I can't comment on the newer 17" wheel tire combo, but I can say that my experience with the Pirelli tires on my '95 was horrible. The sidewalls of the Pirellis are awful. I had three blowouts over a two year period. I switched to Bridgestone SO2's and have never looked back. They are a serious performance tire and the tread wear is good for about 25k, but the ride and safety level are far superior to the pirellis.
I am in the process of purchasing a new S60R, and the one caveat is that the 18" wheel be shod with something other than Pirelli tires.

Good Luck!

I also have a volvo s60 2.4 t with Pirelli P 6's. I have not had any ride or performance issues to date. I was shocked last month though when I took the car to the dealer and I was informed that I needed new tires after 25,000 miles! I figured I would at least get 30 to 35. Our dealer here in my town is notorious for gouging people on service charges and extras. Currently shopping for the best tire for the money without sacrificing too much performance. The toyo's look decent, but I have have only driven on good year and michelins to date and the Michelins are the smoothest riding tire I have used.

I have been experiencing an unusual amount of flats with my 2002 S60. I have been in the auto business in the service end for 25 years and find it hard to believe its the tires , but the fact remains I have gotten 4 flats due to objects puncturing the Pirellis. Two requiered replacement of the tires. Also I now have two wheels with damage to them from hitting relativiley small potholes. I am now searching for a replacement wheel because one is not usable. I have had 4 new vehicles in the last 12 years and honestly the other three (not Volvo's) NEVER got a flat. All of them have been traveling the same route to work and so on.The car only has 26,000 miles on it and Im pissed. Does anyone have info that may help me ?

Thank you,
Ronv at rvrad@optonline.net

I've heard the same...

I am not a big fan of the Pirelli P6's that are stock with the car. Since I am leasing... I will not be spending any huge $$$ on good tires.

I had the Kumho Exta 712's on my S70 T5 and found them to be the best tire for the buck...They are no P Zeros or Potenzas but they hold and corner well in dry and wet. They suck in snow and mud tho!!!

I've heard that the P6's that are stock are a Ford thing... smae tire as on the Focus and other Ford / Mazda cars... T figgured Ford would have learned its lesson about bad tires after the Firestone issues of the last few years.
I liked it better when the Volvo's were stocked with Michellins.

Cheers!
--
1998 S70 T5Se Silver,

They need to be 'W' Rated for the S60.

Pirelli 6000's should be fine but make sure the more common 'V' rated are not used.