[Z06] Wait for new Michelin tires
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Clovis Ca
Wait for new Michelin tires
I have read that Michelin is releasing a new series of tires in the summer. I will soon need to replace the front tires on my 2003 Z06. They are 265/40/zr17 Michelin Pilot Sports. I have 295/35/zr18 Pilot Sports 2 in the rear. They were there when I bought the car a few months ago. I want to replace the front tires with PS2's to match the rear tires which have plenty of tread left, but I was wondering if I should wait for the new tires to become available. Has anyone seen the new tires ? My front tires are worn on the inside edge, which I have read is the result of negative camber for high speed stability. Is it desireable to have this negative camber for spirited street driving ? I don't know if I will ever put this car on a track, and I hate to prematurely wear these expensive tires needlessly. Thank you for any replies.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
I wouldn't bother waiting for the new tires. Chances are, they will be incompatible with the PS2s, just like PS2s are incompatible with the regular Pilot Sports. Here is a quote from an email I received from Michelin when I asked about mixing PS2s and Pilot Sports (because the PS2s weren't available in the 295 size I wanted):
Thank you for your email. We appreciate your interest in Michelin tires.
We do not recommend mixing the tread designs of the Michelin Pilot Sport and
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. On ultra-high performance vehicles like your
Corvette, mixing tread designs can cause problems with the vehicles handling
and overall performance.
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 285/35ZR19 that is currently on the rear of
your vehicle is recommended for a rim width of 9.5-11 inches wide. This
tire is appropriate for your 10.5 inch wide wheel.
If your questions have not been answered to your satisfaction, please call
me at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between 8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time
Monday through Friday.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michelin North America
Consumer Relations
As for the negative camber, yes it will increase inside wear. It's not for "high speed stability" though, it's to maximize footprint during hard cornering. If you're not into the "twisties," have your alignment shop apply the standard C5 spec (versus the Z06, which has extra negative camber).
We do not recommend mixing the tread designs of the Michelin Pilot Sport and
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. On ultra-high performance vehicles like your
Corvette, mixing tread designs can cause problems with the vehicles handling
and overall performance.
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 285/35ZR19 that is currently on the rear of
your vehicle is recommended for a rim width of 9.5-11 inches wide. This
tire is appropriate for your 10.5 inch wide wheel.
If your questions have not been answered to your satisfaction, please call
me at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between 8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time
Monday through Friday.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michelin North America
Consumer Relations
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
For sure the PS2 is an excellent street tire. However, as a result of that email from Michelin, I ended up with BF Goodrich KDWs (which do come in the size I wanted). IMO, they are every bit as good as the PS2s they replaced... and much less $$.
Choice is good!
Choice is good!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
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From: Clovis Ca
I wouldn't bother waiting for the new tires. Chances are, they will be incompatible with the PS2s, just like PS2s are incompatible with the regular Pilot Sports. Here is a quote from an email I received from Michelin when I asked about mixing PS2s and Pilot Sports (because the PS2s weren't available in the 295 size I wanted):
Thank you for your email. We appreciate your interest in Michelin tires.
We do not recommend mixing the tread designs of the Michelin Pilot Sport and
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. On ultra-high performance vehicles like your
Corvette, mixing tread designs can cause problems with the vehicles handling
and overall performance.
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 285/35ZR19 that is currently on the rear of
your vehicle is recommended for a rim width of 9.5-11 inches wide. This
tire is appropriate for your 10.5 inch wide wheel.
If your questions have not been answered to your satisfaction, please call
me at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between 8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time
Monday through Friday.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michelin North America
Consumer Relations
As for the negative camber, yes it will increase inside wear. It's not for "high speed stability" though, it's to maximize footprint during hard cornering. If you're not into the "twisties," have your alignment shop apply the standard C5 spec (versus the Z06, which has extra negative camber).We do not recommend mixing the tread designs of the Michelin Pilot Sport and
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. On ultra-high performance vehicles like your
Corvette, mixing tread designs can cause problems with the vehicles handling
and overall performance.
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 285/35ZR19 that is currently on the rear of
your vehicle is recommended for a rim width of 9.5-11 inches wide. This
tire is appropriate for your 10.5 inch wide wheel.
If your questions have not been answered to your satisfaction, please call
me at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between 8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time
Monday through Friday.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michelin North America
Consumer Relations
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
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From: Clovis Ca
Thanks for adding your thoughts to the mix. I will either replace the front tires with PS2's, or try a full set of those Vredestein tires I have been reading so much about in this forum. Thanks again for the reply.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
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From: Clovis Ca
Did someone on this forum say that BF Goodrich is now owned by Michelin ? I wonder if some of Michelin's famous compound secrets is being shared by Bf Goodrich ? I will search out these tires to see what they look like. Seems everyone on this forum has a favorite tire and compelling reasons for their choice. Thanks again for your reply.....
