Used 165/80-SR15 Michelin XZX's of any value? |
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Used 165/80-SR15 Michelin XZX's of any value? |
osvolant |
Sep 8 2011, 08:49 AM
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#1
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 33 Joined: 31-August 09 From: Oak Ridge, TN Member No.: 10,748 Region Association: South East States |
This isn't really a classified- more of a question to the members.
I am replacing the OEM size Michelins that were on my '76 2.0 when I bought it 2-1/2 years ago. PO had no idea how old they are- they don't have a modern date code. Cosmetically they are nice for an original look (presently on repro Fuchs wheels). The rears are evenly worn with 5mm of tread; the fronts have more inner wear with 2-3mm tread. I can post pictures if there is any interest. I am replacing the tires because they don't seem to have much grip- the car oversteers easily under power, on dry pavement, and I spun it once on damp pavement. Am putting on 195/65-15 Potenza 960's. Anyway, the question is whether these Michelins are of any value to anyone or should I trash 'em? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) |
bigkensteele |
Sep 8 2011, 10:26 AM
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#2
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Major Member Group: Members Posts: 2,197 Joined: 30-August 04 From: Cincinnati, OH Member No.: 2,660 Region Association: South East States |
The last three digits of the DOT number is actually a date code, but it might not help much. The first two digits are the week of the year they were made, so 01 = Jan 1 - 7. The third digit is the year, so 5 could mean 2005 (doubtful), 1995, 1985, or 1975. Good luck guessing which. I would bet that if they aren't too dry-rotted, they were made in the 90s.
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bradtho |
Sep 8 2011, 11:21 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 266 Joined: 22-December 09 From: Seattle, WA Member No.: 11,165 Region Association: None |
I just made the exact same tire switch. no damp driving yet, but dry grip is fantastic. what surprised me was how much better the ride was. like a subtle suspension upgrade. enjoy.
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Razorbobsr |
Sep 9 2011, 06:01 AM
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 282 Joined: 6-June 10 From: Terre Haute Ind Member No.: 11,813 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
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EdwardBlume |
Sep 9 2011, 07:24 AM
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#5
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,338 Joined: 2-January 03 From: SLO Member No.: 81 Region Association: Central California |
You can still get the vintage tires in SR 165 but not Michelins. A CW *might* be interested but IMHO, you don't see them on drivers since newer wider tires offer more traction, better build quality, and are much more readily available.
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r_towle |
Sep 9 2011, 08:23 AM
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#6
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
This isn't really a classified- more of a question to the members. I am replacing the OEM size Michelins that were on my '76 2.0 when I bought it 2-1/2 years ago. PO had no idea how old they are- they don't have a modern date code. Cosmetically they are nice for an original look (presently on repro Fuchs wheels). The rears are evenly worn with 5mm of tread; the fronts have more inner wear with 2-3mm tread. I can post pictures if there is any interest. I am replacing the tires because they don't seem to have much grip- the car oversteers easily under power, on dry pavement, and I spun it once on damp pavement. Am putting on 195/65-15 Potenza 960's. Anyway, the question is whether these Michelins are of any value to anyone or should I trash 'em? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Toss them. Tires older than 5-6 years start to become dangerous. I just lost a belt on a tire that was 9 years old...looks perfectly fine, but its old. Yes is was on the highway, and yes I may have been travelling at a higher speed than most of the other cars around me....but ...tires are all you have to keep you safe. Ozone is what kills tires and you cant avoid it unless you wrap them up in an airtight plastic bag. I would not feel good about selling a set of old used tires to anyone..they will eventually, on the highway when they get hot, blow out, and it wont be pretty... Large sections of rubber will come off the tire. Rich |
osvolant |
Sep 9 2011, 10:40 AM
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#7
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 33 Joined: 31-August 09 From: Oak Ridge, TN Member No.: 10,748 Region Association: South East States |
Thanks for your responses- pretty much reinforces what I thought. I would give these away for show purposes only. Into the dumpster they go!
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windforfun |
Sep 9 2011, 10:43 AM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,783 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
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tomeric914 |
Sep 9 2011, 05:39 PM
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#9
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One Lap of America in a 914! Group: Members Posts: 1,259 Joined: 25-May 08 From: Syracuse, NY Member No.: 9,101 Region Association: North East States |
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Porschef |
Sep 9 2011, 06:17 PM
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#10
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How you doin' Group: Members Posts: 2,165 Joined: 7-September 10 From: LawnGuyland Member No.: 12,152 Region Association: North East States |
Jeez, I gotta get me a new spare...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
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bradtho |
Sep 9 2011, 06:43 PM
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 266 Joined: 22-December 09 From: Seattle, WA Member No.: 11,165 Region Association: None |
I just made the exact same tire switch. no damp driving yet, but dry grip is fantastic. what surprised me was how much better the ride was. like a subtle suspension upgrade. enjoy. Better ride?? How so>? I have 195/45 and they are stiff and HARD riding. Bob subtle but noticably smoother ride over road imperfections. I'm attributing it to modern materials, sidewall construction, or just the fact that my previous tires were tired. note that I'm running 65 aspect ratio (preserves original speedometer reading pretty well). I'd suspect your harsh ride is from using the 45's. but I'm no expert. |
Razorbobsr |
Sep 10 2011, 06:08 AM
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 282 Joined: 6-June 10 From: Terre Haute Ind Member No.: 11,813 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
I just made the exact same tire switch. no damp driving yet, but dry grip is fantastic. what surprised me was how much better the ride was. like a subtle suspension upgrade. enjoy. Better ride?? How so>? I have 195/45 and they are stiff and HARD riding. Bob subtle but noticably smoother ride over road imperfections. I'm attributing it to modern materials, sidewall construction, or just the fact that my previous tires were tired. note that I'm running 65 aspect ratio (preserves original speedometer reading pretty well). I'd suspect your harsh ride is from using the 45's. but I'm no expert. Now comes the prob of finding tires near 65 aspect that will fit my wheels and under my finders??????? Bob Attached image(s) |
osvolant |
Sep 12 2011, 06:09 PM
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#13
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 33 Joined: 31-August 09 From: Oak Ridge, TN Member No.: 10,748 Region Association: South East States |
I am happy to report the 195/65 Potenza 960's (one of two or three decent tires in that size available from Tire Rack) do improve the ride slightly and have oh so much more grip than my 20? year old Michelins. My tightest clearance is the right rear fender lip where I have less than 1cm.
My spare is another old XZX on an original steel rim. Doesn't look quite as bad as tomeric's. It has to be better than the micro-spares on my other cars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) |
tomeric914 |
Sep 12 2011, 06:17 PM
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#14
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One Lap of America in a 914! Group: Members Posts: 1,259 Joined: 25-May 08 From: Syracuse, NY Member No.: 9,101 Region Association: North East States |
My spare is another old XZX on an original steel rim. Doesn't look quite as bad as tomeric's. It has to be better than the micro-spares on my other cars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) Assuming you are talking about the collapsible spare, the difference is that the micro-spare is tucked away without exposure to the sun and elements. Besides normal wear and tear, it's UV exposure that does the majority of the degradation to a tire over time. I've got some original Continentals tucked away from an early 60's VW convertible I once owned. They look pretty new mainly because I have limited their exposure to the sun. Would I trust them on anything but a trailer queen? No way. |
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