[Z06] Help deciding tire choice
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
I just put a full set of Nitto NT555 on my C5 yesterday. Immediate improvement over the stock Eagle 1 runcrap tires. Jury is still out on more aggresive and wet handling. But they are extremely quite and much smoother in the brief driving I've done.
$566 delivered and $70 for installation and disposal.
$566 delivered and $70 for installation and disposal.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: AL
I know it would cost more initially, but ditch the front 17's for another pair of rear z06 wheels to run on the front. I did this recently and couldn't be happier.
Opens up many more tire choices, and it knocks down some of the sidewall height that the 17's have.
Here is mine with 18x10.5 speedlines on all four corners and Conti Extreme Contact DW tires; 295/35 rear and 275/35 front
Opens up many more tire choices, and it knocks down some of the sidewall height that the 17's have.
Here is mine with 18x10.5 speedlines on all four corners and Conti Extreme Contact DW tires; 295/35 rear and 275/35 front
Last edited by ktlocklear; Jul 4, 2013 at 12:59 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock Texas
I researched until I was sick of looking. It came down to NT05 (street not R) or Bridgestone RE760 as I'm on stock rims. I tried to get the NT05s but they were sold out nationally. RE760s were in stock (fronts) at firestone and (rears) at tirerack. I had to get them from two different places to get a set, but I'm happy with them. The aren't Michelin PS2 but then they are half the price. They grip pretty darn well in warm dry and I haven't noticed any issues with wet though I drive very carefully in the rain.
The vredesteins are mentioned, but they are 275 fronts and the differential is .4" which is less than the minium .5" differential that is required for active handling.
If you want to mix-n-match, you can put something together in stock sizes, but the reality is 760, PS2, and NT05 is the end of the OEM-sized road.
Options open up extremely if you go to an 18/19 wheel, obviously. I researched that like crazy as well. The lightest inexpensive wheel is the TSW Nurburgrings. They will be a pound or two heaver on each wheel than stock and you open up all kinds of tires. Before I went PS2, I'd get rims and Invos or Ventus.
The vredesteins are mentioned, but they are 275 fronts and the differential is .4" which is less than the minium .5" differential that is required for active handling.
If you want to mix-n-match, you can put something together in stock sizes, but the reality is 760, PS2, and NT05 is the end of the OEM-sized road.
Options open up extremely if you go to an 18/19 wheel, obviously. I researched that like crazy as well. The lightest inexpensive wheel is the TSW Nurburgrings. They will be a pound or two heaver on each wheel than stock and you open up all kinds of tires. Before I went PS2, I'd get rims and Invos or Ventus.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 7
From: Greensboro NC
NT-05s
I must have purchased the last set of NT-05s nationally two weeks ago. I got a full set for $804 installed and used them for the VIR NCM HPDE. I am very happy with their grip and surprisingly, quietness. I know they won't last long but I can afford two sets of NT-05's versus the high priced Michelins etc.
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 3
From: Austin TX
[QUOTE=K-n;1584319879]I researched until I was sick of looking. It came down to NT05 (street not R) or Bridgestone RE760 as I'm on stock rims. I tried to get the NT05s but they were sold out nationally. RE760s were in stock (fronts) at firestone and (rears) at tirerack. I had to get them from two different places to get a set, but I'm happy with them. The aren't Michelin PS2 but then they are half the price. They grip pretty darn well in warm dry and I haven't noticed any issues with wet though I drive very carefully in the rain.
Same here- decided on the RE760's for my street wheels, all things considered. Although I've run PS2's on other cars & loved em, I just couldn't justify the spend here based on the limited # of miles the Z sees per year.
You must've gotten the last local set of RE's in the ft. sizes b/c the Firestone near me had to get mine from a warehouse in Dallas; the rears came from a warehouse in Killeen. S/b in Friday.
Good to hear you like em. I'll report back after logging some miles on mine.
Same here- decided on the RE760's for my street wheels, all things considered. Although I've run PS2's on other cars & loved em, I just couldn't justify the spend here based on the limited # of miles the Z sees per year.
You must've gotten the last local set of RE's in the ft. sizes b/c the Firestone near me had to get mine from a warehouse in Dallas; the rears came from a warehouse in Killeen. S/b in Friday.
Good to hear you like em. I'll report back after logging some miles on mine.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 22
From: Tulsa
I know it would cost more initially, but ditch the front 17's for another pair of rear z06 wheels to run on the front. I did this recently and couldn't be happier.
Opens up many more tire choices, and it knocks down some of the sidewall height that the 17's have.
Here is mine with 18x10.5 speedlines on all four corners and Conti Extreme Contact DW tires; 295/35 rear and 275/35 front
Opens up many more tire choices, and it knocks down some of the sidewall height that the 17's have.
Here is mine with 18x10.5 speedlines on all four corners and Conti Extreme Contact DW tires; 295/35 rear and 275/35 front
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
[QUOTE=TyGuy;1584322257]
what's getting me as time goes on is these tires seem to be harder and harder to find
one wonders how long birdgestone will make the 265 40 17
conti just discontinued it in the DW last year
i bought some nurburgrings a couple weeks ago just for this very reason. i'm fairly sure that over the years i own my Z that the oem tires will shrink even further.
the only tire that seems to have a good chance of surviving 5 more years is the nt05 as nitto targets that at a sport crowd
ps2 is being discontinued
re760 is a bridgestone and i can't imagine they sell many 265 40 17s, a bean counter will ax that sooner or later
I researched until I was sick of looking. It came down to NT05 (street not R) or Bridgestone RE760 as I'm on stock rims. I tried to get the NT05s but they were sold out nationally. RE760s were in stock (fronts) at firestone and (rears) at tirerack. I had to get them from two different places to get a set, but I'm happy with them. The aren't Michelin PS2 but then they are half the price. They grip pretty darn well in warm dry and I haven't noticed any issues with wet though I drive very carefully in the rain.
Same here- decided on the RE760's for my street wheels, all things considered. Although I've run PS2's on other cars & loved em, I just couldn't justify the spend here based on the limited # of miles the Z sees per year.
You must've gotten the last local set of RE's in the ft. sizes b/c the Firestone near me had to get mine from a warehouse in Dallas; the rears came from a warehouse in Killeen. S/b in Friday.
Good to hear you like em. I'll report back after logging some miles on mine.
Same here- decided on the RE760's for my street wheels, all things considered. Although I've run PS2's on other cars & loved em, I just couldn't justify the spend here based on the limited # of miles the Z sees per year.
You must've gotten the last local set of RE's in the ft. sizes b/c the Firestone near me had to get mine from a warehouse in Dallas; the rears came from a warehouse in Killeen. S/b in Friday.
Good to hear you like em. I'll report back after logging some miles on mine.
one wonders how long birdgestone will make the 265 40 17
conti just discontinued it in the DW last year
i bought some nurburgrings a couple weeks ago just for this very reason. i'm fairly sure that over the years i own my Z that the oem tires will shrink even further.
the only tire that seems to have a good chance of surviving 5 more years is the nt05 as nitto targets that at a sport crowd
ps2 is being discontinued
re760 is a bridgestone and i can't imagine they sell many 265 40 17s, a bean counter will ax that sooner or later
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
Just ordered a pair of NT05's for the rear of the Z (18x295x35) they are backordered, wondering how long they'll take to get here. Discount Tire Direct, with replacement certs around $560 shipped free.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock Texas
They were backordered nationally when I tried to buy. I went ahead and ordered them and got an email from their customer service telling me that they had no commitment on when they would get more. They basically encouraged me to cancel my order.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 55
From: b.b. n.j.
Get the 760's nice looking and so far handling tire for the money!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
I just put a full set of Nitto NT555 on my C5 yesterday. Immediate improvement over the stock Eagle 1 runcrap tires. Jury is still out on more aggresive and wet handling. But they are extremely quite and much smoother in the brief driving I've done.
$566 delivered and $70 for installation and disposal.
$566 delivered and $70 for installation and disposal.
I've got vreds on my car, so far I've put about 8k on them and they are amazing. Dry traction is very good and they are great through the corners. Before that I had invos in the rear and they were horrible. I would break loose all the time in second so my tires lasted about 6k. I'm interested in the nt555's though. Seems like they would last long but they should be nice and sticky.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
Where did you get your tires from???
I've got vreds on my car, so far I've put about 8k on them and they are amazing. Dry traction is very good and they are great through the corners. Before that I had invos in the rear and they were horrible. I would break loose all the time in second so my tires lasted about 6k. I'm interested in the nt555's though. Seems like they would last long but they should be nice and sticky.
I've got vreds on my car, so far I've put about 8k on them and they are amazing. Dry traction is very good and they are great through the corners. Before that I had invos in the rear and they were horrible. I would break loose all the time in second so my tires lasted about 6k. I'm interested in the nt555's though. Seems like they would last long but they should be nice and sticky.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee WI
I have 18/19 combo and run pilot super sports. They are the best street tires I have ever experienced on any car I have ever owned. I had ps2's prior and there is no comparison. You would have to experience them yourself to believe it, wet or dry just unbelievable!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
Debated on the 760s myself. Just could not get past the fact that they are harder and not as good a traction as the PS2s. Get good mileage and great traction from the PS2s. Just bought my 3rd set three weeks ago. Still happy with them even at the price. 137,000 and going strong. No racing, just DD. 
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 298
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota florida
I'm on stock rims and looking at bfg kdw.Can only get 275/40/17 (front) and 295/35/18 (rear).
anyone know if it will affect ABS and active handling? Diameter difference is only 0.4 and I'm aware i need 0.5
anyone know if it will affect ABS and active handling? Diameter difference is only 0.4 and I'm aware i need 0.5
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
That was just the fronts, got them last year after I lowered the car and got a street/track alignment.
Just ordered Nitto NT05's for the rear, currently back-ordered nationwide, Discount Tire Direct is contacting the factory to get me status, need them before August. (Road Trip)
Just ordered Nitto NT05's for the rear, currently back-ordered nationwide, Discount Tire Direct is contacting the factory to get me status, need them before August. (Road Trip)