Low Profile HELL

I am new to Volvo. I recently bought a V70 as we need a big estate for the family and I am pleased with the car. I am not pleased with low profile tyres which came with it. These have been a nightmare. Fine on a performance car or if one is a Chelsea farmer or only goes up and down motorways. My estate works, is usually full or half full, has the familly in it and runs about everywhere. Any resonable big bump or pothole or - ouch - kerb touch and whallop!, one or two new tyres, please. Five in 10 months. Whoever had this crackpot idea of putting performance tyres on a "working" car needs the sack pronto. What are good "normal" tyres? I do not want 0 to 60 in 0.555 milliseconds but I do want to drive down a road with some sense of security that I can get to the other end without the tyres flying off. I have written to Volvo to suggest that they can either give me some proper ruddy tyres or stick their car where the sun does not shine...... or is this just me???? :angry2:

I take it you have 35 profile on a 18" rim or a 40 on a 17" ? either way it will be harsh just go up a profile and you should feel a lot more comfortable, Gary.

Hi, Welcome to the forums and I hope you enjoy your stay here... :) Hope also you get some useful info and advice too. Did you get the car from new from a dealer? Or was this a 2nd hand purchase? If 2nd hand then obviously the previous owner has changed the wheels and/or tyres. As Gary suggests, try a step up in the tyre profile size as the bigger the sidewall (profile) the more comfortable the ride will be.. It may also be that the car has had an uprated suspension or lowering kit installed. This too will have an effect on the ride feel. If a new purchase was a larger wheel option selected? Would the dealer be happy (or could be persuaded) to change the wheels to a smaller size and fit larger profile tyres?? Des. . . ;)

I can understand your problem - when I bought my V70 I went to great lengths to find one with 16inch wheels - 215/55/16 tyres. Would advise you try to get the supplier of the car to swap the wheels for you - he could always sell on yours to some mug who want low profile tyres because they look good.

Ask the dealer to put 205/55-16's on there for you. I have both 16" and 17" wheels, and the 16" with the hider sidewall makes for a lot more comfortable ride. They don't look as good though, and it makes it feel a bit more wallowy in the bends - but I sense you're not interested in that, much! :)

LP Tyres 

You have my sympathy! I swopped a S60 (17")for a later V70 with 16"s earlier this year. I have not kerbed them once, and, joy, joy, the ride and handling are in a different league - notwithstanding the V70 being a chunkier body shape. Each to his own, etc, but it is a pain when you are saddled with a wheel size that does not suit. Get 'em changed! Somebody will want the old ones! & use VOCF - it's free! Bhowani

Low Profiles 

Not to sure how to post an add on to the original! Thank you everyone for the comments. I will speak/ investigate the higher profile. Not being a car buff, I did not really grasp the tyre-lowness-profile bit. I think dealers should take more effort to explain this.The car was bought second hand and is only a year or so old. I am very pleased with the car, it is just that it is wholly impractical with the present tyres down country lanes and for general estate car type work. From all your kind comments I can now see if get a hundred yards down the road without it costing me a few hundred quid.

Hi Murray glad to be of help, if you post a picture of your wheels up then we can identify the type for you, and if you look on your tyre the dimensions of the tyre will help us to look at another option for you, regards Gary,