Best tires
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 382
Likes: 27
From: Marlton NJ
Best tires
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Macedon NY
Go to www.tirerack.com and do some comparison shopping. Wealth of info there. Remember, runflats can cover your butt, especially on a trip. I have Goodyear EMT's now but am going to change to Michelin Run Flats in the future. Better ratings and better $$$.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Go to Discounttiredirect
Go to www.tirerack.com and do some comparison shopping. Wealth of info there. Remember, runflats can cover your butt, especially on a trip. I have Goodyear EMT's now but am going to change to Michelin Run Flats in the future. Better ratings and better $$$.
Many posts on here.
These tires run rings around the OEM GYs
BIGHHANK
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Michelin Zero Pressure runflats are the ONLY all season runflats. They ride better than OEM GY runflats. Firestone runflats also ride better. No runflat but the OEM GYs can go 200 miles when flat.
Goodyear GSD3s are one of the best non-runflat tires you can buy, it is a summer tire. Some people are putting on Goodyear A/S F1s and are happy with them.
A little known fact is that the GY OEM Runflats will get you 3 mpg better mileage. I calculate that could be $600-700 over life of tires at $3 per gallon. OEMs are also the widest by far of any same size tire.
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 Tire (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,C6 tire) 9.2 inches
Non-runflat tires will ride better (smoother) than runflat tires.
Goodyear GSD3s are one of the best non-runflat tires you can buy, it is a summer tire. Some people are putting on Goodyear A/S F1s and are happy with them.
A little known fact is that the GY OEM Runflats will get you 3 mpg better mileage. I calculate that could be $600-700 over life of tires at $3 per gallon. OEMs are also the widest by far of any same size tire.
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 Tire (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,C6 tire) 9.2 inches
Non-runflat tires will ride better (smoother) than runflat tires.
Last edited by Oldvetter; May 15, 2008 at 04:25 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Groton Ct
The run flats suck, i don't think there is any better way to say it and i don't think you will find many who disagree.
I have had the PS2's and they were great, i just put a set of Vredestein Sessanta's on and i really like them also, very sticky and quite too.
I have had the PS2's and they were great, i just put a set of Vredestein Sessanta's on and i really like them also, very sticky and quite too.
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Runflats are great if you want that extra safety factor - but IMO there are better ones out there than the stock Goodyears. I like the Firestone Firehawks myself, but Michelin makes a good runflat too.
Nothing wrong with non-runflats too - they typically give you a better ride, much less road noise and better handling. Michelin Pilot Sports, Goodyear GS-D3s, Firestone Wide Ovals are all good choices. There are others that will do fine too.
Nothing wrong with non-runflats too - they typically give you a better ride, much less road noise and better handling. Michelin Pilot Sports, Goodyear GS-D3s, Firestone Wide Ovals are all good choices. There are others that will do fine too.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Cupertino CA
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I just switched from run flats to GoodYear Eagle F1's, and they were worth the cost. The ride's become incredibly smoother over some of the rougher roads California throws at me, and the handling's incredibly good. Very happy with my purchase, and I already had bought "peace of mind" with a combo plug / goop / mini air compressor pump setup for about $30 from Pep Boys (not to mention the lifetime flat repair / free towing I got from the Goodyear store I went to).
If your runflats have any life on 'em, use 'em up and save up for a set, you wont regret it.
If your runflats have any life on 'em, use 'em up and save up for a set, you wont regret it.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,678
Likes: 34
From: Fayetteville GA
Runflats are great if you want that extra safety factor - but IMO there are better ones out there than the stock Goodyears. I like the Firestone Firehawks myself, but Michelin makes a good runflat too.
Nothing wrong with non-runflats too - they typically give you a better ride, much less road noise and better handling. Michelin Pilot Sports, Goodyear GS-D3s, Firestone Wide Ovals are all good choices. There are others that will do fine too.
Nothing wrong with non-runflats too - they typically give you a better ride, much less road noise and better handling. Michelin Pilot Sports, Goodyear GS-D3s, Firestone Wide Ovals are all good choices. There are others that will do fine too.
I have firestone firehawk run flats. Very smooth and quiet running tire.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Thousand Oaks CA.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,137
Likes: 65
From: Orlando, Florida
I've run 3 sets of tires on my '99.
Stock GY runflats....pure garbage, ANYTHING else would be better!
General Exclaim UHP....the smoothest riding, quietest tire I've ever ridden on. Great for cruising. Very inexpensive.
Michelin PS2....Awesome handling, but not as smooth or quiet as the Generals. Pricey.
Stock GY runflats....pure garbage, ANYTHING else would be better!
General Exclaim UHP....the smoothest riding, quietest tire I've ever ridden on. Great for cruising. Very inexpensive.
Michelin PS2....Awesome handling, but not as smooth or quiet as the Generals. Pricey.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Berwick Louisiana
I've run 3 sets of tires on my '99.
Stock GY runflats....pure garbage, ANYTHING else would be better!
General Exclaim UHP....the smoothest riding, quietest tire I've ever ridden on. Great for cruising. Very inexpensive.
Michelin PS2....Awesome handling, but not as smooth or quiet as the Generals. Pricey.
Stock GY runflats....pure garbage, ANYTHING else would be better!
General Exclaim UHP....the smoothest riding, quietest tire I've ever ridden on. Great for cruising. Very inexpensive.
Michelin PS2....Awesome handling, but not as smooth or quiet as the Generals. Pricey.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,137
Likes: 65
From: Orlando, Florida
How many miles did you put on the UHPs? Others have reported that they get loud and handle poorly when they start to wear. The Tire Rack reviews are mostly positive, but are written soon after purchase and none are on high perfromance cars, let alone Vettes. Also, how did the UHPs handle compared to the stock GY run flats?
The UHP is a very good handling tire. They do have a tendency to squeal loudly when taking a sharp turn, but they always held firm to the road. Take that same turn with the GY runflats.....better pray the Active Handling kicks in and saves your azz because the back end WILL slide!
I can't say enough bad things about the stock Goodyears. They ride rough, they're loud, they wear fast, they handle bad, they're expensive. They're garbage.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 266
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From: Ashburn VA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
If you need an all-season tire, the Michelin PS AS ZP (translation: Pilot Sport (PS) All Season (AS) Zero Pressure (ZP, or run flat) is a good choice.
If you don't drive your car in snow, sleet or heavy rain, then a high-performance, "summer-only" tire is for your car.
I just purchased another set of Firestone Firehawk SZ50s for my car, and for me they are smooth, quieter than the OEM tires and less costly.
There are other outstanding choices for summer-only high-performance tires. Everybody pushes his or her choice in tires, and for the most part, you can't go wrong. Just make certain you know in what conditions you will be driving and make a choice that matches that driving style.
If you don't drive your car in snow, sleet or heavy rain, then a high-performance, "summer-only" tire is for your car.
I just purchased another set of Firestone Firehawk SZ50s for my car, and for me they are smooth, quieter than the OEM tires and less costly.
There are other outstanding choices for summer-only high-performance tires. Everybody pushes his or her choice in tires, and for the most part, you can't go wrong. Just make certain you know in what conditions you will be driving and make a choice that matches that driving style.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
I certainly did not lose 3 MPG when I got rid of the OEM runflats, and I haven't heard of anyone else on here noticing the same thing.
I've gotten 31 MPG on the highway in my 3.15/A4 C5, and that was not on the runflats so are you trying to tell me I would've got 34 MPG? I doubt that very much.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
runflats= insurance 
regular Z rated tires = performance
Runflats have VERY stiff sidewalls which means less grip and more noise...
the bet all around tire is the GoodYear GS D-3
one of the best dry road tires and the unquestioned king of wet roads.
regular Z rated tires = performance
Runflats have VERY stiff sidewalls which means less grip and more noise...
the bet all around tire is the GoodYear GS D-3
one of the best dry road tires and the unquestioned king of wet roads.