Has anyone tried these tires? Tire Rack has them for $650.00 for a set of four in ZO6 sizes.

 

 

Haven't seen em yet. Given their high tread wear ratings, I'd say they will definitely be lacking behind the current popular choices out there (SCs, MXes, T1S, etc).

Dope

 

I would have to disagree. Until I bought my Z06, I exclusively used Bridgestone Potenza P-02 & 03s on my cars that I use for road course events and use their Firestone SZ50 EP siblings on my daily driver. Considering that the Firehawk Wide Ovals are rated at 320 AA A compared to the sibling's Potenza S-03 Pole Position at 220 AA A, both have nearly identical tread pattern and use Bridgestone's patented multi-compound construction. I can tell you from experience that the Firehawks are more than exceptional in the wet as well as the dry. I'm surprised that Tire Rack did not show these tires when I was looking for an eventual replacement for the mediocre Eagle Supercar F1 tires that came with my Z06. All I ever got in my tire rack searches were the two choices - Michelin Pilot or Goodyear Supercar F1s. For the money, you can't go wrong with the Firehawks.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....h=true&index=0


This is what I just found on tirerack by searching the Z06 and using "Firestone" as the tire brand choice.

Is this a limited-time thing or are they always that price??

Heck for that price who cares how long they last.

 

That's what I was thinking. The cost factor might be right for those ZO6 owners that drive to track events,or just thrash on the road. Even economical enough for those that don't put many miles on and need replacement due to UV or aging problems. This is all dependent on the handling characteristics of these tires. Someone try these out and get back to us.

 

Seems like a good choice for me, as locally there are no one dealing with Toyo.
last friday I got a quote from my local dealer of $360 (incl tax and balancing) for the front pair.
Unless I hear bad things about them between now and May
(winter suxs) I will be trying them out.
I'm sure they're ok for my driving. (spirited street)

rod

 

I am going to try the Firehawks on my 01 Z06. I am getting them on Monday and will post my opinion then.

 

Take a look at the Bridgestone Potenza RE750. The new Firehawk looks identical to me. If they're as good as the original SZ50 and at that price they're going to be a hot seller. I really liked my SZ50s and would have bought another set had they not discontinued them.

 

I went to the Chicago Auto Show and spoke with a Japanese factory representative at the Bridgestone/Firestone Booth. According to him the Wide Ovals are identical to the RE750s. Firestone will be carry sizes for the American Domestic Autmobile market and Bridgestone will be focused on the Foreign Automobile Market. The Wide Ovals were introduced into this market recently. He also stated that the Potenza S-03 will be discontinued in the U.S. market in the near future.

 

This price is 1/2 the price of the F1. Let us hear from the first new buyer,even if they last only 10,000 miles it's a deal.

 

It's good us Z owners have another choice. I noticed they have a UTQG rating of 320. Not sure how that compares to the GY F1 and other Z tires currently on the market. But it appears to indicate a harder rubber compound thus higher tread life. Of course that could also mean that they are less "grippy" than other tires.

Can't wait to start reading first hand accounts on these tires. But $650 plus shipping sure looks like a bargain.

Tom

 

These tires seem to be made for a Z06 for both track and road. I autocrossed these tires last year and had plenty of highway miles on them on my 02 Z06. I did two high speed events, one at Roebling Rd and one at Nashville Superspeedway. They held both asphalt and concrete tracks like glue. On low speed autocrosses, they were stable in tight turns and gave no feeling of rolling over on the sidewall even on pivot cones. They are very quiet on the highway at speed and give a comfortable ride. When they do break traction, they do so gradually and predictably. Unlike the Supercar Tires, they are excellent in wet conditions on both highway and track. Since I run in NCCC events mostly, they come in OEM sizes so I can stay Group I S ( stock street ). They have a rim guard to protect your wheels and are very attractive on the car. Wear has been excellent with 2 high speed and 3 low speed weekends. Give these tires a close look. They are excellent tires and definately perform better than the Goodyears did.

 

Just got them on today. Not sure about the look. It's not that I don't like it, just not sure about it. They have the rim guard and that is different. Dry traction is on par with the Goodyear and should be much better in the rain. Seems to have a harder compound so should get more miles than the Goodyears. Anyone in Houston that is interested, I got a good price and good service at the Copperfield Firestone store. Over all I am satisfied, but more miles and a pass at the track will tell me more.

 

[QUOTE=I got a good price and good service at the Copperfield Firestone store. /QUOTE]

Did your local dealer beat Tire Rack's price?

Tom

 

[QUOTE=AFVETTE]They matched Tire Rack price.

 

I should be wearing a set in a week or two, I'll post coments when I get them.

 

Any chance you could toss those tires on a scale?

 

Bridgestone/Firestone makes an excellent performance tire. The problem that I have with this particular tire is that it's just W rated. Not Y or Z rated. I wonder why?

I know that I don't see speed in excess of 168 mph, but I still would like the piece of mind that the tire was rated for speeds in excess of 200 mph.

X

 

Speed Rating from Tire rack site:

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.
W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.
225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h


The stock Z06 tires are Y rated - In excess of 186 mph. There is not a street tire that I know of rated for over 200 mph.

A normal Z rated tire is only tested over 149 mph.

The Firehawk W tires are tested over 168 mph.