Just wondered what people with experience
with these cars recommends. 97 850 101K has Mich MXV4 Plus
on OEM steel rims with plastic covers

Thanks Brick people

Funny that no one has mentioned the Kumho Ecsta ASX. It's new...just put them on my Protege, but have seen many people at TireRack comment on how nice they are on their 850's. They're worth checking out....excellent tire for the money and a quiet ride!
--
Current owner of a '04 V70 2.5T. Previous owner of a '94 850 Turbo Wagon

Well here's my 2 cents worth. I insisted on finding a tire company from America that makes tires in America and BINGO, I ended up with a set of MasterCrafts, which I think is a brand of the Cooper Company. I got the H-rated original size for my 96 850 GLT. To my surprise they were wonderful on wet roads, snow and handled beautifully in hard cornering on dry roads. I love them.
I'm tired of throwing American dollars to the Japs, the Koreans and the Chinese. Support our country if you can.

Marty

Just put Yokohama Avid 205/55VR16's on my '96 850 turbo, they're 500 AAA rated, paid around $92 each, and they are excellent, I wanted to put Michelin or Bridgestone but the price of the Yokohamas was way better.
The Bear in Florida

At the advice of others on this board, a few months ago I put on a set of Kumho ECSTA tires. I drive daily 30 miles to and from work on an extremely winding steep mountain road, often in the rain during winter. I have found absolutely no problems with these tires, they seem to be holding up well (much better than the Dunlops I had previously which started to wear out after 8 months). I've put 8000 miles on them already.

These Kumho tires are a fraction of the price of Michelin. Personally I think the big names you are paying for the brand name more than for quality. Of course extremely cheap tires are no good but these have all the same ratings as the comparable Michelins.

I have the same tires and agree that they are awesome for the price. They handle great and have worn very little since I bought them 5000 miles ago. In the snow, they have done better than the Dunlop SP3000's I had on the car before. The only complaint I would have is that they are a little noisy.

I put Falken 512s on my 96 850T about 3,000 miles ago. Very satisfied, quiet ride, good grip in rain and GREAT price! They were also top rated in Consumer Reports. Had Michelin Pilots on before, these are much better...

Funny. It looks like nobody would be caught dead
with the 15" steel rims this car has! I guess most 850's
come with 16 standard

Thanks for the info, I guess I'll keep the Michelins

"Funny. It looks like nobody would be caught dead
with the 15" steel rims this car has! I guess most 850's
come with 16 standard"

15-in steel are standard. Most of this wheel stuff is cosmetic. Not anything you will discern in legal, safe, street driving.

"I guess I'll keep the Michelins"

Never a bad idea keeping in mind a lot of the competition is just as good and cheaper. But the Energy MXV4 Plus may well pay off in fuel savings.

-Eric

"These cars" covers a lot of ground. I currently have 205-55-16 Dunlop SP5000s on my car, my THIRD set. In the winter I use 185-65-15 Michelin Arctic Alpins on steelies with plastic covers.

However, if you're a less performance-oriented driver... I just ordered a set of the new Michelin HydroEdge tires for my wife's Odyssey minivan.

-Punx

'98 V70T5M, 141k mi., iPd stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Bilstein HD struts and shocks, Valentine-1, Mobil-1 always, e-code headlight lenses, Dunlop SP5000AS

For H-rated all-season tires, Consumer Reports recommends the following:

Best for most; fine grip with comfort:
Falken Ziex ZE 512 $60 (sport)
Bridgestone Turanza LS-H $100 (touring)
The Falken (1) emphasizes braking and ride, the Bridgestone (2) handling.

If fuel mileage is a priority:
Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus$120 (touring)
This model is among the lowest for rolling resistance, but it’s pricey.

If winter driving isn’t a factor, or you own a set of winter tires:
Bridgestone Potenza RE950 $85 (sport)
It offers the best three-season grip in this category.

Prices are for P195/65R15 (you need 196/60R15) and testing was on a Honda Accord.

-Eric

I have a 95 850 Turbo, and recently replaced my tires with Toyo TPT Proxes, 205/55/16, they are awesome and were only $92.00 a tire. IMHO, give them a try and by the way, the tire is rated 400 A A. good luck.

I have Michelin Pilot AS (all season). Expensive, but just plan awesome, even in moderate snow. Long wear life (30 - 35K) helps justify the price.

I use the Michelin Pilot AS (all season) as well. They are expensive ($162 per tire) and are great. I even survived a d.c/virginia blizzard ice storm last year with these tires. I hope to get 30K from them, but 40K would be better.

My next set of tires will be something less expensive, in the $100 per tire range. Maybe the Toyo proxes.

Cheers,
Lunchman, 95 850 Turbo, dual subwoofers in the trunk.