Just purchased two LRR tires for wife's car
 

The wife's car (98 olds intrigue) needs two new tires; currently running Hankook Optimo H418 tires; 225/60/16.

After calling several tire stores to see what they offered in the LRR range, I decided to buy (again) from discount tire direct; have always been pleased with tires from them in the past.

Best price on a regular tire from the local shops: $75 installed

Best price on a fairly LRR tire (goodyear integrity) from local shops: $137 installed

DTD tire I selected: (here) Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max: $117 installed (I decided to buy the replacement warranty for one of the two tires ($12) in case one fails)

I also opted to change from a 225/60/16 to a 215/65/16 (it's cheaper than the comparable 225 and it's narrower, for theoretical better rolling resistance)

Hopefully the fuel savings will outweigh the additional $42 per tire. I bet so; my wife drives 20,000 miles per year and her car gets about 26 mpg throughout the year on average. (about $2000 per year in fuel costs at current pump prices)
A 2% improvement would mean payoff in two years, which seems to be pretty likely. Sadly the car doesn't have a scangauge or MPGuino so the savings will likely be lost in the tank-to-tank measurements she does. Bummer.

3 thoughts:

1) You didn't tell us what you took off. It is quite possible you selected a tire that was worse for RR. On the other hand, the tire you selected probably has better treadwear and traction.

2) Be aware that even if you replaced with identical tires, your fuel consumption is going to go up. New tires have worse RR than worn tires.

3) The difference in tire size is not different enough to result in a change in RR.

The Assurance Fuel Max's do totally rock. Give 'em about 1200 miles for the releasing compound to wear out/off of them and they'll firm up.

Also, I'd say pump 'em to sidewall right away - they feel really, REALLY mushy when low.

Does the intrigue have the 3.5L V6 "Shortstar" engine? or a regular 3800?

;) sorry it got lost in my long-winded writing, but it was there at the top!

As for the tire size, I figured anything narrower would be better than wider, and they were $12 cheaper apiece. Not that 10mm does make much difference; I agree.
I already know about the new tires likely getting worse mpgs; I have read through your other threads about rolling resistance and tires, friction, etc. Thanks!

Nevyn, Thanks for the tips and the experience - I hope we enjoy them as much as you do. Planning to sidewall max 'em right away anyway and we're headed for a road trip next week so they'll go right through that 1200 miles.

Oh and the engine is the 3.8L - I love it. Only issues we've had with it are the notorious EGR tube melting the intake manifold gasket and the plastic coolant bypass elbow that's broken a couple times. Not bad for 230,000 miles.

Nice. The 3.5 "Shortstar" is a PAIN. Derived from the high-output Caddy Northstar V8, it's got a liquid-cooled alternator. That's just the start of how nasty they are. :) Awesome engine/tech, but a bear to work on. Check out some stuff/tips/posts by 98LeCouch - he's got a 3800 Series II almost identical to you and has pulled into the 30's on the highway with it.

I had a Buick with the 3800 and I loved it. Very reliable until my wife drove it on a hot day and let the water go low in the radiator (*glares at wife*)

I also had a Pontiac Transport with a 3800 that was very quick, period. You had to be careful not to floor it, otherwise you'd burn rubber everytime!

Just got the first tire. I see what Nevyn meant about squishy when low - the sidewalls are super soft! I expected stiffer sidewalls than the ones I have in my Mustang but no...
51 psi max pressure compared to the 44 max on the old ones (Hankook H418s)
The other one's not supposed to arrive until next week... must wait....

That's why mine are above sidewall. My personal experience is that they really like 62 PSI cold. *shrug* Everythings different. Mine are 185/65/15's I'm pretty sure.