Without Runflats
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Well this comes up about once a month.
The short version:
The Michelins are not loud, or slippery.
The car can do 175, Ill keep the tire that will be more likely to stay on the rim.
Im really not looking forward to the odds that whoever AAA sends, has a flatbed, has pulled a vette up on one, and knows where and where not to tie down to.
Non runflats = great tires, for a car with a spare.
The short version:
The Michelins are not loud, or slippery.
The car can do 175, Ill keep the tire that will be more likely to stay on the rim.
Im really not looking forward to the odds that whoever AAA sends, has a flatbed, has pulled a vette up on one, and knows where and where not to tie down to.
Non runflats = great tires, for a car with a spare.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 664
Likes: 24
From: Farmingville NY
Not positive, but if you run a 9.5 front wheel the only runflats which are recommended are the OE Goodyear. They fit but look stretched. Ran them on Z06 wheels and never had a problem. If you run any wheel wider then nine inches up front you can't find runflats that work(other than OEM).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I've had two flats in a little under 4 years and just a few days ago, found a screw sticking in the middle of my front tire, that fortunately, did not go all the way through. I'm keeping the runflats. And I like the Goodyears due to their wide stance and extended mileage capabilities.
On an unrelated note, I just have to mention that I recently had some work done on my car (all under GMPP warranty, thank goodness) that has made an AMAZING difference in the ride comfort and noise, even with the runflats. Honest to God, it feels like I just bought new tires. My vert has 77k mi on it. Both rear tie rod ends were loose. The sway bar links were also hard to turn and bushes worn. My front leaf spring also had some cracking. All were replaced. The car feels so amazingly different now that I'm even happier I stuck with the runflats.
My days of crawling around on the pavement with a patch kit, jack and air compressor are long gone. I have AAA, but I don't feel like waiting around for them or the hassles of being towed, etc.
When I'm in the vert, I want to get wherever I'm going, then drive to the garage of my choice at my convenience to deal with the flat.
On an unrelated note, I just have to mention that I recently had some work done on my car (all under GMPP warranty, thank goodness) that has made an AMAZING difference in the ride comfort and noise, even with the runflats. Honest to God, it feels like I just bought new tires. My vert has 77k mi on it. Both rear tie rod ends were loose. The sway bar links were also hard to turn and bushes worn. My front leaf spring also had some cracking. All were replaced. The car feels so amazingly different now that I'm even happier I stuck with the runflats.
My days of crawling around on the pavement with a patch kit, jack and air compressor are long gone. I have AAA, but I don't feel like waiting around for them or the hassles of being towed, etc.
When I'm in the vert, I want to get wherever I'm going, then drive to the garage of my choice at my convenience to deal with the flat.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
Question #1... How many flat tires have you had in the last 10 years ??
Question #2... How many times have you wished you RF shod Vette was quieter or Hooked up better ?
Question #3... Is the extra $800 is too much for your budget to spend on a tire so you will not have to change a tire or call a tow or friend ?
All valid questions
Mike
Portland OR
Question #2... How many times have you wished you RF shod Vette was quieter or Hooked up better ?
Question #3... Is the extra $800 is too much for your budget to spend on a tire so you will not have to change a tire or call a tow or friend ?
All valid questions
Mike
Portland OR
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: St.Louis Mo
I've had 2 flat tires over 40 years of driving , not really worried about flat tires .As for runflats the goodyears did look nice but not for the price I would have had to pay. I put Michelin ps2 and haven't had any problems at all.I could get 2 sets of Michelins (non runflats ) for the price of 1 set of goodyears.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I still don't get why everybody claims runflats are louder. Most of the noise I hear in the Vette is wind noise and that's only at 75+ mph. Are you guys used to driving Cadillacs or something? My F-bodies were much louder and they never had runflats.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 0
From: naugatuck ct
Never had the run flats My Vert had the GS-D3s on it when I bought it so I can only say that they are quiet and performance is great.Been driving it for 2 yrs and so far no flats(knock on wood) but I do carry a good quality plug kit some pliers and a small compressor just in case.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
And I can tell you those runflat tires are noisy as hell on some road surfaces, I mean as bad as most exhaust drones I've heard. Really annoying, and although he only has 4000 miles on the car, he mentioned a few times how he couldn't wait to get rid of those tires.
I don't know about the regular C6 runflats...but from my impressions, the runflats on the new Z06s are garbage, with the same old complaints everyone's had with the OE C5 runflats.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 9
From: McCall Idaho
Firestone Firehawks!
Comparably quiet; mild road noise, can talk easily with my passenger and listen to music OR the purr of my LS1.
Good performance; I've pushed them and they respond well.
Good mileage and wear; I've got 30k on this set, air pressure monitoring is the key.
Pricey. But worth it.
Wife picked up a sheet rock screw in the right rear somewhere in Lake Tahoe 2 weeks ago on a Sunday, 2 hours before she had to be to work. She DROVE to the only tire place in Tahoe that was open (Goodyear dealer who closed at 3pm and agreed to stay open a little later until she could get there...) and was back on the road in less than 1/2 hour.
That's why I keep the runflats!! If I was the only one driving the coupe, I'd probably buy non RFT's. My wife drives it occasionally at night and the weekends. To me her safety and my peace of mind are worth the added $$$
JMHO
Comparably quiet; mild road noise, can talk easily with my passenger and listen to music OR the purr of my LS1.
Good performance; I've pushed them and they respond well.
Good mileage and wear; I've got 30k on this set, air pressure monitoring is the key.
Pricey. But worth it.
Wife picked up a sheet rock screw in the right rear somewhere in Lake Tahoe 2 weeks ago on a Sunday, 2 hours before she had to be to work. She DROVE to the only tire place in Tahoe that was open (Goodyear dealer who closed at 3pm and agreed to stay open a little later until she could get there...
) and was back on the road in less than 1/2 hour. That's why I keep the runflats!! If I was the only one driving the coupe, I'd probably buy non RFT's. My wife drives it occasionally at night and the weekends. To me her safety and my peace of mind are worth the added $$$
JMHO
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: Pearl River New York
runflats
I also have the firestone runflats,seem to be quiet,my 2000 vert came
with them when I purchased the car, so have nothing to compare it to,
but another guy recommended the michelin ps2's
with them when I purchased the car, so have nothing to compare it to,
but another guy recommended the michelin ps2's
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: Placentia California
No run flats here..
Do I worry about a flat....No.
Here is what I always carry in the car..
1. Z06 pump kit.
2. Tire plug kit.
3. small 4 way tire wrench.
4. A small sissor jack.
5. AAA.
6. Cell Phone.
I think if I was to get a flat I would have it covered unless the tire is trashed.
and all this fits in the center cubby...lol
Do I worry about a flat....No.
Here is what I always carry in the car..
1. Z06 pump kit.
2. Tire plug kit.
3. small 4 way tire wrench.
4. A small sissor jack.
5. AAA.
6. Cell Phone.
I think if I was to get a flat I would have it covered unless the tire is trashed.
and all this fits in the center cubby...lol
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
I have had 2 sets of GYRFs on my 2001 - swapped out both sets with about 50% wear around 14k miles each - at 50% wear they just would get too noisy and felt like they were made of concrete.
Switched to Michelin A/S ZPs over 2 years ago and they were my solution - MUCH quieter and smoother.
The Goodyears "look" a bit cooler, but not worth the tradeoff unless I were in the habit of taking 200 mile+ trips on the highway.
I had a total of 5 flats while running the Goodyears (all repairable and 3 on one tire). Michelins have had two flats in first 6 months (non-repairable) - both were replaced with new tires according to their replacement policy at no cost to me.
Switched to Michelin A/S ZPs over 2 years ago and they were my solution - MUCH quieter and smoother.
The Goodyears "look" a bit cooler, but not worth the tradeoff unless I were in the habit of taking 200 mile+ trips on the highway.
I had a total of 5 flats while running the Goodyears (all repairable and 3 on one tire). Michelins have had two flats in first 6 months (non-repairable) - both were replaced with new tires according to their replacement policy at no cost to me.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 1
run-flats or not
Florida Mike. I'll make your mind up for you.Get rid of the horrible run-flats! Just did my vette.DAY &NIGHT difference!!!!!Three great SUNNY hours of driving my vette today (sunshine rare in New England this year)!Top off and didnot even play radio because I wanted to listen to my sweet exhaust that even sounds better with out them damn runflats!This is the VERY BEST MOD to do on your vette!Do not hesitate!!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
4 new General Exclaims M&B at Discount Tire (lowest priced tire they have for the C5) $676.00
VS
4 new Michelin PS AS Plus RunFlats M&B at Discount Tire
$1,082.00 - $70 rebate = $1012.00
Difference =$336.00.......less on any other tire they stock
I will choose to pay the $336 to get a AS tire for Oregon weather, a 45k milage warranty, and RF security when I take trips through the desert in Nevada, New Mexico, etc.