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Post by magikbus on Jun 13, 2021 13:54:39 GMT -8
The Samba seems to like these tires and since we can't get the Hankook RA18 tires here in Canada I thought I'd ask if anyone has used these for awhile and if so what your opinion is.
Vanco Fourseason 102/100Q 8/D M+S
A Continental brand $145 ea. Not Inc. mounting etc. Available locally
Stan
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Post by magikbus on Jun 14, 2021 12:13:24 GMT -8
OK let's try this question. Cedar Tire has a tire called the Antares 1053ant SU-810 8ply M+S 102/100T 185R14LT. for considerably less than the Continental (which they also sell).
They recommend this tire specifically for VW vans/busses highly.
Anyone out there running this tire?
Stan
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Post by Volktales on Jun 14, 2021 14:39:54 GMT -8
I have seen the Continentals on customer Vanagons, have never heard of the Antares. I have Michelins on my orange bus (probably no longer available) and don't remember what is on the red bus (but probably also not available)...
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Post by Volktales on Jun 14, 2021 15:14:30 GMT -8
I have seen the Continentals on customer Vanagons, have never heard of the Antares. I have Michelins on my orange bus (probably no longer available) and don't remember what is on the red bus (but probably also not available)...
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Post by tony on Jun 14, 2021 16:38:33 GMT -8
Russ , so do you have two red and two orange busses?  |
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Post by magikbus on Jun 14, 2021 17:51:30 GMT -8
Thanks Russ. I guess it's going to come down to a combination of cost effectiveness and customer service. The Continentals I first saw were at the VW dealership in Nanaimo. They gave me a quote for $800 for the 4 all in, but were not forthcoming about any other manufacturers or tire places that were accustomed to dealing with older VW vans where I might be able to get a similar tire from. (14" load range "D"). Cedar tire was more than willing to give me a range of makes, (Their Continentals were $700 all in, and the Antares were $530 all in etc.). They were also very willing to look at my rims and check them out for "true" etc. and pronounced them as in very good condition. It seems like they focus on good customer relations over profit. There are two kind of businesses in my extensive experience dealing with businesses over many decades. One kind focusses on the bottom line and anything to do with profit, the other focuses on pleasing the customer (giving advice on other places to find the product etc.) Guess which business type is most successful in the long run?
Stan
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Post by Volktales on Jun 14, 2021 20:36:50 GMT -8
Russ , so do you have two red and two orange busses? In my mind I have countless VWs. And Corvairs... And moola... In my mind... |
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Post by busaddict on Jun 14, 2021 22:54:03 GMT -8
These used to be USD $75 a decade ago from the Busdepot, great tires as you know. A fairly hard ride as the cold tire pressure is 65 PSI. I think it might be 40 or 50 dollars per tire to get them shipped which would make it about CAD $160 per tire. I see they only have the 195s, not stock 185s. Is 195 better?  |
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Post by magikbus on Jun 18, 2021 14:14:04 GMT -8
So, I just know everyone is holding their breath to see what I did in the way of purchasing new tires for Old Betsey! I did indeed purchase them from Cedar Tire, their customer service and quality of service is unmatched IMHO.
I pulled up bright and early (8:00 am) this morning and strolled into the office. It was surprisingly busy for being in the first 5 min of the business day. 3 hoists had vehicles on it and there were a couple of people waiting outside (covid rules).
I had lugged (pun intended) my 4 rims with fresh black paint on them down to the building and was greeted instantly by a very knowledgeable young fellow. He went out to the back and brought in the Anteres tire for me to inspect. After a couple of seconds perusing the Anteres tire I asked him if he would bring out the Continental tire in the same size (185R14 "Vanco Four Season 102/100Q D Tire. With the two of them side by side it was instantly evident that I wasn't going to touch the Anteres tire for any money. It had about half the rubber tread thickness on it that the Continental had, the Anteres tire had the tread laid down by an obviously intoxicated worker somewhere in a third world country, thicker here thinner there, wavy pattern here and there. It looked like a half baked retread glued on using cheap glue.
So I shelled out the extra $150 (still $100 less than Harborview charges for the same tire) and got 4 Continentals which appear to be the rolls royce of tires in comparison.
Hope I might have helped someone make up their mind about tires for a Westy.
Now I need to find someone that has a spare 185 R14 used tire in fair to reasonable condition kicking around that I can mount on my extra rim and use as a spare? The one I"ve got on there currently won't hold air and is 20+ years old.
Stan
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Post by busaddict on Jun 18, 2021 21:21:05 GMT -8
Hey Stan, yes that info is very useful to Type 2 bus owners. So the best one to get in your opinion is the Continental Vanco Four Season 102/100Q D Tire. I'll keep that in mind. Funny you mentioned the spare, I have the same issue, it's a Michelin X from the Stone Age.  I see they sell the Vanco at German Supply so they must be good, though this one appears to be a "C" and not a "D" sidewall rating. germansupply.com/continental-vancofourseason-tire-185-r14c-8-102-100r-bus-vanagon.html |
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Post by CrazyBrit on Jun 19, 2021 5:22:45 GMT -8
It's nice to see a tyre with an "old school" tread pattern too.
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Post by Volktales on Jun 19, 2021 8:37:26 GMT -8
Nothing like the smell of nice fresh tires! Mmmm!
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Post by CrazyBrit on Jun 19, 2021 12:46:41 GMT -8
Fresh baked cookies smell better Russ
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Post by Volktales on Jun 19, 2021 18:16:18 GMT -8
Fresh baked cookies smell better Russ But nobody makes those for me... I have baked cookies a few times, but was not that impressed with the result. Now pies are another story... |
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Post by magikbus on Jul 3, 2021 19:35:43 GMT -8
So got my good "used" axles on today, and I think I can detect a "click" from one of the CV joints so I'll be ordering a complete axle from somewhere in the near future. I'll still use it as I know from experience I can get a few hundred miles from one until the faint "click" becomes a loud "clack" so I'll wait till I can find one on a substantial sale from CIP1 (presently around $167). Anywhere else to buy a complete axle with pre-installed CV joints besides CIP1?
Stan
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I see they sell the Vanco at German Supply so they must be good, though this one appears to be a "C" and not a "D" sidewall rating.