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I did a search on the forums but I'm not getting any results that I want so posting a new thread.
I've got a 99 C5 coupe, stock except for Corsa exhaust and rims from a 01 or 02 Z06. What are your recommendations for new tires?
I don't race or take her to the track. No burn outs, but occasionally chirp the wheels leaving from a red light. She is mainly for weekend road trips and the occasional 100+ mph sprint down the highway.
My driving habits are pretty much like yours, I didn't see the need for the high end Michelins at over $1,000.00 even though I could afford them, I went with the Firestone fire hawk Indy 500s with a cost of a little over $600.00 and I am very happy with them, my handling and grip at take off is a very big improvement over the Goodyear run flats that were on it when I bought it, they are also a lot quieter running tire. I also researched this site and did my own research on the web, nowhere did I find any recommendations regarding the Firestones and for some reason did not see them tested against the other manufacture's summer high performance tires. do your own research and go with your gut feeling. Yes I realize the Michelins are the best rated high performance tire on the market but I wanted an American tire on America's best sports car.
I and many forum members are very happy with the Firestone Firehawks. They have a nice aggressive appearance and very reasonably priced. They bite fairly good for spirited driving. Obviously, they are not runflats.
For the price, if that's what you're doing, you genuinely cannot, I repeat cannot, beat the new Firehawk Indy 500s. That's a genuinely great tire AND a great (unbeatable?) price. I ran them on my Z06 for a few months until my buddy just made me an offer on the wheels/tires and he got them.
Nitto G2' hands down. It gives the best bang for the buck in performance, handling, and wet weather driving.
What size's are you running and do you have standard wheels or Z06? I'm currently in the market for 2 rear tires myself. Z06 sizes are becoming more scarce, I currently have Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport and these have now been discontinued. I've narrowed down my choices to either Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, or Continental ExtremeContact Sport.
I've got a '99 convertible and put on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (non run-flats) and have been very satisfied. They will be due for replacement at the end of this driving season (or before next Spring's start of a new driving season) and I will go with Michelins again. The two most important safety features on any car are the brakes and tires. Over 40+ years of driving and owning cars, I've never been disappointed in any Michelin tires I've ever had but I have been disappointed by many other brands.
What size's are you running and do you have standard wheels or Z06? I'm currently in the market for 2 rear tires myself. Z06 sizes are becoming more scarce, I currently have Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport and these have now been discontinued. I've narrowed down my choices to either Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, or Continental ExtremeContact Sport.
Before I was running 19/20 CCW's so the fronts I was using 275/35 and the rears I was running 315/30. I just upgraded to C6Z brakes so I had to change the wheels to clear the brake setup. I opted to go with the 18" ACE wheels and in the fronts I run 285/35 G2. NITTO didn't offer the G2's in the size I needed for the rears so I opted to run 555R's in a 305 setup.
I've got a '99 convertible and put on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (non run-flats) and have been very satisfied. They will be due for replacement at the end of this driving season (or before next Spring's start of a new driving season) and I will go with Michelins again. The two most important safety features on any car are the brakes and tires. Over 40+ years of driving and owning cars, I've never been disappointed in any Michelin tires I've ever had but I have been disappointed by many other brands.
I think my main concern is how firm are the sidewall on these tires, I don't want to have a lot of body rolls but i guess I won't know that until I use them. Other thing is, they don't make this tire or the pole positions in 295, would have to use 285. looking at the tire specs, it should be fine as the tread width is 10.3 inches for the michelin, a tenth shorter than the Continentals.
I think my main concern is how firm are the sidewall on these tires, I don't want to have a lot of body rolls but i guess I won't know that until I use them. Other thing is, they don't make this tire or the pole positions in 295, would have to use 285. looking at the tire specs, it should be fine as the tread width is 10.3 inches for the michelin, a tenth shorter than the Continentals.
Mine are just stock size (F - 245/45R17; R - 275/40R18) on the OEM magnesium sport wheels. I have not noticed any significant body roll. I did notice a much better ride than the Goodyear Eagle run-flats that they replaced. The car does have the Z06 shocks and Z51 anti-sway bars so rides pretty flat. I don't track it (convertible and I do not want to put a roll cage in) but I did do one intro to high performance driving at Corvette Motorsports Park (speeds were kept to 100 mph or less so convertibles were allowed) and the tires were great.
Do your research I got a set of Micheilens for $881 total with a $70 rebate so just a tad over $800 from a local tire dealer here. Was looking at the Firestones for about $600 but I have had Mitcheilens for years with no problems and like the way they handle, warranty, and tread life, although they will never make the 60,000 miles. I think there is a rubber mouse that eats the rear tires in my garage.