[Z06] Help deciding tire choice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc Michigan
Help deciding tire choice
I know the topic of tires for the C5 Z06 has been beaten to death, but after lots and lots and LOTS of research I'm still not quite sure so I figured I'd ask. Bone stock 2003 Z06 rims. I'm really considering the Sumitomo HTR Z IIs, but just today have FINALLY found a set of the oem sized Bridgestone Potenza RE760s locally for $920 installed. Is that a good price on those or should I save some cash and go with the Sumis? If I do go to a different tire size what would would be ideal besides the stock 265/40/17 and 295/35/18? Any opinions would be very helpful!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 397
Likes: 33
From: Campton Hills, Illinois
tire threads
I've also read just about all of them. I was pretty close to going with the Continetal DW's but they recently stopped making the fronts.
I've read all the posts about different sizes and having a slightly different side wall from the original size in the front. I don't like that look. I really like how it looks right now (2002 Z06 with 50% tread left on Goodyear supercar).
I have decided to go with the original tires as replacement. I am not happy they cost so much but oh well.
Iam just going to make sure the date codes are acceptable to me when they come in at Discount Tire.
I've read all the posts about different sizes and having a slightly different side wall from the original size in the front. I don't like that look. I really like how it looks right now (2002 Z06 with 50% tread left on Goodyear supercar).
I have decided to go with the original tires as replacement. I am not happy they cost so much but oh well.
Iam just going to make sure the date codes are acceptable to me when they come in at Discount Tire.
Racer
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 346
Likes: 10
From: Easton MA
I know the topic of tires for the C5 Z06 has been beaten to death, but after lots and lots and LOTS of research I'm still not quite sure so I figured I'd ask. Bone stock 2003 Z06 rims. I'm really considering the Sumitomo HTR Z IIs, but just today have FINALLY found a set of the oem sized Bridgestone Potenza RE760s locally for $920 installed. Is that a good price on those or should I save some cash and go with the Sumis? If I do go to a different tire size what would would be ideal besides the stock 265/40/17 and 295/35/18? Any opinions would be very helpful!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
get the 760. sumitomo is famous for making tires that fall off in a year. traction is usually okay when new, by a year old it's down quite a bit
760 is a good daily driver tire
sumi's should cost less than the 760, they are less tire, that's for sure
760 is a good daily driver tire
sumi's should cost less than the 760, they are less tire, that's for sure
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
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. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
I know the topic of tires for the C5 Z06 has been beaten to death, but after lots and lots and LOTS of research I'm still not quite sure so I figured I'd ask. Bone stock 2003 Z06 rims. I'm really considering the Sumitomo HTR Z IIs, but just today have FINALLY found a set of the oem sized Bridgestone Potenza RE760s locally for $920 installed. Is that a good price on those or should I save some cash and go with the Sumis? If I do go to a different tire size what would would be ideal besides the stock 265/40/17 and 295/35/18? Any opinions would be very helpful!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
the 760 and nt05 are the only affordable solid choices left
i know a couple guys have said ps2 but they literally are 2x the price
you could have nt05's in the summer and mount the 760s for spring/winter and still have spent the same money
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
You can buy nittos and ride is not that bad, they are only good on dry roads, terrible in the rain, Bridgestone is better in rain, but worse on street as far as traction goes, the ps2 however are great at all driving conditions, I have nittos on my stock wheels nto5 in front and 555r in he rear, the 555 are great for dry traction and reasonably priced. When new wheels came with the ps2, I could not believe the difference in overall driving performance. They do great in any driving condition, not quite as much grip on dry surface as the 555 but very close. I have had all of the above mentioned and Michelin is by far best overall performer, and he best riding as well. I got ps2 on new CCW wheels straight from CCW, and they were cheaper than what I had payed discount tire for the nittos last year.
Just my$.02
Just my$.02
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc Michigan
Thanks a bunch for all the input! I went ahead and ordered the 760s earlier today... Figured a little more $ for the assurance of correct tire size is worth it 
I just needed a little help deciding from fellow Z owners thanks again
I just needed a little help deciding from fellow Z owners thanks again
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
You can buy nittos and ride is not that bad, they are only good on dry roads, terrible in the rain, Bridgestone is better in rain, but worse on street as far as traction goes, the ps2 however are great at all driving conditions, I have nittos on my stock wheels nto5 in front and 555r in he rear, the 555 are great for dry traction and reasonably priced. When new wheels came with the ps2, I could not believe the difference in overall driving performance. They do great in any driving condition, not quite as much grip on dry surface as the 555 but very close. I have had all of the above mentioned and Michelin is by far best overall performer, and he best riding as well. I got ps2 on new CCW wheels straight from CCW, and they were cheaper than what I had payed discount tire for the nittos last year.
Just my$.02
Just my$.02
all these tire threads are making me think of what i'm doing next with the 3 main choices
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
not sure if you've seen them yet but here is the 760 on stock wheels on my own car
http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/ra...?sort=3&page=1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
You can do cheaper than the Michelin Pilot Super Sports, but you will get a cheaper tire and cheaper ride.
If that is OK then I have heard the Nittos, and Hankooks offer a quality ride. Never tried either though. I always go with the higher priced Michelins. Why? Because it is a Z06!
If that is OK then I have heard the Nittos, and Hankooks offer a quality ride. Never tried either though. I always go with the higher priced Michelins. Why? Because it is a Z06!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
You can do cheaper than the Michelin Pilot Super Sports, but you will get a cheaper tire and cheaper ride.
If that is OK then I have heard the Nittos, and Hankooks offer a quality ride. Never tried either though. I always go with the higher priced Michelins. Why? Because it is a Z06!
If that is OK then I have heard the Nittos, and Hankooks offer a quality ride. Never tried either though. I always go with the higher priced Michelins. Why? Because it is a Z06!
choices for the OE wheels are very limited
the reason you see the ps2, nt05 and re760 being discussed is because they are the only tires made for the oem wheels
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 3
From: Mukilteo Washington
Vredestein my man. Read here http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...out-these.html
The only negative comment is about the different tread design which is a dumb reason to not like a tire.
WAY better in the rain than the other options and $850 to your door.
Performance? Awesome. I saw these on lots of European cars like Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, whatever and did some research. Come to find out lots of Corvette drivers were using them and lovin' em'. They give me more grip than I can use at this point. I have had them on lloooong, very spirited drives, on a road course and drag strip with no complaints.
Vredestein has been around for a long time. They are not heavy in advertising but word gets them around just fine! I'll put them against any tire.
GOOD LUCK!
The only negative comment is about the different tread design which is a dumb reason to not like a tire.
WAY better in the rain than the other options and $850 to your door.
Performance? Awesome. I saw these on lots of European cars like Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, whatever and did some research. Come to find out lots of Corvette drivers were using them and lovin' em'. They give me more grip than I can use at this point. I have had them on lloooong, very spirited drives, on a road course and drag strip with no complaints.
Vredestein has been around for a long time. They are not heavy in advertising but word gets them around just fine! I'll put them against any tire.
GOOD LUCK!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 3
From: pasadena in the great state of TEXAS
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Vredestein my man. Read here http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...out-these.html
The only negative comment is about the different tread design which is a dumb reason to not like a tire.
WAY better in the rain than the other options and $850 to your door.
Performance? Awesome. I saw these on lots of European cars like Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, whatever and did some research. Come to find out lots of Corvette drivers were using them and lovin' em'. They give me more grip than I can use at this point. I have had them on lloooong, very spirited drives, on a road course and drag strip with no complaints.
Vredestein has been around for a long time. They are not heavy in advertising but word gets them around just fine! I'll put them against any tire.
GOOD LUCK!
The only negative comment is about the different tread design which is a dumb reason to not like a tire.
WAY better in the rain than the other options and $850 to your door.
Performance? Awesome. I saw these on lots of European cars like Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, whatever and did some research. Come to find out lots of Corvette drivers were using them and lovin' em'. They give me more grip than I can use at this point. I have had them on lloooong, very spirited drives, on a road course and drag strip with no complaints.
Vredestein has been around for a long time. They are not heavy in advertising but word gets them around just fine! I'll put them against any tire.
GOOD LUCK!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay WI
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.