I've got a 1996 850 Base sedan and need to get some new tires. I'm upgrading the wheels to the 5 spoke "Columbia" 16 inch wheels and I'm looking to get some 205/50R-16's but when I tried to get an order of HANKOOK
VENTUS V2 CONCEPT 2 H457 from Discount Tire, they said they couldnt install them because their load rating is 87V and the sedan needs at least an 88. The only other budget performance tire I've found and liked was the GENERAL G-MAX AS-03 which is also an 87V... Any recommendations?

 

I put the G-Max on my VW CC. (235/45-17s). The scoop is that they are amazing in the wet and a bit louder in the dry than other tires I've used. BTW, I think you should find a new tire shop if they won't sell you tires with an 87 load rating. 90% of the tires in the 205/50-16 size are 87 rated (including the G-Max AS-03s). 850s are fairly light cars too so I'm really wondering what their issue is with a tire rated at 1201 lbs vs 1235...

 

I can only assume it's a liability thing. Which is fair enough. I'm installing new (used) wheels so I'll just bring them the wheels to have the tires mounted and balanced. Might be getting the pegasus 17's though. Salvage yard near me is having a 40% off for memorial day weekend which means 4 16/17 inch wheels for about $110 usd.

 

i did a wheel/tire combo through tirerack and chose the sumitomo tires. had sumitomos on a bmw wagon a few years ago and they were great. very happy so far.