Firestone vs. Michelin info please
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida
Firestone vs. Michelin info please
Well folks, the rear tires are finally getting ready to become recycling material, and I'm pretty hooked on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S runflats. But...I have a non-Corvette friend who is a tire wholesaler who says that the Firestone runflats are just as good or better than the Michelins. I'm looking for someone who has run both tires & can actually compare the 2. Price is not necessarily a consideration as this is the first set of tires to be put on the car since new, so I figure that after 22k miles, it's worth the money.
TIA and happy 'vetting. Jerry
TIA and happy 'vetting. Jerry
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Bethalto Illinois
Originally Posted by VetteRxD
Well folks, the rear tires are finally getting ready to become recycling material, and I'm pretty hooked on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S runflats. But...I have a non-Corvette friend who is a tire wholesaler who says that the Firestone runflats are just as good or better than the Michelins. I'm looking for someone who has run both tires & can actually compare the 2. Price is not necessarily a consideration as this is the first set of tires to be put on the car since new, so I figure that after 22k miles, it's worth the money.
TIA and happy 'vetting. Jerry
TIA and happy 'vetting. Jerry
I know nothing about the Firestones so can't compare.
I have a 97, MN6, Michelin Pilots, they were on the car when I bought it used, tires were new.
As this is MY only car I drive it in about all weather and have found below about 35 degrees 1st and 2nd is useless for acceleration,
anything beyond medium acceleration creates severe wheelspin, same for 3rd if there is moisture in the road. I will be looking for something with better traction when I replace these.
Luck in your search.
Norm
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida
Thanks NLKoerner for the reply, but I guess I'm just looking for more general info i.e. noise, traction (dry & wet), and handling. I do not auto-x it, but every once in a while there is the occasional high speed corner or launch 
. Thanks again for the info in advance. Jerry
. Thanks again for the info in advance. Jerry
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,133
Likes: 1
From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
I've had Firehawks in the past. Soon as the '04 factory meats wear out I'm getting them again.
Firehawks are great all weather tires, nice and sticky, quiet and wear well. Just my .02.
Firehawks are great all weather tires, nice and sticky, quiet and wear well. Just my .02.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Had both....Stones lasted as long as GY Run Craps...quieter..traction a little better....Michelin A/S..had for 4 months and sold when I got my tire package with Pilot Sports..anyway....they seemed to be equal to the Stones traction and ride noise wise......can't say about long term wear..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 38
From: Dix Hills, NY
I just changed rims and have Firestones for sale....lots of tread left (rears approx 7/32- fronts approx 8/32). Someone make me an offer!!!!
Last edited by WildWolf; Mar 22, 2005 at 07:42 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Ambler PA
Firehawks
Originally Posted by DRKNGHT
I've had Firehawks in the past. Soon as the '04 factory meats wear out I'm getting them again.
Firehawks are great all weather tires, nice and sticky, quiet and wear well. Just my .02.
Firehawks are great all weather tires, nice and sticky, quiet and wear well. Just my .02.
Amen,
from a guy who has owned two sets.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
I haven't owned a Firestone tire since the 721 fiasco back in the 70's when the treads were separating (sound familiar). But I have owned the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP's and loved them. When it comes time for new tires for the Z I will consider them again. Of course they are pricey compared to others. They also come with an impressive 2 year warranty which I was unaware of until I looked at all the documentation that came with the tires. And I figure if the C5R's can run Michelins so can the rest of us.
Tom
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Firestone
I have the SZ50 and about 30K miles. Good for another 10K.. Ok so I don't spin them a lot. 
, but I have driven on the track 
and the SZ50 has done well. I am looking at replacement and found on the T/Rack the F/s vs Mich.. are about the same price. The SZ50 is Runflat and the Mich is the ZTP. So I am also interested in those on the Mich.. is it better than the FS? or not?
I am not interested in having GY sing me a tire song while I drive. Normal conversation is required when I drive over 1000 / day in the car.. 99 Nassau Blue
, but I have driven on the track and the SZ50 has done well. I am looking at replacement and found on the T/Rack the F/s vs Mich.. are about the same price. The SZ50 is Runflat and the Mich is the ZTP. So I am also interested in those on the Mich.. is it better than the FS? or not?I am not interested in having GY sing me a tire song while I drive. Normal conversation is required when I drive over 1000 / day in the car.. 99 Nassau Blue
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Originally Posted by NLKoerner
Hello Jerry,
I know nothing about the Firestones so can't compare.
I have a 97, MN6, Michelin Pilots, they were on the car when I bought it used, tires were new.
As this is MY only car I drive it in about all weather and have found below about 35 degrees 1st and 2nd is useless for acceleration,
anything beyond medium acceleration creates severe wheelspin, same for 3rd if there is moisture in the road. I will be looking for something with better traction when I replace these.
Luck in your search.
Norm
I know nothing about the Firestones so can't compare.
I have a 97, MN6, Michelin Pilots, they were on the car when I bought it used, tires were new.
As this is MY only car I drive it in about all weather and have found below about 35 degrees 1st and 2nd is useless for acceleration,
anything beyond medium acceleration creates severe wheelspin, same for 3rd if there is moisture in the road. I will be looking for something with better traction when I replace these.
Luck in your search.
Norm
Ed
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Bethalto Illinois
Originally Posted by C5XTASY
Regular Michelin Pilot Sports are summer tires, if I remember correctly. The Pilot Sport AS's and AS ZP's are a different animal. I would not expect a summer tire to perform as well as an all-season in cold or inclement weather. Are your Michelins Pilot Sports, AS's or just Pilot Sports...big difference.
Ed
Ed
)I don't know the diff, :o Please enlighten me.
Norm
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Originally Posted by NLKoerner
Pilot Sport AS's, not (ZP's )
I don't know the diff, :o Please enlighten me.
Norm
)I don't know the diff, :o Please enlighten me.
Norm
Ed
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Quincy IL
Originally Posted by VetteRxD
Sorry to resurrect a dead horse, but who is Hib Halverson & where do I find his article on run-flat tires? TIA. Jerry
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Jeff Wilson
Google found this: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=515
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida
Thanks Jeff, for the link to Hib Halverson's article. Very informative indeed. I think I'll be going with the Michelins. With a 16 month old little boy and a wife, I don't think I'll be taking it to remote locations(outside of 50 miles) where dealers aren't available to fix a flat. Thanks again for the information. Take care & save the wave. Jerry
