I'm in a quandary I need to pass NJ Motor Vehicle Inspection and they will fail me for bald tires on my 2003 stock C5 with original Goodyear Runflats(35000miles). After reading all the posts on tires I would like to have the Goodyear GS-D3 and get away from the runflats but as you know there is a national backorder on these tires due to the recent strike. Since money is a big factor (currently unemployed) I was thinking what if I put a set of inexpensive tires like the Falken 452 I can purchase a set for $540(delivered to the house). Compared to the good reviews of the GS-D3s do you think it would be a good gamble to try out these Falkens realizing that they probably won't last as long as the GS-D3s and maybe not perform as well BUT for $540 would I regret it?
The GS-D3s go for $990 (delivered) the Falkens $540 (delivered) so for $450 in savings I expect less miles but are they so low performance that I would want to take them off and throw away?
Note:
My 2003 C5 is all stock and its my daily driver through all weather conditions dry, rain and snow.
Also I don't race it.
I don't want to put any Japanese tires on it (no offense to anyone)
I know people like Michelins but I'm not interested.

Your thoughts???

 

Getting ready to make a tire change on my Z. I presently have BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW's on my 87 and 98. I will be putting on the KDW-2's on the Z. Tire rack for approx. 750 delivered, I believed. Good around tire. Hope this helps.

 

Have you priced out the Kuhmos? I have drove quite a few cars with them and they were actually a really nice tire for the money.

 

Although I'm not sure where Falkens are made but for some reason I just don't want to put a Japanese tire on my, "Made In The USA" car. I'm not prejudiced but my family has over 67 years working in GM factories and although they wouldn't care because they know that American cars have parts from every country I just don't want to do it. I'm currently looking at a General Exclaim UHP which is dirt cheap but again I have to look-up where its made.

I guess I'm looking for some decent/inexpensive American made tires that won't be so loud, hard riding, low performance that I would feel unsafe and embarrassed to have.

 

Goodyear is the way to go, they are really great tires and a US company too

 

I just replaced my OE run flats with Bridgestone pole positions and they are awesome. My car is soooo much quieter and smoother it's like a new car! I bought them through Tire Rack and had them installed, balanced and the alignment done by their recommended shop.

I also bought the Conti repair emergency kit and have AAA..... just in case!

Check the Tire Rack site and look at the comps and ratings...

 

Which Bridgestone did you buy?
Potenza S-03 Pole Position
Or
Bridgestone's Potenza RE050A Pole Position with UNI-T Technology Max Performance

 

Just wondering if you changed you mind since Bridgestone is Japanese.

 

I got the Bridgestone RE960AS.... top rated by tire rack. I was clsoe to getting the Pirelli Pzero Neros but read quite a few bad comments at Tire rack and other sites. I did not get the Mich tires for two reasons.... price and FRENCH!

 

There is a bridgestone plant in South Carolina, so even though the brand is Japanese its made in america.

 

I see that Bridgestone/Firestone is a Japanese/Canadian company. I guess if I were to consider spending $750+ for a set of Bridgestones tires I would go all the way and spend the $1100 for the, "Made in the USA" Goodyear GSD3s. Not to knock the Bridgestones I'm sure they are as good as they say in fact I don't question the quality at all.
I guess I would consider a non American made tire if it was $500 bucks or so for a set. Maybe at that price I couldn't say no considering my financial situation.
Then again that reminds me maybe I should step up and put my money where my mouth is and buy American. I know it won't make a difference in the economy but maybe I'll be able to say I tried.

Who would of thought trying to buy tires would be so complex???

 

Not that it matters, but isn't Kumho Korean. I had a set of them on my Saab to replace the insanely expensive Michelins and thy road nicely.

 

Since the tires have to be made here, you're pretty much out of luck unless you go with Goodyear. My tire guy also swears by Cooper, but I'm not sure if they are made in the US.

 

I had Goodrich G-force KDW's on my 93. They are not runflats, but I thought they were great tires. I have heard alot of good things here on the forum about Firestone Firehawks, if you want to go with a runflat, which is not really expensive.They are supposed to be pretty good in all conditions. I'm leaning toward them or the Michelin AS sports since I like the idea of a runflat, and I really HATE my OEM Goodyear runflats.

 

The Goodyear tires on my Mercedes were made in Canada.

 

Just like everything else.........

Tyre Manufacturer Profile: Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Co

Ohtsu Tire and Rubber Co. are currently the twelfth largest tyre manufacturer in the world and have been producing tyres under the Falken brand name since 1983. Ohtsu's headquarters are based in Osaka, Japan with factories at Miyazaki, Japan and Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Falken tyres are manufactured using Dunlop technology as Sumitomo Rubber Industries is a significant shareholder in Ohtsu. The Falken brand is only available as a passenger car tyre with the company's truck tyre's continuing to be sold under the Ohtsu brand name.



Sorry Dude but it's Goodyears or Goodrich.

 

I have to admit, I DO feel good every time I wash my car (and my GSD3s)........

 

I didn't think Goodrich was American owned anymore, and doing a quick Internet check found this:


The Goodrich Corporation (formerly the B.F. Goodrich Company) NYSE: GR, is an American aerospace manufacturing company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in Akron, Ohio in 1870 as Goodrich, Tew & Co. by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. The company name was changed to the "B.F. Goodrich Company" in 1880, to BFGoodrich in the 1980s, and to the "Goodrich Corporation" in 2001.
The company has a history of innovation. As B.F. Goodrich, the company became one of the largest tire and rubber manufacturers in the world, helped in part by the 1986 merger with Uniroyal (formerly the United States Rubber Company). This product line was sold to Michelin in 1988, and the company acquired Rohr (1997), Coltec Industries, and TRW Aeronautical Systems (formerly Lucas Aerospace) in 2002. The sale of the specialty chemicals division and subsequent change to the current name completed the transformation. In 2005, company sales were $5.4 billion dollars.
The Troy, Ohio plant was purchased in 1946 from WACO. Since then, Goodrich has manufactured wheels and brakes for a variety of aircraft. Among these are commercial, military, regional, and business programs. This successful operation lies at the core of Goodrich's business. Competitors include the aerostructures divisions of companies such as Honeywell, Messier-Bugatti, Aircraft Braking Systems, (Howmet/Huck) and SNECMA.
Even though B.F. Goodrich is still a popular brand name of tires, the Goodrich Corporation exited the tire business in 1988. The tire business and use of the name was sold to Michelin.

My recollection is that the part of the reason why the General chose GYs for our "all-American" vette was because it's the last major American tire company

 

I have Firestone Firehawks on my 98 coupe and I need to replace them. I have been told by two tire shops that the stock size for the front wheels are no longer available. So I am now looking for a different tire.

 

I am a fan of the Michelin PS2's, they are a little more expensive. Ride is a lot better then GY Runflats. My only complaint is that I think I am getting a lot more rock chips behind the wheels due to the softer rubber compound. I guess it is the price you pay for better ride and handling.