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Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

posted by  rtparr on  Sat Sep 10 10:10 CST 2005
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last visit: Tue Apr 30 16:15 CST 2013
[RELATED]

The 97R wagon I bought in May came with a bastard set of tires--two half-worn Toyo 215-40-17's in the front, and a set of very worn 215-45-17 Dunlop sport 9000's in the rear.

The specification is for the R is 205-45-17, naturally, but when I went looking for a set of all-season radials that were really good on wet pavement and quiet, I came up with a zero. If this car could utlilize a 55 series I would be in fat city with a set of Michelin Hydroeges or Goodyear's Triple Tread Assurance. But while other non-R wagons can handle the 55 series on a sixteen-inch rim, the sport suspension won't allow anything higher than a 50 series. I looked at the pictures on Bay 13 of what happens when you try to install 55 series on this car.

I did find a set of 215-50-17 Toyo Proxes TPT with a 65K mile warranty that are supposed to be really good on wet pavement (I live in the Willamette Valley where it rains all the time) and quiet. Spendy, at $750 a set from Les Schwab. I don't think there was a 205 in this model with any warranty. Why only in the 215 I don't know.

Does anybody have anything good or bad to say about using these tires? I'm sixty-six and not into racing or highspeed sport driving, and like my safety and quiet. But I don't know if this tire will fill the bill. Do I have to bite the bullet and buy a set of 16-inch rims to widen my field of choice? Any advice on other brands or sizes I should look at much appreciated. Dick








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    Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

    posted by  someone claiming to be baumer on  Sun Sep 11 14:02 CST 2005 [RELATED]

    I put the Avon 550's from Tire Rack on mine a couple thousand miles ago. They handle well and are sure-footed. The price is fantastic for 36,000 mile rated. The ride is a bit softer than the Kumho's I had on before--no complaints there.








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    Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

    posted by  MartyF on  Sun Sep 11 09:34 CST 2005
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    Take a look at these....

    http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?mk=&yr=1996&sw=false&cs=205&pc=28749&rd=17&vid=001917&ar=45

    I have 4500 miles on a set of 205/55-16's... smooth, quiet, and terrific in the wet. Recently rated #1 by Consumer's Reports.

    Marty
    '96 855T







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      Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

      posted by  Jack43 on  Mon Sep 12 09:12 CST 2005
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      last visit: Thu Oct 25 15:39 CST 2012
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      I have a set on my car--will never buy again, wore out very rapidly on the outer edges (inside and out). I keep them at 37#, car is in alignment and I don't corner hard. My winter tires, Michelin Artic Alpins, have gotten at least triple the wear...
      --
      96 850T, Bilstein HD, IPD swaybars








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        Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

        posted by  MartyF on  Tue Sep 13 15:31 CST 2005
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        Hi Jack...

        Good to know. This is the first set of Falkens I've purchased, and, so far, I'm extremely impressed with the ride and traction characteristics. But how they'll wear was unknown to me, until now. I intend to keep my eye on them to see how they do... winter's coming.

        But, I have a question. You run them at 37psi? I'm running mine at the OEM tire pressure recommended on the inside of the gas tank cover... 32 front, 31 rear.

        If the edges of your tires wore prematurely at 37psi, you have me wondering what's in store for me as the miles pile on.

        Thanks for the input.

        Marty
        '96 855T








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          Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

          posted by  Jack43 on  Wed Sep 14 03:33 CST 2005
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          last visit: Thu Oct 25 15:39 CST 2012
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          I agree they are great riding tires with excellent hydroplane resistance. So the abnormal wear is distressing. I increased the tire pressure to 37# after about 10K miles when I noticed the wear. That reduced it somewhat, but it still continues and they are about worn out--edges only. Center is wearing well. Very disappointing, especially when you consider my snow tires are wearing far better and you wouldn't normally expect that.
          --
          96 850T, Bilstein HD, IPD swaybars








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      Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

      posted by  rtparr on  Sun Sep 11 10:19 CST 2005
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      last visit: Tue Apr 30 16:15 CST 2013
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      Hi Marty--the 55 series tires won't work on the R wagon. As high as you can go is the 50 series. Higher than that and you rub on the suspension, not the plastic liner as many think. I'm kind of scr*wed on this one. Thanks for your advice anyway. Appreciated. Dick








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    Best all-season radial for a 97R wagon 850 1997

    posted by  MadeInJapan on  Sun Sep 11 05:29 CST 2005
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    last visit: Sat Oct 2 06:34 CST 2010
    [RELATED]

    Have you checked out the TireRack? Here is a link to the tires in the size you mention:
    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?width=205%2F&ratio=45&diameter=17&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&x=72&y=9&RunFlat=All

    I highly recommend the Mich. Pilots but they are not cheap. The BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 are also great tires as are the Bridgstone Potenza (either tire...but more expensive) as well as the Goodyear Eagles and the Yokohama AVS ES100. AT the TireRack you can compare tires, read reviews and ratings and have the tires shipped to your door for a fraction of what most tire dealers would charge you locally.

    Good luck!

    Edit: Look at the Avon Tech's...wow, what a rating on a tire and great reviews...price is great too! I'm impressed with these though the first time I've heard of them:
    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Avon&tireModel=Tech+M550+A%2FS&partnum=045WR7M550&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=16

    --
    1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon







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