I have read alot about pirelli pzero tire damage and people have recommended ways for reimbursement (through pirelli, state, volvo, etc), but has ANYONE actually been reimbursed for tire damage? I head there was a Class-Action lawsuit about how the rim/tire combo for the R models werent suitable for the car. Any information would be helpful. I live in Los Angeles and the potholes are killing me.

jason

Jason,

I don’t know a lot about the reimbursement process or the class action lawsuit but in the meantime you might be better off dumping those Pirellis and switching to a different tire. Even if you are able to get Volvo or someone else to pay for the tires or other damage, its more then likely not going to be a quick process. In the meantime you’ve bought a replacement tire and the whole vicious cycle continues.

I’m in the DC area and we have the same problem with the potholes and the “perfectly smooth” road surfaces. After two bubbled tires and a broken rim I switched to the Bridgestone RE 730 in a 215/45R17. They’ve been great tires for me, not to mention being cheaper then the Pirellis. Although other people like the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712, Bridgestone Pole Position SO-3 (Expensive), Yokohama A520, and the list goes on and on. The 730s have reduced the pounding while maintaining the high level of grip and have significantly improved the wet performance.

If you do have luck getting a reimbursement, I’m sure everyone on this board would love to know just what you did and who you talked to.

Good luck!

Jason- you're way out of luck!! First, I believe the action was for pre-96 850s,. 2nd, your car came with the "right tire size and compound"- meaning volvo installed a "better" wheele/tire package on your car. 3rd, the time has run out for claimants. So, unless you're telling us your car has the Pzeros from when the car was first bought, you are on your own. If you(or former owner) installed Pzeros, then change to a better tire-and they are a slew of them in 17" sizes(Khumos712, Yokos, Poles-SO3, SP 9000, etc). I have falkens 502s and they are very good and reasonable $$(about 105 each).Note, regardless of what you get: stay in the 205-215/40-45 series range. good luck,BD

What about 205/50x17 Kumho's or other brands? I would like to increase side wall height to prevent broken tires and broken/bent rims. The previous/original owner of my T-5R wagon went through the class action suit deal but he kept putting on the P-zero's until he got fed up and bought some Volvo 16" cuizinart wheels. The 17's came in the back of the wagon with bulged tires and an extra bent rim!! I want to use the 17"