On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 02:30:05 +0200 (CEST), Nomen Nescio
> wrote:

>Cars of the 50s used the equivilant of -90 profile, almost round in cross
>section. In those days, most tires were bias ply and 20,000 miles was
>considered pretty average durability.
>
>The VW Rabbit was equipped with slightly more oval tires, usually -80
>radials. Typically, tires were good for 60,000 miles on the fronts and
>100,000 on the rears. This was very a commendable improvement. The fronts
>wore out first because of higher weight, braking forces, and higher slip
>angles in turns than the rears. If the tires were rotated, 80,000 miles in
>mixed city and highway mileage was overall achievable with economy radials.
>
>Now we are in the age of -45 and lower profiles yet. What is the
>experience with these low, but wide tires. Are they proving to be as
>durable as the -80 radials of 25 years ago?

Low profile tires simply will not last the same length of time that a
similarly constructed 80 series tire will last. (heat torsional
forces etc).

BUT !


They look pretty & they feel "a bit sharper" when handling.