LRR tires. Unicorn of the future?

[CapriRacer]

Ah…….Ummmmm…..

I hate to complicate things but there’s still the issue of tire wear.

A 195/65R15 Michelin Energy Saver A/S costs $96, has a treadwear rating of 480 and a warranty of 65K.

A 195/65R15 Sumitomo HTR T4 costs $70 (-27%), has a tread wear rating of 560 (+17%) and a warranty of 75K (+15%)

I think that means that not only is the Michelin a poorer choice than imagined, but even if the Sumitomo was the worst tire for RR, it will still deliver better $ / mile – and isn’t that the whole point?.

[JethroBodine]

Also, remember back in the olden days, before Tire Rack et al, shopping around at local tire shops, especially on the weekends, especiallyer on a long weekends, might get a sale on all Michelins or Sumitomos or Bridgestones or mounting, balancing, and/or road hazard free. WAY too many variables for a hard and fast rule. YMMV

[Ladogaboy]

Originally Posted by CapriRacer

Ah…….Ummmmm…..

I hate to complicate things but there’s still the issue of tire wear.

A 195/65R15 Michelin Energy Saver A/S costs $96, has a treadwear rating of 480 and a warranty of 65K.

A 195/65R15 Sumitomo HTR T4 costs $70 (-27%), has a tread wear rating of 560 (+17%) and a warranty of 75K (+15%)

I think that means that not only is the Michelin a poorer choice than imagined, but even if the Sumitomo was the worst tire for RR, it will still deliver better $ / mile – and isn’t that the whole point?.

The problem I have with this -- and this point is somewhat connected to the Unicorn Coral concept associated with LRR tires -- is that not all manufacturers' claims are honest. I, personally, have seen Sumitomo tires wear out far faster than they should have, and many people have reported that various tire manufacturers' LRR tire offerings don't provide nearly the improvement that they should. Basically, there doesn't seem to be any consistency between tire wear ratings and actual tire wear, and most LRR tires aren't associated with any measurable numbers associated with their actual RR. At this is the point, I wish we had a consumer watchdog group that would independently assess the various tires for wear and rolling resistance, thus saving people a lot of time and money.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by Ultra-Orange

For the metro I'm just looking for something that will fit on the car, if it ends up saving me gas in one form or the other, Bonus!

Then for the Geo Metro check with NEV dealerships.

[kingsway]

Some information on Pirelli tires - which doesn't make the situation any clearer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWOTp...eature=related

[Fat Charlie]

I wouldn't compare an LRR tire with the cheapest available tire in that size, any more than I'd compare any other tire with the cheapest available in that size. A few years ago I was looking up tires for someone and the cheapest available from my vendor were a brand called Blue Streak. I googled them and their website said they were the finest third tier market segment tire available. I wouldn't drive that (and I didn't quote it). The $143 each I paid for the Asuurance Fuel Maxes isn't that bad compared to the $116 each I had paid for the Kumhos that they replaced.

At almost 26,000 miles a year the LRR is going to save me a buck or two.

[kingsway]

I haven't seen any real improvement in FE since I fitted Michelin Energy E3B's - but then the old tires were half-worn, and were 9 years old....

Where I do notice the difference is in GRIP !

[slowmover]

Longest life is pretty much the best choice (away from specialized racing or offroad choices) as CapriRacer notes.

I'm on track to hit 250k from the first two sets of tires (given present wear rates on the second set) and that MICHELIN calls them LRR doesn't hurt. A new set of [4] from Tire Rack is $988.00. For a comparable tire (in several categories; from 30-tires down to 12) could be as low as $680. $300 "saved" right off the bat. (And I could probably drive around locally and find something that is stamped to meet the needed spec and "save" even more).

The warranty of the TR comps is the same at 60k miles overall.

At 250k miles at the life end of the second set of the tires I'd be into the fourth set of the cheaper tires already if they last 60k.

Roughly, $2000 versus $2,700 for two sets versus four sets. A 35% initial price advantage. And at $4/gl and the current 22-mpg average, 175/gls to travel about 4,000-miles (before any differences tire-to-tire for in-service mpg) for free.

On my vehicle type, the answer to "what is the best tire" is usually as simple as "sez MICHELIN on the sidewall". I've seen more than one report that a comparably spec'd/priced tire (to the one I have) is going up to 180k per set. So just one set could last as long as three of the cheaper ones. $1,000 versus $2,100. (But homework to establish that trend would be extensive).

Etc.

Take your time to research.