Thinking of replacing my tires. Looking for some opinions on going with run-flats or non run-flats. Thanks!

 

Get you some tweels

 

Depends on your driving aspirations. here's what I recently went with and couldn't be happier for a street driven application.

 

Very unpopular with this crowd are run flats. I would not be without them. I’ve run them for 24 years. They have gotten much better than the original Goodyear. Most have not any experience with the newest Michelin ZP. I am running the newest +3ZP. I would not be without for a number reasons.

 

Talk about reverse technology. Is it just me or do those wheels a lot look like C7 wheels and C5/6 calipers? Strange


In the process of changing to 18/19' and looking at full dry/summer tread style. Presently on Michelin Pilot sports

 

The only advantage of run flats is that they run flat.

The disadvantages are never talked about by dealer types... increased noise/harshness, reduced feel/predictability/traction at the limits. They also tend to cost more.

Okay for a winter set but mine came with PS4s that have a ton of life left and my summer wheels/tires will probably be NT01s or something.

 

I've been happy with Nitto G2s, and I've done track days with them as well, not that I'm a 10/10ths driver but they did well. Hankook Ventus the above extreme contacts and even the firestone indys all get good reviews on here.
A lot depends on what type of driving you're doing...

 

Hankook V12's are affordable and improved the ride and traction of my vert. Get a quote from Tire Rack and have a local supplier meet or beat their price (because life is too short to deal with them).

 

We live in a rural area. I run the run flat tires. Once I leave our little town, the nearest town that could help me is 75 miles away.

 

I had these tires as well. No complaints and was priced fair

 

After 23 years of Goodyear and Michelin run flats on my 98 coupe I switch to non run flats. Long range trips with the C5 have become rare the last few years so the next set of tires where non run flats.
Went with Goodyear Exhilarate all season tires in stock C5 sizes. Great deal, ride, handling and road noise are improved over the old Michelin's. If my driving requirements included long trips I would have gone with the run flats for extra security.

 

I am kind of leaning toward the Michelins !

 

Michelin A/S 4 ZPs would be a good choice. For non-runflats, I ran Hankook Ventus V12 EVOs on two of my C5s and was very pleased with those tires.

 

Just added a set of General G-Max 275/35ZR18's on the convertible...smooth and quiet thus far.

 

Nitto nt05. nt05r if you want some serious grip. Have run most tires out there and these handle like non other on a vette

 

I am probably going with the Goodyear Exhilarates as my next tire too.

 

I'm certainly in the non-runflat crowd. However, it really comes down to personal choice. Like most things with this car, there are pros and cons to each choice. In general, non-runflats are quieter, have improved ride quality, have better traction, and high speed performance than run-flats. The run-flats are also an extra expense. Also keep in mind that you can really only safely drive about 50 miles on a "flat" run-flat. I carry an air pump, and a tire plug kit. In most cases this will get you as far or farther than the run-flat will. The exception being catastrophic tire damage. However, for a nail or screw (or similar) the tire patch and air pump will do just fine. I also have AAA, if things go really bad.
The other decision you need to make is if you want an all-season or a Summer tire. When I first got my car, it was bone stock, and I used it as a daily driver. All-season tires were a great choice. By the time I added a supercharger to it, the All-season tires just didn't cut it anymore. The Summer tires offer MUCH better performance. The down side is that they are more expensive, and they can't be used if the temperature is under 40 degrees. They also have less tread life. However, this isn't really a factor for me as you should replace your tires every 6 years regardless of tread life remaining. Any tire I choose should last the full 5 years based on the mileage that I put on the car.

 

I bought my C5 with 10yr old tires and needed something asap for the aftermarket TSW 18/19 wheels the previous owner put on the car and was struggling to find a 305 width rear tire in all season.
I ended up with Toyo Proxes All-Seasons and they've been great!




I do plan to get a set of summer wheels and will probably put Conti Extreme Summers as I'm a huge fan of Continentals on my Bimmer.

 

My car drives smooth and quiet on Michelin A/S 3 non-run flats. Had Michelin run flats and didn’t care for them. I carry a small tire inflator and puncture repair kit in one of the rear cubbys.

 

I also have the General G-Max RS Ultra High Performance Summer tires on my 2006 Convertible for 10,400 miles and really like them. I had them installed last June. I switched from run-flats. The Generals have great dry and great wet traction and better road feel and steering response than the run flats. The are great performance tires for the money. Summer tires are fine for me all year long since I am in SW Florida.
Here is a picture from a couple weeks ago. As you can see they wear very well. The rears typically do show a little more wear than the fronts.