To: metropolitan@listserv.azstarnet.com
From: Matthew Birchard 
Subject: Tires
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 13:01:29 -0700 (PDT)

> Speaking of tires, what do most owners do about tires?  The only tires
> I've found are through the various mail order Met parts dealers.  Is this
> the only option or have veteran Met owners found something better (and
> hopefully less expensive)? 
> 
> Thanks,
> Nathan Hendler
> 
My Met runs on radials.  The size is a bit different from the old bias 
ply, I think the tread is wider.  Anyway, there are several manufacturers 
that make radials that will fit your Met.  It is a standard size, of 
sorts.  I had no trouble buying new shoes for my Met for just a little 
over $100. all mounted and balanced.  For the amount of milage that I put 
on my car, these tires work great.  I think if memory serves they are 
made by Cooper, I got them at Les Schwab Tires.  
	Radials should handle better than the bias ply, especially on the 
corners.  However, I have heard that the radials made not be so good for 
some part of the wheel linkage do hickey thing-a-majig.  Maybe the 
Spindel?  Anyway, I've had no such problems running radial tires.  The 
problems I've had with my tires are caused by the old wheel rims.  One is 
slightly bent, and the tire did not hold a perfect seal and therefore 
always had a slow leak.  This problem was solved by having the Tire folks 
put a tube in the tire.  On another wheel, there was a bit of rust at the 
value stem hole.  This caused a slow air leak, and I had this problem 
solved by the addition of a tube.  
	A point to note however about having tubes put into radial 
tires.  Radials are typically steel belted.  And if you are putting 
bunches of miles on the car, the tube _could_ (I mean possibly) wear 
against the sides of the inside of the radial tire and it could punture.  
Also, a tube in a a radial tire will make it run hotter.  Which would 
cause the air to expand, and could create wear on the tube.  Just some 
things to think about.  I've had my Met for over a year and I've only put 
about 2000 miles on it.  So, for the driving that I do, the tubes 
shouldn't be a problem, and I chose radials for the cost advantage.  They 
do have a thin white wall too, but no wide whites.  :-(
	Anyway, there's the scoop on tires from my end.  Anyone else have 
anything to ad?

Matt Birchard
Portland, Oregon
USA

e-mail:  psu05992@odin.cc.pdx.edu