Another Tire Thread- Sorry.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Another Tire Thread- Sorry.
My apologies in advance. I know this subject has been beaten to death like so many others, but I found it really difficult to find a thread that's been active in the last few years, or that didn't involve aftermarket wheels and tire sizes. With that said...
I've got a 2004 Z06 on the stock wheel setup. I'm going to have to leave it that way for now, as wheels are out of my price range for the time being. The car has the ORIGINAL Goodyear's on it. Just about to tip 9000 miles. They're horrible. They were slippery when the car was bone stock, and they're even more so now that it's putting down a little more power. What are my options? I've been to Discount Tire, Tire Rack, and half a dozen other sites, and know that there a limited selection. I don't want to spend a fortune on Michelin's. I'm looking for the best bang for my buck, and would like to have as much grip as possible. I won't be tracking the car, strictly weekend cruising/spirited driving. The occasional hard launch or Mexico race is possible too.
Opinions?
I've got a 2004 Z06 on the stock wheel setup. I'm going to have to leave it that way for now, as wheels are out of my price range for the time being. The car has the ORIGINAL Goodyear's on it. Just about to tip 9000 miles. They're horrible. They were slippery when the car was bone stock, and they're even more so now that it's putting down a little more power. What are my options? I've been to Discount Tire, Tire Rack, and half a dozen other sites, and know that there a limited selection. I don't want to spend a fortune on Michelin's. I'm looking for the best bang for my buck, and would like to have as much grip as possible. I won't be tracking the car, strictly weekend cruising/spirited driving. The occasional hard launch or Mexico race is possible too.
Opinions?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
Sad there are not more choices in the stock Z06 sizes, which is a great size for the base car too. The Bridgestone 760 seems like the only choice for me, and I have been very happy with them. Good ride, pretty quiet, and good predictable grip. Highly recommend them for the money. Car is much better neutral balanced than the 18 in front/rear setup I had running Michelins, that wanted to bring the rear around.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Sad there are not more choices in the stock Z06 sizes, which is a great size for the base car too. The Bridgestone 760 seems like the only choice for me, and I have been very happy with them. Good ride, pretty quiet, and good predictable grip. Highly recommend them for the money. Car is much better neutral balanced than the 18 in front/rear setup I had running Michelins, that wanted to bring the rear around.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 678
Likes: 14
From: Carlisle KY
I have 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 C6 reproduction wheels on my 03 Z with 275/35-18 and 295/35-18 Continental Extreme Contact DW tires.
I like the tires. They're pretty quiet and grip as well as I need.
The wheels are heavier than stock, but they look good on the car and they balanced up well.
I don't track or race the car, so the little bit of additional weight is more than compensated by the improved ride and feel.
A number of owners run 275/40-17 on the front with much success. That might open up your tire choices.
I like the tires. They're pretty quiet and grip as well as I need.
The wheels are heavier than stock, but they look good on the car and they balanced up well.
I don't track or race the car, so the little bit of additional weight is more than compensated by the improved ride and feel.
A number of owners run 275/40-17 on the front with much success. That might open up your tire choices.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 142
From: Lynn MA
I have 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 C6 reproduction wheels on my 03 Z with 275/35-18 and 295/35-18 Continental Extreme Contact DW tires.
I like the tires. They're pretty quiet and grip as well as I need.
The wheels are heavier than stock, but they look good on the car and they balanced up well.
I don't track or race the car, so the little bit of additional weight is more than compensated by the improved ride and feel.
A number of owners run 275/40-17 on the front with much success. That might open up your tire choices.
I like the tires. They're pretty quiet and grip as well as I need.
The wheels are heavier than stock, but they look good on the car and they balanced up well.
I don't track or race the car, so the little bit of additional weight is more than compensated by the improved ride and feel.
A number of owners run 275/40-17 on the front with much success. That might open up your tire choices.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 430
From: Birmingham Al
I have ran these on 3 different Corvettes I love them do it all light track if you call 160 MPH @ COTA light and in the rain no prop. and cheap .. Corvette with the standard treads lot's money think out of the box ,look into these Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta half the price as the so called Corvette tires save some money and have some great tires . A friend just got two back Corvette tires SP2s I can out run him on the track with my cheap=o tires and buy a set for what he gave for the two ...Look into them ..Won't be sorry .. Just trying to help .. They only go to 295 next year going bigger will have to get the Corvette tires HECK ...
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Three votes for the Continentals. Awesome. Thanks everyone for the info. I'm leaning towards them now, though I'd still like to know how the Bridgestones measure up as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I have ran these on 3 different Corvettes I love them do it all light track if you call 160 MPH @ COTA light and in the rain no prop. and cheap .. Corvette with the standard treads lot's money think out of the box ,look into these Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta half the price as the so called Corvette tires save some money and have some great tires . A friend just got two back Corvette tires SP2s I can out run him on the track with my cheap=o tires and buy a set for what he gave for the two ...Look into them ..Won't be sorry .. Just trying to help .. They only go to 295 next year going bigger will have to get the Corvette tires HECK ...
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,534
Likes: 374
From: Philadelphia PA
I don't believe the Vredestein's carry the front in Z06 stock size, 265/40/17. So if you want to keep stock tire size, you are limited. And if you are not going to spend the $$$ on GY's and Michelin's, then your next best choice is going to be the Bridgestone RE760's. They are available and priced nicely for those who wish to save some cash. If your Z is street driven, you're not going to find a better stock sized, priced right tire...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
My first choice would be Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's with 275's up front, but they're not an all-season tire.
My second choice would be the Conti DW's, but they don't do as well in the really ugly weather like the Conti DWS's, and that's what I use. We run our 'Vette in any weather except snow. The DWS's channel water in HEAVY rains easily; 2" of rain in 75 minutes down here, and I had no hesitation running 65-70mph on the open road. At 27* with no snow, they ran fine, too. (some tires won't handle that--I read that GM advises owners not to move their C7's on OEM tires below 40* because of their tendency to crack.)
For UHP, though, my favorite is the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta. The grip is supposedly as good as the extinct Toyo Proxes T1R, and they're ~60-70% the cost of UHP Michelins.
My second choice would be the Conti DW's, but they don't do as well in the really ugly weather like the Conti DWS's, and that's what I use. We run our 'Vette in any weather except snow. The DWS's channel water in HEAVY rains easily; 2" of rain in 75 minutes down here, and I had no hesitation running 65-70mph on the open road. At 27* with no snow, they ran fine, too. (some tires won't handle that--I read that GM advises owners not to move their C7's on OEM tires below 40* because of their tendency to crack.)
For UHP, though, my favorite is the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta. The grip is supposedly as good as the extinct Toyo Proxes T1R, and they're ~60-70% the cost of UHP Michelins.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
So after hearing your opinions, and doing a little more research, I'm definitely going with the Continental ExtremeContact DW's. Same treadwear as the Bridgestones RE760's, but the Conti's are Y rated tires, whereas the Bridgestones are W rated. Not that I ever intend to take the car past 168mph, but both are comparably priced, so may as well go with the better tire overall. Thanks everyone for your help.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
So after hearing your opinions, and doing a little more research, I'm definitely going with the Continental ExtremeContact DW's. Same treadwear as the Bridgestones RE760's, but the Conti's are Y rated tires, whereas the Bridgestones are W rated. Not that I ever intend to take the car past 168mph, but both are comparably priced, so may as well go with the better tire overall. Thanks everyone for your help.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Well the Conti's do have the correct rear size at 295/35R18. The fronts are available in 255's or 275's. Which would be the better choice?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
Well, in my years of experience as a tire installer/driver, I would still go with 265/40-17 fronts, if you want a balanced handling car. I'm guessing Chevrolet thought so too.