new tires for 1991 PA base

[ZiggyPA]

I'd like to get new (whitewall) tires. But what is the right size for a 1991 base model?
Right now the tires are 205 70 r15
The label on the door says 215 65 r15

One tire shop advises Maxxis tires, 215 70 r15, because the above sizes aren't true US tire sizes.

Are these Maxxis tires any good?

[Jrs3800]

What are they smoking?

A lot of C and H bodies in 91 had 215/65 15 tires...

[ZiggyPA]

I take it they say that because they don't have 215 65 15 tires, only 215 70 15.

[HotZ28]

Tires are like groceries, all the suppliers want to get rid of OLD inventory before it spoils. The new inventory is always placed in the back of the rack, and usually, the older the merchandise, the cheaper the price. If the store does not have what you want in inventory, they will charge you extra to get them. This is what is called "basic inventory control process!" BTW, you should get 215/65/15 tires for best handling, control & speedometer accuracy.

[ZiggyPA]

Can anyone recommend whitewall tires which come in 215 65 15?
I've also found BF Goodrich, but these cost over $360 per tire !

[HotZ28]

You will have a better selection if you choose 215/70/15, but if the sticker on the door says 215/65/15 that means the speedometer (VSS) was calibrated for that size. Does your PA have Grand Touring Suspension (GTS)?

Most base PA's come with 205/70/15 but the GTS option came with 215/65/15. You might have a hard time finding WW tires of this size because they are typically used on a touring sedan. BTW, the standard outside diameter of a 215/65/15 is 26.0" & 8.8" wide; whereas a 215/70/15 is 26.7" & 8.8" wide. Very little difference and certainly not enough to pay a premium price for!

[ZiggyPA]

GTS is identifyable by the Y56 code? Yes it has that, although I don't know if it still has original GTS struts and springs.
It also has a QII code, meaning it should have 215/60/16 tires?
I see there are some codes not in your list, are you interested in a pic of the SPID label?

[TopherS]

Originally Posted by ZiggyPA

Can anyone recommend whitewall tires which come in 215 65 15?
I've also found BF Goodrich, but these cost over $360 per tire !

In Feb 2007, I bought Goodyear ComforTred tires. They are advertised as being the softest, quietest tires out there. They were somewhere around $105/tire or so, with 80K mile warranty.

Last month, I had to replace them. They wore out in 2.5 years and after only 35K miles. I have to say that I was less than impressed with the longevity of those tires. However, Goodyear honored their warranty. I showed that I had them rotated as recommended and that I got yearly alignments during the life of the tires and Goodyear put new tires on my car for free. I only had to pay Sears for the mounting and balancing of the new tires (which I would have had to pay regardless of the kind of tires I bought or where I bought them). Sears said they've never had the ComforTred tires returned...that it's usually the directional tires that come back prematurely. We'll see how the new ComforTreds do.

My impressions of the tires...they are nice tires, they have that "forever new - black" look, so they never look ratty. They ride nice and are indeed very quiet. They do well in rain/ice/snow. They come with a narrow whitewall, that I had installed out, which looks really good with the chrome Buick wheels. The tires lasted less than half the time they should have, but with documentation of proper care/maintenance, Goodyear stepped up to the plate and honored their warranty.

Mine are 16" tires, but I believe that they come in 15" sizes, as well.

Hope this helps.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by ZiggyPA

GTS is identifyable by the Y56 code? Yes it has that, although I don't know if it still has original GTS struts and springs.
It also has a QII code, meaning it should have 215/60/16 tires?
I see there are some codes not in your list, are you interested in a pic of the SPID label?

Yes, QII code is for the TIRE ALL P215/60R16-94H BW R/PE ST TL AL3. If you see any that are not on our list, send them to me and I will try to decipher them. No need to redo the ones already listed.

[ZiggyPA]

I measured the diameter of the rims (with tire still on it..) and it was about 41,7 cm (/2.54=16,4 inch)
Does this mean the label on the door (looks original) is wrong and I should be looking for 215 60 16 tires?

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by ZiggyPA

I measured the diameter of the rims (with tire still on it..) and it was about 41,7 cm (/2.54=16,4 inch)
Does this mean the label on the door (looks original) is wrong and I should be looking for 215 60 16 tires?

NO, the rim diameter is measured on the inside where the bead rest.

[ZiggyPA]

Ok, how can I make sure which rims I have and which tire size I need?

[HotZ28]

Go by the sticker on the door. You currently have a smaller 15" tire mounted on the rims, so you know they are 15" rims. Not sure why you have the QII RPO code, someone may have changed the wheels, or it may have something to do with the export requirements.

[ZiggyPA]

I inquired with the local Cooper distributor for the CS4 touring, but they only have the CSH ($187). Is this a good tire as well?

[mcmlxv]

Score:

Kelly-Springfield Navigator Gold P215/65R15 WSW. Go the the KS site and see. US owned (Goodyear), US made (double check though), and completely correct for the Park. Plus, it's a quality tire with a 70K warranty.

Go to Detoit Wheel and Tire and search by your tire size. 4 rows down is an image of this tire. You can click on the picture to enlarge it. Nice.

I don't see anything else that comes close.

Good luck.