Best tires
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,148
Likes: 1
From: U S A
Oldvetter's post was conservative stating saving "$600-700 over life of tires at $3 per gallon." At current gas prices and depending on how you drive and/or use or abuse your tires the savings can exceed $1,500. Some people like to bash run flats because it's fashionable and they want to be a part of the 'in crowd.'
FWIW, replace any old, worn and aged tire (run flat or not) with it's exact replacement and you will have a much less noisy and better ride. Too many compare an old, worn an aged run flat comparing it to their new non-run flats and claim some amazing revelation. Use your head and a little common sense.
Too funny...you can't make this stuff up. Two more graduates to my ignore list.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,137
Likes: 65
From: Orlando, Florida
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
A simple search will provide you with the info. You were at a computer when you made your post right? It's good for more than just posting run flat bashing opinions. Read it and weep.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Valley City ohio
I just switched to Falken tires.I got them through Edge Racing. $536 shipped!!! I'm not sure yet how good of a tire they are.Consumer reports rates them pretty high though.The new ride over runflats is unbelievable!! The handling seems better too!!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
GY Runflats better=BS
A G-Tech Pro SS Performance Meter from Mid America, would be used to measure 0-60mph acceleration and the C5's own DIC (driver information console) would provide the gas mileage figures for the tests.
Hardly very scientific for two reasons.
1) If the conventional tire had a different circumference than the runflats,(and they most probably did), that would skew the results, using the DIC.
2) The DIC is highly inaccurate in getting true gas mileage numbers.
And for the pragmatic reason to not put much credence in the gas mileage result, virtually nobody that I've seen post here, or any of my vette friends has reported significantly less gas mileage from switching tire types.
All that being said one last point is that the runflats are quite stiff, and that is why they have a mauufacturer recommended 30psi of air.
If you use a less stiff runflat tire, or conventional tire you can run at least another 3 to 5 psi above the recommended 30 for the GY emt's to get that supposed gas mileage back, and still have a better riding, performing, quieter tire.
Flame On
Good Luck To ALL
Last edited by bestvettever; May 16, 2008 at 11:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I agree, I ran these on my last 2 cars with outstanding results. Great wet/dry performance and worn nicely despite more than spirited driving.
But sadly they don't make a stock replacement for the front Z06 wheel. Widest 17" is 255. Not sure how well that will fit and I really want to run them.
But sadly they don't make a stock replacement for the front Z06 wheel. Widest 17" is 255. Not sure how well that will fit and I really want to run them.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver B.C.
I switched from stock size GY runflats to Toyo Proxes T1R's in Z06 sizes. If anything my gas mileage improved, but the big difference is in the ride and handling - what an amazing difference. I'm sure lighter wheels, lighter tires and less unsprung weight won't hurt mileage - but it sure helps with smoothness, stick, and I noticed, better off the line acceleration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
I wouldn't go so far as to say run-flats suck, but they are without a doubt a compromise between performance and security. Non-runflats have more performance potential, don't know about mileage and don't care.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Tire choice seems to be a "no win" argument here. 
My advice is to put tires on your Vette that fit your preferences and driving style regardless of anyone else's opinion.
I advocated the OEM Goodyear run flats for while, and IMHO, they are a good tire that fit the way I drive the car (and there are quite a few Vette owners that stick with OEMs, they just don't post here
)
I have Michelin A/S ZPs on my Vette, they replaced the OEMs that I had when I bought the car when I came home from Iraq in January. I had a hard time finding OEMs when my front tires wore out. Every Goodyear dealer in my immediate area had to order them and they were on backorder on top of that. Anyway, there are trade-offs in ditching the run flats. The technology that went into the original run flats has improved quite a bit since they debuted on the C5. The version on the C6 is much improved.
If you are an agressive driver or frequently track your Vette, then run flats are NOT what you want.
I daily drive my C5 (rain, cold, etc. we don't get snow here ) and the all-season capability of the Michelins, so they are a fit for me.
bottom line: Buy tires that fit YOU and try not to impose your opinions on others
My advice is to put tires on your Vette that fit your preferences and driving style regardless of anyone else's opinion.
I advocated the OEM Goodyear run flats for while, and IMHO, they are a good tire that fit the way I drive the car (and there are quite a few Vette owners that stick with OEMs, they just don't post here
) I have Michelin A/S ZPs on my Vette, they replaced the OEMs that I had when I bought the car when I came home from Iraq in January. I had a hard time finding OEMs when my front tires wore out. Every Goodyear dealer in my immediate area had to order them and they were on backorder on top of that. Anyway, there are trade-offs in ditching the run flats. The technology that went into the original run flats has improved quite a bit since they debuted on the C5. The version on the C6 is much improved.
If you are an agressive driver or frequently track your Vette, then run flats are NOT what you want.
I daily drive my C5 (rain, cold, etc. we don't get snow here
) and the all-season capability of the Michelins, so they are a fit for me.bottom line: Buy tires that fit YOU and try not to impose your opinions on others
Last edited by Chemdawg99; May 17, 2008 at 01:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Hi: I'm new to this Forum and so far it's been a very big help in answering all kinds of questions related to Corvettes. Can someone tell me are the run flat tires the best tires for these cars or would normal tires be okay? I'm in the process of looking for my first Vette (1999-2001). Also, what are the best tires for a smooth ride?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Non-runflats:
Goodyear GSD3 (longest lasting of these three)
Michelin PS2s (most expensive)
BF Goodrich KDW2 (a bit noisier than the first 2)
Very inexpensive, but not in the same league, handling-wise:
Sumitomo HTR ZIII
General Exclaim (cheapest tires)
Of the runflat choices, I'd stay away from the OEM unless you really enjoy a kidney-punishing ride and plenty of side-hopping around corners. Also, keep in mind that runflat tires weigh an average of about 6 lbs more per tire, meaning greater unsprung weight reduces the ride quality noticably.
In the 34 years I've been driving, I've had exactly one blowout that required that I stop the vehicle (a van). In EVERY incidence in which a tire had a nail or screw in it (maybe 3 times in 34 years), the leak was either very small or not even noticable. This means that in the event that you DO have a punture in one of your tires, you will have plenty of time to get to any tire place. Removing and installing runflat tires requires special equipment, so not all tire stores are prepared to do this.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 1
From: Myakka City Fl
General UHP-Bang for Buck!
I have 96,000 miles on my C5. Ran through 2 sets of Goodyear EMTs, changed to Pirelli P Zero Neros then last year put on a set of the General UHP tires as the retirement check does not go very far. I thought these tires would just get me by untill I could get some expensive tires. I was very suprised at how well these tires handle and ride, they have about 9,000 miles on them now and still doing fine. I carry a small 12v air pump to temp. fix a puncture. AAA if worse cut happens. The tires do lower the car about 1 inch?, but hey it looks good.OGC5
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 1
From: Myakka City Fl
Lost 1 or 2 MPG!
Mrs. OGC5 drove my C5 to her work many times when we had the EMT tires on it. She got 27 MPG. Since she retired I have switched to non Run Flats and I can only get 25MPG. Of course I go about 85 mph on the Interstate compared to her 70 MPH, would that cause my MPG to go down?. OGC5
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
Mrs. OGC5 drove my C5 to her work many times when we had the EMT tires on it. She got 27 MPG. Since she retired I have switched to non Run Flats and I can only get 25MPG. Of course I go about 85 mph on the Interstate compared to her 70 MPH, would that cause my MPG to go down?.:rofl: OGC5
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 0
From: Hopewell Junction NY
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Berwick Louisiana
Only problem is that the GS D3s are out of production and most places are running out of stock.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
The reason why it's out of stock most places is because it's a very popular tire! Do you really think Goodyear is going to stop making a tire that is a big seller for them?? That would be crazy.