I am running a set of stock 2007 C6 chrome 5 star rims.
I have a 1" spacer for the fronts, and (going from memory) a 1.25" spacer for the rears.
The tire sizes are 245/40/18 fronts and 285/35/19 rears.
Well, it appears I ran over something the other day and got a flat. I got a plug put in the tire last night so it holds air, and rides fine, etc.

The tires are getting a little "tired" So, I think the time for new tires is here.

I have researched the C6 board and consulted the oracle of google to see that many people run 305/30/19 on the stock rears without issue, and also run 265/35/18 on the front. I can also get 255/35/18 for the fronts for a tiny bit cheaper. What difference would 10 mm in the fronts affect handling?

I have yet to autocross the car, just a bit of spirited driving.
Would you get the smaller fronts? Are Continental ExtremeContact DW a good tire choice?

 

Until you figure out what you want to do with the car, sounds like you just want to have fun. You won't notice a difference in 10mm however a different tire manufacturer and compound will make any comparison negated. You are picking some really weird size combos but if price is no concern then it won't matter. You can fit a 305 on that rim. Don't see why you would need to run that tire. 275/35 18 is a really standard. If you are like me on street tires and just want them to work post up and get a mildly used set. Usually 2 and 2 because people roast their rears then replace all 4 and the fronts still have 80% life.

I've always felt like until you get into super expensive tires you are just wasting time, money, and thought process trying to care about those subtle nuances. Get a quality brand in whatever size works, and drive. Don't spend tons of money on them. Save that money for a set of junk rims, and some a comps later you can run autox. Now if you want to actually compete in a specific class autox then you can make that decision. Otherwise just drive man.

PS: I've never been disappointed in a Continental tire, vette race, stree, truck, bicycle, just a quality tire all around.

 

Yep, for now, it's just a "go out and have fun with it" kind of car. I'm trying to do it as inexpensive as possible which lead me to the Continental because they are priced just right. I decided on going 305 cuz I love a fat meaty rear tire. I think I'm going to go with the 255s for the front.
I was hesitating on just replacing the rears (the rear was the punctured tire) but was leary of running different brands on front vs rear. Not for quality, but for looks and people asking why, etc.

The tires on it now are Kumho.

TY on your review of the Continentals.

 

From working in a tire shop, 10mm won't make a **** and bit of difference. The only time I've seen tire size effect handling was when I bought my car. Some cheap ******* put 275s all around. Not even matching brands.

 

It is not a 10mm difference, it is a 20mm from stock on both the front and rear.

If you look at the Tire Rack web site for the 305/30/19 tires, click on the specs tab. For that size it recommends 10.5" to 11.5" wide rim. The stock C6 rear wheel is a 10.0" and is smaller than recommended for that size tire.

If you look at the Tire Rack web site for the 265/35/18 tires, click on the specs tab. For that size it recommends 9.0" to 10.5" wide rim. The stock C6 front wheel is a 8.5" and is smaller than recommended for that size tire. The 255/35/18 tire specs include the 8.5" wheel.

I am sure that some people run tire/wheel sizes that are not within recommendations, but maybe not the best solution.

I just bought Continental DW tires for my '95. Not too many miles on them yet, but so far I like them. Smoother ride, quiet, feels more stable, corners good, etc. But I am also comparing them to some Cooper 2XS tires that I did not like.

I also went with 275's all around. Not because I am a cheap *******, but I wanted a square setup and many C4's came with 275's all around ('88 through '92 all 17" were 275's except ZR1, and optional on '93 to '96).

 

The 10 mm difference was between the 265 and the 255 options I was looking at.

 

I worked in a cooper shop. Most of them I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole, except CS5 Grand Touring for a passenger car and Discoverer AT3s in a LT.
The reason I said he was a cheap ******* is because he was. He screwed up a lot of stuff on my car. And my car came with 285s in the rear and 255s in the front. And not only where they the wrong size they where in various states of wear and different brands. Thus, cheap *******. I know some of you guys like the square set up, and I didn't mean to offend anyone.
Now what 20mm will do is give it some overhang; push out the middle of the tread and cockeye the sidewalls out, it'll look kind of like an ax head. Last night was my birthday, and I, ahem, wasn't all there and didn't pay attention to the previous size. Now if you already ordered them, have the tire shop slap only one on. See what it looks like, and please trust what your tire tech tells you. People more often than not won't listen. If they won't work, the shop can most likely have some in for you by the next morning as long as its before 3:00.

 

****, I was paying better attention last night than I thought. So no, you won't have any problems man.

 

I have the Continental DWs on my '96, stock wheels and sizes and they are very satisfactory for street driving. The also have the advantage that, by being non-directional, they can be swapped from side to side to help even out wear. (The '96 CE has different wheel and tire sizes front and rear.) I'd buy Continental DWs again.

 

Continentals are probably the most solid tires out there. I've seen tires of that brand take some serious abuse.