All season tires?
11-23-2015, 12:08 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
All season tires?
I'm looking to replace my stock z51 tires since they suck in the winter.
I don't drive it in rain or snow but when it's nice out I still drive it when it's cold out in the winter months.
Can anyone recommend a good tire that I can run all year long and still get good traction for when I decide to do a little safe street racing..??
I don't drive it in rain or snow but when it's nice out I still drive it when it's cold out in the winter months.
Can anyone recommend a good tire that I can run all year long and still get good traction for when I decide to do a little safe street racing..??
11-23-2015, 02:58 PM
#2
Drifting
First, there are currently NO runflat all-season options in the Z51 size, and you need an AS for the duties you describe.
In Z51 size, these would be my rank order:
1) Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (best of the AS if no snow)
2) Continental DWS 06 (new version of the DWS - I have the DWS and it's pretty decent)
3) Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS
If you search a bit there are some owners reporting on the new DWS 06. My experience with the original DWS has been generally good. Very predictable, quieter, more comfortable, but significantly less front grip. In normal driving you don't notice this. Any spirited handling or even roundabouts is notably prevalent understeer. Less steering feel too. I think this has been improved with the DWS 06. But for being able to enjoy my C7 in less than 50F, the DWS are fantastic compared to the easily dangerous PSS when cold @limit handling.
Some test results (with new DWS 06): http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=201
And the RE970 with the previous DWS:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=177
In Z51 size, these would be my rank order:
1) Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (best of the AS if no snow)
2) Continental DWS 06 (new version of the DWS - I have the DWS and it's pretty decent)
3) Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS
If you search a bit there are some owners reporting on the new DWS 06. My experience with the original DWS has been generally good. Very predictable, quieter, more comfortable, but significantly less front grip. In normal driving you don't notice this. Any spirited handling or even roundabouts is notably prevalent understeer. Less steering feel too. I think this has been improved with the DWS 06. But for being able to enjoy my C7 in less than 50F, the DWS are fantastic compared to the easily dangerous PSS when cold @limit handling.
Some test results (with new DWS 06): http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=201
And the RE970 with the previous DWS:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=177
Last edited by xp800; 11-23-2015 at 03:31 PM.
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MJMJ (11-23-2015)
11-23-2015, 03:28 PM
#3
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Very good information! Also, Michelin will have the Z51 sized Runflat A/S tires out around February.
But I'm in before Canada guy (AKA C7Jake) posts his tire pictures that won't fit a Z51!
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 11-23-2015 at 03:30 PM.
11-23-2015, 03:33 PM
#4
Drifting
That was actually going through my mind when I was writing this. I even went so far as to re-verify that those didn't come in Z51 size (fronts yes, rears no). And I've edited my Z51 qualifier in red bold...OP, I would strongly consider buying an extra set of wheels for your "cold weather" tires. That's actually what I do. Best of both worlds. And your options open up greatly (including runflat) if you buy an extra set of wheels in the base 18/19 sizes. Ok now I've done it... Wait for it...
Last edited by xp800; 11-23-2015 at 03:37 PM.
11-23-2015, 04:09 PM
#5
Race Director
11-23-2015, 11:17 PM
#6
Drifting
[QUOTE=xp800;1590963754] That was actually going through my mind when I was writing this. I even went so far as to re-verify that those didn't come in Z51 size (fronts yes, rears no). And I've edited my Z51 qualifier in red bold...
OP, I would strongly consider buying an extra set of wheels for your "cold weather" tires. That's actually what I do. Best of both worlds. And your options open up greatly (including runflat) if you buy an extra set of wheels in the base 18/19 sizes. Ok now I've done it... Wait for it...
[/QUOTE
Your right - Here it comes - DITTO !
Got a set of 2014 basic wheels for use on my '15 and put on Continental's Extreme DWS 06 tires, good all around performance. I have used the regular DWS series tires on at least 3 other cars and 1 SUV, the "06" version is just as good.
That was actually going through my mind when I was writing this. I even went so far as to re-verify that those didn't come in Z51 size (fronts yes, rears no). And I've edited my Z51 qualifier in red bold...OP, I would strongly consider buying an extra set of wheels for your "cold weather" tires. That's actually what I do. Best of both worlds. And your options open up greatly (including runflat) if you buy an extra set of wheels in the base 18/19 sizes. Ok now I've done it... Wait for it...
[/QUOTE
Your right - Here it comes - DITTO !
Got a set of 2014 basic wheels for use on my '15 and put on Continental's Extreme DWS 06 tires, good all around performance. I have used the regular DWS series tires on at least 3 other cars and 1 SUV, the "06" version is just as good.
11-24-2015, 08:42 AM
#7
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A 2nd pair of smaller or even correctly sized wheels and tires have only one drawback. You need to have the space to store the summer tires & Wheels when they are off for the winter. I have a 2 car garage and the problem with being as old as dirt is you get some great tools along the years and the garage is very orderly but very full. I really don't have room for 4 tires and wheels in my garage. Thus, I plan on replacing the tires with 19/20" Michelin tires when they come out February (hopefully)
If you have the space, go for it (though I'd personally run the 19/20" A/S year round).
My $.02
Elmer
If you have the space, go for it (though I'd personally run the 19/20" A/S year round).
My $.02
Elmer
11-25-2015, 10:45 AM
#9
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I have lived up in Cincinnati and Dayton and it gets cold and snowed up there. I NEVER once had a set of snow tires on any car that I have owned. Move my old *** to Fargo or Nome? OK, snow tires and studs but for a "city slicker" A/S tires seemed to work just fine. I don't "DO" snow.
Elmer
11-25-2015, 03:11 PM
#10
Safety Car
The OEM Michelins are OK (per the manufacturer) down to about 40 F, and we're supposed to believe that the Michelins A/S tires are no better? Hogwash.
Are winter tires better in colder temps? Of course. But that doesn't mean A/S tires aren't safe, and aren't better than the summer tires. Everything is a compromise. A/S tires are fine in areas that get moderately cold, but don't see (or on a car that won't be driven in) much snow. Winter tires are certainly better in areas that get very cold, or see a lot of snow. But they also wear a lot faster when driven on dry pavement, and their large and deep tread grooves greatly compromise handling on dry pavement, and when the temp warms up their soft compounds wear very fast.
In North Dakota? Winter tires for sure. In the mid-atlantic, where temps only occasionally get down in the 20s, on a car that won't leave the garage if there's snow on the roads, A/S tires are a logical choice.
Are winter tires better in colder temps? Of course. But that doesn't mean A/S tires aren't safe, and aren't better than the summer tires. Everything is a compromise. A/S tires are fine in areas that get moderately cold, but don't see (or on a car that won't be driven in) much snow. Winter tires are certainly better in areas that get very cold, or see a lot of snow. But they also wear a lot faster when driven on dry pavement, and their large and deep tread grooves greatly compromise handling on dry pavement, and when the temp warms up their soft compounds wear very fast.
In North Dakota? Winter tires for sure. In the mid-atlantic, where temps only occasionally get down in the 20s, on a car that won't leave the garage if there's snow on the roads, A/S tires are a logical choice.
Last edited by meyerweb; 11-25-2015 at 03:18 PM.
11-25-2015, 05:53 PM
#11
Why? Too cold for them? I rarely hit 40 here and then it goes up to 60 or so during the day. Cold is the reason for the A/S, not traction. I lived in the metro area of towns and they had plows and salt.
I have lived up in Cincinnati and Dayton and it gets cold and snowed up there. I NEVER once had a set of snow tires on any car that I have owned. Move my old *** to Fargo or Nome? OK, snow tires and studs but for a "city slicker" A/S tires seemed to work just fine. I don't "DO" snow.
Elmer
I have lived up in Cincinnati and Dayton and it gets cold and snowed up there. I NEVER once had a set of snow tires on any car that I have owned. Move my old *** to Fargo or Nome? OK, snow tires and studs but for a "city slicker" A/S tires seemed to work just fine. I don't "DO" snow.
Elmer
11-25-2015, 07:41 PM
#12
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11-25-2015, 08:38 PM
#13
Safety Car
I have Micheline AS3's I had them on my old Z06 they are a bit on the noisy side, I don't dive the car in rain so I can't say anything about them in wet.
The price was right on the Micheline's, if I change them next year I might try the Continental tire.
The price was right on the Micheline's, if I change them next year I might try the Continental tire.
11-25-2015, 09:37 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
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Just put DWS 06's on my z51 and I'm very happy with them. They seem to handle the cornering better than the Older DWS tires I had on my BMW. I have also had the a/s tires on my BMW and liked them, but they did get rather noisy after about 8k miles and 75% tread left. They also were not nearly as good as the DWS (original ones) with a light dusting of snow. We shall see how the new DWS 06 workout after I really get some miles on them.
I did order a set of z06 rep wheels so that I can mount my summer tires on and I'll keep the DWS 06's for cold weather use only.
I did order a set of z06 rep wheels so that I can mount my summer tires on and I'll keep the DWS 06's for cold weather use only.
11-25-2015, 09:38 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
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Just put DWS 06's on my z51 and I'm very happy with them. They seem to handle the cornering better than the Older DWS tires I had on my BMW. I have also had the a/s tires on my BMW and liked them, but they did get rather noisy after about 8k miles and 75% tread left. They also were not nearly as good as the DWS (original ones) with a light dusting of snow. We shall see how the new DWS 06 workout after I really get some miles on them.
I did order a set of z06 rep wheels so that I can mount my summer tires on and I'll keep the DWS 06's for cold weather use only.
I did order a set of z06 rep wheels so that I can mount my summer tires on and I'll keep the DWS 06's for cold weather use only.
11-25-2015, 11:51 PM
#16
All season tires were created for rental car companies so the could rent cars out side the snow belt that could be driven into the snow belt. The difference between an all season tire and a snow tire at 20 degrees F is about the same as the difference between a good street tire and a racing slick on the track. Its night and day. Unless you have driven on a good modern snow tire in the cold, you have no idea what you are missing.
11-26-2015, 06:48 AM
#17
Race Director
Last edited by C8Jake; 11-26-2015 at 06:58 AM.
11-26-2015, 06:57 AM
#18
I just bought a set of wheels, Bridgestone RE960AS tires, TPMS sensors from Tire Rack (Z51 sizes)
Less than $2000 delivered.
I only plan on driving the car on clear days after some rain. But it might be cold.
I've had the car for about a week, and with just over 250 miles, and 38 degrees, the stock ZP's weren't too confidence inspiring.
Less than $2000 delivered.
I only plan on driving the car on clear days after some rain. But it might be cold.
I've had the car for about a week, and with just over 250 miles, and 38 degrees, the stock ZP's weren't too confidence inspiring.
Last edited by rrsperry; 11-26-2015 at 06:58 AM.
11-26-2015, 07:05 AM
#19
Instructor
happy Thanksgiving everyone. Quick question - don't mean to high jack but figured the ones posting on this thread might know the answer. I just got a set of the TSW 18/19 set up like Jake. the center caps have the tsw logo peel and stick center that gets stuck on to the center cap housing. Does anyone know if corvette logo centers are available to stick on to the tsw center cap housings and where they are found? Thanks.
11-26-2015, 07:21 AM
#20
Race Director
Last edited by C8Jake; 11-26-2015 at 07:26 AM.