New tires needed, 225-60 or 225-70?

[davidfrench]

Hello all, my EV 2001 GLS is asking for new socks.
It has stock suspensions (I'm thinking about trowing 4 cheap Munroe in it at the same time), it needs new CV boot-joints, and 4 tires.
I've been reading the threads here and there.
I know some prefers to go 235. I'd even go down a bit 225 or 215 in order to get better MPG.
But what I'm really looking for (as it's not a race car) is some comfort.
I know some of you went for 225-65 or even 225-70. Maybe 235-65? or 235-70?
But I guess at that point it would need to raise the suspension?
I've been looking quickly at the GoWesty mods, but it's not a Camper (just a GLS) so I don't want to sweat this way.
Plus I read also that there's some small truck tires that could fit.
What's you opinion knowing I'd go for a reasonable (not to name it cheap) solution (I said Munroe shocks not Bilstein, see)
thanks in advance.

[WhaWhaWesty]

Hey there David, GoWesty has a good Tire Recommendation page in their library: http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=683

I recently put on Nokian Entyre 225/60/R16 on my 2003 MV Eurovan. They have a 102 Load Index and a really good tread ware rating (+ they are "green" tires w/ low rolling resistance). $152 a piece, not cheap, but nothing seems to be on these vans! Also, with 225/60 I am still able to add chains to the front tires. btw..thanks for the posting about increasing the leg room.
WhaWha

[davidfrench]

Hi WhaWhaWesty and thanks for your help.
I've been looking on the gowesty website. But I wanted to have some experience from owners who put "normal" (not off-road) 225/70 tires.
Look like some truck tires would fit. Or maybe in 215/70?
Mi EV had the front suspension adjusted recently.
So I bet it would fit.
I was looking at some Yokohama Avid 225/70/16... at 107$

PS: seat base rotation is like finding a bill of $100 on the street. At least for the tall people!

Hey there David, GoWesty has a good Tire Recommendation page in their library: http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=683

I recently put on Nokian Entyre 225/60/R16 on my 2003 MV Eurovan. They have a 102 Load Index and a really good tread ware rating (+ they are "green" tires w/ low rolling resistance). $152 a piece, not cheap, but nothing seems to be on these vans! Also, with 225/60 I am still able to add chains to the front tires. btw..thanks for the posting about increasing the leg room.
WhaWha

[bigfatgeek]

Hi David -

I've been running 235/60/16s on my '01 EV MV for about 25k miles at this point now. The ride quality went up measurably running the wider tires w/more sidewall; even my far-from-car-savvy wife noticed how much better the car rode.

They're Michelin Latitude Tour HP, which The Tire Rack classifies as a "crossover/SUV touring all-season" model.

Just make sure that whatever tire you get has a load rating of at least 100.

[99blackmagic]

I went with the Kumho 235 60/16 that are 110? load rated. search on tire rack, they're 1 size wider than stock.
After a year a bad ball joint and about 8k miles, they look like new.

i think i paid about 475 installed for 4.

[EV2003]

I am thinking of getting the Nokian Entyre 225/60/R16 as well. I have the Nokian WR G2 on the van right now and they have been great but they are wearing too fast. How do you like the Entyre so far?

[davidfrench]

thanks all for your input.
I'm guessing if wider tires affect mpg...
I'm still looking for someone who tried a taller tire. like 225-70.
Anyone?
Fanx!

[99blackmagic]

thanks all for your input.
I'm guessing if wider tires affect mpg...
I'm still looking for someone who tried a taller tire. like 225-70.
Anyone?
Fanx!

i honestly don't track mileage on the EV. it's a pig that gets 15 around town at best and 20-21 on a cruise. i don't think it changed hardly at all when i went to the Kumho tires. The ride improved as they don't seem as hardened as the michelins were.
I'd debated the Nokians but didn't want to go that route since the van is not a daily driver and we rarely get much if any snow. I also didn't want to go taller as I had taken out the rear spring pads to drop that some.

[davidfrench]

All right, just pulled the trigger on the Kumho 235/60 from tirerack.
$50 mail in rebate will compensate for 123$/tire price (as I read they use to be more 100$).
they should arrive tomorrow.
Thanks a lot to everybody for the help (and for the archives of vortex!)