I'm looking for any feedback on Michelin RainForce tires. These would be on the front of my wife's wagon. I have snow tires in back, I know all 4 snows would be ideal but am trying to save some $$. Anybody used these tires in the snow, rain? Thanks.

2) Anyone have a copy of the 10 minute movie "Rendezvous" for sale? This is the great movie of driving in Paris with a sports car at full speed. I found it new for $50 but that's a lot of $ for 10 min. Thanks.

I have a copy of Rendevous I bought from Motorbooks. It's a cool film despite its obviously dubbed sound.

The film is so dark (especially during the second half) that I think the reduced quality of a copy would be tough to watch. If you really like it, you may just want to pony up the dough. I play it for people a couple times a year and for that alone, it's been worth the money.

Regards,

Peter

We have the Rainforce Tires on our 240 wagon (185-14) and they have been great in wet weather. They are OK in light snow, but for the winter we switch over to four mounted snow tires. A set of the cheapest snow tires will outperform the Rainforce tires in heavy snow (we have a set of Cooper's with big open lugs - biased towards snow rather than ice traction). I also put two 50 lb bags of sand over the rear axle and try to keep the gas tank full during the winter.

I have a set on my '66 Corvair Corsa and they are great in the rain. The car has only about 500# on the front wheels and I have never aquaplaned with them while staying with trafic in the rain.

If you have an "incident" because of the unbalanced traction with your mixed tires you will not have saved any $$. I'll buy good tires and let almost anything else go on the car. Good tires are cheap insurance IMHO.

Tell us about the 10 minute movie. What is it about?

I agree with Jim. Good tires (particularly snows) are cheap insurance (and cheaper than a $500 deductable). BTW, I like my RainForce MX4s on my '92 wagon just fine for three-season traction. After Nov 1, I run FOUR Hakka 1 snows.

"Rendezvous". Is that the one where the guy jumps into a Ferrari and drives like a madman through the empty streets of Paris at 6am to meet his girl on the other side of town?

I've heard about it, but NEVER seen it for sale or have been able to find someone who has it.

Where did you find it for $50? I'd love to find a copy, and Christmas is coming up...

rehsper

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, you know the movie! Use your search engine and specify the title and the director: Claude Lelouch, you will find it. Best driving movie ever, even if it's just 10 min (mainly it's real, not staged and he's either crazy or suicidal). I found it at motorbooks.com and amazon.com, and I'm sure you can locate it at other locations.

AKA "the 8 minute tour of Paris"

Indeed, it is a classic video, and I think the suicidal theory is correct...

I was told he was driving a Ferrari 275 GTB...just strapped his camera to the nose and let 'em have it. I counted 17 red lights that he blew through at speed....and he surely scared the #$^&! out of several unsuspecting pedestrians...not to mention other motorists. I'm sure he nailed a few pigeons to boot.

Just pony up the 50 bucks for it....It doesn't copy well at all.

Better yet, just put it on your Christmas wish list...I'm sure Santa will bring it to you....if you've been good that is.

Good luck!

-Matt B

We have 75,000 miles on our Rainforce tires so far and going strong. They are great in the rain, but I have no experience with them in the snow. I don't think you would be very happy with snows in the back and Rainforce's in the front (or any other allseason tire), the handling is going to be weird.

Rainforce are indeed very good in the rain and give good wear. But, they are a "touring" tire and therefore quite stiff laterally, whereas the snows on the back are likely quite squidgy. This will make the handling of the car quite disturbing, as the back responds differently than the front to lateral inputs. Our 740 was really wierd with the touring/snow combination, especially on the highway.

I would go with four inexpensive snows, on scrapyard rims if neccessary. Having your snows on their own rims saves the mounting cost twice a year, and you swap the wheels when needed yourself instead of lining up at the tire store.

Or consider new all seasons all 'round and avoiding serious snow altogether. The problem here is you may get caught some day, and also next fall you will have four not-so-new all seasons and be back at square one.

Four snows on four rims is the best answer and it will pay off in very few years.

Good luck. Tough call, good tires are steep but important.