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It's time for TIRES!!!!

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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 04:03 PM
  #1  
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Default It's time for TIRES!!!!

Well after 37,000 miles on the OEMs it's time for new tires.

I think I will buy Run Flats or EMT or Zero Pressure
I think the Goodyear F1 GS EMT lasted long enough, but very LOUD!!

I checked out the Tire Rack and found 3 :
Size 245/45-17 / 275/40-18

1. Goodyear F1 GS EMT @ $338.00 / $415.00
2. Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP RFT @ $289.00 / $367.00
3. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP @ $241.00 / $347.00

Which of these 3 ARE THE BEST FOR THE MONEY???
Thanks
Tommy
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 04:45 PM
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I'm no expert, and posting a question about tires will get you the old" Oh no, not tires again!!" response.Look at the reviews on Tire Rack, by the guys that own these tires.I HATE my GY runflats. They make the car dart from side to side, and they are noisey as hell. Unfortunately, they look almost new, and I can't justify dropping a grand on a new set of tires right now.From what I can see though, I'd go with the Michelin's. I did love the Goodrich G-force KDW's non run flats on my 93 though.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 06:27 PM
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I have a set of the Firestone Firehawks on my car now and absolutely love them. They ride well, have much less noise than the Goodyears and handle in wet or dry very, very well. I understand the Michelin's are very good also.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I have a set of the Firestone Firehawks on my car now and absolutely love them. They ride well, have much less noise than the Goodyears and handle in wet or dry very, very well. I understand the Michelin's are very good also.
Sign me up,, after the origional Noisemakers wore out I went to Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP RFT and now on my second set. Maybe the next set will be GY's with a new Z06 on them?

Jim
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 06:46 PM
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Have you ever considered non-runflats? I've been running Goodyear GS-D3s for a long time and would never consider a runflat tire. Most of the runflats are noisy, expensive, hard to dismount to rotate (if they are directional), and you sacrifice your driving experience for the somewhat rare occurence of a flat in the middle of nowhere. Maybe try GS-D3s and get AAA or tow/lockout packages thru your auto insurance.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Navy Blue
Have you ever considered non-runflats? I've been running Goodyear GS-D3s for a long time and would never consider a runflat tire. Most of the runflats are noisy, expensive, hard to dismount to rotate (if they are directional), and you sacrifice your driving experience for the somewhat rare occurence of a flat in the middle of nowhere. Maybe try GS-D3s and get AAA or tow/lockout packages thru your auto insurance.
I finally decided on the GS-D3's with the same logic in mind, have the towing option on my insurance, it's only like a $1.50 an month.
They're only a cell phone call away...Besides, I think if you go non runflat you'll never go back. I LOVE my GS-D3's, great ride, handling, low noise levels, etc....and the drating around on the road is gone too.......
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 06:58 PM
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Default michelin

I just put a set of Michelin pilot sport AS ZPs on mine for 1126.00 and think they are great. The Goodyears are bumpy and noisey the michelins are...well they are michelins. You love them or you dont, I do.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 08:22 PM
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Runflats will give you quite an uncomfortable ride.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by korte
Runflats will give you quite an uncomfortable ride.
and an uncomfortably light wallet.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 10:13 PM
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I have the Michelins and I really like them. I like the ride and handling and more importantly I like how quiet they are on the highway (at least compared to previous tires). If you want to move away from runflats there are several options, kumho's are nice.

Just a side note: I also inflate all my tires to the higher settings because I prefer the handling and rim-protection (bad roads in the North East) over the "soft" ride.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 10:19 PM
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The OEM Runflats are very wide and have square corners.

Here are the widths from Tire Rack:
The OEM Goodyear runflats are EXTREMELY WIDE for their size. The tread width is even wider than the 295 Z06 tires, here are the specs (tread width)
-Goodyear F1 GS EMT (275) 10.3 inches
-Goodyear Z06 (295) 10.2 inches
-Firestone (275) 8.6 inches
-Goodyear F1 GS D3 (275) 9.4 inches
-Goodyear F1 GS-2 EMT (285, 19 inch diameter) 9.2 inches

The OEM Runflats get 3 mpg better mileage than Goodyear GS-D3s.

Regular tires will hook-up better and ride better. Surprisingly, a magazine found that OEM Runflats outhandled the GS-D3's !

A friend of mine was seriously injured when a car ran into his when he had a flat. Remote chance, yes but why take it.

The Michelins Runflats are an all-season tire, good in cold AND SNOW ! If you drive in these conditions they are great.

Firestone runflats are supposely NOT repairable after running flat.

Goodyear OEM Runflats can run up to 200 miles flat (longest by far of any), but then you can't re-use them. Usually if you only run 50 miles or less they can be fixed.

I am on my third set of OEM Runflats. I get 45,000 miles from back tires and 55,000 miles from fronts.

Last edited by Oldvetter; Feb 24, 2007 at 10:27 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Oldvetter
-Goodyear F1 GS EMT (275) 10.3 inches

The OEM Runflats get 3 mpg better mileage than Goodyear GS-D3s.

I am on my third set of OEM Runflats. I get 45,000 miles from back tires and 55,000 miles from fronts.
OK the top item is a little deceiving. True the TREAD WIDTH is 10.3" and comparible non-run flats will have narrower tread widths but if you look at the section width you will find it is just the tread width that is wider. This goes along with the fact that the OEM run-flats have a very square tread, which adds greatly to the instability over bumps.

If you are getting 3 miles more per gallon on run-flats I would attribute it more to your driving style than to the tires. If attributable to only the tires then I would only get 14 miles per gallon on non run-flats and that is not the case. This may hold true for you but not for me.

Last item, Like I said before driving style means alot, I got about 24K on my run-flats, no way could have I gotten close to your numbers.

To the original poster. Everyones experience is different and each person has their own preferences. Do some research on this forum you will find many hours of discourse on the subject
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 12:35 AM
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Just got my Michelin runflats this week and will be putting them on next week, but everyone who has them, loves them. The cheapest I found locally and on the internet was Discounttiresdirect, I believe. Shipped to your door in a couple of days for $1088.
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 06:13 AM
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Thanks guys!
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP is what going on my car next week. I think that Goodyear needs more competition before they do anything about the EMT tire noise and grove tracking.
If Firestone recommends that you drive on their Firehawks at temperatures above 32 degrees, I will take their advise and not buy their tires. The information on the Tire Rack website was very helpful, but they don't have any survey information on the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP. When I went to the Michelin website I could not find the exact tire mentioned above. Never owned a Michelin tire before, I hope this will be the beginning of a good long relationship, know what I mean.
Tommy
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 09:47 AM
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Best advice I have is not to buy run flats. Car rides and handles much better without run flats. Whatever you choose please don't buy the Michelin. SCREW THE FRENCH
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 01:38 PM
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Go with the Michelin run flats. I just put them on my 2000 coupe and they are GREAT! much quieter, a smoother ride and the handling feels great too!
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:00 PM
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Skip the run flats and get a performance tire for your performance car.

Best tires for the money are Kumho MX and BFG KDW2, and Firestone Wide Ovals. If money isn't an option, look for some Goodyear F1 DS3s.
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Ryan L
Skip the run flats and get a performance tire for your performance car.

Best tires for the money are Kumho MX and BFG KDW2, and Firestone Wide Ovals. If money isn't an option, look for some Goodyear F1 DS3s.
For most public road conditions, I still think the runflats are the best option. I think the stiffer sidewalls give extra protection from bottoming out in potholes [sometimes unavoidable! ], etc. , etc.

No if you are going to race it, that may be another proposition!

As I've said before, I'm thrilled with my Michelin runflats and think they offer a much better NVH profile than the Goodyear OEM's I had before, as well as being a good value if you shop around [see my post about my Cadillac dealership!]
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 03:21 PM
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When I bought my Michelins, I forgot to ask about the Mileage that can be driven on a flat. My goodyears are good for 200 miles, anyone know what the Michelins are good for? Thanks
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 03:33 PM
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I believe the Michelins are good for 50 miles @ 50 mph @ 0 psi. Not as long as the Goodyears, but I think the noise and ride improvements more than outweigh for this. In my area of the country, I'm sure I could find a tire store or GM dealer within 50 miles of anywhere I might decide to travel.

And since I had my Cadillac dealer install them (they matched Costco's price!) and I got the GM road hazard warranty, any GM dealer can fix me up under warranty for five years!
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