Tires for the '08 Crown Vic

[UncleS2]

I'm strongly considering replacing the tires on Mom's 08 Crown Vic- factory alloys, tires size 225/60/16, OEM Michelins, now ~28.5 K miles. They drove great for the first year or so, up to about 20K, not so good now. The fact that one has a plug at tread edge(done at my request- yeah, I know), & it needs airing up every week or two, plus their poor showing in our recent snow & ice, makes me think maybe it's time. FWIW, the OEM Michelins on her 94 Grand Marquis were done by 24K.

Looking mainly at Discount Tire- big store at our nearest "big city" of Longview, where I go fairly often. Right now, the contenders for tires from their website, all sized 225/60/16, all with 3.high to 4.x good review averages:

1. Fisk Classic- $76 ea/~$406 drive out, 50K warr, 480 AB,S-rated.(dropped from $81/ea 2 days ago) Made only for Disc Tire, Inet rumors have this tire mfg under the Mich/BFG umbrella. I suspect it's plenty good enough- and there's a decent chance whatever we get may need replacement due to aging rather than wear. From now on I anticipate no more than 6 to 8 K mi/yr, maybe less, put on this car.

There are others in-between, but the next one that really catches my eye is:

2. Goodyear Assurance ComforTred- $108 ea/~$544 drive out, then subtract a $40 rebate(good thru Feb 5), final cost $504.xx A top line tire for ~$500 drive out. 80K warr, 700 AB,T-rated. That rebate lowers it enough to make it really attractive, *and* it has the T-rating that came on the car.

Then:

3. Michelin Symmetry GNX- $113 ea/~$566 drive out. 65 K warr, 600 AB, T-rated. Another top line tire.

OK, these are the top contenders. Most of the ones in between the Fisk & Goodyear pricewise are Arizonian(house brand, mfg by Kelly? Cooper?), Falken(no directionals!), Kumhos(have had 3 sets, they've gone up, if less I might consider more strongly), a couple of others. Any suggestons appreciated & considered- but remember this is for a big heavy stock-to-the-bone Crown Vic. Smooth, quiet, great cruisers with some snow capability- you bet. Hard-core corner-monsters- no thanks.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Recently posted about tires for my Grand Marquis. Been told the Yokohama AVID TRZ is a popular choice for fleets, and that's what I'm leaning towards when I make my purchase at the end of the month.

 

[Hokiefyd]

The Michelin Symmetry is a good match for that car, and is better than the OEM Energy LX4. Corner carvers they aren't, but they're exeedingly smooth and quiet. I have a lot of experience with them on Cadillacs in the same tire size as your Crown Vic.

I've had the Yoko TRZs on a smaller car, and if my experience with them on that car is representative of other sizes, I'd pass. They were quiet to begin, but got loud and rough quickly. I was not impressed with them.

 

[Cup of Joe]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

I've had the Yoko TRZs on a smaller car, and if my experience with them on that car is representative of other sizes, I'd pass. They were quiet to begin, but got loud and rough quickly. I was not impressed with them.


+1. I had a set on a 4500 lbs van.

 

[Roscoe10]

Recently installed a set of Michelin Hydroedges on an 08 Mercury Sable. Only been on for about 2K but so far so good. They are a bit noisy but really shed water well. Michelins are over rated and over priced in my opinion. These were about 140.00 each but a 70.00 rebate on set of 4 made for a little better deal. They have a 90,000 mile tread wear warranty which means they'll probably last about 60K.

 

[hounddog]

I've had three Marquis.I've always gotten 40 k or a little better from the factory Michelin's.Not much snow comes down here but I like the factory tires better then replacements I bought. Don't remember which series tires I bought in the past.One set was Toyo.Looked great.Wore like steel but I disliked them in the rain.Another set I bought was Coopers.They were ok but I think really hurt the ride.I found the factory Michelin's to do well in rain,quiet and a smooth soft ride.

 

[daves87rs]

I've seen a few, including my great aunt, put those Fisk tires on their GM/CVs. And they seem to like em'. Maybe not a bad choice?

 

[UncleS2]

Several votes for the Michelins, & at least one for the Fisks. Sure wish someone had personal experience with the Goodyear Assurance ComforTreds on a big car!

I may look closer at one of the Yoko models too.

After a little internet research it looks likely that Fisk Classics are a 2nd line/off brand mfg by Mich/BFG. For our use they should be fine. The Goodyears tempt me more than the Michelins, though reading reviews make 'em a toss-up. It looks like all 3 choices should be a good match for the Crown Vic.

If things would stay dry & thawed-out, the current tires would be fine until the summer. But without new tires, if it snows again here that car will be badly hobbled- and it's not very good in the rain either.

I may call the Disc Tire store tomorrow- but don't know if anyone will have time for muchh of a talk. They've been uber-busy snce our little snowfall last week!

Thanks for all input & suggestions.

 

[FZ1]

You want the Comfort Tread Tourings. Better handling and mpg than the regular Comfort Treads. Slightly more road noise than the regular Comfort Treads,if that's an issue.

 

[gm03]

I have a 2003 grand marquis.I replaced the factory tires with Yokohoma avid trzs,in my opinon a very good tire great handling ,good wear,68000 miles,as they wore they did seem to get noiser and the ride became a bit harsher.I replaced these with Goodyear assurance comfort treads,so far with 39000 miles on them,I could not be happier.The handling is not as great as the trzs but still quite adequate,traction is superb,they are head and shoulders above any other tire I have ever owned as far as ride and quietness.I believe as far as wear goes they will at least match if not exceed the yokohoma tires

 

[FZ1]

Right. The comfortreads are the quiestest,most comfortable tires, I have ever run on my Harsh riding 02 Accord V6. They actually caused a dashboard rattle to vanish. The tourings that I'm running now are better handling,mpg,but a bit of highway noise on my under insulated Accord. The tourings would be great for any other car. I'll go back to the regular Comfort treads,after this set wears out. Comfort is paramout on these potholed city steets,in my bronk ride of a car.

 

[97tbird]

General Altimax HP!
I hated the Symmetries on my Tbird (PO had them when I bought it) - horrible wear and bad wet traction. check out tire rack reviews for it before you even think of it. While TR may not be perfect, there were some really bad reviews on the Symmetries that I totally agree with.

 

[ag_ghost]

+1 on the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred on a 2000 Windstar.

 

[UncleS2]

Assurance ComforTreds = smooth & quiet? Excellent! Nice to see some back-up to the factory claims(& many Disc Tire reviews) from members here. For Mom's car, handling isn't a really big deal. She drives only a little these days & certainly doesn't seek out the back roads to throw it around the corners! Sounds good for our sometimes rough small-town streets. Since I do any driving in the CV that approaches real distance, just so they track OK I'll be delighted with them too.

I read reviews last night, pages & pages- and then pages more- for the ComforTreds, Fisks, Symmetry GNX, one of the Yokos, & something else. Our "local" Disc Tire doesn't list the Assurance Tourings, either regular or under "what else is available". Don't really want to special order anything, so it'll be the Assurance ComforTreds or another brand entirely.

Looks like it's gonna come down to the Goodyear Assurance Comfortreds or the Fisks. The new posts from real users on a heavy van & similar car have given me a big nudge toward spending the $100 more for the Goodyears. Even if they last only half of the 80K-rated distance, that means about 5 years & that'll do just fine.

Thanks to all answers, and the new ones from Goodyear Assurance ComforTred users especially. If you have any ideas, please feel free to post 'em, nothing is carved in stone yet.

 

[oilstudent24]

I just bought the Michelin Symmetry Green X tires for my Lincoln (similar to your Ford). It is too new to give a recommendation but so far they are doing fine. Now for opinions on the Goodyear Assurance Comfortreds- I had a mini van with the Assurance Comfortreds on it and I used them for about 3 years and under 30,000 miles on them and they started weather cracking on the sidewalls. They rode Ok but I don't think they would have gotten anywhere near 80,000 miles even without the weather cracking.

 

[oilstudent24]

Have you looked at the Michelin Harmony or the Michelin Primacy MXV4. I would have bought the Harmony myself, but when I got my vehicle it had 2 good Symmetry tire and 2 I replaced. I am a little partial to Michelin tires, but not all their tires get great reviews same with other companies.

 

[FZ1]

Just keep up with the 6k rotations at DT and you will get a prorated credit when they wear out before 80k. I got a $288 credit when my cts wore out at 30k.

 

[UncleS2]

Yup, whatever the choice, I'll keep a sharp eye on inflation & rotation- probably work out to rotating about once a year.

Just to further bedevil me- there's now a $60 rebate on any 4 Michelins, from Jan 16 thru Jan 29. That brings the Mich Symmetry GNX down to the same price as the Goodyears- OK, within $1.65. Strange looking tread on that GNX, but I bet it works well. Decisions! It's even harder to pin down reviews for the Mich Sym GNX's - they've had several different models called Symmetry for years now. It's even worse than looking up reviews on the GY's!

 

[UncleS2]

After more research, another contender, in an alternate size: 215/65/16, only 1% taller than 225/60/16.

The Mich Destiny(exclusive at DT in USA) seems to be virtually identical to the Mich Harmony(identical specs on Mich site, tiny difference in tread pix), has better reviews than the Symmetry GNX, much better reviews than the Goodyear AC- and though it costs almost $70 more per set in 225/60/16, is available for only $1/tire more than the Symmetry if in the alternate-siz 215/65/16. Mom's '94 Grand Marquis was the same size & weight as the 08 CV & it ran quite well on the stock OEM-size 215/70/15 tires.

I can forsee no problems running 215/65/16s on the 08 Crown Vic's factory alloys. In fact, if all else is equal, the slightly narrower tread should be a little more resistant to hydroplaning in heavy rain, & bite a bit better in snow. The Mich Destiny 215/65/16 is T-rated, 740AB, 80K tread warr, priced at $114/ea, $570.xx drive-out, ~$510 after $60 rebate. That's within $6 of the Goodyears & $4 of the Symmetrys. I think I've picked a tire. Thanks for all help & input.

 

[Colt45ws]

For winter I run 215/65R16 on factory alloys as well, no problems. Though its a bit more than 1% as at 70MPH per scangauge my GPS reads 72MPH. ~3%
Still not a big deal. I just sit on the limit and I know Im speeding then by default.