Oversized Wintertire - brand, size, price, where?

[impalator]

Hi everybody,

I know, I know... there are tons of posts and threads on tires here... but feeling a bit lazy, rather than searching, piecing together and making a wrong assumption after all (since I know absolutely nothing about tires, other than that they roll on the road) I would like to ask a couple of questions:

- I need some winter tires for my Deli (I have continental all seasons SUV-type tires on it right now - and they are still the same tires from when we got the Van)

- I would like the most inexpensive (not cheap, just inexpensive) but yet decent winter tire

- I would like to have a slightly larger size of tire (maybe an inch, max two, over the stock size - I have currently 235 / 75 - that's what it says on the tire)

- My van is not lifted

- How much bigger can a tire be, before I have to lift, cut out body parts etc. for mounting?

- I would need the tires to fit on the stock rims (see picture)



- Can anybody recommend a good tire place with affordable & inexpensive prices (I understand that the same tire can cost 30 - 40% more/less at different places)

- Thanks for any help...

Cheers,
Chris

[Tojo]

Hi Chris,

I just got a set of 235/75/R15 Bridgestone Blizzaks DM-V1 (light truck rated at 2183 lbs per tire) at Costco with $70 cash back promotion from November 28th to December 21st. http://tires2.costco.ca/?whse=BCCA&lang=en-CA

Seemed like the best deal to me at the time...If you can pick them up from the states, then Tirerack.com can have good deals too. My L300 is stock, no lift.

Cheers,
Tojo

[Shaun Van Ramen]

I too have been searching for new rubber and did a bunch of reading and sifting through Deli.ca.

This is what I narrowed it down to:

Nokian Vatiiva A/T, H/T

Yokohama H/T-S Geolandars - G051

Toyo Open Country H/T

In that order. I ended up with the Yokohama's. Mainly because of cost and availability. What you may find is that some shops will have to order them in.

Also - Stock size listed (for my L300) is 215/75-15. It had 225/75-15's on when I got it and am going to 235's - as that is a more common size than 225's.

I will have them on this Fri. (Dec 16) and will offer up a review of my choice after a little experience with them.

[Shaun Van Ramen]

Shaun went to the Spa yesterday and had a pedicure. Well it was Beetle Spa in No. Van. for new rubber. I got a pretty good deal as I have a contact (so I will not quote it), but Rod (@ Beetle Spa) was very good and took care of Shaun.

Above are the tires that came with the van when I bought it.
Below are the new Geolander H/T's
225 above / 235 below

tirecompare.jpg (98.63 KiB) Viewed 3284 times

There is ample space in the wheel well for normal driving. I can't really say too much yet as I only have 30km on them. But I will be driving to Seattle tomorrow so I can related more on handling and gas mileage afterwards. I suspect the mileage will drop a tad. As for handling, I am now ready for the snow ~~ Bring it on!!!

[Shaun Van Ramen]

Now that I have several hundred klicks on the new rubber I can offer up a little more.

Yes my gas-mileage has dropped in town. But not by much (Previous got 500-550km per tank / now down to 450-500).

Although the Yokohama's don't feel too aggressive, they do ride harder than the street tires that were on before. I definitely notice the suspension more on bumpy surface (bad BC roads, potholes).

Overall I am happy with the choice. I will be driving to Princeton in the New Year so am looking forward to the off-road capabilities.