Tire Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Baytown Texas
Tire Question
I have been looking on line at Discount Tires for two new tires for the rear. I currently have Goodyear runflats on all fours. I am wondering, if it is ok to put a different brand of tire on the rear. I have found a pair of Kumho Ecsta ASX's for 126.00 ea. Are these good tires and would it be ok to put different tires on.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There have been some members here that have done exactly this - mix run flats with non run flats, and mix tire brands and tread patterns and have stated they've had no issues.
Personally - I wouldn't consider doing this. These two tires have distinctly different handling, ride and performance characteristics. The OEM Goodyear EMT is generally considered to be a rather stiff sidewalled tire, much stiffer than practically any other tire that I can think of.
Change out the fronts to match the rears and I would think the ride and the handling characteristics would be much better. But as we are always known to say around these parts....it's your car do what makes you happy.
Personally - I wouldn't consider doing this. These two tires have distinctly different handling, ride and performance characteristics. The OEM Goodyear EMT is generally considered to be a rather stiff sidewalled tire, much stiffer than practically any other tire that I can think of.
Change out the fronts to match the rears and I would think the ride and the handling characteristics would be much better. But as we are always known to say around these parts....it's your car do what makes you happy.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 4
From: Arlington TX
I'm a big Kuhmo fan. I've had many sets.
I just got the SPT. a step above the ASX, and a step below the MX. Seem great so far.
They'll stick a bit differently than the goodyears, but it won't be the end of the world.
check out tirerack.com's customer reviews... you can search reviews by corvette, which makes it nice.
I just got the SPT. a step above the ASX, and a step below the MX. Seem great so far.
They'll stick a bit differently than the goodyears, but it won't be the end of the world.
check out tirerack.com's customer reviews... you can search reviews by corvette, which makes it nice.
Last edited by hunterhicks; Aug 11, 2006 at 03:49 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 167
I don't think I would mix runflats and non-runflats, but that's up to you. If it were me, since the front have new GY runflats, I'd put the same on the rear, then change to something else on the next round of new tires. Good luck with whatever you decide. 
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by termike
I have been looking on line at Discount Tires for two new tires for the rear. I currently have Goodyear runflats on all fours. I am wondering, if it is ok to put a different brand of tire on the rear. I have found a pair of Kumho Ecsta ASX's for 126.00 ea. Are these good tires and would it be ok to put different tires on.
How are yoiu getting them for only $126??? I just looked and it said $154 for me. Is this because of their "free shipping"?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
Different tread compounds and tread patterns will mean different adhesion in different driving conditions. In sane normal driving you'll never see the difference. If you're track racing, you don't want $125 tires anyway. I would buy 2 Kuhmo's and enjoy them. They make a cool squeel sound too!!! They will be fine for 95% of all your driving.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Gilbert AZ
Originally Posted by termike
I have been looking on line at Discount Tires for two new tires for the rear. I currently have Goodyear runflats on all fours. I am wondering, if it is ok to put a different brand of tire on the rear. I have found a pair of Kumho Ecsta ASX's for 126.00 ea. Are these good tires and would it be ok to put different tires on.
I did this exact same set up for a week til I could get the fronts put on. The car handled like crap, due to the dramatic difference in the sidewall stiffness. I couldnt believe it at first myself but it was actually difficult to keep in the lane at highway speeds. Put the ASX's on all four and you wont be sorry.
Last edited by blk_vet; Aug 11, 2006 at 05:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,434
Likes: 528
From: PNW Cougar Country WA
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C6 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Originally Posted by beefaronie
How are yoiu getting them for only $126??? I just looked and it said $154 for me. Is this because of their "free shipping"?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,434
Likes: 528
From: PNW Cougar Country WA
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C6 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
If i did this mismatch i would have the run-flats on the rear only. Has less effect on the stearing etc. But you can't do that with a C5 if you have stock rims of 17" & 18"..... Only big worry i would have about a combo like this would be high speed driving, taking curves to fast and driving in wet weather.....They would tend to handle differently under those conditions and probably break loose or grab differently...
I have had different tires front and back (don't recommend it on a Vette) but not run-flats on one end.
I have had different tires front and back (don't recommend it on a Vette) but not run-flats on one end.
Last edited by NOWUCME; Aug 11, 2006 at 05:12 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Tx
I had the original Goodyears on the front with Michelin zp ps on the rear for about six months and the car handled horrible. I'm really happy with it now that the Michelins are all the way around. Be careful on the highway if you do mix them, any little rut will really throw the car around.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Maple North Carolina
mixed tires
I have visited three local Goodyear tire stores and have been assured there is no problems running runflats and non-runflats as long as the same type are on the same axle. I've got two OE runflats on my rear and new F1's non-runflats on the front. I drove 200 miles today at 80+MPH without a problem. I didn't have a bump steer issue or anything else that I would consider a negative and the road noise is less now. I can't speak for anyone else but I don't see a problem with runflats on the rear. i've asked the experts at goodyear and they all say it is "ok and not a problem." I don't know what else there is left to say...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Sandy OR
Even with some tread left on the front (original) run flats, I decided for safety to replace all four with Kumho ASXs and have been glad I did. As other threads have noted, compared to the original run flats, the Kumhos are much quieter and they don't track in the highway grooves. Normal road handling is so much better that my wife now enjoys driving the vette, and hated it before. Cornering seems fine, and in a few weeks I'll have nine months of rain to test the wet road handling...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by vafirevet
I have visited three local Goodyear tire stores and have been assured there is no problems running runflats and non-runflats as long as the same type are on the same axle. I've got two OE runflats on my rear and new F1's non-runflats on the front. I drove 200 miles today at 80+MPH without a problem. I didn't have a bump steer issue or anything else that I would consider a negative and the road noise is less now. I can't speak for anyone else but I don't see a problem with runflats on the rear. i've asked the experts at goodyear and they all say it is "ok and not a problem." I don't know what else there is left to say...
That's a good one! These are the same "experts" that fill your brand new tires with 44 psi because "That's what it says on the sidewall"!