OEM tire replacements?

Purists will say that the Michelin XWX is the only way to go – original and all that. If you intend to stay with the original wheels – they’re probably right. It will provide the best combination of handling, ride and appearance – at a premium price. I put my original wheels and tires away and bought the 16” aluminum look-a-likes. The choice of modern, performance rubber expands greatly. I used TR’s reviews to choose tires that I thought would fit the car and our northwest weather. I didn’t stagger the tire sizes and stayed with 205s to fit my not too aggressive style of driving. Again, purists will not like the look, but I don’t believe the larger wheels detract from the car at all. Just my $.02.

 

Look for the posts by Longstone Tyres about the XWX. There are various threads in the subforum and vintage.

 

I meant to mention that there is a significant thread here on that very subject. Right now there are 115 responses and I'm not sure it ever comes to a conclusion. The thread is titled XWX OFFER. If I was technically savvy, I would give you a link – but the lack of link speaks for itself. Either do a search for XWX or I’m sure someone will add the link. It provides a significant dialog as to whether the tires are "up-to-date" and how they are rated in today’s terms. I had already made my choice before the link started and I don’t think anything was said that would change it. I made my choice on the joy of driving the car as opposed to keeping it dead stock. The choice is personal and both viewpoints are valid.


Ken

 

Before posting the specific link to the Michelin Tire Thread (a misnomer, in fact), I thought I would suggest that you take a look at Corbani's Corner, which has a wealth of information about dealing with Dino particularities. I am not suggesting anyone necessarily follow all of what John Corbani suggested to do as workarounds, but he had a unique insight and was very well respected here in the Dino section. I suggest you start by looking at the Table of Sagas, a labor of love and respect compiled by Dave M. (dm_n_stuff) and the thoughtful updates and added links compiled by Tillman. Both are contained within the Table of Sagas in Corbani’s Corner at:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/corbanis-corner/226418-table-sagas-_-corbanis-corner.html

By way of background, John used his Dino as a daily driver virtually to the day that he died. John experimented with a variety of workarounds either when he couldn’t find exactly what he needed to repair his car to original specs, or when he came up with something that he thought might be an improvement. Purists here are certainly aghast at some of the modifications he made, but pretty much everyone had the highest admiration for him. Also, his car was featured in Forza – as the highest mileage Dino known to be on the road. I had the pleasure of driving his Dino after his death. It had over 195,000 miles on it at the time, and I have to tell you, it was the best handling and most sure footed Dino I have ever driven.

ALSO, TO QUOTE A GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY FRIEND OF MINE WHO I OFTEN APPEAR AGAINST IN COURT, "BE ADVISED TO BE ADVISED" THAT WHILE YOU CAN SEARCH AND READ EVERYTHING IN CORBANI’S CORNER, YOU CANNOT POST IN IT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN LOCKED DOWN TO PRESERVE JOHN'S WORK.

Within Corbani’s Corner you will find many postings from John about his adventures with tires, wheels, and alignment (along with a myriad of other matters). John experimented with various tires and wheels of different sizes and offsets, and although John aspired to make further improvements beyond the final setup that he had on his Dino upon his death, his final set up was amazing.

Here are some links to some of John Corbani’s posts relating to tires and wheels:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/corbanis-corner/67990-dino-saga-050724-_-intro-car-driver-steering-wheel-tires.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/corbanis-corner/78297-dino-saga-051009-a.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/corbanis-corner/209495-dino-saga-080817-_-radio-tires-wheels-roads.html

His last two posts are quite poignant:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/corbanis-corner/225321-dino-saga-081214-_-christmas-car-port.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/corbanis-corner/226032-dino-saga-081221-_-last-saga.html

Finally, here is the link to Longstone Tyres "special offer" ad spiel that consumed a lot of oxygen here on FCHAT:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/206-246/423844-michelin-xwx-offer.html

So far as tires with the correct size and correct speed rating, there are now only two made that are “generally available,” and even that is stretching it:

1. The Michelin XWX 205/70VR14; and

2. The Vredestein 205/70VR14.

With respect to your questions whether

"the XWX tires are of today's technology. Meaning, are they still the same tire as built in the 70's? Or has their compound/design/build evolved to match what's available today? Just by looking at them, they seem to have a very old pattern (as it was in the 70's). Also, the BFGoodrich tires not only have a more "modern" tread pattern but also seem to have a much stiffer sidewall,"

you will not get a clear answer from the suppliers or the manufacturers.

I have been very blunt with them in asking when was the last time that these tires were officially tested by an independent source, or what the specific construction details are with respect to whether modern materials and modern construction techniques are used to build them, but no one is willing, or apparently able, to answer that directly.

One other thing - they tend to get insulted or resentful if you ask those questions. Here is an example within Longstone's reply:

"I kind of resented this remark as i felt i had answered this question pretty well. 'Michelin are constantly testing their tyres.'" Longstone Tyres, reply 10-16-2013, 10:22 AM, Post #86 in the thread.

The best that Longstone Tyres offers in response is a copy of letter and a "Certificat d'homologation ECE30" from Michelin – which indicates that the last time these tires were certified was in January 1995 - OVER 18 YEARS AGO.

Rather than reply directly and specifically to those questions, they want you to rely on their history and experience in the tire business – which clearly is “lengthy and historical,” but that response still doesn’t answer your (or my) questions.

Who knows - the BF Goodrich tires might be better for all around use, if they are the correct size - even without the speed rating.

 

The other problem is the XWXs are produced in batches, and not all that frequently
So you have to be sure of when the tires were made or you could be buying tires that are only safe to use for a few years.

 

The 205/70VR14 Michelin XWX on my shelf have the date code 3713.

 

I believe that the whole date code thing is blown WAY out of proportion mainly by people who know little to nothing about tire construction and manufacture. A BRAND NEW tire provided that it is stored in the dark at appropriate temperatures is every bit as good as the day it was made for many years after the manufacture date.

Deterioration begins with the first few heat cycles so it is more important to be wary of the 'in service' date rather than the date of manufacture. I hate it when I see tire sellers treated as thieves and criminals when they sell tires with a 6 month old date stamp. These are not tomatoes here.

 

^ what about a 5 yr old date stamp?

 

I would not loose a moments sleep over a 10 year old date stamp provided that the tires were properly stored and have been through no heat cycles.

It is the first heat cycle that really starts the clock.

 

I have four excellent condition XWXs for $1199, I pay all paypal fees and shipping fees to US destinations.
First heat cycle was in May 2010, under 2,000 miles since.
No patches, no uneven wear, no problems just great tires correct for a Dino
LMK within 72 hrs.

 

Here are a few other tires in the 205/70/14 size:

Vulcan Tire Sales - Tire Search

I am not personally familiar with any of these, but have heard good things about the Vredesteins. But for a bit more $$ you can get new XWX's.

On the other hand, if you just need something to drive around on and aren't doing many concourses you probably can't go wrong with the Dorals at $50 a pop. And they are "high performance".

And none of these have raised white letters like the Goodrich T/A. They looked good on my '74 Camaro when I was 17 but not so good on a Dino.

I bought the XWX's a few months ago and been waiting for the snow to melt so I can mount them. Tread looks very aggressive though, almost like a mud and snow tire. I'll just have to wait and see. Don't know if your question was answered but while the new XWX (made end of 2013) looks identical to the original, from all I have read it is a different rubber compound than they used in the 70's. Good hunting.

 

Sorry for side tracking this debate a bit....I'm about to buy new tires for my early 246 L series and need some guidance with respect to size. I believe my car was delivered with Michelin X 185VR14 as was the 206 series. But I remember having read that it's smartest to go for the X 205VR14 due to the higher speed rating of this particular tire. I will like to go for original but I will not compromise safety. What do all the experts recommend. Thanks in advance.

Peter

 

Longstone will get the tires to your door in The States faster than the domestic supplier.

I've used both and I'm amazed by this.

And yes, 37th week of 2013 is so fresh you'll have to slap them.