I am considering buying a V70. I posted a first message about whether to buy the GLT or the T-5. This is a follow-up to that message (which I posted in the FWD/AWD forum).

3) Wheels and tires:

What we drove had the 195/60/15 MXV4 for the GLT and the 205/55/16 XGT V4 for the T-5. IMHO very inadequate tires-for-the-car in both cases. These are 3400 lbs cars, with 190 hp and 236 hp. Cars with these characteristics in the late
1990s are generally sold with 225 (or more) width tires, and this is true even for much cheaper cars (an example is the new entry-level Oldsmobile Alero). From my short test drives, I would even say that the weakest point of both of these V70s was their tires.

Normally, this is no big deal. Just a matter of getting wider tires (and sometimes wheels too). The simplest and most cost-efective handling upgrade for most cars.

Alas, and thanks to your postings in this BBS, I already know that this is no simple matter with these cars. I think that on this issue I really need a lot of help, in terms of knowing what to do.

We are in the Washington DC area. Most cars here have all-seasons (A/S) year round. However, the occasional snow or ice storm makes it necessary to have a second set of tires (all-seasons or snows) if the first set is a high-performance non-all season tire.

In principle I am inclined to have two sets of tires for the V70. One for 3 seasons, and one for the winter. The latter could be an all-season if I already got it (i.e. it came with the car), but obviously a snow or winter tire would be superior for those stormy days.

In theory, I could choose which wheels and tires the car would come with, among the 3 choices (the 195/60/15 MXV4, the XGT V4 or the ??? Pilot Z non-all season). This would be at no cost on the T-5 (the 195/60/15 would be a downgrade), and at a cost still to be determined for the GLT. Assuming it is for the T-5, and thus no cost is involved, what do you suggest ?

To make the problem less simple, Washington DC's streets are lanes of potholes with intermittent asphalt. I once bent a wheel with a 195/60 tire in a car wheighing only 2500 lbs. (and the tire was properly inflated) !

Another question: The T-5 is offered with 205/55/16 A/S or 205/50/16. Those two tires have different diameters. The first one is 3.4% bigger than the second. How is this accounted for in terms of specifications ? What about the speedometer ?

I am under the impression that the switch made by Volvo some time ago from 205/50 to 205/55 as the default tire for the 200+hp turbos was only made for US sold vehicles (or may be Canada too, but not the rest of the world). Can somebody confirm or deny this ?

If it was only made for the US, what would be the reason for it ? US drivers encounter more potholes ? Or US drivers are used to a more "cushioned" ride (a la Cadillac) ?

The reason I would potentially consider the 15" wheels and tires in a T-5 as a downgrade is the following: I understand the widest tire that can be fitted is 215. Given the pothole-lined streets here, 17" tires are out of the question. So that leaves the following choices for a 215 tire:

215/50/16: diameter is ok (smaller than 205/55/16 and bigger than 205/50/16), but there are only two choices, and neither is a great tire.

215/55/15: diameter is ok (smaller than 205/55/16 and bigger than 205/50/16), but I can't find any tire in that size.

215/50/15: diameter is sligthty small, but that is not a problem as if it was too big. Good availability of tire models (including Dunlop 8000, 9000 and 4000A/S and Yokos AVS Intermediates.)

My immediate question: can a 15" wheel be used on a T-5 ? My main concern is that if the T-5 had bigger front rotors than the GLT (as somebody thought was the case), 15" wheels may not clear the rotors.

Why I would like a 215/50/15 more than a 205/50/16 ? Two reasons:

-) The extra 10 mm width, and thus extra grip, would be very welcome when I start with an undertired vehicle.
-) The extra 5mm of wall height are very welcome in "Washington-Pothole-DC" city.

What are your opinions ?

What wheels and tires should I order the car with ? I see the following options:

1) Order the 205/55/16 XGT V4 A/S. Use them year round, or buy another set of summer tires and use the factory tires in the winter only.

2) Order the 205/50/16 non-A/S and get a set of snows for the winter.

3) Get the 15"wheels and 195/60/15, sell the tires and use the wheels to mount a 215/50/15 hi-perf summer tire (plus get snow tires and wheels in 205/55/16 size).

Looking forward to all your wisdom about wheels and tires.

Thanks,

Andres Jaime
ajaime@erols.com