I have recently just replaced my original factory tires on my 2004 C5(40000km). I decided to go with non run flats for the price, then I also proceeded to cheap out on the tires...

The tires I ended up getting are Sumitomo HTR Z II. As soon as I pulled out of the tire shop I noticed a smoother ride. But as soon as I made a turn I realized my car felt totally different. I felt like a got a major performance downgrade.

I let some air out to about 27psi and it helped but not enough.
So I am wondering whether the difference in handling response is mostly due to using the less rigid non run flats, or the fact that they are cheap tires? They seem to be soft as well.

Does anyone know of a good handling responsive non run flat? Or a good run flat? Or should I just go back to OEM?

 

If you want the best you would get the Michelin PS2's. If you want cheap go with the Nitto. Bridgestone is another option kinda in the middle. Tons of treads on tires. What ever you do dont go back to OEM's.

 

I had Nitto NT555's on my FRC for a little while. Not bad tires at all. I just went with Continental ExtremeContact DW's to fit my OEM Z06 wheels and these tires are awesome! Hopefully they're nothing like Continentals other tires though...

 

Kumho is good bang for the buck

 

Nitto NT555.

 

i just put goodyear eagle gt's on the front of my C5 and am happy with them. just keep a plug kit and some kind of air pump in your car for emergencies.

 

I love my Michelin PS2's.

 

Just Replaced my 44,000 mile Ps2's with a new set of Ps2's. Overall,you can;t beat Michelin's !

 

Give the tires you have a little time to scrub in. There is a release agent on the "skin" of the tire that needs to be worn off. Drive it a 1000 miles or so and see what you think. You do get what you pay for though.

My Continental DWS tires felt slippery when I first put them on and would break free in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears with hard acceleration. After some time, they hook much better. They don't perform as well as the OEM Supercars in hot / dry weather but I downgraded the dry traction to gain more wet traction as I daily drive my car 9 months a year.

As a side note, the Continental DWS tires performed flawlessly in Colorado during the heavy rains there a few weeks ago.

 

I am very pleased with Kumho and am on my second set of them but my car has over 110000 miles. They have good traction and the price is good.

 

these tire threads are all over the place since owners are all over the place in driving habits

the only thing i can tell you is sumitomo almost always makes garbage tires to the same degree michelin always makes great tires

every once in awhile michelin may make a dud model and sumitomo may make a decent rubber compound but it's rare

tires are absolutely the #1 performance item on a car. it doesn't matter how much hp you have or anything else if the tires aren't up to par. it amazes me to no end how often that gets overlooked on this forum

for a budget choice i'm surprised you didn't buy the hankook v12. it's really not a bad tire at all for a budget choice

you also have the ps2 run flat if you want a run flat tire. another great choice.....or the all season variant if you for some reason need a snow capable run flat with a rock hard treadwear rating

there is even the conti dws if you drive in freezing temps and light snow and for some reason won't buy two sets of wheels and run real snow tires in the winter

for absolute max traction there is even the bridgestone re11

in stock sizes there really is no reason not to buy one of those 4 tires. they cover every possible type of owner. no other tires can compete with those in stock sizes for their specific type