Low Profile HELL

[imac]

Originally Posted by jeffcooper

I've got 225/45/17 P6000's on 17" rims, and this is the most comfy car I've ever driven - it gets us from mid-england to mid-france in a day with coffee breaks only, and apart from lack of sleep, the drive itself is a pleasure, and that includes a lot of country roads - one thing though, you do have to spend a lot of time getting the driving position right, especially with the V70R seats that I've got - could this be the lack of comfort you're experiencing?

How comes you've only got the 17" alloys on a V70R?

But, I quite agree with you - the 17" are plenty comfortable for most people.

[jeffcooper]

Ah yes - the seats were an upgrade for my T5 that good ol' ebay produced for me!

[Edward Howells]

Thank you, Murray, for posting this problem. I'm new to the site and wanted to ask exactly the same question. I'm just about to have to replace a fifth tyre, after a year of ownership, and am being driven mad by the vulnerability of these 17" low profile tyres, fitted as standard to my three year old V70 D5. Could you let me know what solution you came up with, so I can do the same?

Eddie

[DSK]

Hi Murray and welcome.

Two things I'd like to ask as you did not mention them in your posts so far regarding your issue.

1) Which model and model year V70 do you have?
(this will help us determine the original wheel and tyre size applicable for your vehicle)
2) what is the current tyre size that is fitted to your vehicle?
(this will highlight if your wheel/tyre size has been incorrectly altered)

Also, fwiw, tyre pressures can make a difference so i would also check for over inflation of the tyre pressure.

My C70 runs on original 17" alloys with the original 225/45/17 tyre size. These are very comfortable for everyday use but when you hit some pot holes etc you will feel it more compared to other Volvo's that may be running on 15/16" wheels.

[Myndor]

I have just been told that my offside front alloy wheel needs replacing yet again.
The car is now 3 years old and I have had to replace 3 alloys, is this a record. I can understand kerbing and buckling but the problem seems to be cracking on the inner rim. Any suggestions please

[Infinity]

My S60 D5 is currently running 225/45/17 all round and the ride is very comfortable and I am managing with the rims ok. The previous owner obviously didn't as the rims are curbed

Mind you I am coming from a car that had lowered suspension and 225/40/18 at the front and 255/35/18 at the rear, but still I never curbed those alloys! A little care and attention is all that is required in my opinion.

Justin

[GusColville]

Hi All, I am a new member and know little about the pros and cons of tyres/wheels, unlike some of the owners whose comments I have just read. I have a Euro IV S60 which is not yet 18 months old and just 17k miles. I have had road handling problems (wandering across the road and a bumpy ride) for the past 8 months and 2 local dealers said it was the low profile 17" wheels. I contacted Volvo Customer Care and they eventually arranged a test drive with 16" wheels and what a difference. However, why should I pay £1,500 to change the alloys and tyres? I was also told that lots of people have complained but nothing seems to have been done about this. I talked to a S60 D5 owner in a Tesco carpark this morning and it was he who told me about this site. He suggested that Pirelli tyres might be the problem and that a change of tyres on the front would probably solve the problem. I suspect that this subject may have been raised before so apologies if I am covering old ground. Any advice would be most welcome.

[s60.i@n]

Originally Posted by GusColville

I talked to a S60 D5 owner in a Tesco carpark this morning and it was he who told me about this site. He suggested that Pirelli tyres might be the problem and that a change of tyres on the front would probably solve the problem. I suspect that this subject may have been raised before so apologies if I am covering old ground. Any advice would be most welcome.

p6000s seem to be universally slated, and specifically blamed for causing tramlining on s60s. If they are due to be replaced try a pair of less berated tyres on the front.
Goodyear eagle F1s (if you can still get them) or assymetrics, Michelin Pilot sport 2s if you have deep pockets, Ive got a set of Dunlop SP Maxxs, and they seem ok. Err, really any decent brand that isnt Pirelli

[GusColville]

Thanks for the advice on which tyres to buy - I have yet to investigate alternative tyres and maybe even going down to 18" wheels although it will be my Christmas and Birthday presents all in one. Thanks again. Neil

[zax]

I'm was having the same issues as you (tramlining etc.) and after reading all the tyre threads on here made the change to Goodyear Eagle F1 GDS3 (225x45x17 on Tethys alloys) on my 18 month old Euro IV D5 - what a difference!!! A weekend in the Lakes was a pleasure. Would recommend it to anyone suffering like I was. Cost me £88 each - all in (fitted inc. VAT, disposal, valve and balance), just better than BlackCircles were offering (£90), from my local tyre guy. Drove on all roads/speeds (Mway, A, B, tiny!) and wet & dry and I'm well chuffed. Many years ago I had some on a Granada and they were terrible at stopping in the wet but these are great so far.

Some of my friends (and my local tyre guy) also suggest Toyo Proxy R1's - similar price - they have them on various cars inc. VR32, Scooby STI & EvoVIII. Ones I was told to avoid included Falken and Avon ZZ3 (for what it's worth).

Can't wait for the rear tyres to wear now so I can put some on there, can't believe they fit those POS Pirellis as factory fit - anything to do with Ford? My older (02) S60 had Continentals on as factory fit which were OK but would tramline if pressure dropped a little and were very noisy!


BTW, can anyone confirm that VOC members get a discount at BlackCircles as mentioned in one of the tyre threads? If so how do we claim it? Feel free to pm me.