Tire Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
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Tire Question
I am looking to replace my orignal tires on my 2002 vert. The car has 30,000 miles I am the second owner. I have read many posts about how people do not like the run flats for performance, but I like the safety of the run flats. I sold my 04 Z06 so I could just cruise with the top down with my wife or kids. I have AAA, but don't want to wait for them. I did keep my patch kit from the Z06. So if you had to buy run flats are there any suggestions. I do not like the orignal Good years. Thanks for the advice.
Le Mans Master
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From: If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. South West Florida / Livin' The Dream
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I had Michelin Pilot Sport ZP's prior to my switch to non run flats. As far as run flat's they were about as quiet as you could get at the time. I believe the new version, PS2's, are even better.
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Thank you. I have been looking at them. Have you ever ordered from tire rack.
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SPARTAN
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I just had a set of Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP put on my '01 last Tuesday.
The good: They're quieter than the Goodyears
The bad: My fuel economy dropped a s**tload. Roughly 3mpg on a long highway trip I just took (4 hrs).
The extra ~$500 in fuel cost over the life of the tires isn't worth the slight improvement in noise imho. Going to look for alternatives. Hopefully Costco has a good return policy for tires.
The good: They're quieter than the Goodyears
The bad: My fuel economy dropped a s**tload. Roughly 3mpg on a long highway trip I just took (4 hrs).
The extra ~$500 in fuel cost over the life of the tires isn't worth the slight improvement in noise imho. Going to look for alternatives. Hopefully Costco has a good return policy for tires.
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I had a set of the Firestone Firehawks on mine and was thoroughly pleased with them. Rode well, minimal noise and handled very good.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Dayton Ohio
I have the Firestone Firehawks and have had no comparison experience with other tires. I got 28.6 on a 3600 mi trip to the Florida Keys and back. They seem to be wearing well and are very satisfied with them. I do notice that when its cold (<35) they seem to not grip as well as when they are in warm weather. Guess with a move I could solve that problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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From: Houston TEXAS
I have had positive feedback from my customers who have purchased Michelin Pilots and Firestones if you're looking to stay RF. It will preserve the nimble feel of the car as well as the safety factor. Non RFs DO ride smoother and are quieter. Make sure the tech balancing knows how to use a 9700 and insist that the machine be used to balance your tires.
Tire shop mgr-14yrs. -97C5
Tire shop mgr-14yrs. -97C5
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
Non-runflat radials will lose you at least 3 mpg, other runflats will lose you at least 2 mpg over OEM Runflats. I have gotten over 32 mpg with my 1998 MN6 on trips.
Believe it or not, the OEM Runflats DO HANDLE BETTER, Corvette Enthusiac Magazine tested them against Goodyear GS-D3's (a well rated radial) and they handled better. Now, they do "bump steer", and they ride worse and accelerate (hook up) worse.
They are the widest tires in the stock size, the 275's tread (10.4 inches) is wider than OEM ZO6 295 tires ! One reason they look so good (square corners).
The Firestone Runflats are almost 2 inches narrower, which is one reason they ride better.
Goodyear Runflats can go 50 miles flat and be fixed (200 miles maximum, but must be replaced). Most other runflats must be replaced after run flat.
Goodyear Runflats also wear great, the wear rating is by manufacturer, not a universal, standard system. I get 55,000 miles from front OEM runflats and 45,000 miles from rear's.
Believe it or not, the OEM Runflats DO HANDLE BETTER, Corvette Enthusiac Magazine tested them against Goodyear GS-D3's (a well rated radial) and they handled better. Now, they do "bump steer", and they ride worse and accelerate (hook up) worse.
They are the widest tires in the stock size, the 275's tread (10.4 inches) is wider than OEM ZO6 295 tires ! One reason they look so good (square corners).
The Firestone Runflats are almost 2 inches narrower, which is one reason they ride better.
Goodyear Runflats can go 50 miles flat and be fixed (200 miles maximum, but must be replaced). Most other runflats must be replaced after run flat.
Goodyear Runflats also wear great, the wear rating is by manufacturer, not a universal, standard system. I get 55,000 miles from front OEM runflats and 45,000 miles from rear's.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jun 13, 2009 at 01:30 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
I just had a set of Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP put on my '01 last Tuesday.
The good: They're quieter than the Goodyears
The bad: My fuel economy dropped a s**tload. Roughly 3mpg on a long highway trip I just took (4 hrs).
The extra ~$500 in fuel cost over the life of the tires isn't worth the slight improvement in noise imho. Going to look for alternatives. Hopefully Costco has a good return policy for tires.
The good: They're quieter than the Goodyears
The bad: My fuel economy dropped a s**tload. Roughly 3mpg on a long highway trip I just took (4 hrs).
The extra ~$500 in fuel cost over the life of the tires isn't worth the slight improvement in noise imho. Going to look for alternatives. Hopefully Costco has a good return policy for tires.
BTW, my 99 coupe w/perf axle gets 28-29 on the highway with the Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP
Last edited by jrprich; Jun 13, 2009 at 03:44 PM.
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I ended up going with some Continental ExtremeContact DWS (Dry Wet Snow). They're non-runflats, so I now have an inflator kit in the trunk and AAA in my wallet. They were also $300 cheaper than the michelins, and my mileage is within 1mpg of where I was with the OEM Goodyears.
I've got a long trip coming up this weekend, so I'll have a better read on the mileage.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2007
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I've used Tire Rack 3 time. Great prices, fast shipping and you can have them shipped to a local Tire Rack "approved" installer of your choice. The installer will call you to set up an appointment to install the tires. The cost of shipping was cheaper than the sales tax I didn't have to pay.
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
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I just had a set of Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP put on my '01 last Tuesday.
The good: They're quieter than the Goodyears
The bad: My fuel economy dropped a s**tload. Roughly 3mpg on a long highway trip I just took (4 hrs).
The extra ~$500 in fuel cost over the life of the tires isn't worth the slight improvement in noise imho. Going to look for alternatives. Hopefully Costco has a good return policy for tires.
The good: They're quieter than the Goodyears
The bad: My fuel economy dropped a s**tload. Roughly 3mpg on a long highway trip I just took (4 hrs).
The extra ~$500 in fuel cost over the life of the tires isn't worth the slight improvement in noise imho. Going to look for alternatives. Hopefully Costco has a good return policy for tires.
i believe the "A/S" is "all season" which means a different compound and design to make it a useful tire in winter months also. that is probably why they aren't performing quite a well as the last set of tires you had.
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I would seriously consider the new Michelin PS2 runflats - they are OEM on the new ZR1. They are more expensive certainly, but I think these tires are outstanding overall performers, though they are considered a Maximum Performance Summer tire. They are fine in the rain, but when the temperatures drop into the 40's the handling and performance begins to get compromised. These tires are available in the OEM C5 fitment.
If your car is a daily driver and you live in a climate where temperatures drop to freezing or below, I would consider an All Season tire as an alternative. It has everything to do with the rubber composition versus the tread pattern.
I currently run the PS2's on my black car (the non run flats) and I feel that they are the best tires I've ever had on my Corvette. I run the OEM GY extended mobility tires on my Pace Car, and I see a noticable difference in dry adhesion as well as ride quality. Difference is the Pace Car is a very occasional driver, as opposed to the black car which is pretty much a daily driver.
If your car is a daily driver and you live in a climate where temperatures drop to freezing or below, I would consider an All Season tire as an alternative. It has everything to do with the rubber composition versus the tread pattern.
I currently run the PS2's on my black car (the non run flats) and I feel that they are the best tires I've ever had on my Corvette. I run the OEM GY extended mobility tires on my Pace Car, and I see a noticable difference in dry adhesion as well as ride quality. Difference is the Pace Car is a very occasional driver, as opposed to the black car which is pretty much a daily driver.
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thank you for your input I will be buying run flat ps2. Discount tire has a good deal on them right now. Have a great 4th
