I have 98 convertible. I am looking for new tires also. I would like to hear if anyone has any recommendations on tires. I don't think I want to stay with the GY run flats?

 

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season Zero Pressure.

s'noJob

 

I am extremly happy with my Michelin Pilot Sport 2's. (PS2's) They are many times more quiet than the GY RF's. The grip is unbelievable for a non-drag radial. They don't tramline nearly as bad either. I got a set in Z06 sizes for less than 1300.00 from TireRack.com

 

I just put Goodyear GS D3S on my 99 a wk and a half ago..Good quiet tire...It's highly recommended here...

 

Another vote for GS-D3's here.

 

 

Michelin Pilot Sports. I have third set are car now. Bought car new with GY's on it and they did not last long and don't performe any where close to the Michelins.

 

I wish I'd had good success with the Michelin Pilot ZP tires. Mine were noisy, rough riding, tramlined like a freight train (sounded and rode like one, stop to think about it), and lasted poorly.

They wore out in the middle of the rears, running a meticulously maintained 30 PSI (per the manual) Got about 20k miles out of them. That was on my 1999 A4 coupe. I'm an old guy, and drive sort of like one (did my burnouts and street racing 35 years or so ago in the red car in my avatar).

From experience, I'd say the Goodyear F1 EMT work best overall. My current car, a 2002 M6 vert, has 32k miles, and still has the original tires. They look to go perhaps 40k before replacement. They tramline a little, but the Michelins would grab a groove in the pavement, or a row of rivets on a bridge, and head for the clover. The F1s give a little tactile feedback through the wheel, but are easily controlled.

The coupe was loud enough from the tire roar, and rode so rough, that my wife didn't like to ride in it. I changed out the Michelins for a set of Avon Tech M550 non runflats, and the car changed entirely. Handled better, rode better, much more quiet. Oddly, she thinks the vert with the F1s is as quiet as the coupe. But the vert has stock exhaust, and the coupe has Flowmasters. The noise, after putting on the Avons, was entirely exhaust.

I find that the F1 tires make it possible to add 5-7 MPH from the Avons on a cloverleaf, and the Avons took the turns better than the Michelins. Those Pilot Sport ZPs were the reason she has Pirelli P6 tires on her Pontiac today.

A friend with a '99 M6 coupe has the Firestones, and likes them really well. A former professor has the Kumho tires. I'm in the minority with the F1s, but I don't see a lot of repeat buyers locally for the Michelins, either.

Now it could just be a bad batch. Michelin could have improved the tires since mine were purchased (about 2004). I know they've gotten a lot cheaper since 2004.

If cost is an issue, the Kumhos have a strong following. If you get non run-flats, you can buy a plug kit and a small compressor at NAPA and carry them. Don't use the tire goo, though, or it will ruin your TPS transponders. I carried the plugs and compressor in the coupe. But the vert will go longer distances, and my wife may drive it a bit, so I plan to stay with the GY F1 EMT tires.

The non runflat Goodyears mentioned above seem to get great reviews, also.

The Avons aren't expensive - about $650 for the set - and are made in Ohio if that makes any difference to you.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

 

X 2

 

Thanks everyone. I have only known F1 run flats on my Vet and I hate them. Bad tire wear and stiff and they hop around a lot. After the responses and other listings I think I will look at the GS-D3's altough I wish they were a bit cheaper. I have a few other mods I would like to do this year. Rims and finish my Borla exhaust.

 

 

I just put Bridgestone Pole Position 960s' on mine. I like the ride & no noise so far. Not too bad price wise either...Just my .02 cents....

 

Hey dude,
I recently put on BFG-KDW2's front and rear....So many people told me to get rid of the run flats.....THEY WERE RIGHT! Your Vette will handle so much better and you will have way less noise....I love my BFG's....They are super sticky and the noise is minimal at best....I only drive my Vette about 4k-5k a year, I guess you need to consider that. I have been told they will go to 20K-30K. I put on 255's & 285's on my new Ruff 281's

My 2 cents

GOOD LUCK

Rich

 

 

Yup.

 

I just noticed the extreme wear in the middle of the rears, and I run 29 - 30 PSI, and check all the time!! I was shocked when I noticed that today... which is why I'm reading tire reviews.

I've had the KDW II's and GS - D3's on previous cars, and then both BITE hard on straight line accelerations and turns... the D3's turned a little better. But I'm also looking for a runflat, due to wanting to take a few road trips a year in the car.

Why not a D3 in a runflat? I'd pay the extra $$ !!

JUST NOTICED this on Tirerack: 255/45 ZR 18 and 275/45 ZR 18 GS D3 EMT's. Anyone try these?

 

BFG-KDW2's here as well,excellent tire and priced reasonably
compared to it's contemporaries.

 

I've been running the Firestone SZ50 runflats, but if I ever go to non-runflats, I'll likely go with the GS-D3's. I have the GY's on my Audi A6 and love them.

 

Michelin is bringing out a new high performance runflat tire for C5s this summer. If you can wait, it may be a great tire. Racing Corvettes use Michelins.

 

You can get Cooper Zeon 2XS on that fine car for around $100 ea. Non run flat, Y rated. I am totally happy with mine and did not have to take out a loan.