Tire Recommendation, please

FourDown · 09-22-03, 12:19 AM

Took possession of my '97 last week, and I couldn't be happier.
As of right now, it looks like the only thing it needs is a new set of tires (car has 26k original miles and the original tires).

I've searched the forums and the tire configuration websites, but quite frankly, I'm more confused now than I was when I started, by all the options and manufacturers open to me.

My questions are simple (I hope); Regular driving, all season, ride comfort more important than performance, long tread life... (no, I won't be driving in snow).

1) Are these reasonable and did I combine attributes that go together?

2) What tire (manufacturer) should I get?

I appreciate your opinions and guidance.

FourDown

69MyWay · 09-22-03, 05:25 AM

I suggest you go to www.tirerack.com and look at the good year F1 non-run flats.

We put those on our 2000 (and keep a can of fix-0-flat) and we are very happy. The price was perfect. When we bought ours the rears were 152 each, and the fronts were like 160.

They look and ride nice.

I am sure others will jump in here soon their opinions as well.

I moved this tread to the C5 forum from the C3.

Thanks, and Congrats on the new ride!

C_Dogg · 09-22-03, 11:41 AM

Congrats on the new ride. Personally I would stay with a version of the "run flat". I just had a bad experience with another car that didn't have run flats. They were performance tires with a very low profile. Unknown to me, I picked up a piece of metal which caused a slow leak, and eventually ran flat on the road. I was only doing 30 and still when it ran flat the rim cut the sidewall of the tire and cost me $200 to replace!
So... if I had an onboard monitor (like the Corvette), I would have noticed a low tire. (If you go with a non-runflat your monitor won't work once you put in "fix-a-flat") Is it worth it?
My suggestion is, buy run flats, but select the one that will give you the softest ride if you truly want comfort. You will sacrifice performance by doing so. Also, some of them are not rated for high speeds so choose carefully. I personally don't like the Goodyear, it's loud, rides hard, and expensive. BUT it does the job!
Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

09-22-03, 11:49 AM

I am a long standing Good Year fan and would certainly recommend them for anything except a passenger car (I'd go Michelin Pilot in that case). I had Eagle GAs on my '96 Chevy S-10 SS, Wranglers on my '87 Chevy Blazer and now Eagle GT IIs on my C3. I don't know if you guys have Discount Tire Co. up there but their road hazard warranty is awesome. I have probably had them replace 5 tires since I started driving at no cost to me. With that warranty I would skip the run-flats and go with something that rides a little better. Never, ever use Fix-a-flat!

fhturner · 09-22-03, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by C_Dogg
My suggestion is, buy run flats, but select the one that will give you the softest ride if you truly want comfort. You will sacrifice performance by doing so. Also, some of them are not rated for high speeds so choose carefully. I personally don't like the Goodyear, it's loud, rides hard, and expensive. BUT it does the job!

Congrats from me, too, FourDown! Welcome to the CAC.

C_Dogg, do you have a preferred or recommended tire for your Vette? I tend to prefer the idea of the runflats, too. Firestone Firehawks seem pretty good, but I had a bad experience with them (don't think it was the fault of the tires, but it still makes me wonder sometimes...).

Fred

09-22-03, 01:33 PM

Hello FourDown and congratulations on your recent purchase of a ’97 C5. As a fellow owner of a Torch Red ’97, my original EMT’s went about the same mileage as yours. There are many quality tire choices that will fit your C5, in both run flat and non-run flat models, so your budget, tread style and manufacturer preference will really come into play as you make your decision. The suggestion to explore the TireRack is a good one, since you can read customer reviews on specific tires based upon real-life experiences. My personal tire of choice (after weeks of reading evaluations) ended up being the new Goodyear F1 GS-D3 non-run flat tire. Check out http://corvetteactioncenter.com/reviews/ for two reviews on this particular tire, and also http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=480 for a detailed review by author Hib Halverson. After 1,500+ miles, I’d purchase the D3’s all over again.

Welcome to the CAC.

09-22-03, 02:12 PM

Just purchased a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP from Disc. Tire for $1200.00 They run quieter ( they should since they are new ) and smoother ( same as above ). The grip is better than GY but the real test will come I think after I put about 7k. So far So good.

They also have rim protectors which is cool. Just like you I was a little confused but did alot of reading of reviews at various web sites and Corvette forums. All I knew there was no way I was going GY ( I had 2 sets of rears @ about 16-17K each ). Good luck!!!!!!!

C_Dogg · 09-22-03, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fhturner
Congrats from me, too, FourDown! Welcome to the CAC.

C_Dogg, do you have a preferred or recommended tire for your Vette? I tend to prefer the idea of the runflats, too. Firestone Firehawks seem pretty good, but I had a bad experience with them (don't think it was the fault of the tires, but it still makes me wonder sometimes...).

Fred

Well Fred,
I find the ride in my Vette to be very comfortable even with the GY run flats, so I would not change to a softer tire. But if I were to replace these, I would have to look at either Michelin, or Bridgestone. And I would try to get the zero pressure model where available. I have Michelin Pilot sports on my other car and they really perform. They are not softer than the GY but they seem to grip alot better. I know it's confusing, you really have to set your priority as to what is most important to your likes.
If you are truly looking for a "Town Car" ride, then maybe you bought the wrong car! Although a friend of mine has a new anniversary model with the magnetic ride. He says it rides like a cloud on the soft setting! I haven't tried it yet!!! Good luck.

powderski13 · 09-23-03, 01:56 PM

I changed from the run craps to Michelin Pilot Sports on my 2002 convertible. The dry and wet handling is much better and they are much quiter. Non runflats so I carry a small compressor and plug kit. Drove 5,900 miles back to Bowling Green & nashville for the 50th without any problems

10-01-03, 09:53 PM

When my Goodyears died, I bought the Firestone run-flats. I really like them, they stick real good, they are quiet and comfy. I would like to try the Michelin run-flats next.

I think I need to stay with Run-Flats because I lik eto take long rides out here in the west, and it is a long way to anything on a good day.

Pete

atmmac · 10-01-03, 10:05 PM

Dont by michelin BOYCOTT THE FRENCH!

johnl · 10-01-03, 11:13 PM

FYI,
For my last set (4th total) I bought Nitto 555's all around. They are not runflats, but with AAA and cell phones, I'll take the risk.
Installed just under $1000.

LAC · 10-02-03, 05:06 PM

I purchased Kumho Ecsta MX all the way around on my '99 Coupe and '01 Z06. I am very pleased with the performance and price.. makes a world of difference over the run flats. I have a plug kit and an air compressor in the Coupe, same set up as the Z06. If that can not fix it then I will use the cell phone to call a roll-back.

FourDown · 10-02-03, 06:37 PM

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Here's where I stand so far...please get back to me if you think I've missed something....

Local Corvette Club leans heavily towards the GY run-flats although everyone agreed they were loud. They got high points for stiction and performance and low points for ride "comfort".

Firestone run-flats were next with people liking the ride but there were a number of comments (and one on this thread) that said there wasn't as much surface hitting the road as the GY's and subsequently did not score as high on performance. I think that's a great point. Quite a few stories about tire life not being so good.

There were a number of people both on this thread and in person who told some great stories and recommendations for non run-flats, but to tell the truth, I'd like my first set of tires (now that I own this car) to be run-flats. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm honest.

Some of the more obscure manufacturer's I'm just staying away from. Again, maybe I'm wrong (but see above)

I make decision in about a week (need a paycheck or two..). If you can think of any other factore, please get back to me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the CAC. Owning the Vette is great and being a part of this community makes it even better.

Thanks

4Down

TedDBere · 10-04-03, 10:09 PM

Here's the best comparison chart I've seen for the vette tires:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/max.jsp

Based on all the feedback I've heard it's hard to beat the GS-D3's but they are not runflats. If you want runflats the Michelin Pilot Sports are the tire to go with. Good luck.