S40/V50 with 18" wheels - tyre availability

[MarkE]

Anyone looking at a new S40 or V50 with the factory 18" wheels should be aware of how little choice there is when you come to need new tyres. As far as I can tell, the only tyres available in the 215/45R18XL size required are :

Pirelli PZero Rosso (fitted as standard)
Bridgestone Potenza RE050

There are a couple of others which are Ferrari-specific. Toyo also do a T1-R in this size but it isn't an extra-load tyre.

If I wanted to spend the extra money I'd swap all 4 for 225/40 which offers loads of choice. Personally, I don't like the performance of the Rossos in the wet when part-worn (and by part-worn I'm talking about 3000 miles on the front) so I was hoping to change them for Goodyear Eagle F1 as I had on my last car but this was not to be.

I'd be interested to hear if any other owners have had similar problems sourcing alternative tyres. If you found any other tyres available, post them on this thread and let's get a definitive list together.

[Rooster]

I'm with you on the pirelli's, i've just put a set on front of my s40 and really wish i hadn't,

I think 215/45/18 is abit of an oddball size and thats why not many tyre companies make tyres that size,

Just had a quick look on ebay and there wasn't any that size but froogle came up with michelin pilot sports aswell as the pirellis and bridgestones

[MarkE]

Originally Posted by Rooster

I think 215/45/18 is abit of an oddball size and thats why not many tyre companies make tyres that size

I agree, it just seems odd that Volvo would spec an odd size for the cars - I could maybe understand if they were aftermarket alloys but not a factory wheel.

Just had a quick look on ebay and there wasn't any that size but froogle came up with michelin pilot sports aswell as the pirellis and bridgestones

My local ATS (decent guys, I've always used them for my tyres) checked with Michelin UK who apparently said they didn't know why the PS were listed as they're not yet in production. I'd love to have confirmation that that isn't the case as the PS seems to get good reviews.

[brooks1]

I had a full set of Toyo's T1-R on my last car, road holding in the dry absolutely fantastic (type r civic), considerably better than the origional bridgestones RE 40, wet not quite as good. The V50's obviously a lot different beast but i'm tempted to try the Toyo's when the time comes, only problems are the T1-R's are soft and vanish rapidly!

[MarkE]

Quick update on the tyre situation.

Needed a fresh pair of tyres on the front again. ATS checked up on availability the best price they could do on the Rossos, direct from Pirelli, was about £180 a corner fitted.

So after he stopped laughing and I stopped crying, they checked some more places.

Got a pair of PZero Neros, now available in the right size, for £117 a corner, which is a bit more like it.

One thing - the Neros are not a Extra Load tyre. I'll report on how well they last as time goes on.

[MarkE]

Originally Posted by MarkE

One thing - the Neros are not a Extra Load tyre. I'll report on how well they last as time goes on.

I was wrong here - they are Extra Load. Oops.