DebateGate

General Category => 3DHS => Topic started by: Cynthia on December 13, 2008, 02:56:09 PM

Title: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Cynthia on December 13, 2008, 02:56:09 PM
http://jalopnik.com/5105964/six+wheeled-covini-c6w-heading-to-production (http://jalopnik.com/5105964/six+wheeled-covini-c6w-heading-to-production)

Just in time for the big three to take notice  ;)
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: sirs on December 13, 2008, 03:54:21 PM
Looks like Miss Penelope's car, from the Thunderbirds     8)
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: richpo64 on December 13, 2008, 04:42:42 PM
Boy are you old.

 ;)
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Amianthus on December 13, 2008, 05:14:40 PM
Boy are you old.

How old do you have to be to remember a movie released in 2004?

I think it's the same car - here's a shot from the film:


Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 13, 2008, 08:20:25 PM
I shudder to think about how much it would cost to keep tires on that thing.

Front end alignment would be a postgraduate course.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Cynthia on December 13, 2008, 09:20:45 PM
Boy are you old.

How old do you have to be to remember a movie released in 2004?

I think it's the same car - here's a shot from the film:




WOW, that's cool, Ami!
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: richpo64 on December 14, 2008, 06:31:10 PM
>>How old do you have to be to remember a movie released in 2004?<<

I guess I was thinking of Penelopy Pitstop. Man, am I old.

(http://www.omundopenelopecharmosa.blogger.com.br/Pretty_Penelope_Pitstop.jpg)
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Brassmask on December 14, 2008, 07:40:43 PM
http://jalopnik.com/5105964/six+wheeled-covini-c6w-heading-to-production (http://jalopnik.com/5105964/six+wheeled-covini-c6w-heading-to-production)

Just in time for the big three to take notice  ;)

Looks like a ploy idea by tire manufacturers to sell more tires.

Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 14, 2008, 08:42:27 PM
Looks like a ploy idea by tire manufacturers to sell more tires.


The tire manufacturers do not need to go to such extremes. The new low profile, wider tires that are used with the larger wheels generally cost over double what 15" tires would cost for the same car. They are also much more prone to blow out when hitting potholes and railroad tracks, and also give a rougher ride, and tend to wear out faster.

They put a larger footprint on the road, and that would make for better braking and control, but also poorer gas mileage. Of course, the larger wheels look cooler, which is why people want them.

Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: sirs on December 14, 2008, 09:01:25 PM
Mr. Literal strikes again
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: richpo64 on December 14, 2008, 10:05:40 PM
>>Mr. Literal strikes again<<

Not only that, we find BO is an expert on the subject of tires. He's one of those people who knows everything about everything.

In other words, he's full of shit.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Cynthia on December 15, 2008, 12:16:12 AM
>>Mr. Literal strikes again<<

Not only that, we find BO is an expert on the subject of tires. He's one of those people who knows everything about everything.

In other words, he's full of shit.

LOL....you just can't contain yourself, can you. Re'Po.
Some rebuttal.

I wait for the day when I can read an entire thread without you pissing on or at another person.

Gosh, you are a piece of work.

Grow up dude. Stick with a decent thread of debate and stop this sh*t.

I challenge the socially challenged boy to step up to the plate.
Do you have the balls....Christmas balls, that is.

Come on...it's a time of cheer and giving...Can you hold back until your next therapy session?

 ;)

Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 15, 2008, 12:42:24 AM
I think that if you will investigate a bit, you will find that what I said about tires is true. I( didn;pt make this up, I just read about it and have friends that have had expensive problems with the new low-profile tires.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: sirs on December 15, 2008, 03:32:22 AM
Xo, it has nothing to do with what you said was true or not, it has to do with Brass making a joke, and you reponding to it literally      :D
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Amianthus on December 15, 2008, 09:15:33 AM
They put a larger footprint on the road, and that would make for better braking and control, but also poorer gas mileage. Of course, the larger wheels look cooler, which is why people want them.

Actually, if the car is designed for low profile tires, then several of the things you've said are untrue. Braking and cornering can be significantly improved (there is more room for larger brakes and there is more stability from the fact that low profile handle side loads better). However, mileage is improved - low profile tires are harder than normal tires, and this reduces rolling resistance. There is a reason why they are installed on the Prius, after all.

My Five Hundred was also designed around low profile tires, and the ride is very smooth.

What you've said is only true when they are added on after market, since the vehicle was not designed for those tires.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 15, 2008, 09:31:02 AM
It is definitely true that low profile tires are more easily damaged by potholes and railroad tracks, and they are a LOT me expensive.

A friend (an old guy who does not drive very fast) told me that he needed new tires on his Benz S-Class after a mere 20K miles, and they cost at a discount place, over $250 each. Plus tax, installation, balancing and all the usual crap.

I have bought a good used Michelin for my 90 Mercedes 300D for $25 (balancing, tax and all) and driven it for over 30K.
That is a major difference.

The kids who put 22' tires on their Chevy Impalas and worse, pickup trucks, probably have all manner of problems.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Amianthus on December 15, 2008, 09:50:36 AM
I just replaced the low profile Pirelli P6 tires on my Five Hundred about 2 months ago. Total cost (including installation and road hazard warranty) was right at $530 for a set of four. And those are high-performance, long tread wear tires. I fully expect them to last over 70K miles like my first (factory) set.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 15, 2008, 12:43:51 PM
Tires for a Ford are probably always cheaper than tires for a Mercedes, not necessarily because they are better.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Amianthus on December 15, 2008, 12:48:47 PM
Tires for a Ford are probably always cheaper than tires for a Mercedes, not necessarily because they are better.

Pirelli tires are standard on many models of Mercedes. Pirellis came on my Five Hundred because I bought the "Limited" edition, which included many of the upgrades I wanted. Most models of the Five Hundred do not come with low-profile Pirelli tires.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 15, 2008, 01:02:30 PM
Pirelli tires are standard on many models of Mercedes. Pirellis came on my Five Hundred because I bought the "Limited" edition, which included many of the upgrades I wanted. Most models of the Five Hundred do not come with low-profile Pirelli tires.

===================================
One weird thing sees to be the use of the word "Limited". Apparently, it is a GOOD thing for a car to be "Limited". Apparently no one has a copyright on the name because it is found on Buicks and Jeeps as well as Fords. Yes, I know that "Limited" is the British equivalent to Incorporated, and being British has a certain snooty appeal. My 82 Buick Regal was Limited, and it was really pretty limited. At 60K the motormounts went out and the  valve cover gaskets blew out. Its front disc brakes were the same size used on a tiny Chevette. The rear windows were designed to not roll down. I was never sure it would stop in time.


It is strange when a Jeep with extra features calls it self "Limited" Jeeps are not supposed to be limited to streets, roads or pavement, after all. In their ads they often appear atop 500-foot high rock formations which they could only get to by helicopter (or Photoshop).
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Amianthus on December 15, 2008, 01:16:41 PM
It is strange when a Jeep with extra features calls it self "Limited" Jeeps are not supposed to be limited to streets, roads or pavement, after all. In their ads they often appear atop 500-foot high rock formations which they could only get to by helicopter (or Photoshop).

Never heard of "Limited Edition"? That's the use of "Limited" in terms of cars - they only make a certain number with that combination of features in a given year.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 15, 2008, 02:03:19 PM

Never heard of "Limited Edition"? That's the use of "Limited" in terms of cars - they only make a certain number with that combination of features in a given year.

Limited to what? the number of people who will buy them?

They may want customers to THINK they are getting something rare and special, so they'll pay extra for it, but unless they say "Limited to 10,000 or 100,000 copies" as the publishing industry usually specifies, the term is utterly meaningless except a synonym for "more expensive".
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: richpo64 on December 15, 2008, 02:30:54 PM
>>Never heard of "Limited Edition"? That's the use of "Limited" in terms of cars - they only make a certain number with that combination of features in a given year.<<

With one notable exception. The Ford LTD.

(http://static.flickr.com/72/163343326_da09840c63.jpg)

Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Amianthus on December 15, 2008, 02:31:17 PM
They may want customers to THINK they are getting something rare and special, so they'll pay extra for it, but unless they say "Limited to 10,000 or 100,000 copies" as the publishing industry usually specifies, the term is utterly meaningless except a synonym for "more expensive".

That may be so, however the heritage of the phrase "Limited" when used by cars is from "Limited Edition", not "limited in it's abilities" as you claimed.

And customers do not pay extra for the "Limited" badge - they pay extra for the trim and accessories package that is included, which is usually a fraction of the price when all those options are added separately.
Title: Re: What a set of wheels!
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on December 15, 2008, 02:44:29 PM
That may be so, however the heritage of the phrase "Limited" when used by cars is from "Limited Edition", not "limited in it's abilities" as you claimed.


I did not claim that. I merely pointed out that the term is ambiguous and somewhat silly. Perhaps not as silly as the names of the Ford Aspire, the Oldmobile Achieva, the Chevy Citation or the AC Matador (matador means 'killer'-the guy who kills the bull is a torero these days- the word matador is no longer used in Spanish bullfighting.