205 40 ZR17
Simon....aftermarket springs and ECUs and the like are NOT R spec either but that doesn't stop people like you and I from using them!! SHUT YOUR CAKE HOLE!
j/k
Jim

 

[850Rwagon]

Bob's your Uncle eh? (Another Aussie gem, hehe I caught your aussie slang with that cake hole comment)

j/k

anyhow what I needed to know was not answered. Can I - oh wait. OF COURSE I KNOW "plus sizing" or watever you said. I was hoping someone had done plus sizing *WITH* the IPD springs *ON* 17" Volans *AND* done so w/o rubbing!?!?!??! .. hello....

seems nobody has...... so I'm leaning towards 205-45-17

Yes? No? circle one

 

[TravelingIncognito]

quote:

Originally posted by 850Rwagon:


j/k

anyhow what I needed to know was not answered. Can I - oh wait. OF COURSE I KNOW "plus sizing" or watever you said. I was hoping someone had done plus sizing *WITH* the IPD springs *ON* 17" Volans *AND* done so w/o rubbing!?!?!??! .. hello....

seems nobody has...... so I'm leaning towards 205-45-17

Yes? No? circle one

Did you try asking ipd? Maybe they have customers with experience.. I think they may done a test mule in '97R. Ask for Scott Hart he has been helpful...I think they looking to get back into wheels too
Certainly 205 45 17 IS factory choice but we're talking 10 mm right plus or minus...lower profile 40 are marginally thinner so should not present a problem...except maybe for the already buckboard ride of that model year R.

 

[Simon Linton]

Jim, the original query was about OEM size tyres - of course, if you alter any of the standard parameters like springs, arch extensions, removing liners, etc. etc. you can fit whatever you like.

We've been down the tyre size path so many times in the UK, simply because the standard size is unavailable in many people's favourite brands.

Interestingly, the new Civic Type-R also runs 205/45/17s, so maybe we'll see Bridgestones and other high performance makes introducing this size.

 

[TravelingIncognito]

Simon
Is there really no room for 215? An awful lot of drivers plus size one up in width for replacements.
What the heck is a tyre?
Jim

 

[850Rwagon]

Taveling~ I think the deal is that on the 850 R's with the 17's you alredy have a plus size situation *and* it's on a lower suspension than any other 850. So with IPD springs making it a touch lower, just a touch.... it is likely to rub if I did a plus one. Trust me I would like the extra grip of a 215 and heck I'd love 18's on this "buckboard" while I was at it