C5 Z06 Recommended Tires
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 12
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C5 Z06 Recommended Tires
Hello! I know there are forums about this from years ago but can’t find any up to date information. I have a stock Z that I mainly drive on the street but I’ll do auto cross on the weekends. Is it still possible to get a good set of 4 tires for under 1000$? Ideally looking for something a bit wider than factory size, if that extra thickness is beneficial for the cost. Is it worth it to shell out the extra $$ for something like pilot sport cups or 4s? Thoughts and recommendations greatly appreciated!!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 127
From: Flowood MS
I'm kinda happy with my $800 set of Sumitomo HTR Z5s. I will know more after putting another 150 miles on them tomorrow. Sadly 17" performance tires are very hard to come by these days. I went 10mm narrower front and rear to get a set of tires for stock Z06 wheels. There are more choices in all season tires, but I have a daily driver for that kind of weather.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
I'm kinda happy with my $800 set of Sumitomo HTR Z5s. I will know more after putting another 150 miles on them tomorrow. Sadly 17" performance tires are very hard to come by these days. I went 10mm narrower front and rear to get a set of tires for stock Z06 wheels. There are more choices in all season tires, but I have a daily driver for that kind of weather.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 127
From: Flowood MS
Interesting choice. I can see choosing the Sumitomo HTR Z5 if you just want the cheapest tire possible that will fit, but did you actually compare the tire performance aspects to some of the all seaons offerings? In many cases, the all season tires out perform the Summer only tires.
I didn’t pick the “cheapest” tires. There are far cheaper options. I was replacing 13 year old dry rotted rubber on a car I want to drive with something safer and had decent performance for the price and would fit correctly on the factory wheels.
I wish there were better 17s commonly available, but that’s a real issue.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
Tirerack does have a nice testing database but I’ve never seen them compare summer and all season tires. I prefer Conti and Michelin tires but the PS4 and ECS aren’t available in the correct sizes.
I didn’t pick the “cheapest” tires. There are far cheaper options. I was replacing 13 year old dry rotted rubber on a car I want to drive with something safer and had decent performance for the price and would fit correctly on the factory wheels.
I wish there were better 17s commonly available, but that’s a real issue.
I didn’t pick the “cheapest” tires. There are far cheaper options. I was replacing 13 year old dry rotted rubber on a car I want to drive with something safer and had decent performance for the price and would fit correctly on the factory wheels.
I wish there were better 17s commonly available, but that’s a real issue.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 127
From: Flowood MS
There are choices <$100 a tire. None of them are brands I wanted to try. At least Sumi has a decent reputation of value / $. There are many tires I’d prefer but I won’t have those choices until I get 18/19s. I have a lot of other things on this car to address before that happens.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 3,389
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I didn’t pick the “cheapest” tires. There are far cheaper options. I was replacing 13 year old dry rotted rubber on a car I want to drive with something safer and had decent performance for the price and would fit correctly on the factory wheels. I wish there were better 17s commonly available, but that’s a real issue.
Not cheap but not super expensive, either.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 127
From: Flowood MS
My DD has all season tires.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: San Jose CA
I strongly suggest buying a pair of 18x10.5" Z06 rears and putting them on the front with 275/35/18's That sets you up for a set of CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT SPORT tires which are excellent
The 17" tire size is dead, accept it and move on
The 17" tire size is dead, accept it and move on
Racer
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 457
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2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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There are choices <$100 a tire. None of them are brands I wanted to try. At least Sumi has a decent reputation of value / $. There are many tires I’d prefer but I won’t have those choices until I get 18/19s. I have a lot of other things on this car to address before that happens.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 127
From: Flowood MS
I strongly suggest buying a pair of 18x10.5" Z06 rears and putting them on the front with 275/35/18's That sets you up for a set of CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT SPORT tires which are excellent
The 17" tire size is dead, accept it and move on
The 17" tire size is dead, accept it and move on