Buying New Tires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 16
Buying New Tires
Greetings:
I will close on the deal on an '00 C5 6 speed hard top next week. It needs two rear tires.
I have been doing some research into what type of tire to buy. I found this site called tirerack.com. Has a wealth of info on tires and customer surveys about the tires they use and a comparison of several tires and their survey results. I was surprised by what I found. For the category of : Ultra High Performance - All Season, the survey showed that Avon tires, specifically Avon Tech M550 A/S was the highest rated in all categories. Followed by the Pirelli Nero MS. What blew me away was the price. The Avon rear tires are $159 each. Pirelli's are $190. This is way lower than than what Discount Tire here in Austin, Texas quoted me for the Eagle F1s GS ($293). And the Avons are a much better tire, based on survey results.
Have any of you used the Avon tires before? I have not read many posts referencing these tires. Pirelli's yes..Avons, no.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks.
I will close on the deal on an '00 C5 6 speed hard top next week. It needs two rear tires.
I have been doing some research into what type of tire to buy. I found this site called tirerack.com. Has a wealth of info on tires and customer surveys about the tires they use and a comparison of several tires and their survey results. I was surprised by what I found. For the category of : Ultra High Performance - All Season, the survey showed that Avon tires, specifically Avon Tech M550 A/S was the highest rated in all categories. Followed by the Pirelli Nero MS. What blew me away was the price. The Avon rear tires are $159 each. Pirelli's are $190. This is way lower than than what Discount Tire here in Austin, Texas quoted me for the Eagle F1s GS ($293). And the Avons are a much better tire, based on survey results.
Have any of you used the Avon tires before? I have not read many posts referencing these tires. Pirelli's yes..Avons, no.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,923
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From: The Corner of No and Where Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Never heard of anyone using Avon's. Be sure you are not comparing the pricing between funflats and runflats. (Standard tire and tires that will run with 0 air pressure) There is a big difference in price. I do believe this is what you are doing. Always do your homework completely before purchasing anything for your new Vette. Minimize the Vette Tax. Also buy 4 tires not two if you can. And last but not least welcome to the club. Your gonna love your new Vette and let me be the first to give you a 
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Welcome and good luck on closing the deal on the C5. Sorry, I haven't heard of Avon tires either. I agree with VetteramI to make sure you are comparing runflats with non-runflat tires.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 3
From: MD
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by jag71usa
Greetings:
I will close on the deal on an '00 C5 6 speed hard top next week. It needs two rear tires.
I have been doing some research into what type of tire to buy. I found this site called tirerack.com. Has a wealth of info on tires and customer surveys about the tires they use and a comparison of several tires and their survey results. I was surprised by what I found. For the category of : Ultra High Performance - All Season, the survey showed that Avon tires, specifically Avon Tech M550 A/S was the highest rated in all categories. Followed by the Pirelli Nero MS. What blew me away was the price. The Avon rear tires are $159 each. Pirelli's are $190. This is way lower than than what Discount Tire here in Austin, Texas quoted me for the Eagle F1s GS ($293). And the Avons are a much better tire, based on survey results.
Have any of you used the Avon tires before? I have not read many posts referencing these tires. Pirelli's yes..Avons, no.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks.
I will close on the deal on an '00 C5 6 speed hard top next week. It needs two rear tires.
I have been doing some research into what type of tire to buy. I found this site called tirerack.com. Has a wealth of info on tires and customer surveys about the tires they use and a comparison of several tires and their survey results. I was surprised by what I found. For the category of : Ultra High Performance - All Season, the survey showed that Avon tires, specifically Avon Tech M550 A/S was the highest rated in all categories. Followed by the Pirelli Nero MS. What blew me away was the price. The Avon rear tires are $159 each. Pirelli's are $190. This is way lower than than what Discount Tire here in Austin, Texas quoted me for the Eagle F1s GS ($293). And the Avons are a much better tire, based on survey results.
Have any of you used the Avon tires before? I have not read many posts referencing these tires. Pirelli's yes..Avons, no.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks.
Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming purchase. First of all you need to find out what kind of tires you have on the Vette. You need to match the front and rear tires. If the rears are about dead I would get the seller to replace them before the sale or drop the price of the car.
Never heard of Avons, however that does not mean that they are worthless. The Pirelli's have traditionally been one of the more expensive name brands. The best value for performance that I have found have been the Toyo Proxes T1s and the Firestone Wide Ovals. These are non-run flat tires. The Kumhos and Michelins are good run flat designs. Michelins being the top of the price range. Keep in mind, giving your car a good set of tires is the very best thing you can do for it's performance. 500hp + crappy tires = crappy performance.
Tirerack is a great company and they are forum venders. Here are other links of interest: www.onlinetires.com and www.tiresavings.com. Good luck.
Last edited by army2000; Jun 16, 2005 at 07:29 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Si Vis Pacem Habeatis Filios Vestros, Ad Bellum Parare Modo
Avon tires (or "tyres") are manufactured in the UK and distributed in the USA by Tire Rack. I have also been looking at these tires as a replacement for the Goodyear EMTs. As you said, they have excellent ratings in almost every category, but...
This is not a run-flat tire. You don't have a spare, or a jack...something to consider.
The Avon is a "W" rated tire, good for 168 MPH. Your current tires are "Y" rated, good for 186 MPH...another consideration.
If you don't have a problem with running on a "W" rated tire, the Continental ContiExtremeContact and Kumho ECSTA ASX are also pretty good performers.
This is not a run-flat tire. You don't have a spare, or a jack...something to consider.
The Avon is a "W" rated tire, good for 168 MPH. Your current tires are "Y" rated, good for 186 MPH...another consideration.
If you don't have a problem with running on a "W" rated tire, the Continental ContiExtremeContact and Kumho ECSTA ASX are also pretty good performers.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Just info,, I have used the FH Z50 RFT and have 33 K miles on them. I will replace w/in the next 5K but will use them again given $$ isn't out of line. Local dealer wants $1400 TTL drive out price. Not bad might by direct from them and support local dealer. 99 Nassau Blue
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
I have the Pirelli PZero Nero on my 02 coupe.
Absofreakinlutely love them.
They're softer and smoother riding, quieter and handle great, plus after 17,000 miles, I dont' even think they're half way gone yet, may 1/3, but still have tons of life lets and mines an everyday driver.
I don't know about the Avons???
.....btw I just had a local Goodyear store order them for me, with warrenty, road side and all included only cost me $810 total. Great deal for a great tire, can't beat that.
Absofreakinlutely love them.
They're softer and smoother riding, quieter and handle great, plus after 17,000 miles, I dont' even think they're half way gone yet, may 1/3, but still have tons of life lets and mines an everyday driver.
I don't know about the Avons???
.....btw I just had a local Goodyear store order them for me, with warrenty, road side and all included only cost me $810 total. Great deal for a great tire, can't beat that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
While you are 'kicking tires, don't overlook the Goodyear GS-D3's. It is not a runflat tire, but the Grip (especially on wet pavement) is unlike anything I could have imagined. Amazing tire, after running GY run craps (junk) and Nitto 555's.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: port orange fl
Adding my 2 cents to the mix.
1) Remember Avon tires are marketed by "Tire Rack" so ovecourse they will say good things about them. Being that nobody on this site has said they have a set I would not call that a glowing report from Tire Rack.
2) the Pirelli PZero nero m/s is a good tire but not in the same class as Michilen Pilot , Bridgestone Potenza S03 Pole or the F1's
3) Army 2000 was right when he said crap tires = soso preformance.
My prefence is the Bridgestone potenza S03 pole because of the great bite and good wet traction you get at a fair price.
I just purchased a set (4) for $1021.25 mounted, balanced with full warranty at a out the door price from local Firestone dealer in fl.
What ever you do for tires look at all places (stores and internet) and get a quote then ask the next place to beat that till you are satisfied you got the best deal. with a little homework you will be surprised what a good price you can get.
1) Remember Avon tires are marketed by "Tire Rack" so ovecourse they will say good things about them. Being that nobody on this site has said they have a set I would not call that a glowing report from Tire Rack.
2) the Pirelli PZero nero m/s is a good tire but not in the same class as Michilen Pilot , Bridgestone Potenza S03 Pole or the F1's
3) Army 2000 was right when he said crap tires = soso preformance.
My prefence is the Bridgestone potenza S03 pole because of the great bite and good wet traction you get at a fair price.
I just purchased a set (4) for $1021.25 mounted, balanced with full warranty at a out the door price from local Firestone dealer in fl.
What ever you do for tires look at all places (stores and internet) and get a quote then ask the next place to beat that till you are satisfied you got the best deal. with a little homework you will be surprised what a good price you can get.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by diyguy
While you are 'kicking tires, don't overlook the Goodyear GS-D3's. It is not a runflat tire, but the Grip (especially on wet pavement) is unlike anything I could have imagined. Amazing tire, after running GY run craps (junk) and Nitto 555's.
Not only are they 25+ lbs lighter than the runflats (reduced unsprung weight), but they don't wear out in 15,000 miles, handle extremely well dry or wet, and are made right here in the USA. 
