C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Michelin Pilot Tires YUK!

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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 07:19 PM
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Default Michelin Pilot Tires YUK!

I just put on a set of Michelin Pilot XGT tires on my 89. I had Firestone SZ50's. My Firestones were almost bald but were worlds better than these Michelins. I thought these were the best of the best. The tires squeel and the car is pushing badly in the corners. Before the car was like it was on rails. Now it feels like a Cadillac. My pressure is at 38 psi. Could the tire pressure have anything to do with this? If this is the way these tires are they are as good as gone.
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 07:24 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

I likd the SZ50's better than the XGT's as well...the SZ's were quieter and handled better in both wet and dry. I have Pilot Sports now, and these tires are great, excellent grip and tread life is 100% better than I expected. If Firestone made the SZ's in 315's I would still be running them!
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 07:29 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (Zix)

I thought the XGT's were Pilot Sports?? :confused:
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 07:37 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

I think 35 psi is the max for these tires.
The Pilot Sports are a completely different tire than the XGTs. I find them to be really sweet and way better than any Goodyear. They may give a little up on dry pavement but are the best in the wet.
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 07:57 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (DON M)

I think 35 psi is the max for these tires.
. I find them to be really sweet and way better than any Goodyear.
:lol: Thats not saying much when it comes to tires. :lol: I believe worn out PepBoy specials much better tires than Goodyear.. :lol: Sorry not flaming you but I thought it was funny you comparing tires to Goodyear. :lol: Please don't be offended.. :lol:
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 07:58 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (DON M)

XGT are not pilot sports. They are the old old Z-rated tires that came before the MXXX and pilot sports. They are pretty outdated and is not even close to the tires on the market today.
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 08:01 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (CowboyNVette)

Goodyear = :U

I had XGT's on my Prelude... they were ok... but yes, soft... very soft.

those were replaced BFG Comp T/A's... I ran a set of those for 50k miles on my Vette... and I liked those T/A's.

Presently, I am running Kuhmo's on the Vette. VERY nice. :cool:
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 08:07 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (bogus)

Crap. Here I thought these tires were Pilot Sports. I bought them with 1200 miles on them from another Forum Member. They are like brand new. He sent me the receipt and he paid over $1200.00 for them. I'm going to try to to lower the pressure to 30 psi and see what happens. If I don't like them, they are gone and I'm getting KDW's or SZ50's or maybe Kuhmos.
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 08:08 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (bogus)

I have a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires..... They are nothing short of amazing... I love them, and will def. be getting them again
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 08:28 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

Here's something funny, I've had nothing but great experiences with my Michelin Pilot XGT Z4's.

Well since they don't make them anymore, I had some Firestones from my other car that I'm not using, so I threw them on in place of my Duncraps which replaced the Michelins(only until I get my Pilot Sports).

Well with the Firestone Firehawks, my car wanders all over the road, I don't like it at all. These Firestones are only temporary thank God.
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 09:04 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

Sorry you are not happy with your pilots I am very happy with mine :cheers:
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 09:41 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (Rick92)

try the kuhmo mx, it's the only tire i have never heard one bad comment about, not even a moderate comment. the xgt is a dated tire & no where near as good as the mxx3 or current sport.
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 09:58 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (gtsyellow)

Sorry man, different tires. I have the sports as well as alot of the C5 guys around here and we love them. Check the tire rack to see the different ratings on the two models. I think the ones you have are ultra performance but the pilots are max performance. They come in three grades, H, V, and Z. All of them are "All Season" tires, not performance tires. The H is classified as a high performance all season tire, the other two are ultra performance all season tires. I got my pilot sports, a level higher than the mmx, for $1200 from tirerack delivered.


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 10:04 PM 11/20/2002]
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 11:02 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

I would have to agree with Mr.Mojo and Rick92, my car came with Michelin Pilot XGT Z4's and there was only about 60% tread on them, but they were excellent tires. I have nothing bad to say about them...

I have the Kumho Supras now and I think they are great. I def. think they are exceptional tires for the price.
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 11:13 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

Crap. Here I thought these tires were Pilot Sports. I bought them with 1200 miles on them from another Forum Member. They are like brand new. He sent me the receipt and he paid over $1200.00 for them. I'm going to try to to lower the pressure to 30 psi and see what happens. If I don't like them, they are gone and I'm getting KDW's or SZ50's or maybe Kuhmos.
Im not sure you've done your homework on these tires.

The Firestone SZ50s are their top rated performance tire.

The Michilens, are exellent tires (I have them) but are ALL SEASON tires with a completely different tread pattern.

If you want a high performance, dry traction tire, Michelin has about 4-5 tires rated highter than the ones you have
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 11:24 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (CowboyNVette)

I think 35 psi is the max for these tires.
. I find them to be really sweet and way better than any Goodyear.

:lol: Thats not saying much when it comes to tires. :lol: I believe worn out PepBoy specials much better tires than Goodyear.. :lol: Sorry not flaming you but I thought it was funny you comparing tires to Goodyear. :lol: Please don't be offended.. :lol:

CowboyNVette
Yes, it is comical to use Goodyear and performance tires in the same sentence. I threw that in because many people here say that you should use Goodyear as that is what "GM designed the car around" and feel the need to keep it "original".
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 11:46 PM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

Crap. Here I thought these tires were Pilot Sports. I bought them with 1200 miles on them from another Forum Member. They are like brand new. He sent me the receipt and he paid over $1200.00 for them. I'm going to try to to lower the pressure to 30 psi and see what happens. If I don't like them, they are gone and I'm getting KDW's or SZ50's or maybe Kuhmos.
Look into a set of Toyo Proxes T1-S. They handle like a dream, work well in the rain (for when you get stuck in rain :-)), and are pretty sticky.

Ron
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Old Nov 21, 2002 | 02:32 AM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

They're not good for performance driving, but... I got 35,000 miles out of a set of them.

I switched to Bridgestone Potenzas next and they were great. Had lots of great track time with them, and got over 20,000 miles out of them. Excellent tire for my '89.

I'm now running Toyo Proxes, but only because I switched to Z06 wheels. So far, I like these too.
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Old Nov 21, 2002 | 08:39 AM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (89vette)

I really like my new Yokohoma AVS. Much better than my previous Dunlop SP8000.
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Old Nov 21, 2002 | 09:02 AM
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Default Re: Michelin Pilot Tires YUK! (GlennS87)

We're digressing here though guys. The best tires out there so far are probably the pilot sports, followed closely, and beaten in some categories, by the Firestone SZEP, G-force KD, and Pole Postitions. I used to buy all season tires for my cars in HS and college. That's what pop told me to do. Then I woke up and relized that I could have a beater (hence the jeep) for bad weather and that I could get a tire with real performance.
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